The Faraglioni rock stacks off Capri in deep blue water with a boat wake

FerrySpringSummerAutumn

Positano to Capri by ferry, past the Sirens' islands to Marina Grande

Positano falling away astern, Li Galli off the rail, and Capri's cliffs filling the bow 30 minutes later.

The short answer

Boats from Positano's Spiaggia Grande reach Marina Grande on Capri in 30 to 40 minutes, and from Amalfi in about an hour. On the 2026 timetables Positano Jet, NLG and Alicost run about eight sailings a day each way between them, from 1 April (Positano Jet to 31 October, NLG and Alicost to 3 November), at €28 to €29 one way including Capri's €5 landing contribution. The last boat back to Positano leaves Capri between 17:00 and 19:00, depending on the line and the month, so buy the return with the outward ticket.

From the beach at Positano the boat swings west along the Amalfi Coast, slips past the three islets where the Greeks put the Sirens, and runs through the strait at the tip of the Sorrento peninsula with Capri growing ahead. Half an hour after leaving one of the most famous waterfronts in Italy you step off at another, Marina Grande, with the funicular to the Piazzetta and the boats to the Blue Grotto a few steps from the gangway.

From

Positano

Capri

Italy

Journey time: 30 to 40 min
Crossing: about 22 km
Sailings a day: about 8 each way (2026)
Fare from: €28 with landing fee
Last boat back: 17:00 to 19:00
Season: 1 April to 3 November

Why this short crossing is one of the great ones

Positano and Capri face each other across 22 km of open water. The Amalfi Coast was built to be approached from the sea, its houses stacked up the gorges and its churches turned to the bay; UNESCO inscribed the whole coast as a World Heritage Site in 1997. Leaving it by boat is the way to see Positano whole, the town rising from the beach to the mountain behind you.

The route between the two is old sailors' water. Off Positano lie Li Galli, the islets the ancients called the Sirens' home, in a stretch of sea known for treacherous currents on the route south to the Strait of Messina. Further west the boat runs through the Bocca Piccola, a strait about 5 km wide and 70 m deep on average, between Capri and Punta Campanella, where the Greeks kept a sanctuary of Athena and passing ships poured wine into the sea and lowered their sails to her.

Then Capri. The boat rounds Punta del Capo under Monte Tiberio, where Tiberius built Villa Jovis, one of the twelve villas Tacitus says the emperor had on the island, and runs along the north shore under Monte Solaro, at 589 m the island's highest point, into Marina Grande. From here the island's two great sights are within reach before lunch: the funicular climbs to the Piazzetta, and the small boats leave the harbour for the Blue Grotto, a Roman nymphaeum that two German painters, August Kopisch and Ernst Fries, made famous in 1826.

Along the way

Positano
leaving the Spiaggia Grande
Positano from the water
The boats leave from the pier beside Positano's main beach, in the middle of the town. Stand at the stern as you pull away: within a minute the whole town is in view, a cascade of houses from the beach up to the mountain, the way the road above never shows it.
to the left, soon after leaving Positano
Li Galli, the Sirens' islands
Three islets in the sea between Positano and Capri: Gallo Lungo, shaped like a dolphin, La Rotonda and La Castelluccia, once a pirates' lookout over ships passing the Bocche di Capri. The ancients placed the Sirens here, in waters known for dangerous currents.
to the right, about halfway
Punta Campanella and the Bocca Piccola
The last cape of the Sorrento peninsula, inside a marine protected area. The strait between the cape and Capri is about 5 km wide and 70 m deep on average. Ships passing the Greek sanctuary of Athena here poured wine into the sea as an offering.
rounding the eastern tip of Capri, to the left
Punta del Capo and Monte Tiberio
The boat turns the island's north-eastern point, where the statue of the Scugnizzo stands on the rocks, under the heights of Monte Tiberio. On its 334 m summit are the ruins of Villa Jovis, the villa the emperor Tiberius built for himself on the island.
the last 5 minutes, to the left and ahead
The approach to Marina Grande
Capri's north shore opens up: the white houses of Marina Grande around the harbour, Capri town in the saddle above, and Monte Solaro, 589 m, rising behind Anacapri to the west.
from the quay at Marina Grande
On to the Blue Grotto or round the island
The excursion boats leave from the same harbour you land in. A trip round the island passes the Grotta Bianca, Villa Malaparte, the Faraglioni and the lighthouse at Punta Carena; the Blue Grotto boats go west along the north coast to the cave's mouth, where you change into a rowing boat.
Capri

Where to sit or stand

From Positano to Capri, take the left side, the port side, and go out on deck if the boat has one: Positano Jet lists open-air seating on its boats. Li Galli pass on the left, and once the boat has rounded the eastern tip of Capri the island stays on the left all the way into Marina Grande. The right side has the Sorrento peninsula and Punta Campanella in the middle of the crossing. Coming back, the coast of Capri and then Li Galli are on the right. For the view of Positano itself, stand at the stern as you leave and at the bow on the way home.

