Planning a trip to Ischia from Naples? This beautiful Italian island is so worth a visit! We recently took the ferry from Naples to Ischia and it was such a fun experience. However, there are some important things to know before you go! Here’s exactly how to get to Ischia from Naples, easy ferry tips, and all about our experience.
How to Get to Ischia From Naples
Getting to Naples Ferry Port
The first step of your Ischia Island trip will be getting to the departure port in Naples. We didn’t know before our visit, but there are actually two main ports in the city.
Molo Beverello: This is the most popular port for tourists, and where we took the ferry from. Molo Beverello is located right next to the historic center of Naples. High-speed ferries (hydrofoil) go straight to Ischia Port from here in under an hour.
Calata Porta di Massa: This port is where the slower ferries leave from that mostly transport cars and goods. The only reason you’d go here is if you’re bringing a vehicle to Ischia, or just want to save a few bucks.
Know that the price difference isn’t huge between the slow and fast ferry. There’s really no reason to leave from Calata Porta di Massa!
We decided to take a taxi to Molo Beverello in the morning to make it easier with our luggage. It’s also easy to use the buses and trains around Naples, which have regular connections to the ports. There are even direct buses form the airport if you’re planning to head straight to the islands.
Naples to Ischia Ferry Schedule
There are a few different ways to book your ferry from Naples to Ischia. We highly recommend using helpful search tools like Omio to compare dates and prices to find the best deals.
From there, you can easily go straight to the ferry companies websites to book your tickets. Three of the most popular fast ferry boats are Alilauro, Caremar, and SNAV.
We took the Alilauro ferry from Molo Beverello direct to the main Ischia port. There are also routes that go to the beautiful town of Forio and Casamicciola depending on which company you book with.
You can get your tickets right from the Naples ferry port in person, but we would avoid this during the peak summer season. It’s important to book in advance, especially if you need a specific boat time.
Best Time to Go to Ischia Italy
Just like most beautiful places in Italy, Ischia has a high and low season. Many travelers will be heading to the island to enjoy the stunning beaches along the coastline.
Keep in mind that the busiest time of year to visit Ischia will be in the summer during July and August. However, you can avoid the crowds by traveling here during May, September, and even early October.
We went in the first week of June and the crowds were already picking up for the summer. Still, we found it a very pleasant time to visit Ischia before the temperatures get scorching hot.
Another thing to consider before booking your ferry from Naples to Ischia is the island’s volcanic activity. In fact, one of the best things to do on Ischia is experience one of the dozens of thermal spas!
There are over 100 natural hot springs sprinkled around the island. You can go directly to large thermal parks like Giardini Poseidon Terme (book tickets here) and Negombo Thermal Gardens. There are also some amazing luxury spa hotels such as San Montano Resort & Spa and Le Querce Resort Sea Thermae & Spa.
This is yet another reason to go from Naples to Ischia during the off-season. Obviously, these hot healing waters are more enjoyable to soak in without the peak summer heat!
Our Experience on the Naples to Ischia Ferry
Now that you have some general Naples to Ischia ferry tips, let us tell you about our actual trip! We set off from our accommodation bright and early for the main ferry port.
Molo Beverello was very busy even on a Wednesday in early June. Luckily, we had bought our tickets in advance a couple of days prior, so all we had to do was get on the boat.
Our ferry was set to take off around 10:50am, and it was right on time. We were glad we got there early because these boats aren’t waiting around for anyone.
We noticed that many people were heading to Capri, which is another extremely popular island to visit. Know that both islands are touristy, but Ischia is where more of the Naples locals go on vacation.
There is a spot to put your big luggage on both sides of the interior as you board. We headed directly up to the top deck to grab a seat and take in the view.
It was so cool to see Naples and the spectacular coastline as we pulled away. We even passed the smaller island of Procida that we totally need to come back and see next visit!
Our ferry arrived about 50 minutes later right on schedule. We were impressed how quickly you can get from the big bustling city to the island in under one hour.
More Naples to Ischia Ferry Tips
Luggage: It’s fine to leave your big luggage on the bottom deck, but if you’re heading up top it’s wise to have a lock on it. You’ll also want to bring a small backpack to keep your valuables with you.
Top Deck: If the heat isn’t too bad on your visit, definitely head straight to the top of the boat! We spent most of our ride enjoying the views of Naples and the islands.
Tickets in Advance: As we mentioned, you will want to book your tickets as far in advance as possible during the summer season. You can also utilize the ferry company apps to download e-tickets.
Pick the Right Port: Pay close attention to the Ischia ports when planning your trip. There are three main ports on the island, so you’ll want to pick the right one closest to your accommodation.
Pets: Yes, you can bring pets on board the ferry from Naples to Ischia! Just be aware that you will usually be charged a few euros extra when booking.
Arrive Early: It’s important to arrive early to not miss your boat. Considering the heavy Naples traffic, it would be easy to show up late and have to re-buy your ticket. Leave yourself at least half and hour before the departure time.
Is Ischia Worth Visiting From Naples?
Yes! Even if you only have time to make a day trip, there is so much to see and explore on Ischia.
We recommend giving yourself at least two to three days to visit the island. Yet, there is enough to do that you could spend a week or more on vacation here. We had two full days and it truly wasn’t enough.
The best part about the Naples to Ischia ferry is how fast and an inexpensive it is. It’s really so convenient to be able to get to an island from the city of Naples in under one hour.
Our week-long trip gave us five days in Naples and two days in Ischia. Next trip, we’re hoping to stay at a thermal spa hotel on Ischia and discover more of the nearby islands.
Have any questions on this article or want to share more Naples to Ischia ferry tips? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
