Capri is an island of two faces: the glamorous 300 EUR-per-dinner luxury destination of magazine covers, and the genuinely practical travel challenge of ferry schedules, narrow cliff roads, no rental cars, and steep hills. See our Capri weather by month for more details. Here is everything you need to know before you go, from getting there to getting around to what things actually cost. For an overview of the island, read our complete Capri travel guide.
Capri Travel Tips & FAQ: Getting to Capri
The nearest airport is Naples International Airport (NAP, also called Capodichino), about 7km from the Naples port where ferries to Capri depart. From the airport, take the Alibus shuttle (5 EUR, 20 minutes) to Piazza Municipio, then walk 5 minutes to Molo Beverello pier for hydrofoils or Calata Porta di Massa for ferries. A taxi from NAP to the port costs 25 to 30 EUR flat rate. Ferries from Naples to Capri run year-round: Caremar and SNAV operate hydrofoils (40-50 minutes, 22-24 EUR one-way) and slower ferries (80 minutes, 15-18 EUR). From Sorrento, hydrofoils take 20-25 minutes (18-20 EUR). Book tickets online at snav.it or caremar.it in advance for summer weekends and August. The last ferry back to Naples departs Capri around 7:30pm in summer, earlier in winter. Miss it and you are spending the night, so check the return schedule before you board the outbound ferry. See our best time to visit Capri for more details. Ferries dock at Marina Grande; the funicular (2.20 EUR, runs 6:30am to 10pm) takes you up to Capri Town in 3 minutes.
Capri Travel Tips & FAQ: Getting Around the Island
Cars are banned on Capri for non-residents from Easter through October (and heavily restricted year-round). You will get around by bus, funicular, taxi (convertible), or on foot. The island bus network covers Capri Town, Anacapri, Marina Grande, Marina Piccola, and the Faro (lighthouse). Tickets cost 2 EUR and are sold at tabacchi (tobacco shops) and at the bus terminal; you cannot buy them on the bus. The buses are small and pack tightly in summer; do not expect air conditioning. The funicular connects Marina Grande to Capri Town in 3 minutes (2.20 EUR, every 15 minutes). Taxis are white convertible sedans seating up to 4 passengers. Standard fares: Marina Grande to Capri Town 15 EUR, Capri Town to Anacapri 25 EUR, Capri Town to Marina Piccola 20 EUR. Confirm the price before getting in. See our things to do in Capri for more details. Walking is the most pleasant way to explore: Capri Town to Marina Piccola takes about 20 minutes downhill, and the Via Tragara walk from the Piazzetta to the Faraglioni viewpoint is a flat 15-minute stroll.
Capri Travel Tips & FAQ: What Things Cost
Capri is one of the most expensive destinations in Italy. An espresso on the Piazzetta costs 5 EUR (vs 1.20 EUR in Naples). An Aperol spritz at a Piazzetta cafe is 12-15 EUR. A simple pasta dish at a mid-range restaurant runs 18-25 EUR; a three-course dinner with wine at a nice restaurant is 60-100 EUR per person. The beach clubs at Marina Piccola charge 25-40 EUR for a sunbed and umbrella for the day. A gelato cone is 4-5 EUR. The Blue Grotto costs 18 EUR per person. A round-trip ferry from Naples is 44-48 EUR. Daily budget for a mid-range traveler: 200-300 EUR per person including hotel, meals, activities, and transport. See our Capri events and festivals for more details. Budget travelers can get by on 120-150 EUR by staying in Anacapri, eating at casual trattorias in Marina Grande, and skipping the beach clubs for the free public beach.
Capri Travel Tips & FAQ: Tipping, Language, and Etiquette
Tipping in Italy is not as institutionalized as in the United States, but on Capri restaurants often add a 10-15% servizio (service charge) to the bill automatically. If servizio is included, no additional tip is expected. If it is not included, rounding up 5-10% or leaving 1 to 2 EUR per person is standard. For taxis, round up to the nearest 5 EUR. For hotel porters, 1 to 2 EUR per bag. English is widely spoken in where to stay, restaurants, and shops in Capri Town. In Anacapri and among older residents, Italian is more common. Learning basic Italian greetings (buongiorno, buonasera, grazie, per favore) is appreciated. Dress is smart casual: you will not be turned away from restaurants for wearing shorts, but Capri has an unspoken dress code of understated elegance, particularly in the evening on the Piazzetta.
Capri Travel Tips & FAQ: Safety, Water, and Practical Info
Capri is extremely safe. Violent crime is virtually nonexistent. The main safety concerns are practical: the cliff paths have steep drop-offs with minimal railings, so keep children close on the Via Tragara and the walk to Villa Jovis. Pickpocketing is rare but can occur on crowded summer buses between Capri Town and Anacapri; keep wallets in front pockets. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the island. Pharmacies (farmacia) in Capri Town (Via Roma) and Anacapri (Piazza Vittoria) stock basic medications. The nearest hospital is on the mainland in Naples; for emergencies, the Capilupi medical center in Capri Town handles minor issues. The voltage is 230V with Italian Type L plugs (three-prong); bring a universal adapter. Mobile coverage is good across the island. See our best neighborhoods in Capri for more details. The tourist information office (APT) is on the Piazzetta under the clock tower, open 9am to 6pm daily in summer.
Capri Travel Tips & FAQ: Day Trips and Itinerary Planning
A day trip to Capri from Naples or Sorrento is possible but rushed. If doing a day trip, take the first ferry in the morning (7am from Naples, 8am from Sorrento) and plan your return around 6pm. Prioritize: Blue Grotto first (morning, before queues build), then Monte Solaro chairlift, then the Gardens of Augustus and a walk along Via Tragara, finishing with a drink on the Piazzetta. Skip Villa Jovis (too far, too time-consuming) and the beach clubs (costly for a short stop). For a one-night stay, add Villa San Michele, a boat tour around the island, and a proper dinner on the Piazzetta or in Anacapri. Two nights is the sweet spot: it gives you one full day for the main sights, plus a second day for a beach club, the Villa Jovis walk, and Punta Carena at sunset. The Piazzetta after the day-trippers leave around 6pm transforms into a relaxed, almost local-feeling square; staying overnight is worth it for this alone.
Capri Travel Tips & FAQ: Suggested Hotels in Capri
JK Place Capri
A 22-room boutique hotel set in a 19th-century villa above Marina Grande with a sweeping sea-view terrace and pool. Best for couples seeking understated elegance and personalized service on Capri. Check rates and availability
Hotel La Floridiana
A 4-star hotel with panoramic sea views from its rooftop terrace and pool, located between the Piazzetta and Marina Grande. Best for mid-range travelers who want a central location with a swimming pool. Check rates and availability
Hotel Villa Sarah
A family-owned hotel set in a lush garden with a small pool, a 15-minute walk from the Piazzetta on Via Tiberio. Best for budget-conscious travelers who want a quiet garden setting and don’t mind walking. Check rates and availability