Ways to do it

Positano Jet
From€29 Positano to Capri, landing contribution included; €24 back (2026)
The Positano line, Lucibello's ferry company, sails Positano to Capri at 10:20, 14:00 and 17:00 from April to June and in September and October 2026, with the last boat moved to 18:15 in July and August. Boats back from Capri leave at 11:15 and 15:10, and at 18:00 in spring and autumn or 19:00 in July and August, the latest return to Positano of any line. The same boats call at Amalfi first (09:40, 13:20, 16:25; €30 to Capri). One small bag of 40 x 20 x 25 cm is free.
NLG
From€24 one way plus the €5 landing contribution; €48 return (2026)
NLG runs Positano to Capri every day at 09:15, 10:55 and 16:35, and Capri to Positano at 09:45, 15:45 and 17:15, from 1 April to 3 November 2026. From Amalfi its boats leave at 08:54, 10:30 and 17:00. The fare is the same from Positano or Amalfi; children aged 2 to 12 pay €15, a suitcase is €5 a piece, and on NLG's own site online tickets are sold as returns only.
Alicost
From€23 one way plus the €5 landing contribution; €43.50 return (2026 fare table)
The Alilauro group's Salerno and Amalfi Coast line. Its published 2026 table lists Positano to Capri at 09:30 and 10:05, with an extra 08:50 at weekends until 31 May, and returns from Capri at 16:25 and 17:00 (18:50 at weekends until 31 May). Departures vary by date, so check the day you want: on 28 October 2026 its live departure board showed 08:50 and 10:05 from Positano. From Amalfi the table lists 09:10 and 09:35. One bag up to 50 x 35 x 20 cm and 9 kg is included. Alilauro's own route page quotes €21.25 at some times of day.
A private boat for the day
From€1,100 a boat (2026)
The alternative to the scheduled boats is a boat of your own. Lucibello's private Capri tour from Positano lasts 7 hours: round the island, a swim stop in Capri's water, about 3 hours ashore at Marina Grande and a last swim at Li Galli on the way home. The Blue Grotto, if the sea allows, means changing to a rowing boat at extra cost.

When to go

Winter
No line publishes a Positano or Amalfi to Capri timetable after the 2026 season ends on 3 November. To reach Capri in winter, go by way of Naples, whose boats run all year; the landing contribution drops to €2.50 from 1 November to 31 March.
SpringAt its best
The season opens on 1 April on all three lines, and Capri's landing contribution rises to €5 the same day. Until 31 May Alicost adds an early boat and a late one at weekends, 08:50 from Positano and 18:50 from Capri. The Blue Grotto opens 08:30 to 18:00 from April.
SummerAt its best
The full timetable, with Positano Jet's last boats moved later in July and August: 18:15 from Positano and 19:00 back from Capri, the longest day on the island the scheduled boats allow. Positano Jet warns this route is in heavy demand in summer, so book ahead.
AutumnAt its best
Warm sea, softer light and fewer day-trippers. In September and October 2026 Positano Jet's last boat back from Capri leaves at 18:00. Positano Jet stops on 31 October; NLG and Alicost run to 3 November. The Blue Grotto closes at 16:00 from 1 October and at 14:00 from 16 October.

Timetables, fares and tickets

How much is the ferry from Positano to Capri, and how often does it run?

On the 2026 timetables three lines sail from Positano to Capri: Positano Jet at 10:20, 14:00 and 17:00 (18:15 in July and August), NLG at 09:15, 10:55 and 16:35, and Alicost at 09:30 and 10:05 on its published table, with an 08:50 on some days. That is about eight boats a day each way, all between 08:50 and 18:15. The crossing takes 30 to 40 minutes. From Amalfi the same lines leave between 08:25 and 17:00, and the crossing takes about an hour.

Adult singles from Positano are €29 on Positano Jet with the landing contribution included, €24 plus €5 on NLG, and €23 plus €5 on Alicost. The contribution is Capri's charge on every passenger landing on the island, set in January 2024: €5 a person from 1 April to 31 October and €2.50 from 1 November to 31 March, paid once, on the way in. The trip back is cheaper for that reason. A return comes to €53 on Positano Jet or NLG with the contribution, and €48.50 on Alicost. Positano Jet may add a presale fee of up to €1.50 a passenger and a booking fee of €1 a leg. Buy from the operator online and go straight to the boat: Positano Jet asks you to be at the pier at least 20 minutes before departure.

