Want to know how to get from Naples to Procida? Our guide has got you covered!

Whether you’re planning a day trip or a slow few days on this quiet little island, the most important thing to know is that in order to reach Procida from mainland Italy, the vast majority of you will set off from the chaotic city of Naples.

There are regular, daily ferries and hydrofoils departing from three ports, with a few essential differences in terms of journey times, comfort, frequency, and price.

In this ‘routes’ post, we cover everything you need to know about how to book your tickets, where to catch the boats from in the city, the difference between the three Naples ports, the reasons why most of you will be better off opting for a hydrofoil, and some common mistakes to avoid.

This is our concise guide on how to get to Procida from Naples.

The Essentials

Cross / Regular ferries and hydrofoils from two centrally located ports in Naples, and one further afield
Time / 40 to 70 minutes depending on which type of boat
Carry / Large suitcases cost extra
Book / Tickets can be bought on arrival at port but not recommended in high season - check prices and availability on FerryHopper
Tour / Not really required but this one does exist if you’d prefer the day be sorted for you
Splurge / For a really special experience you could hire a private yacht from Naples and set sail to Ischia and Procida on your own timetable for a true Italian experience
Plan / Our Procida Guide

How to Get From Naples to Procida

Pick Your Port

There are three places within the vicinity of Naples from which you can catch a boat to Procida: the ports of Calata Porta di Massa and Molo Beverello in the city centre (and less than a kilometre from each other), or the harbour in the nearby small town of Pozzuoli.

Calata Porta di Massa | This is the port to head to for the slower ferries which carry both foot passengers and those with vehicles. These ferry services are operated by Caremar and Medmar (although this company doesn’t currently appear to be running this route) and journey time is approximately 70 minutes. Find Calata Porta di Massa here on Google Maps

Molo Beverello | It’s from this port that the quicker hydrofoil ferries depart, taking just 40 minutes to arrive in Procida from Naples. The services are operated by Caremar and Snav, and only accept foot passengers. Find Molo Beverello here on Google Maps

Pozzuoli | This is the port closest to Procida, but furthest from where you’ll be staying in Naples. So, whilst there’s a shorter crossing time of around 20 minutes on hydrofoil and 40 minutes with the ferry, this port really only makes sense for those with their own car. Find it here on Google Maps

The majority of day-trippers and others travelling from Naples will therefore take a boat from either Calata Porta di Massa or Molo Beverello.

How to Get to Calata Porta di Massa & Molo Beverello

If you’re staying in Naples prior to visiting Procida, the easiest way to access these two ports is with a licence white taxi. The fare from our little Airbnb in Piazza del Gesù Nuovo was €10, and we just took one from a stand. Apps like Uber, FreeNow, and itTaxi only allow you to hail and pay for an official taxi in Naples, and can be quite slow and unreliable.

As always when taking travelling by car in Naples, allow much longer than you expect to accommodate the city’s traffic problems.

For those arriving from elsewhere in Italy or abroad:

From the Airport | The Alibus shuttle bus connects Naples International Airport with city centre, and stops at both Calata Porta di Massa and Molo Beverello. There are departures every 20 minutes, tickets cost €5 one-way, and you can buy them online in advance or from the driver.

Give yourself 45-60 minutes for the journey to the ports.

Alternatively, you can hop in a taxi for around €20-25.

From the Train Station | From Napoli Centrale (the city’s main train station), you have five options to reach the two ports: the local tram & bus system, the metro, the Alibus, or hopping in a taxi.

The metro is the simplest and cheapest option: just take Line 1 from Piazza Garibaldi (the metro station connected to the Napoli Centrale) to the Municipio and walk the short distance to the port.

You can also reach the ports using the Alibus shuttle service, which picks up from the train station on its route, but given the relatively short distance between the two spots, and the fact that it’s a fixed €5 cost per person, it doesn’t make much financial sense to do it this way.

Alternatively, you could hop in a taxi for a fixed fare €15 (just confirm the price before setting off).

Plan // 7 Dreamy Day Trips From Naples

Hydrofoil or Ferry?

For foot passengers, the choice comes down to time, price, and location - or a combination of all three!

The hydrofoils departing Molo Beverello are faster, with a journey time of 30-40 minutes compared to an hour on the ferries from neighbouring Calata Porta di Massa, but they’re also a fair bit more expensive. For example, a single ticket on the ferry costs approximately €18, but €24 on the hydrofoil, whilst returns are €34 and €44 respectively.

Speed may be an important factor for those heading to Procida on a day trip and wanting to maximise their time on the island, but for others, being able to save a few Euros may be the deal breaker!

