Getting There
Formia (150km/93 miles south of Rome; 90km/56 miles north of Naples) is the main port for boats to Ventotene and the only port offering year-round passenger service to the island. In summer, you can also reach Ventotene from Naples, Ischia Casamicciola, Ponza, and Terracina.
From Formia, Caremar (in Formia at Banchina Azzurra tel. 0771/22710; in Ventotene tel. 0771/85182; www.caremar.it) operates ferries (2 hr.; 12.20€) year-round, while both Caremar and Vetor (in Formia tel. 0771/700710; in Ventotene at Porto Nuovo tel. 0771/85253; www.vetor.it) run hydrofoils (1 hr.; 18€) from June to August. In July and August only, Alilauro (in Formia tel. 0771/267098; in Ventotene at Porto Nuovo tel. 0771/85253; www.alilauro.it) runs additional hydrofoils between Formia and Ventotene; tickets cost 17€ one-way or 30€ round-trip.
From Naples, Snav (in Naples at Via Giordano Bruno 84 tel. 081/7612348 or 081/4285555; www.snav.it) runs hydrofoils to Ventotene, stopping first at Ischia's Casamicciola port (tel. 348/7013471), then Ventotene (tel. 0771/85253), then Ponza (tel. 0771/80549 or 0771/80743). Trip time from Naples to Ventotene is 1 hour, 50 minutes; Ischia to Ventotene is 50 minutes; and Ventotene to Ponza is 50 minutes. The set fare for any leg along that route is 15€.
From Terracina, SNAP & SNIP (in Terracina tel. 0773/790055; in Ventotene 0771/85253; www.snapnavigazione.it) runs ferries from mid-July to early September only, a few times per week. The trip takes 3 hours and costs 25€ one-way or 40€ round-trip. The boats stop at Ponza en route.
Getting Around
Ventotene is small and flat enough to be explored easily and completely on foot. Most hotels offer a shuttle service to and from the port to help with luggage. To get around by sea (recommended), either hire one of the boatmen down at the Porto Romano to take you for a tour, or rent your own gozzo or gommone (try Raffaele Taliercio at Porto Romano; tel. 340/5558857).
Visitor Information
The Pro Loco is at Via Roma 2 (tel. 0771/85257; www.prolocoventotene.com).
Fast Facts
For police emergencies, the carabinieri are on Via Olivi (tel. 0771/85018). For medical emergencies, the pronto soccorso is on Via Luigi Iacono (tel. 0771/779381); the pharmacy is at Piazza Castello 29 (tel. 0771/85261). The post office is on Via Roma 31 (tel. 0771/85282). The bank, Monte Paschi di Siena, is on Piazza Castello (tel. 0771/85120), and has an ATM.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
