Positano on the Amalfi Coast
Ferry from Positano to Capri
From the Amalfi Coast you're on Capri in a good half hour, as long as the season is running
- Speedboats in around 30 to 40 minutes, Sant'Andrea's excursion boat in a good 70
- Six operators at peak season, up to eleven departures a day
- Foot passengers: with Alicost and Alilauro Gruson be at the quay 30 minutes before departure, with Positano Jet 20 minutes
- All boats leave from the pier at Spiaggia Grande
Table of Contents
The route at a glance
Positano - Capri is the fastest link from the Amalfi Coast to the island: the speedboats of Positano Jet, NLG and Alicost take around 30 to 40 minutes, and Alilauro Gruson joins in during high summer. Grassi Junior runs motor vessels that, depending on the sailing, go direct or make stops along the coast, and Sant'Andrea folds Positano into its excursion boat to Capri, a good 70 minutes with several stops. At peak season that adds up to eleven departures a day, out in the morning and back in the late afternoon.
The route is seasonal. Most operators run between spring and late October or early November; Grassi Junior alone keeps Positano - Capri going into December, with a few sailings on selected days. Between January and March, the route via Sorrento or Naples remains.
Departure in Positano
All boats leave from the pier at Spiaggia Grande, the main-beach landing below the town, within walking distance of the centre and most accommodation. The desks stand right at the pier: Alicost at Spiaggia Grande, Grassi Junior on the pier on Via Regina Giovanna, Positano Jet and NLG at the harbour. Positano has no sheltered harbour, just a pier on the open coast; in a swell, departures are cancelled here more readily than in Naples or Sorrento, and operators explicitly note that sailings depend on sea conditions.
Check-in and boarding
Deadlines vary by operator. Alicost and Alilauro Gruson require you to be at the quay 30 minutes before departure, Positano Jet 20 minutes at the pier, Sant'Andrea 15 minutes at the desk. NLG sets no deadline for foot passengers. Tickets bought online go straight to boarding with Positano Jet; Alilauro Gruson tickets must be printed and stamped at the desk. Grassi Junior sells online, at the desk and on board.
On board
The speedboats have air-conditioned seated cabins, with Positano Jet and Grassi Junior also offering outside areas. Sant'Andrea sails with open upper decks, which is part of the appeal on the coastal run. Hand luggage is limited everywhere, and the rules vary widely: NLG allows one piece up to 5 kilograms, Alicost and Alilauro Gruson one piece up to 9 kilograms, Positano Jet a small piece plus one standard piece up to 9 kilograms, Sant'Andrea a bag with limited dimensions. Larger luggage needs a luggage ticket, cheaper at the desk than on board.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
Only foot passengers travel on this route. NLG, Positano Jet and Alicost carry bikes for a fee, space permitting. Pets are allowed with NLG, Positano Jet, Alicost and Sant'Andrea for a pet fare, dogs on a lead and muzzled, small pets in a carrier, with a health or vaccination certificate on request. The Campania Region bans non-residents from bringing cars, motorbikes and mopeds to Capri, in 2026 from 30 March to 2 November and again over the New Year, with a few exceptions set out in the regulation. So the car stays in Positano.
Arrival on Capri
All boats dock at Marina Grande, the island's only ferry harbour. From there the funicular runs up to Capri Town, and buses go to Anacapri. For the return, what counts is your operator's last departure, usually in the late afternoon; anyone who misses it often still finds another boat to Positano in season, but outside the season only connections to Sorrento or Naples remain. The timetable shows both directions.
Tickets and fares
The price depends on the operator, the boat and the date, and becomes binding at checkout; Capri also charges a landing fee, and children, groups and residents pay less with most operators. Cancellation and rebooking rules differ by operator: Positano Jet refunds up to 24 hours before with a deduction, Alilauro Gruson and Sant'Andrea accept cancellations up to 48 hours before, and Grassi Junior only refunds if the sailing itself is cancelled. An overview is on the prices page; the alternative from the neighbouring town is on the Amalfi - Capri route page.
Positano - Capri
The short hop from the Amalfi Coast
Positano - Capri is the fastest crossing from the Amalfi Coast to the island and the most frequently served. Positano Jet, NLG and Alicost sail speedboats in around 30 to 40 minutes, Grassi Junior runs motor vessels, Sant'Andrea an excursion boat with stops, and Alilauro Gruson adds sailings in high summer. At peak season that adds up to eleven departures a day.
The route is seasonal: most operators run between spring and late October or early November, with Grassi Junior alone continuing into December. All boats leave from the pier at Spiaggia Grande, right in the middle of town.
- Crossing
- from 30 minutes depending on operator
- Operators
- six, incl. Positano Jet, NLG, Alicost
- Service
- seasonal, spring to autumn
- Starting price
- €21
- NLG
- Positano Jet
- Grassi Junior
- Alicost
- Sant'Andrea
Next departures
Positano - Capri FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Positano - Capri crossing.
How long does the crossing from Positano to Capri take? +
Around 30 to 40 minutes with the speedboats of Positano Jet, NLG and Alicost, similar with Alilauro Gruson. Grassi Junior's motor vessel takes about 35 minutes, considerably longer on sailings with stops. Sant'Andrea's excursion boat takes a good 70 minutes. The time for your specific departure is in the timetable.
Does the Positano - Capri ferry run all year? +
No. Positano - Capri is a seasonal route. Positano Jet and Sant'Andrea run until late October, NLG and Alicost until early November, Alilauro Gruson only in high summer. Grassi Junior is the only operator to keep the route running into December, with a few sailings. In winter the detour via Sorrento or Naples remains.
When do I need to be at the pier? +
That depends on the operator. Alicost and Alilauro Gruson's conditions of carriage require you to be at the quay 30 minutes before departure, Positano Jet states 20 minutes at the pier, Sant'Andrea 15 minutes at the desk. NLG sets no fixed deadline for foot passengers; go by what your ticket says.
How much does the ferry from Positano to Capri cost? +
The price depends on the operator, the boat and the date, and becomes binding at checkout; on top comes the landing fee Capri charges arriving passengers. Children, groups and residents pay less with most operators. An overview of fares is on the prices page.
Can I bring a car? +
No. Only foot passengers travel on this route; in the Bay of Naples only the conventional ferry from Naples carries vehicles. Regardless, the Campania Region bans non-residents from bringing cars, motorbikes and mopeds to Capri, in 2026 from 30 March to 2 November and again over the New Year. Leave the car in Positano.
Can my dog come on the ferry? +
With NLG, Positano Jet, Alicost and Sant'Andrea, yes, for a pet fare: dogs on a lead and muzzled, cats and small pets in a carrier, a valid health or vaccination certificate may be required. NLG allows dogs indoors, Sant'Andrea only on the outside areas. With Positano Jet, guide dogs travel free.
How much luggage can I bring? +
The rules vary a lot: NLG allows one piece of hand luggage up to 5 kilograms, Positano Jet a small piece plus one standard piece up to 9 kilograms, Alicost and Alilauro Gruson one piece up to 9 kilograms, Sant'Andrea a bag with limited dimensions. Anything beyond that needs a luggage ticket, cheaper at the desk than on board. With a suitcase, check with the operator before booking.