Capri is such a bucket list destination! If you find yourself in Naples, it can be hard to resist the urge to visit this stunning island, even if only for a few hours! Thankfully it’s really easy to do, and completely worth the time and effort. In May 2024, I went day tripping to Capri from Naples when we were in port on a cruise. While we only had about 5-6 hours to spend on the island, it scratched the itch! While you won’t be able to hit it all, you can see the highlights and experience some of the best Capri has to offer. Here are my top tips for day tripping to Capri from Naples!
Read More: How to Get to Capri from the Naples Cruise Port
1. Arrive as early as possible
Arriving as early as possible when day tripping to Capri will be your key to success! In May 2024, we caught the 7:00 am ferry from Naples, which docked in Capri shortly before 8:00 am. We experienced zero lines to buy funicular tickets, or even to get up to Capri Town! Take a look at the picture above- that was the crowd when we came back down the funicular around 1:00 pm. Insane! The funicular can only hold 140 passengers at a time and leaves every 15 minutes. You could be stuck in line at the base for hours!
2. Book ferries in advance
If you’re visiting in peak season, definitely book your ferries in advance! You can buy them online through a variety of different vendors just by searching “Naples to Capri ferry tickets”. When we visited in early May, we were able to walk up to the ticket window to purchase our tickets, but we did notice that a few of the ferries later in the day were already sold out.
If you change your mind and want to get on a ferry at a different time (that has availability), simply visit the ticket booths here (Naples) or here (Capri) and ask the attendant to swap your times. There may be an additional cost associated with the new tickets, but if it is an even exchange, they’ll do it no problem.
3. Choose between Capri Town and Anacapri
Anacapri and Capri are the two main towns on the island. While not impossible, it would be really difficult to go to both while day tripping to Capri. Instead, pick one and make it your focus. Spreading yourself too thin and trying to do both would result in feeling rushed and never really experiencing either town. Capri Town is the main attraction, home to tons of restaurants, shopping, and is really the heart of the island. You take the funicular up to town from the port and there is plenty to do to fill your day. Anacapri is a little quieter, smaller, and more “off the beating path”. If you’re looking for less crowds, this would be a better option. Plus, you take the iconic chairlift to and from town!
4. Be prepared for sticker shock
Things were definitely more expensive on Capri than mainland Italy! This is a luxury destination, so that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. But you should definitely plan to pay a little more for everything: from coffee, to lunch, and even souvenirs. We were able to find a few reasonably priced items at some of the smaller clothing shops, but we had to search for the good deals. Think of it as a treasure hunt!
5. Consider booking a private island tour
When day tripping to Capri, you’re going to be really tight on time. Even knowing that you can’t do it all, consider booking a private tour of the island. While it will certainly cost you, if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, it might be worth the splurge. On a private your, you can be in control of where to go and how long you spend at each place. Plus, booking with a local can often get you “insider tips” and you can find more local, hidden gems.
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments