Ferries
Ferries, locally known as traghetti (a single ferry is a traghetto), are also an inexpensive way to see a good bit of Italy by boat. You don't get as many bells and whistles as you might with a more tourist-friendly operation, but you also get to pay local commuter prices instead of jacked-up July and August rates.
You can book round-trip ferry tickets and enjoy the ride even if you don't ever get off the boat. The nation's network of ferries offers options for long or short trips. Here are a few good ones to consider.
Fact
The fifteen-minute ferry ride from Santa Margherita to Portofino is short, but not even close to being the world's shortest ferry ride. Many of the ferries in the New England region of the United States are far shorter, including the scant two-minute ride from Edgartown, Massachusetts, to Chappaquiddick Island.
The main websites to check for ferry routes, pricing, and additional information are Caronte & Tourist (
Santa Margherita to Portofino
This is a short ride, maybe fifteen minutes, but it offers a stunning view of the coastline in one of Italy's prettiest areas. Plus, you can enjoy coming into Portofino without the headache of bumper-to-bumper traffic, which snarls the local roadways during the heights of the summer tourist season.
The ferries from Santa Margherita also run along the Cinque Terre, giving you the option of walking part of the way back along the trail that links the five towns (cinque means five). Advance tickets are not required, and the ferry schedule is typically posted at the ferry dock as well as in the local hotels. There are multiple departures daily, and prices depend on which route you select.
Naples to Capri
The ferry ride from Naples to Capri takes about forty-five minutes, and you can also book additional ferry transit from Capri south to Stromboli and the other Aeolian Islands. Those trips take much longer and go farther away from the coast, while the Naples-to-Capri route stays relatively close to shore.
You can also go from Naples to Sicily, but that's more of an all-day transit affair than a fun little ferry ride.
Civitavecchia to Olbia
This ferry ride, from Rome's main port to the island of Sardinia, is eight hours long, but it does offer an option for fleeing the hustle and bustle of the big city for a day on the water. You can spend a night or a long weekend on Sardinia, of course, before your return trip, with special one-way fares available during off seasons for as low as 10 per person. This route includes larger ferries that also allow vehicles, so if you are traveling with a rental car, you can bring it along for the ride.
