How to Get to Procida: Ferries, Hydrofoils and Everything You Need to Know

An Island You Can Only Reach by Sea

Procida is the smallest of the islands in the Gulf of Naples, covering just 4 km² with a population of fewer than 10,000 people. There are no airports, no bridges, no underwater tunnels. The only way to reach it is by sea, and this condition is not a limitation to endure — it is an integral part of the island's charm. The moment you leave the port of Naples or Pozzuoli and watch Procida slowly come into view, its colourful houses reflected in the water, the journey has already begun.

There are essentially two maritime transport options: the ferry, slower but cheaper and more suitable for those travelling with bulky luggage or wanting to bring a bicycle, and the hydrofoil, faster but slightly more expensive and subject to cancellations in bad weather. The main companies operating the routes are three: Caremar, SNAV and Medmar, with varying frequencies depending on the season and departure port.

Once on the island, a car is practically useless. Procida is small enough to cross on foot in under an hour, and traffic during the summer months can make the internal roads chaotic for anyone bringing a vehicle. Local residents themselves encourage visitors to leave their car on the mainland.

By Air

The closest airport is Naples International Airport Capodichino (NAP), located about 7 km from the centre of Naples. It receives direct flights from numerous Italian and European cities, with frequent connections from Rome, Milan, London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and many other destinations. In high season, budget airline tickets can be surprisingly affordable, especially with EasyJet, Ryanair and Vueling.

From Naples Airport to the port, there are several options. The Alibus is the official shuttle connecting Capodichino to the Beverello pier in about 30 to 40 minutes (depending on traffic), with an intermediate stop at the Central Station in Piazza Garibaldi. The ticket costs around 5 euros and buses run every 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi from the airport to Molo Beverello costs between 20 and 25 euros at the fixed rate set by Naples City Council for airport routes; it is worth confirming before departure that the driver will apply the fixed tariff rather than the meter. For groups travelling with heavy luggage, the taxi remains the most convenient option even if slightly more expensive.

It is also possible to reach the port from other airports in southern Italy, but Capodichino remains by far the most practical choice for those heading to Procida.

By Train

Naples is one of Italy's main railway hubs, connected by high-speed rail to Rome (about 1 hour on the Frecciarossa), Milan (about 3 hours), Florence (about 1 hour 40 minutes) and many other cities. The main station is Napoli Centrale, in Piazza Garibaldi.

From Napoli Centrale to Molo Beverello pier, where most hydrofoils and ferries to Procida depart, the distance is about 3 km. You can take Metro Line 1 to Toledo or Municipio stations (a 10 to 15 minute walk from the port), or a taxi or bus. Alternatively, Napoli Piazza Garibaldi station is also served by buses going to Calata Porta di Massa, another embarkation point for Procida, about 1.5 km from the station.

Those arriving from Rome might also consider Italo or Frecciabianca services, often very competitively priced when booked in advance. For travellers from northern Italy, the overnight Intercity Notte sleeper train can be an economical solution that allows you to sleep through the journey and arrive in Naples early in the morning, in time for one of the first hydrofoils of the day.

It is worth noting that from Naples it is also possible to reach Pozzuoli by train, using the Cumana line departing from Montesanto and arriving in Pozzuoli in about 30 minutes. From Pozzuoli, Caremar ferries depart for Procida in about 30 minutes of sailing, with slightly lower fares than departures from Naples. For those arriving from Rome or the north who want to save money, the combination of train to Naples, Cumana metro to Pozzuoli and ferry to Procida can be the most economical option.

By Car

Those arriving by car typically travel along the A1 motorway (Milan to Naples) or the A3 (Naples to Salerno) to the Naples exit, then continue towards the city centre or directly towards Pozzuoli. Journey times from Rome are about 2 hours 30 minutes in normal traffic, from Milan about 8 hours, from Florence about 4 hours.

The main recommendation is not to bring the car to Procida. The island is small, summer traffic is heavy, and vehicle transport on the ferry adds significantly to the ticket price (between 15 and 30 euros for the vehicle alone, depending on size and season). It is much better to leave the car on the mainland and reach the island on foot or by bicycle.

If you arrive by car from the north or east, the most practical solution is to park in Pozzuoli, where there are several supervised car parks near the port charging around 10 to 15 euros per day. From there you take the Caremar ferry to Procida in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, there are paid car parks near the embarkation ports in central Naples, but prices are generally higher than in Pozzuoli.

Those who really want to bring a bicycle will find the island ideal for cycling: the ferry carries bikes at a very low extra cost (usually 1 to 2 euros on top of the regular ticket) and the internal roads, though narrow, are easily manageable.

By Bus

Naples is also connected to the main Italian cities by long-distance coaches, with companies such as FlixBus, Marino Autolinee and Miccolis. The most common arrival terminals in Naples are the Central Station in Piazza Garibaldi and the Tangenziale Est. From these points the port can be reached by public transport or taxi.

For those arriving from neighbouring European countries, there are also international coaches arriving in Naples, though for longer distances the plane or train remain the more comfortable options.

Once in Naples, to reach Molo Beverello or Calata Porta di Massa you can take ANM bus R2, which connects Piazza Garibaldi to the ports in about 20 to 25 minutes. Alternatively, Metro Line 1 with a stop at Municipio is about 10 minutes' walk from Molo Beverello.

The Ferry and Hydrofoil: Everything You Need to Know

The heart of the journey to Procida is, of course, the crossing. From Naples Molo Beverello, SNAV hydrofoils depart with a frequency of about 4 to 6 sailings per day in high season; the crossing takes about 40 minutes and the ticket costs around 20 to 22 euros. From Calata Porta di Massa, a few minutes' walk from Beverello, Caremar and Medmar ferries depart with greater frequency (up to 8 to 10 sailings per day); the crossing takes about 1 hour and the ticket costs between 12 and 15 euros.

From Pozzuoli, the Caremar ferry takes about 30 minutes and costs around 10 to 12 euros. Sailings are frequent, especially in the summer months.

It is always advisable to check updated timetables on the official company websites before departing, because frequencies vary greatly between low and high season. In summer, especially on weekends in July and August, ferries can fill up quickly: it is worth arriving at the port at least 30 to 45 minutes before departure.

Getting Around on the Island

Once you disembark at Procida's port (Marina Grande), you immediately appreciate how human in scale the island is. Most points of interest can be reached on foot in 20 to 30 minutes, and walking remains the best way to discover the colourful alleyways, the climbs towards Terra Murata and the hidden coves.

For those who prefer public transport, there are two bus lines operated by ANM: L1 and L2, which cover the island longitudinally with stops at the main points. The ticket costs about 1.50 euros and services are fairly frequent during the day. Updated timetables are available at stops and online.

A very popular alternative is renting a scooter or moped, with several agencies near the port offering rates starting from around 25 to 35 euros per day. This is the ideal solution for those who want to explore the island freely without depending on bus timetables. Electric bicycle rentals are also available, perfect for the more demanding hills.

For travel between the various marinas, you can also use water taxis, small private boats connecting the main beaches and coves at variable rates agreed directly with the boatman.

Procida lends itself beautifully to slow exploration. Once you have sorted out where to stay in Procida and planned what to see in Procida in 2 days, you realise the island requires no complicated logistics: you walk, you pause, you eat — perhaps following the suggestions on where to eat in Procida — and you return to looking at the sea.