Self-Launched Amalfi Coast Island Hopper: Procida, Ischia, Capri, Positano & Sorrento
7 days · Amalfi Coast & Gulf of Naples, Italy
G Adventures charges £2,080
No-markup version: ~£645 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY, hostel-and-ferry version of G Adventures' 7-day Amalfi sailing trip. Instead of a chartered 16m yacht with a skipper, you island-hop the Gulf of Naples using the excellent (and cheap) Campania ferry network — Procida, Ischia, Capri, then the mainland coast at Positano, Amalfi and Sorrento — finishing back in Naples. You get the same turquoise coves, cliffside villages, thermal springs and limoncello sunsets, but you book your own budget rooms, swim off free public beaches instead of anchoring, and skip the yacht premium. Ferries are frequent and bookable same-day at the port kiosks or via the Caremar, Medmar, SNAV and NLG websites/apps. Costs are backpacker/mid-range estimates in GBP and assume a shared dorm or simple B&B; expect to pay noticeably more in July-August and during public holidays.
Day-by-day
Arrive Naples, ferry to Procida
Naples → Procida
Land at Naples Capodichino and take the Alibus shuttle to Napoli Centrale/Piazza Garibaldi (~35 min, €5). Drop your bag at a hostel near the station or head straight for the port. From Molo Beverello (next to Piazza Municipio, reached on Metro Line 1 from Garibaldi) take a Caremar or Medmar hydrofoil/ferry to Procida — about 40 min by hydrofoil, roughly €13-16 one way. Procida is the 2022 Italian Capital of Culture and far cheaper and quieter than Capri: pastel fisherman's houses at Marina Corricella, the Terra Murata citadel and the harbour at Marina Grande. Settle into a guesthouse or small B&B (Procida has limited hostels, so a private room in a family-run affittacamere is the budget option), then eat dinner at a trattoria in Corricella — spaghetti alle vongole and a glass of Falanghina, around €18-22.
🚌Alibus airport shuttle to Napoli Centrale (~€5); Metro Line 1 to Municipio; Caremar/Medmar hydrofoil Molo Beverello → Procida (~€14, 40 min)
🛏Family-run affittacamere/B&B in Marina Grande or Corricella, Procida (~£30-40/night for a double, less if sharing)
- →Walk Marina Corricella harbour
- →Sunset at Terra Murata citadel
- →Dinner of fresh seafood in Corricella
Procida to Ischia — thermal springs and a castle sunset
Procida → Ischia
Morning ferry from Procida to Ischia Porto (about 20-30 min, ~€8-10). Ischia is volcanic and famous for its hot springs: the free public beach at Sorgeto Bay has natural thermal water bubbling up at the shoreline (reachable by bus from Forio, then a steep stepped path — bring water shoes). Alternative paid option: Negombo Thermal Park or Poseidon Gardens for a full spa day (€30-40 entry, book direct). In the afternoon, visit Castello Aragonese, the medieval castle on its own islet linked by a bridge (entry ~€12). Stay in Forio or Ischia Porto in a hostel or B&B (Ischia has a handful of hostels and camping villages in summer). Have dinner in Forio's old town, then watch the sunset from the castle side of the island.
🚌Caremar/Medmar ferry Procida → Ischia Porto (~€9, 25 min); local EAV bus around the island (~€2 per ride or €4.50 day ticket)
🛏Hostel or B&B in Forio/Ischia Porto (~£30-40 for a double, ~£15-20 in a dorm)
- →Sorgeto Bay thermal beach (free)
- →Castello Aragonese entry (~€12)
- →Optional Negombo Thermal Park (~€35)
- →Sunset in Forio
Sail to Capri — the faraglioni, the blue grotto and a sunset drink
Ischia → Capri
Take the morning hydrofoil from Ischia to Capri Marina Grande (roughly 45-60 min, ~€20-25 via Caremar, SNAV or NLG; book at the port or online the day before). Capri is pricey, so plan around that: your budget bed is best found in Capri town's handful of guesthouses, or sleep cheaply on the mainland/Sorrento and day-trip — but for this itinerary stay one night on the island to get the sunset. Spend the afternoon walking the Via Krupp and the Gardens of Augustus (€2.50), then the short uphill path to the Faraglioni viewpoint. A boat trip around the island with a swim stop runs about €20-25 for a group giro (book at Marina Grande kiosks); the Blue Grotto rowboat is around €18 including entry. Capri town is expensive for dinner — eat pizza or panini near Marina Grande, then take a sunset drink at the Piazzetta or Belvedere di Tragara.
