Sorrento to Capri: how the crossing works
Sorrento is one of the closest mainland starting points for Capri. Boats leave from the port at Marina Piccola, below the town on the cliffs. Do not confuse it with Marina Piccola on Capri, which is a bathing spot on the island's south coast. You arrive at Marina Grande, the main harbor of Capri.
A travel portal gives about 40 minutes for a fast ship and about 30 minutes for a hydrofoil. Different boats take different times, so treat these as typical values. This site is independent and does not sell tickets. Fares below are published operator figures for 2026 and can change.
Sorrento to Capri ferries and 2026 fares
One-way prices per passenger, before the landing fee.
| Operator | Adult | Child | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLG | €22 | €11.50 (ages 2 to 12) | Under 2 free without a seat. Luggage and pets €5 each per leg. Summer timetable 1 April to 3 November 2026. |
| Caremar (fast ship) | €17.40 | Reduced fare | Reduced category for ages 2 to 11, under 2 free. Fee schedule below. |
| Alilauro | – | – | Publishes Sorrento to Capri crossings in its 2026 timetable. Check the operator for the fare. |
Caremar lists extra charges on its tariff page: 12 percent (at least €1 per fare item) for tickets bought up to the day before, and €1 per ticket for online issue. The fares are not a market range. They show what each operator lists, and a published price does not show free seats on your day.
Our picks: from Sorrento
Three boat days from Sorrento, each with its fees listed.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Capri island boat day with hotel pickup
Hotel transfer, a skipper-guide, life jackets, a swim stop and four hours of free time, with prosecco, snacks and limoncello. The landing fee is extra. The Blue Grotto is not included.
Check availability →
Capri boat tour from Sorrento, grotto optional
A skipper-guide, prosecco per boat, soft drinks, fruit, masks and life jackets. The boarding or landing fee and any grotto entry are extra, and so is lunch.
Check availability →
Boat day to Capri from Sorrento, grotto optional
A swim stop, free time on Capri, snorkel masks, prosecco, soft drinks and beer with a skipper-guide. Landing fee and pickup are extra, and the grotto is only an option with entry extra.
Check availability →Capri boat trips and island day tours
Island cruises, Blue Grotto stops and guided day trips, with live prices and availability.
Departure times from Sorrento
List times for the summer timetable, not a promise of daily service.
NLG, 1 April to 3 November 2026
The 2026 list shows departures from Sorrento at 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 2:35 p.m., 4:10 p.m. and 5:05 p.m. Winter timetables exist separately and differ.
The return trip
Look up the last boat back to Sorrento for your date before you book the outbound leg. Sea conditions can change or cancel sailings, so do not plan a tight connection with a train, bus or flight on the same evening.
Booking
Compare the operators for your date. Sellers show different fees, and an advertised "from" price is not always the total.
Landing fee and other extras
What comes on top of the ticket.
The landing fee (contributo di sbarco)
Alilauro lists €5 per person from 1 April to 31 October and €2.50 from 1 November to the end of March. NLG publishes the same amounts but ends the winter rate on 30 March, Alilauro on 31 March. Caremar's tariff table shows only €5. It is added to the fare, and it is not an admission ticket for the whole island.
When it applies
NLG explains that the fee is charged on trips from the mainland to the island, not on the way back. If a final price already includes the fee, do not add it again. Ask the operator whether an exemption applies to you.
Luggage and pets
NLG charges €5 per piece of luggage and €5 for a pet on each leg. For a day trip, a small bag is the easier choice.
A day trip from Sorrento
Three ways to use the hours on the island.
Blue Grotto and the coast
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a sea cave in the municipality of Anacapri. Three things are paid separately: museum entry at €6, the rowboat at €12 under the museum rules (a travel portal lists €13), and the boat transfer from Marina Grande at €25. The cave closes in rough seas, and a booked transfer does not guarantee entry. Read the full details first.
Blue Grotto guide →Anacapri and Monte Solaro
A bus links Capri town and Anacapri. The Monte Solaro chairlift costs €15 return or €12 one way. From April to October it runs from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last ride down at 5:30 p.m. Villa San Michele charges €12 for adults.
Anacapri guide →Capri town on foot
The funicular connects Marina Grande with the Piazzetta. A travel portal lists about 4 minutes per ride, usually every 15 minutes, at €2.40. The town centers are explored on foot.
Things to do on Capri →Before you go
Points that change a plan.
No cars on the boats you need
A regional decree bans cars, motorcycles and mopeds that do not belong to residents from 30 March to 2 November 2026 and from 28 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Rental cars and foreign plates are included, and a hotel booking alone is not an exemption. Leave the car in Sorrento.
Naples airport in November 2026
The airport operator announced a closure in November 2026 for runway work. An earlier municipal notice named 10 to 30 November, and the final dates should be checked. If you land at Naples and continue to Sorrento, check your airline for the arrangements.
Group rules
Press reports from February 2026 say organized groups are limited to 40 people, with headphones above 20.
Other ways to reach Capri
If Sorrento does not fit your route.
Naples to Capri
Molo Beverello, Porta di Massa and the ferry types.
Positano and Amalfi to Capri
Seasonal boats in 2026 and the Ischia connection.
Boat tours around Capri
Island cruises and private boat examples.
Weather and travel seasons
Naples climate figures and what changes by month.
Sorrento to Capri: frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Sorrento to Capri?
A travel portal gives about 40 minutes for a fast ship and about 30 minutes for a hydrofoil. The time depends on the boat and the sea.
How much is the ferry from Sorrento to Capri?
The 2026 lists show €22 for adults with NLG and €17.40 with Caremar's fast ship, one way. The landing fee comes on top: €5 from 1 April to 31 October.
Which port do the boats leave from in Sorrento?
They leave from the port at Marina Piccola. It is a different place from Marina Piccola on Capri.
Can I take a car from Sorrento to Capri?
Non-resident vehicles are banned from 30 March to 2 November 2026 and from 28 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, rental cars included. Outside those dates, check the current rules before you plan.
Is a day trip from Sorrento enough?
It is enough for one main goal, such as the Blue Grotto, Anacapri or the town and the Faraglioni viewpoints. Trying all three is rushed, so plan around the last boat back.