Given how busy Molo Beverello was each time we’ve passed through - even in late September - it’s fair to say that irrespective of price, the hydrofoil is the most popular option.

If you’re travelling with your own vehicle, then your only option is to take the larger and slower ferry to Procida, and you can either opt for the centrally located port of Calata Porta di Masa or alternatively Pozzuoli, a 30-minute drive away. However, it’s super important for any road trippers to note that a new law forbids non-residents entering the island between the 1st April and the end of October with any motor vehicle (including cars, scooters, and motorbikes).

Also, as the island is so small and essentially traffic-free, bringing a car over is unnecessary.

Plan // The Best Things To Do in Procida

How To Buy Tickets and Find Schedules

In order to book your ferry ticket from Naples to Procida, you have three options:

· buy it online, direct from the company

· buy it via an aggregators like FerryHopper or DirectFerries

· Buy it in person at the port

Personally, we’d always book our tickets online in advance, especially during the busy summer months when boats can and do fill up in advance. If you have a shorter/stricter Italy itinerary, or day trips when you want a specific departure or return time, we would recommend this too.

There are pros and cons with booking direct vs going through an aggregator (and vice versa).

DirectFerries and FerryHopper both show all companies across all three ports, so you can better judge convenience, timetables, and availability. They also offer easier cancellation and changes after purchase. The downside with this is that they will charge you ever so slightly more per ticket for this convenience.

The problem with going direct is that some company websites are only in Italian (like Medmar). The others will allow you to switch to English to book, but then send you the confirmation and check-in details in Italian.

Be aware that if you book your tickets via the company websites, you will have the option to pay for large luggage (you are allowed 9kg of hand luggage, but each bag in addition costs €3) at the same time; if you book via an aggregator, you will have to purchase this when you check-in at the port.

If you choose to get your tickets in person on the day of departure, anticipate that queues can be quite long and the next departure may be fully booked. For this reason, we’d recommend checking timetables on FerryHopper or Direct Ferries in advance and arriving with plenty of time to spare.

Irrespective of which option you pick, if you know you’re doing a round-trip from Naples to Procida (whether for one day or several nights), you may wish to buy your return ticket when you purchase your outward journey as it can work out a little cheaper overall.

Both the ferries and hydrofoils from Napoli to Procida run a standard schedule throughout the year, with several departures per day. The first departure is at 6am in the morning, and the last boat of the day is at 9.55pm, both from Calata Porta di Massa.

You can check timetables, prices, availability, and buy tickets below - and remember that Naples is Napoli in Italian:

· SNAV

· DirectFerries

· Caremar

· FerryHopper

· Medmar

Useful Things to Know About The Ports & Crossings

· If you’ve bought your tickets in advance, when you arrive you’ll need to check-in. This is a simple enough process; just head over to the company kiosk and show your ticket. You’ll then be given a tag for your hand luggage. It’s advisable that you complete check-in within 30 minutes of your departure.

· Each port has a small restaurant where you can grab a coffee or snack whilst waiting for your boat. There is also usually a very small cafe/snack bar on the hydrofoils and ferries.

· The departure gates are clearly noted on an electronic board.

· There are no seat reservations on the boats so if you want a good spot, join the queue at the relevant gate at least 20 minutes before departure.

· For your large luggage, there is usually a staff member checking that you’ve paid for this in addition, so have your proof of purchase to hand or the bag tag provided at the kiosk.

· This person may also store your luggage in the appropriate place, as boats have several stops after Procida, or you’ll be responsible for putting it in the racks or keeping it with you.

· All the ferry crossings we took in the Bay of Naples were smooth (unlike the traumatic experience we had getting to Favignana the second time we visited!), but if you’re prone to sea sickness and it’s particularly windy, you may wish to take something before you leave.

· We’ve already mentioned, but it’s worth repeating that whilst you were in the past able to bring your own vehicle to Procida, as of 2024 it is now forbidden for non-residents between the months of April and October. Whilst this would have inevitably ruffled a few feathers, given the size of the island and the narrow roads, this is a really good thing!

Procida Day Tours

Given that Procida is just a short boat ride away, and the ease of getting around the island independently, we really don’t think going on a tour is necessary (but this one does exist if you’d really rather the day was sorted out for you).

Alternatively, for a really special experience - that also allows you to visit two of the most popular Phlegraean Islands - you could hire a private yacht from Naples and set sail to Ischia and Procida on your own timetable for a true Italian experience.

This option is incredibly popular with excellent reviews.