🚌Hydrofoil Ischia → Capri Marina Grande (~€22, 50 min); funicular from Marina Grande to Capri town (~€2.40)
🛏Guesthouse/B&B in Capri town or Marina Grande (budget rooms ~£45-60; alternatively sleep on Ischia and day-trip)
- →Gardens of Augustus (~€2.50)
- →Faraglioni viewpoint walk
- →Island boat circuit with swim stop (~€22)
- →Blue Grotto rowboat (~€18)
- →Sunset at Belvedere di Tragara
Capri to Positano — cliffside pastel houses and a swim
Capri → Positano
Morning hydrofoil from Capri to Positano (about 40 min, ~€22-25 via NLG or Positano Jet). Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel high up the hill — Positano is expensive, so the budget move is a room in the upper town or in nearby Montepertuso/Nocelle, or a hostel in Agerola above the coast with a bus down. Afternoon: swim at Spiaggia Grande or walk east to the quieter Fornillo beach. Wander the bougainvillea lanes, visit Santa Maria Assunta church, and shop the linen and ceramics. Optional boat trip to the Li Galli islands with a swim stop (~€25-35). Dinner: trattoria pizza or fried seafood cone from a beach kiosk (€10-15) keeps the budget in check, or splash on a seafood dinner with local Fiano wine (~€30).
🚌Hydrofoil Capri → Positano (~€23, 40 min); local SITA bus for hill villages (~€2)
🛏Budget guesthouse upper Positano or HOSTEL Agerola with bus connection (~£35-45 double)
- →Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo beach
- →Santa Maria Assunta church
- →Optional Li Galli boat trip with swim (~€30)
- →Bougainvillea lane wander
Positano to Amalfi — cathedral, lemon terraces and Ravello
Positano → Amalfi (→ Ravello)
Take the SITA Sud bus along the coast road from Positano to Amalfi (about 30-40 min, €1.80-2.50 per ticket, buy at a tabacchi — buses are crowded in summer so start early), or the ferry if you'd rather be on the water (~€12). In Amalfi, visit the 11th-century Cathedral of Saint Andrew (€3 to the cloister) and the paper museum (Museo della Carta, ~€4.50). Afternoon: local bus up to Ravello (€1.80, 25 min) for Villa Cimbrone's Terrace of Infinity (€10) and Villa Rufolo gardens (€7) — the classic Amalfi Coast viewpoint. Return to Amalfi for the night: budget beds in Amalfi town or cheaper in Atrani, the fishing village just around the headland (10-min walk). Dinner of fresh anchovies and lemon delizia cake.
🚌SITA Sud coastal bus Positano → Amalfi (~€2.50) or ferry (~€12); local bus Amalfi → Ravello (~€1.80)
🛏Guesthouse in Amalfi or Atrani (~£35-50 double)
- →Cathedral of Saint Andrew (~€3)
- →Museo della Carta (~€4.50)
- →Villa Cimbrone Terrace of Infinity (~€10)
- →Villa Rufolo (~€7)
- →Swim at Atrani beach
Amalfi to Sorrento — lemon groves, limoncello and a cooking class
Amalfi → Sorrento
Either sail from Amalfi to Sorrento by ferry (~€18-20, 40 min — check NLG/Positano Jet schedules, seasonal) or take the SITA bus back through Positano to Sorrento (~€3-4, 1h 30m, scenic but slow). In Sorrento, book a hands-on pasta or gnocchi cooking class through GetYourGuide or Klook (~£50-70) or a cheaper farm-based lemon grove tour with limoncello tasting (~£25-35 direct with a Sorrento agriturismo). Otherwise free options: the Vallone dei Mulini, the Marina Grande fishing harbour, and the terrace at Villa Comunale for a sunset over the bay with Vesuvius in the background. Stay in Sorrento's hostel or a B&B in the old town (~£35-45). Evening: limoncello spritz and dinner near Piazza Sant'Antonino.
🚌Ferry Amalfi → Sorrento (~€19, 40 min) or SITA bus (~€4, 1h 30m)
🛏Hostel or B&B in Sorrento old town (~£35-45 double)
- →Cooking class via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£55) or lemon grove tour (~£30)
- →Villa Comunale sunset viewpoint
- →Marina Grande fishing harbour
- →Limoncello tasting
Sorrento to Naples — pizza and departure
Sorrento → Naples
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples (about 1h 10m, €4.90 — the budget classic; the Campania Express tourist train is faster and quieter at ~€10). From Naples, if your flight is late, store bags at Napoli Centrale and go eat pizza in the centro storico — L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele or Sorbillo, a margherita for about €6-8 — plus a quick espresso and a sfogliatella. If you're extending, Naples deserves an extra night for the Archaeological Museum, Spaccanapoli and the Veiled Christ chapel. Allow 45 min from the station to Capodichino airport on the Alibus (€5).
🚌Circumvesuviana Sorrento → Napoli Garibaldi (~€4.90, 1h 10m); Alibus to Capodichino airport (~€5)
🛏None (departure day) — consider an extra night in Naples (~£30-40)
- →Naples pizza crawl (€6-8 a margherita)
- →Spaccanapoli stroll
- →Optional: Archaeological Museum or Veiled Christ chapel
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£645 | £2,080 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,435 per person (69%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£645
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Amalfi Coast Island Hopper: Procida, Ischia, Capri, Positano & Sorrento cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £645 per person for 7 days in Amalfi Coast & Gulf of Naples, Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,080 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £645 — a saving of roughly £1,435 (69%) per person.
How long is the Amalfi Coast & Gulf of Naples, Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Amalfi Coast & Gulf of Naples, Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a beaches, slow-travel, budget trip through Amalfi Coast & Gulf of Naples, Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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