Positano Jet, 2026: €29 to Capri, landing included; €24 back; children 3 to 12 €23 and €18
NLG, 2026: €24 plus €5; return €48 plus €5; children 2 to 12 €15
Alicost, 2026: €23 plus €5; return €43.50 plus €5; children €14
Amalfi to Capri, 2026: €30 (Positano Jet, landing included); €24 plus €5 (NLG); €23 plus €5 (Alicost)
Landing contribution: €5 (1 Apr to 31 Oct); €2.50 (1 Nov to 31 Mar)
Be at the pier: at least 20 minutes before (Positano Jet)

Ports and luggage, if you are moving hotels

Can you take a suitcase on the ferry from Positano to Capri?

Yes, at a small extra charge. Every line includes one piece of hand luggage, but the size differs: 40 x 20 x 25 cm on Positano Jet, which sells a separate ticket for a standard case up to 50 x 40 x 20 cm and another for anything larger or over 9 kg; 50 x 35 x 20 cm and 9 kg on Alicost; 50 x 30 x 15 cm and 5 kg on NLG, which charges €5 for each bag beyond it. Buy the bag ticket with your fare. You carry your own bags on and off, and Positano Jet has no left-luggage service.

In Positano the boats leave from the pier at the Spiaggia Grande, which Positano Jet notes is within walking distance of the centre and most hotels. On Capri every boat lands at Marina Grande. The funicular to Capri town leaves from Piazza Vittoria at the harbour and costs €2.40, with another €2.40 for each suitcase; a bag no bigger than 25 x 30 x 50 cm rides free (regional tourism agency tariff sheet, August 2025).

Free bag: 40 x 20 x 25 cm (Positano Jet); 50 x 35 x 20 cm, 9 kg (Alicost); 50 x 30 x 15 cm, 5 kg (NLG)
Suitcase: €5 a piece on NLG; a separate bag ticket on Positano Jet
Positano: pier beside the Spiaggia Grande
Capri: Marina Grande; funicular from Piazza Vittoria
Funicular: €2.40, plus €2.40 a suitcase (2025 tariff)

A day on Capri, and the Blue Grotto from Marina Grande

How do you get to the Blue Grotto from the Positano ferry?

Straight from the harbour you land in. The motorboat operators at Marina Grande run trips to the Blue Grotto, where you change into one of the cave's small rowing boats and crouch low in the bottom of the boat to pass under the entrance. On the regional tourism agency's August 2025 tariff sheet the motorboat costs €23 or €24, the rowing boat €12 and entry €6, about €42 a person in all; the rowing boat and entry are paid at the cave. Entry is €2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25. The grotto opens every day from 08:30 to 18:00 between 1 April and 30 September, to 16:00 from 1 to 15 October, and from 09:00 to 14:00 from 16 October, but only when the sea allows.

With a boat that lands between about 09:30 and 11:00 and a return between 17:00 and 19:00, a day trip has room for the grotto in the morning and Capri town or Anacapri in the afternoon. If the grotto is shut, the boat trip round the island runs from the same quay: NLG's leaves several times a day for €25 and passes Punta del Capo, the Grotta Bianca, Villa Malaparte, the Faraglioni and the lighthouse at Punta Carena.

Blue Grotto by sea from Marina Grande: about €42: boat €23 to €24, rowing boat €12, entry €6 (2025 sheet)
Blue Grotto entry: €6; €2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25
Opening, April to September: 08:30 to 18:00, sea permitting
Round the island: €25 (NLG, 2026 fare table), Blue Grotto not included

Sea state and cancellations

Do the Positano to Capri ferries get cancelled in bad weather?

Sometimes. The crossing is in open water, and Positano Jet warns that departures can change with the sea and weather; its website shows a live line at the top of every page saying whether all sailings are running. The Blue Grotto is the first thing to close in a swell, because the rowing boats cannot pass the entrance.

What happens to your ticket depends on who cancels. If the line cancels, Positano Jet charges no penalty, and Alilauro, which runs Alicost, rebooks you on another sailing or refunds you. If you cancel, Positano Jet keeps 20% up to 24 hours before and 50% up to an hour before, and NLG and Alilauro take cancellations up to 48 hours before departure. Tickets bought from an agency are refunded by the agency.

If the line cancels: no penalty (Positano Jet); rebooking or refund (Alilauro and Alicost)
If you cancel: Positano Jet keeps 20% up to 24 h before, 50% up to 1 h before; NLG and Alilauro up to 48 h before
Changing a ticket: Positano Jet: online up to 2 h before, €5 within 24 h
Return fares: Alilauro returns can be changed but not refunded; NLG sells online tickets as returns only

Worth knowing before you go

The last boat home leaves early
On the 2026 timetables the last boats back to Positano leave Capri at 17:00 on Alicost (18:50 at weekends until 31 May), 17:15 on NLG, and 18:00 on Positano Jet, or 19:00 in July and August. Miss it and there is no other public boat back that evening.
What to do. Buy the return with the outward ticket and choose Positano Jet's last boat if you want the longest day; in July and August its 19:00 gives you the island until early evening.
The sea decides
Positano Jet warns that sailings can change with the sea and weather, and the Blue Grotto stays shut in a swell.
What to do. Buy direct from the line, so a cancelled boat is rebooked or refunded, check its site on the morning, and keep the day trip for a day without a flight or a hotel change.

