Capri to Positano by Ferry | Hostel Brikette
Complete guide for hostel guests: Capri to Positano ferry tickets, schedules, operators, arrival tips, and the easiest route up to Hostel Brikette with luggage.
Journey overview
The ferry from Capri to Positano is one of the best sea routes on the Amalfi Coast. Many companies run fast hydrofoils and boats all day during peak season from April to October. In winter, service is limited. The trip takes 20-40 minutes based on the boat and weather. From the hostel, we tell guests this route is perfect for a Capri day trip. It is faster and more fun than the bus via Sorrento. You get great views of the coast and arrive right at the beach in Positano.
Season: Daily boats from April to October, fewer trips in winter
First ferry: Around 09:45 from Capri Marina Grande port
Last ferry: Around 19:00 (times change by company and season)
Travel time: 20-40 minutes on the water
Price: €22-€35 per person for 2026
Weather: Boats cancel in rough seas, so check before you go
Best seats: Right side of the boat for Positano views as you arrive
Tip: Morning boats (before 14:00) cancel less often than afternoon ones
Ferry companies and tickets
Six companies run boats from Capri to Positano: NLG, Positano Jet, Alicost, Alilauro Gruson, Capitan Morgan, and Grassi Junior. All are good. NLG and Positano Jet have the most trips each day. Your ticket works on any company for the same route. Just buy from whoever has the next boat.
Buy tickets at Marina Grande port in Capri. Each company has a booth near the docks.
Arrive 20-30 minutes early to join the line for boarding.
If you bought online, swap your voucher at the ticket booth first.
Peak season (July-August): Book morning trips ahead online. They sell out fast.
Tickets are walk-on only. Ferries do not take cars or bikes.
In summer, buy tickets 1-2 days early to get your preferred time.
At Marina Grande port in Capri
All boats to Positano leave from Marina Grande. This is Capri's main port at sea level. If you are in Capri town (the Piazzetta), take the funicular down. It runs every 15 minutes and takes 5 minutes. You can also walk down in 20 minutes, but it is very steep. The port has many ticket booths, cafés, and restrooms. From our hostel, we know the port gets very crowded from 11:00 to 17:00. Get to your ferry early if you are traveling in the afternoon.
Take the funicular from Capri town for €2.30. Or walk down in 20 minutes (steep path).
Ticket booths line the waterfront. Look for your company's sign.
If you bought online, swap your voucher at the right booth.
Check your ticket for the pier number. Usually it is written clearly.
Board 10-15 minutes early. Seats are first-come, first-served.
No passport needed for boats within Italy.
The port has luggage storage if you want to explore Capri without bags first.
Arriving at Positano ferry pier
Your ferry docks at the Spiaggia Grande pier, right on Positano's main beach. The pier is small – just a single wooden walkway – so wait for everyone to leave before moving with your bags. Porters in bright vests meet every ferry and will offer to carry luggage up to hotels for €15-€25 based on distance. For Hostel Brikette, porters can take you to Chiesa Nuova (the upper bus stop) but it costs a lot for the short walk. Most hostel guests skip this and use the Interno bus instead.
Exit the pier onto Via del Brigantino (the beach road)
Restrooms and cafés are along the beach to your left
The Interno bus stop is a 3-minute walk uphill from the pier
If you prefer walking all the way: It is 25 minutes uphill to the hostel with stairs. Easy with a light backpack, hard with a big suitcase.
Port to hostel by Interno Bus
The orange Interno bus is the easiest way up to Hostel Brikette with luggage. It runs a loop through Positano every 20-30 minutes. The fare is €1.30 (exact change is good, but drivers usually have change for small bills). From the pier, it is a short walk to the nearest stop at Piazza dei Mulini. Board the bus going uphill (direction: Chiesa Nuova) and ride for about 8 minutes. The hostel is a 2-minute walk from the Chiesa Nuova Tabacchi stop.
Walk uphill from the ferry pier to Piazza dei Mulini (3 minutes, slight slope)
Wait on the uphill side of the piazza. The bus will say 'Chiesa Nuova' on the front.
Buy tickets from the tabacchi (tobacco shop) at the piazza, or pay the driver (€1.30)
Tell the driver 'Chiesa Nuova Tabacchi' if you are not sure where to get off
Full route guide: Ferry Dock to Hostel Brikette with Luggage
Chiesa Nuova Tabacchi to Hostel Brikette
The walk from the bus stop to the hostel is easy and takes about 2 minutes. From the stop, you will see the Tabacchi shop (tobacco shop) on the corner. That is your landmark. The hostel is just up the road on Via G. Marconi, with stairs leading to the entrance.
