The Sorrento to Capri ferry, explained
Who actually runs it
Five names work this crossing: Gescab, trading as Alilauro; Caremar; Laser Capri; SNAV; and NLG, the Navigazione Libera del Golfo. They are public transport rather than tour companies, and on the quay they behave like it — you buy a seat on the next thing leaving and nobody makes a fuss of you. I have watched visitors spend twenty minutes choosing between them. The meaningful differences are the vessel and the departure time, not the livery.
How long it takes, by boat
A hydrofoil does it in 20 to 25 minutes. A fast ferry takes about thirty and rides heavier seas more comfortably. Laser Capri runs motorboats, which are slower than either. On a calm morning the difference between them is academic; on a rough one it is the difference between a crossing you forget and a crossing you remember. The full breakdown of crossing times against tour durations is on how long the boat ride is.
What a ticket costs
One-way fares run roughly €20 to €30 depending on operator and vessel, and Caremar is usually the cheapest of the five. One carry-on bag travels with you; anything larger usually carries a small supplement, and so do pets. The landing tax that every non-resident owes on arrival between 1 April and 31 October is built into the fare, so you will not be asked for it at the pier. It is roughly €2.50–€5 depending on season.
| Hydrofoil | Fast ferry | Motorboat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossing | 20–25 min | About 30 min | Slower again |
| One-way | Roughly €20–€30 | Roughly €20–€30 | Roughly €20–€30 |
| Landing tax | In the fare | In the fare | In the fare |
| Bags | One carry-on free | One carry-on free | One carry-on free |
| Extra bags | A small supplement | A small supplement | A small supplement |
When they run
High season, April to October, is the easy version: departures every 30 to 60 minutes, the first around 07:15 and the last around 19:45. That density is why walk-up travel works in summer and why I do not lose sleep over anybody missing one boat. Low season is a different animal, with sailings every one to two hours, and the last return becomes something you plan your afternoon around rather than something you glance at. Either way, the return time is the one to write down — more on that in booking ahead.
Where you catch it
Every ferry leaves from Marina Piccola, Sorrento, which sits at the bottom of the tufa cliffs the town is built on. You get down there by lift, by the steps, or by road, and the walk back up at the end of a hot day is longer than it looks from the terrace. The boat tours use the same harbour area, which is why four of the six include hotel pickup and hand you the problem solved. Directions and how much time to leave yourself are on where the boats leave.
What the fare does not buy
A seat, a crossing, and a landing tax. It does not buy the coast: the ferry runs from port to port and shows you the island from one angle for twenty minutes. The Faraglioni arch, the grottoes, Villa Malaparte, Punta Carena and the swim stops are all off the route. If that is what you came for, the honest comparison is on ferry or boat tour. If it is not, the ferry is the correct answer and I would rather you spent the difference on lunch.
Note the last sailing before you go anywhere on the island. Around 19:45 in high season and much earlier in winter, and the gap between boats in low season can be two hours — long enough to turn a missed departure into a hotel room.
If you decide you want the day, not the crossing
The best-rated of the high-volume boats is also the cheapest of them, and it collects you from your hotel rather than leaving you to find the pier.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the ferry from Sorrento to Capri?
Roughly €20 to €30 one-way depending on operator and vessel, and Caremar is usually the cheapest. The landing tax is already in the fare, and extra bags usually carry a small supplement.
How long does the ferry take?
A hydrofoil crosses in 20 to 25 minutes, a fast ferry in about thirty, and Laser Capri’s motorboats take longer. All of them leave from Marina Piccola in Sorrento.
How often do ferries run to Capri?
Every 30 to 60 minutes from April to October, first sailing around 07:15 and last around 19:45. In low season it is every one to two hours, so the timetable matters much more.
Which ferry company is best?
For price, Caremar, usually the cheapest. For speed, whichever hydrofoil is next. They are public transport and the vessel matters more than the brand — the thing worth choosing carefully is the crossing against a day on the water. Costs either way are on is Capri expensive.