Which port in Naples do ferries to the islands leave from?

Most passenger ferries and hydrofoils for Capri, Ischia and Procida leave from Molo Beverello, right in the historic centre near Piazza Municipio. Some slower car ferries for Ischia and Procida leave from the adjacent Calata Porta di Massa. Check your ticket carefully — the two quays are about 5 minutes apart on foot.

How long is the ferry from Naples to Capri?

High-speed hydrofoils and catamarans take about 45–50 minutes from Molo Beverello to Capri's Marina Grande. The slower conventional ferry takes around 80 minutes. From Sorrento, the crossing is much shorter — roughly 20–30 minutes by high-speed.

Are Amalfi coast ferry services available all year?

No. Amalfi coast ferry services are highly seasonal. The Naples–Positano–Amalfi and Salerno–Amalfi routes typically run from April or May through to October. Outside that window, these services either stop entirely or run very reduced schedules. The Sorrento–Capri and Naples–Capri routes run year-round, though less frequently in winter.

Is it better to visit Capri as a day trip or to stay overnight?

Capri is transformed once the day-trip ferries leave in the afternoon — the island becomes quieter, more beautiful and considerably more pleasant. If your budget allows one night, the difference is dramatic. For day trippers, arrive on the first or second morning ferry and leave on a late afternoon one to make the most of the quieter middle hours.

Bay of Naples Ferries: Capri, Ischia, Procida and the Amalfi Coast

The Bay of Naples is one of Europe's most spectacular ferry landscapes. From the city's central waterfront you can reach four distinct island destinations and the legendary Amalfi coast by fast ferry or hydrofoil, most in well under an hour. This guide explains which Naples port to use, how the services compare, which islands reward an overnight stay and how the Amalfi coast ferry network fits in.

Molo Beverello: Naples' main ferry port

For almost every journey covered in this guide, your departure point is Molo Beverello, the quay at the base of Piazza Municipio in central Naples. It is easy to find: walk towards the water from the Municipio metro station and the ferry terminals are directly ahead.

Caremar and SNAV run hydrofoils and ferries from here for Capri ferries, Ischia ferries and Procida. Alilauro and Travelmar depart from the same area for Sorrento and the Amalfi coast.

One important detail: car ferries for Ischia and Procida leave from Calata Porta di Massa, the working port a few minutes' walk east along the waterfront from Molo Beverello. If you are travelling with a vehicle, check your embarkation point carefully.

Arrive at least 20–30 minutes before departure. In summer the quay is extremely busy, especially for Capri sailings on Friday afternoons and Sunday returns.

Capri

Capri ferries from Naples arrive at Marina Grande, the island's main harbour on the north coast. From there, a funicular climbs to Capri Town; local taxis and minibuses serve Anacapri.

The Naples to Capri ferry is operated by Caremar and SNAV. High-speed hydrofoils are the standard choice — about 45–50 minutes — and the fastest services do not carry cars. Capri is a very small island with extremely limited vehicle permits; if you are not a resident, you cannot bring a car anyway. Foot passengers only.

The Sorrento alternative: the Sorrento to Capri ferry is only 20–30 minutes and is popular with visitors already staying on the Sorrento peninsula. Caremar and SNAV both operate it. If you are basing yourself in Sorrento, this is usually the more convenient approach.

Day trip vs overnight on Capri

Capri receives an enormous volume of day trippers in summer — the island can feel overwhelmed between 10 AM and 4 PM in July and August. If you are visiting as a day trip, take the earliest departure and accept that the main sites will be busy. The Blue Grotto boat tours leave from Marina Grande and run throughout the morning.

Staying overnight is genuinely worth the cost if you can manage it. By early evening the day trippers have gone, the piazzetta in Capri Town becomes a very different place, and the island's natural beauty — the coastal paths, the Gardens of Augustus, the views from Monte Solaro — is best appreciated in morning light before the crowds arrive.

Ischia

Ischia ferries are served by the Naples to Ischia ferry from Molo Beverello (passenger) and Calata Porta di Massa (car ferry). SNAV and Caremar are the main operators on the high-speed service (about 50 minutes); Caremar also runs a slower conventional car ferry taking around 1–1.5 hours.

Ischia is the largest island in the bay — considerably bigger than Capri or Procida — and is famous for its thermal baths, volcanic landscape and spa hotels. It receives a largely Italian clientele, especially in summer, and has a different character to Capri: more local, less fashionable, and generally better value.