Exit the bus at Chiesa Nuova Tabacchi stop
Face the Tabacchi shop, then turn right onto the main road (Via G. Marconi)
Walk 100 meters (about 1 minute). You will pass a few shops and cafés.
Look for Hostel Brikette's sign on your right
Climb the stairs to reach the main entrance and reception
If ferries are cancelled
Ferry cancellations happen more often than you might think, especially in the afternoon when winds pick up. Operators usually announce cancellations 30-60 minutes before departure, but sometimes you only find out at the pier. If your ferry is cancelled, you have two options: wait for the next boat (if one is still running that day) or take the longer land route back via Sorrento. The land route uses a ferry from Capri to Sorrento (these run in rougher conditions) followed by the SITA bus along the coastal road.
Check with all operators at Marina Grande. Sometimes one company still runs when others cancel.
Alternative: Take the Capri-Sorrento ferry (30 min), then SITA bus to Positano (50 min)
Total land route time: About 2.5 hours including waits
Sorrento ferry info: Ferry Schedules
From the hostel: We recommend booking your Capri return no later than 17:00 to avoid evening cancellations
Hostel guest tips
Based on feedback from hundreds of guests who have done this trip from Capri back to Positano, here is what works best:
Book a morning departure from Capri before 14:00. Afternoon seas get rougher and ferries cancel more often.
Bring a light jacket. The hydrofoils have strong air conditioning and feel cold after a hot day on Capri.
Sit on the right side of the boat for the best views of Positano's colorful houses as you arrive.
If you get seasick easily, take medication 30 minutes before boarding. The crossing can be choppy.
Keep your ferry ticket until you fully leave the pier. Staff sometimes check tickets again at Positano.
Don't worry about missing the last ferry. The land route via Sorrento runs until late evening.
Combining with a Capri day trip
Most hostel guests visit Capri as a day trip and return by ferry in the late afternoon. This is a great plan, but needs some timing strategy to avoid the crowds and cancellations. Leave Positano early (around 09:00) on the morning ferry to Capri, spend 5-6 hours exploring the island, then catch a return ferry around 15:00-16:00. This gives you time to see the main sites – Anacapri, Villa San Michele, Monte Solaro chairlift, and the Piazzetta in Capri town – without rushing.
Morning ferry from Positano to Capri: Usually departs 09:00-10:00
On Capri: Take the bus from Marina Grande port up to Anacapri (15 min ride)
Visit: Villa San Michele (€10 entry), Monte Solaro chairlift (€10 one-way, €14 return)
Lunch in Anacapri or Capri town (budget €15-€25 per person)
Explore: Gardens of Augustus, Via Krupp viewpoint, shopping in Capri town
Return to Marina Grande by 15:30 for your 16:00 ferry back to Positano
Total day trip cost: €50-€70 per person including ferries, bus, chairlift, and lunch
FAQs
How much does the Capri to Positano ferry cost?
Ferry tickets cost between €22-€35 per person for a one-way trip in 2026. Prices vary slightly by operator and season – expect to pay closer to €30-€35 during July and August peak season. There are no advance purchase discounts, but booking online guarantees you a spot on busy days.
Can I bring luggage on the Capri-Positano ferry?
Yes, you can bring luggage at no extra charge. Backpacks, suitcases, and large bags are all allowed. Store them in the designated luggage area near the entrance or under your seat. Most ferries have limited overhead storage, so keep valuables with you. From the hostel's experience, a full backpack fits comfortably under the seats on all operators.
What happens if my ferry from Capri is cancelled?
Ferry cancellations are common in afternoon rough weather. If cancelled, check with all operators at Marina Grande – sometimes one still runs. Otherwise, take the Capri-Sorrento ferry (runs in rougher conditions) then the SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano. Total journey: about 2.5 hours. Your ticket can usually be refunded or used on the next available sailing.
Do I need to book the Capri to Positano ferry in advance?
It depends on the season. In July and August, morning and early afternoon departures sell out quickly – book online 1-2 days ahead. In shoulder season (April-June, September-October), you can usually buy tickets at the port 30 minutes before departure. From the hostel, we have seen guests miss their preferred crossing in peak season, so advance booking is worth it if you have a tight schedule.