Where to stay at either end

Any of our Amalfi Coast hotels in Positano or Praiano makes Capri an easy day: the first boats leave Positano in the morning and the last return in the early evening.

ItalyAmalfi CoastThe ten hotels we would book on the Amalfi Coast

The journey in pictures

A ferry leaving Positano past the cliffs and beach

A boat crossing the sea in front of the Li Galli islets

The tower and lighthouse on Punta Campanella seen from the sea

Marina Grande on Capri with boats at the harbour below green cliffs

The glowing blue water inside the Blue Grotto on Capri

Capri's harbour and coast seen from above Anacapri

Questions people ask

Good questions about Positano to Capri

How long is the ferry from Positano to Capri?

30 to 40 minutes, depending on the sea, from the pier at Positano's Spiaggia Grande to Marina Grande on Capri. Positano Jet, NLG and Alicost all sail it, about eight times a day each way between them in 2026. Be at the pier at least 20 minutes before departure, and allow a few minutes at Marina Grande for the funicular up to Capri town.

How much is the ferry from Positano to Capri?

On the 2026 fare lists an adult single costs €29 on Positano Jet, landing contribution included, €24 plus the €5 contribution on NLG, and €23 plus €5 on Alicost. The way back is €5 cheaper because the contribution is charged only on landing. A return comes to €48.50 on Alicost and €53 on NLG or Positano Jet. Suitcases beyond the free hand bag cost extra, €5 a piece on NLG.

What time is the last ferry from Capri to Positano?

On the 2026 timetables it depends on the line and the month. Alicost's last boat leaves Capri at 17:00 (18:50 at weekends until 31 May), NLG's at 17:15 every day to 3 November, and Positano Jet's at 18:00 from April to June and in September and October, and 19:00 in July and August. There is no later public boat, so book the return when you book the outward crossing.

Can you do a day trip to Capri from Positano?

Yes, easily. Take a boat between 08:50 and 10:20 and you are on Capri by about 09:30 to 11:00, with the return between 17:00 and 19:00. That leaves time for the Blue Grotto boats from Marina Grande in the morning, when the sea allows, and Capri town or Anacapri after lunch. For a whole day on your own terms, a private 7-hour boat tour from Positano costs from €1,100 a boat (2026).

How long is the ferry from Amalfi to Capri?

About an hour, landing at Marina Grande; most boats call at Positano on the way. On the published 2026 tables NLG leaves Amalfi at 08:54, 10:30 and 17:00, Alicost at 09:10 and 09:35, and Positano Jet at 09:40, 13:20 and 16:25. Fares are €30 on Positano Jet with the landing contribution included, and €24 or €23 plus the €5 contribution on NLG and Alicost.

How do I get to the Blue Grotto from the Capri ferry?

From the quay at Marina Grande, where the ferry lands. Motorboats take you to the cave mouth, where you change into a small rowing boat for the entrance. On the August 2025 tariff sheet that was €23 or €24 for the motorboat, €12 for the rowing boat and €6 entry, about €42 in all. It opens 08:30 to 18:00 from April to September but closes whenever the sea is rough, so go in the morning.

Can I take my luggage on the ferry from Positano to Capri?

Yes. One piece of hand luggage is free, from 40 x 20 x 25 cm on Positano Jet to 50 x 35 x 20 cm and 9 kg on Alicost, and a suitcase needs its own ticket, €5 on NLG. You load your bags yourself. On Capri the funicular from Marina Grande to Capri town charges €2.40 for each suitcase on top of the €2.40 fare.

Positano to Capri

Positano falling away astern, Li Galli off the rail, and Capri's cliffs filling the bow 30 minutes later.

Positano → Capri

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Image credits: Berthold Werner (CC BY-SA 3.0) · VV Nincic from Toronto, Canada (CC BY 2.0) · IlSistemone (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Arnoldius (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Norbert Nagel (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Elenagm (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Positano → Capri

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Positano to Capri by ferry, past the Sirens' islands to Marina Grande

Why this short crossing is one of the great ones

Along the way

Positano from the water

Li Galli, the Sirens' islands

Punta Campanella and the Bocca Piccola

Punta del Capo and Monte Tiberio

The approach to Marina Grande

On to the Blue Grotto or round the island