The island port is Ischia Porto, a circular harbour formed in a volcanic crater. From there, buses circle the island to Casamicciola Terme, Forio, Sant'Angelo and Barano.

Ischia rewards at least two to three nights — the island is big enough to explore by scooter over several days, and the spa hotels are the entire point for many visitors.

Procida

The Naples to Procida ferry is shorter than either Capri or Ischia — about 40 minutes high-speed. Caremar and SNAV both serve it.

Procida is the smallest and least-visited of the three islands, and the most authentically Neapolitan. Its pastel-coloured harbour front at Marina Corricella was the backdrop for the 1994 film Il Postino and has barely changed since. The island has excellent seafood, little tourism infrastructure compared to Capri, and a pace of life that makes it one of the most refreshing stops in the bay.

It is comfortable as a day trip or a one-night stay — there is not enough to fill more than two days for most visitors. The Naples to Procida ferry is the only regular connection.

Sorrento

The Naples to Sorrento ferry is operated by Caremar and SNAV. The crossing takes about 35–45 minutes from Molo Beverello and is a popular alternative to the congested Amalfi coastal road.

Sorrento sits on a clifftop above the water on the southern side of the bay. It is well-positioned as a base for day trips to Capri (by the Sorrento to Capri ferry), Pompeii (by train on the Circumvesuviana), Positano and Amalfi (by local ferry in season).

The town itself is pleasant but oriented heavily towards tourism; its main value is as a transport hub and base rather than a destination in its own right.

The Amalfi coast by ferry

The Amalfi coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Europe — and one of the most impractical to navigate by road, especially in summer when the narrow coastal highway is gridlocked.

Ferry is often the better option for getting between Positano, Amalfi and Salerno from late spring through early autumn.

Naples to Positano and Amalfi

The Naples to Amalfi ferry is operated by Alilauro and Travelmar from Molo Beverello. The journey takes about 1.25 hours and calls at Positano en route. The Naples to Positano ferry is about 1 hour. These are fast-boat (passenger-only) services.

Important: These services are seasonal — typically running from late April or May through to October, with no winter schedule. Before planning your Amalfi coast days around these ferries, confirm the current season's timetable.

Salerno to Amalfi

The Salerno to Amalfi ferry is the local short-haul option, operated by Travelmar. Salerno is at the southern end of the coast, about 35 minutes from Amalfi by fast ferry. This service connects Salerno, Cetara, Maiori, Minori and Amalfi during the summer season.

If you are arriving at Salerno by train from Naples or Rome, this ferry provides a scenic and traffic-free entry to the Amalfi coast that avoids the coastal road entirely.

What the Amalfi ferry cannot do

Positano and Amalfi have small jetties but no car ferry service — vehicles must use the road. If you have a car, you are limited to the coastal highway regardless of season. The ferry is strictly for foot passengers.

Planning a Bay of Naples itinerary

A practical circuit from Naples might look like this:

Day 1: Naples — city centre, Molo Beverello orientation, evening in the Spanish Quarters
Day 2: Capri — Naples to Capri ferry on the early service; Blue Grotto, Capri Town, stay overnight
Day 3: Capri / Sorrento — morning Anacapri walk, then Sorrento to Capri ferry in reverse to Sorrento; afternoon Sorrento
Day 4: Amalfi coast — Sorrento taxi or local ferry to Positano, ferry to Amalfi via Naples to Amalfi (or local boat from Sorrento)
Day 5: Ischia — Naples to Ischia ferry from Molo Beverello; thermal baths, Forio
Day 6: Procida — Naples to Procida ferry; Marina Corricella, lunch, return to Naples afternoon

Seasonal and practical notes

Summer peak (July–August): Book all ferries, especially Capri-bound sailings, at least several days ahead. Buy tickets online via Caremar, SNAV, Alilauro or Travelmar. Molo Beverello is chaotic on summer weekends.

Shoulder season (May–June, September–October): Most services run, Amalfi coast routes are often at their best, and crowds are significantly reduced. This is the recommended window if flexibility allows.

Winter (November–March): Naples–Capri and Naples–Ischia run year-round but with fewer daily departures. All Amalfi coast and Sorrento–Amalfi services are suspended. Procida and Ischia remain connected but timetables are reduced.

Weather cancellations: The Bay of Naples is relatively sheltered, but high-speed hydrofoils can be cancelled in rough weather. The conventional car ferries to Ischia and Procida are more resilient. In autumn storms, allow contingency time.