Planning a trip to Capri
Getting There
You can reach Capri from either Naples or Sorrento. From Naples’s Molo Beverello dock (take a taxi from the train station), the hydrofoil (aliscafo) takes just 45 minutes and departs several times daily (some stop at Sorrento); a one-way trip costs 19€. Regularly scheduled ferry (traghetto) service, departing from Porta di Massa, is cheaper but takes longer (about 1 1/2 hr.; 17€ each way). Contact Caremar (www.caremar.it; (tel) 199-116655) for ferry schedule; for hydrofoils, try SNAV (www.snav.it; (tel) 081-4285555).
From Sorrento, go to the dock at Marina Piccola (just below Piazza Tasso), where you can board one of the fast ferries (nave veloce) run by Caremar or a hydrofoil run by Gescab (www.gescab.it; (tel) 081-8781430). The hydrofoils are slightly faster (trip time is 20 min., compared to 25 min.) and cost 15€ one-way; a one-way ticket for the fast ferry is 13€. Departures are 11 times per day from 7:15am to 7:15pm (the last boat back leaves Capri at 6:30pm).
Gescab ((tel) 081-811986) also runs a service between Positano and Capri from April through October. Hydrofoils cost 18€ one-way, and a ferry ticket goes for 16€ one-way.
Visitor Information
The Tourist Board is on Piazzetta Italo Cerio (www.capritourism.com; (tel) 081-8375308) in Capri town. From April to October, it’s open Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 8:30pm, Sunday 8:30am to 2:30pm; November to March, hours are Monday to Saturday 9am to 1pm and 3:30 to 6:30pm.
Getting Around
Capri gets its name from the ancient Greek kapriae, meaning "island of the wild goats." Indeed, only goats can tread these steep slopes and cliffs with ease. Today modern roads -- including a short stretch of "highway" -- allow for easy transfers, but the price to pay is traffic and congestion, especially in summer. One way of helping to ease the situation is to use the efficient local public transport network rather than taxis, and we suggest this whenever possible. A word of advice: Even when travelling by bus or the funicolare (funicular), wear comfortable shoes: there's always lots of walking involved on Capri.
The funicolare, run by SIPPIC (tel. 081-8370420), is the picturesque means of transportation between the harbor of Marina Grande -- where the ferry and hydrofoil landings are -- and the town of Capri, where it arrives in the heart of town, off Piazza Umberto I. Funiculars leave about every 15 minutes for the 5-minute ride, and you need to purchase tickets in advance at the ticket booth by the ferry landing. Taxis wait by the harbors and at the main stands: Piazza Martiri d'Ungheria, in Capri (tel. 081-8370543), and Piazza Vittoria, in Anacapri (tel. 081-8371175). The minimum rate is 8€, and there are flat rates for a few destinations: 15€ between the harbor at Marina Grande and Capri town; 15€ between Capri and Anacapri; 20€ between the harbor at Marina Grande and Anacapri. There are supplements for baggage (2€ per piece), and nighttime services.
The well-run public bus system is great, but in high season, a ride in one of these diminutive vehicles can feel like being in a sardine can and guarantees a hair-raising ride along the narrow cliff roads that crisscross the island. ATC (part of SIPPIC) offers service between Marina Grande, Capri, Marina Piccola, and Anacapri, while Staiano Autotrasporti (tel. 081-8372422; www.staianogroup.it) offers service between Anacapri, Faro (Lighthouse), and Grotta Azzurra. Tickets cost 1.40€ for either the bus or funicular. You can also get a 60-minute ticket for 2.20€, valid for one funicular run and unlimited bus runs during the time limit, or a day pass for 6.90€, valid for two funicular rides and unlimited bus service. You can also rent scooters: The most environmentally friendly is Rent an Electric Scooter, Via Roma 68 (tel. 081-8375863), but there are others, such as Antonio Alfano, with two locations: Via Marina Grande 280 (tel. 081-8377941) and Piazza Barile 26, Anacapri (tel. 081-8373888). Boat rental, with or without a skipper, is readily available at the Marina Grande beach from Banana Sport (tel. 081-8375188) and Leomar (tel. 081-8377181); at Marina Piccola from Rent a Boat (tel. 081-8370355); and from Sercomar, Via Cristoforo Colombo 64, Capri (tel. 081-8378781).
