Getting There -- You can get here from either Naples or Sorrento. From Naples's Molo Beverello dock (take a taxi from the train station), the hydrofoil takes just 45 minutes. The hydrofoil (aliscafo) leaves several times daily (some stop at Sorrento), and a one-way trip costs 15€ ($20/£10). Regularly scheduled ferry (traghetto) service is cheaper but takes longer (about 1 1/2 hr.). Fares are 6€ ($7.80/£4) each way. For ferry and hydrofoil schedules, call tel. 081-5513882 in Naples. There's no need to check all the dock offices for the best price.
From Sorrento, go to the dock right off Piazza Tasso, where you can board one of the ferries run by Linee Marittime Partenopee (tel. 081-8781430) or Caremar (tel. 081-5513882). Departures are four times per day from 8:35am to 4pm (the last ferry back leaves Capri at 5pm), costing 9€ ($12/£6.05) one-way. It's much faster to take one of the hydrofoils operated by Alilauro (tel. 081-8073024), which depart every hour daily 7:20am to 5:40pm, take only 20 minutes, and cost 12€ ($16/£8.05) one-way. Linee Marittime Partenopee also makes hydrofoil service to Capri (departures are 19 times per day, every half-hour 7:25am-5:40pm; 12€/$16/£8.05).
If you make reservations the day before with Alicost (tel. 089-811986), you can take a hydrofoil or a ferry to Capri from Positano. Hydrofoils cost 16€ ($21/£11) one-way, and a ferry ticket is 13€ ($17/£8.70) one-way.
Visitor Information -- Get in touch with the Tourist Board, Piazza Umberto I 19 (tel. 081-8370686; www.capritourism.com), at Capri. From April to October, it's open Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 8:30pm; November to March, hours are Monday to Saturday 9am to 1pm and 3:30 to 6:45pm.
Getting Around -- There's no need for a car on tiny Capri. The island is serviced by funiculars, taxis, and buses. Capri's hotels are a long way from the docks, so we strongly recommend that you bring as little luggage as possible. If you need a porter, you'll find union headquarters in a building connected to the jetty at Marina Grande. Here you can cajole, coddle, coerce, or connive your way through the hiring process, where the only rule seems to be that there are no rules. But your porter will know where to find any hotel among the winding passageways and steep inclines of the island's arteries. Just bring a sense of humor. (Note that if you have reservations at one of the island's more upscale accommodations, your hotel might have its own porter on duty at the docks to help you with your luggage and get you settled.)
