Should You Book The Ferry to Capri in Advance?

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, and Capri is one of its shining stars. Capri is an island located just off the southern coast of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. Ferries are a popular form of transportation used to get to the island. If you are planning to head to Capri, should you be booking your ferry passes in advance?

Should You Book The Ferry to Capri in Advance? Booking your ferry ticket is not required. Most often, you can purchase a ferry ticket at the counter on the day of your journey. Arriving up to half an hour early can increase your chance of getting on the next ferry. If you plan on traveling during a time where it is busy, purchasing ahead of time is a great way to ensure that you have a place on the ferry of your choosing. 

Should You Book The Ferry to Capri in Advance?

When traveling to Capri, you are limited to taking the ferry to the island. For those who are looking to plan their trip, booking tickets in advance is a great way to make sure you can get to where you are going. Paying for tickets in advance can also help with budgeting and limiting the amount of cash you are traveling with. It is also peace of mind for others.

Unless you are traveling during a heavy tourist season- June to August, booking a ferry ticket is not necessarily something you have to do in advance. During these months, many travelers choose to visit Capri for a couple of hours or a few days, which can cause the ferries to fill up quickly. Although it is not required, it is encouraged. 

On most days, you can easily walk up to a ferry stand in Naples or Sorrento and purchase a ferry ticket. You can even purchase them up to a few minutes before the next boat leaves. You will often purchase your return ticket at the same time. 

Make sure you purchase the correct ferry ticket. Some ferries run much quicker than others, and it can have a significant impact on the amount of time you get to spend on Capri if you are visiting. If you are looking to spend the better part of the day in Capri, catching an early ferry is highly recommended, and you should book them in advance if you can.

What You Need to Know About Capri Ferries

Different types of ferries will take you to Capri. Depending on how quickly you want to get there, high-speed ferries may be your best option. There are regular and slow ferries which obviously take more time, and some even can transport vehicles as well. There are often multiple ferries that run through the day between the different islands and ports in the area. Unless there are strong winds or bad weather, ferries often run when they are supposed to. 

Some of the ferries are much larger than you imagine. If you are concerned about the ferry at a specific time filling up, there is no harm in paying in advance. Some ferries give a slight discount on the cost to those who book ahead and print at home or use their phone. 

Before you purchase a ticket online or in person, make sure you understand the ferry schedule for the area you are departing from to know when return times are. Many ferries have different schedules depending on tourist volume, overall demand, and the weather as well.

Where Do Capri Ferries Depart From?

Sorrento: Sorrento is a common port for most of those who are visiting Italy. Sorrento has around thirty ferries per day that travel to Capri. The journey will cost you approximately 20 Euros for a one-way ticket and can take about twenty minutes. You can also catch ferries to the Amalfi Coast at this location.

Positano: Positano is one of the most popular destinations in Southern Italy. If you are staying on the Amalfi Coast, a ticket to the island of Capri is going to run you up to 20 Euros one way, and the journey will take 25 minutes. The only issue is that if you are going during a slower time of the year, you may not have as many ferries\ traveling to the area. 

Naples: For most people who are visiting Capri, they will be flying into Naples. Molo Beverello and Calata Prota di Massa are ports in Naples, and both of them have ferries that depart from the city. Naples has three different ferry options, which all come at different costs. Molo Beverello has fast ferries! Both of these parts are easy to get to via train or taxi. Tickets to Capri will cost you around 20 Euros for a one-way ticket. The journey from Naples is much longer and can take up to an hour and a half.

Ischia: If you are staying on the island of Ischia, there are also ferries that you can take to Capri. The ferries to Capri from Ischia do not run as often as other ports. During a slow season, that number may be cut down even further. Tickets are around 20 Euros for a one-way pass, and the journey will take you about an hour. 

If you are visiting during a slower season, you can take the ferry into Naples, where they probably have more ferries to Capri running. If you choose to do this, make sure that you know when the last ferry to Ischia is!

Benefits of Buying Your Ferry Ticket in Advance

• It Would Help you Have a Guaranteed Seat: The most significant benefit of buying your ticket ahead of time is that you are guaranteed a seat on the ferry. This is dependent on if the ferry is still running. Some ferries even let you know the luggage limits ahead of time so you can pack accordingly.
• Great For Those Who Budget: When planning for a big trip, a lot of people like to budget out the expenses they know they are going to have. Paying for a ferry ticket in advance reduces the chance of losing money set aside for the trip, and it cuts down on conversion rates. 
• Perfect If You are Looking to Take in the Views: Southern Italy is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Taking a ferry to Capri is not only a calm way to transport there, but it also is a great way to catch some fantastic views of the area.

Risks of Buying Your Ferry Ticket in Advance

• Ferries Can Get Cancelled: See you are crossing a large body of water, high-risk weather can cause your ferry to cancel. To be honest, this is going to happen regardless if you buy your ticket in advance or at the dock, so make sure you are prepared for that. 
• Some Tickets May Not Be Refundable: If something happens and you need to cancel your trip, you may not get your ticket cost back. Some ferry tickets are non-refundable, and you cannot transfer them. Make sure you read the fine print before you purchase tickets. You can also ask the ferry directly using a customer service email or phone number.

Further Reading: Get more useful information on Capri