We came to Capri by jet boat from Naples but you can do it from Sorrento as well. I've picked this tip about taking day trips by boat up from my Sorrento pages, thus the references to buying tickets at the dock there:
Varied transportation options to the beautiful islands and towns in the Amalfi Coast region are another reason tourists flock to Sorrento. Ferry and hydrofoil service to Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Ischia and other locations that can be reached via water is frequent and easy to do - just pick your favorite and buy a ticket. You'll be catching your cruise at Marina Piccola and not Marina Grande so make sure you go to the right docks. You can catch ferries and jet boats from Naples and any other of the places they go as well.
Ferries are cheaper but considerably slower than hydrofoils so if wanting to maximize your sightseeing time, I'd recommend going with the fast boat. The friendly folks at your hotel, Sorrento Tourist Office (Via Luigi De Maio, 35) or at the ticket offices at Marina Piccola can help you with current schedules and prices.
A note for persons like myself with touchy stomachs: It is possible to feel a little queasy on a rough sea so take your favorite motion-sickness remedy if need be. We were able to stand on the back deck of the hydrofoil to-and-from Capri but not so on the one to Positano so fresh air isn't always an option. Because they move so fast, hydrofoil is probably a better choice for keeping your breakfast down - you'll get to your destination quicker than by ferry so won't be uncomfortable for as long. For instance, it's 20 minutes to Capri from Sorrento by fast boat vs 40 minutes by putzy ferry.
The websites below are for ferry/jet-boat companies that service Capri and some other locations around the coast. This one contains info of general services from Sorrento:
http://www.sorrentotourism.com
DO be aware that the majority of boat services in the area are seasonal and do not run in the early spring, winter or late fall.
Updated Feb 17, 2013
Website: http://www.capri.com/en/ferry-schedule
Ferries from Sorrento to Capri are run by several different Amalfi Coast ferry companies.
Ferries from Sorrento to Capri run year round and depart from Sorrento Marina Piccola ferry port at the bottom of the cliffs in Sorrento.
There are two ferry companies that run ferries from Sorrento to Capri: Gescab and Caremar.
Gescab ferries are the faster of the two, but at 14 euros for a one way ferry ticket to Capri, they are also more expensive.
Caremar ferries from Sorrento to Capri cost 9.80 euros for a one way ferry ticket and run a bit more slowly than Gescab ferries.
The all weather ferries depart Queenscliff Harbour and Sorrento Pier.
Every hour on the hour, 7 days a week
Crossing time 40 minutes
Easy drive on/drive off – no turning and backing required
Bookings are not required (coaches excepted)
Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to ferry departure to purchase tickets.
Boat trips around Capri.
You can watch my 2 min46 sec Video Sorrento-Capri out of my Youtube channel or here on VT.
You can watch my 2 min 08 sec Video Capri-Sorrento out of my Youtube channel or here on VT.
Written Oct 21, 2012
Getting around the island without having to spend a fortune is possible in the island. You can move between the popular routes e.g Capri, Marina Grande, Marina Piccola, Anacapri, Faro and Grotta Azzurra for as little as 1.30 euro.
Little orange buses regularly go to these stops depending on the final destinations. Be warned though, since the Isle of Capri is almost always full of visitors, you will sometimes need to squeeze in the little buses and ride on the winding streets.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
The day pass saved me a bit of money in Capri and I definitely recommend it. For 7,90€ you get 2 rides on the funiculare (all you need, 1 up and 1 down) and unlimited trips on the buses. With the pass you can go from Capri to Anacapri, to the light house for a swim and to the Blue Grotto so you don't have to be legally robbed by the boat rides there. And at the end of the day you return your pass to get 1€ back!
Written Sep 16, 2010
It was thrilling riding to the top of Capri. To transport oneself from the port below to Capri centre above the harbor, you can take the funicular for the equivalent of about $1.30 one way.
It's a 3 minute ride once you get started, but the line tended to be long waiting to go up and waiting to come down when we visited. A funicular moves up and down the hill every 15 minutes. A smart card is available for those staying more than one day.
There are several cars with seats and bars to hang onto as you shimmy up the hill. As one might expect, the view was stupendous once you pass by a variety of fruit trees and landscaping.
The funicular deposits you in front of the bell tower, which incidentally was our gathering place for departure. The ticket office is located in the port as you come in, beneath an archway. There are also restrooms located nearby.
Updated Oct 13, 2009
Website: www.capriweb.com
Our excursion package called for arriving in Capri by Hydrofoil, so all was taken care of by the Voyager of the Seas.
I must say it was a smooth crossing, but I took my Bonine just in case. One could select inside or outside seating, most chose the latter. The seats inside were arranged in rows of two and three.
The journey across the sea took about 50 minutes. For ferry and hydrofoil info. go to the websites below where you'll find the various jumping off points and times.
Updated Oct 10, 2009
Website: www.capri.com
When going to Capri from Sorrento don't bother reserving through your hotel or travel agent, just head for the port in Sorrento , check out the companies that offer day trips and choose the one with a price and timetable that fill your needs. It's easy inexpencive and convienant.
Written Jun 21, 2009
Website: http://www.capri.net/en/getting-here
Other than walking, the cheerful little orange buses are the least expensive way to get around the island - at least where motorized vehicles can go. Tickets can be purchased on the bus, from ticket offices near the piazzas in both Capri and Anacapri towns, and a ticket office on Marina Grande. There are both single ride, daily and funicolare/ bus combos. The funicolare (which we didn't take) is a tram from Marina Grande up to Capri town and the wait to get on it can be long when a large ferry has just unloaded.
The buses are not very big and fill to standing-room-only quickly but if one is full, it won't be long until the next one comes along. The route from Capri town to Anacapri (which is situated much higher up a mountain) is a white-knuckle, hair-raising, stomach-turning thrill ride on a VERY narrow road. If heights don't make you sweat, grab a seat (or stand) on the RIGHT side of buses leaving Capri, and LEFT side (behind the driver) leaving Anacapri. The panorama of the bay and Capri town below is incredible if you are brave enough to keep your eyes open!
I'm including a good link for schedules, routes, rates and ticket types. For a PDF of schedules, look for red "Bus" on left side of page - the icon for the download is below it.
Updated Oct 16, 2008
Website: http://www.capritourism.com/en/timetable-and-prices
Buses that serve major routes cost Euro 1 per trip per pax. Usually packed for the route from Capri to Anacapri. You can catch a glimpse of the scenary along the way if you are not too distracted by the fast speed and steep cliffs along the way :P
Written Jun 23, 2008
We were using the Caremar ship to go from Sorrento to Capri.
It's take about 1 hour when we arrive to Capri.
On the attached website you can choose the destination and you can see the timetable and the prices.
Written Apr 29, 2008
Website: http://www.capritourism.com/en/ship-timetable
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