At just over 17 square miles Ischia is quite a large island, with six different towns and 30 miles of roadways. It takes about an hour and a half to drive around the entire island. If you want to visit all of Ischia you can take public transport or drive your own vehicle.
Here are our tips for getting around the island of Ischia.
How to get around Ischia by bus
The bus routes on Ischia are run by the EAV company and connect most locations on the island. The main lines are the CS (Circolare Sinistra) and the CD (Circolare Destra) that circle the island clockwise and counterclockwise.
The bus terminal where all routes depart is in Ischia Porto, a small lot just a few steps from the ferry arrival pier. You can purchase tickets and request information there. You can also purchase tickets in a number of locations around the island, including newspaper stands and cigarette shops. Most hotels also sell bus tickets. You can buy your tickets on board as well, but there's an additional fee of 50 cents per ticket.
Ischia bus ticket prices
Single ride: €1.50
On board: €2.00
100-minute ticket: €1.80
Daily pass: €4.50
Weekly pass: €15.50
Monthly pass: €33.60
Children under six travel free; small and medium dogs with a muzzle and leash are also allowed on board.
How to get around Ischia by car
You can bring your car on Ischia all year round if you're not a resident in the region of Campania. It's convenient to have a car to explore the island, though there is heavy traffic in the summer.
Parking is hard to find, except for in less touristy areas such as Barano and Serrara Fontana. In the larger towns, you'll need to park in pay lots (around €2/hr).
Ischia car rental
You can rent a car on Ischia to visit the island, but we only recommend this option in low and shoulder seasons. During July and August the roads are often snarled with traffic and parking can be hard to find. There are a number of car rental agencies located at the port on Ischia. Rental rates begin at about €40/day, and you can find discounted rates for longer rental periods.
How to get around Ischia by scooter
Getting around Ischia by rental scooter is one of the easiest ways to explore the island in complete freedom without getting caught in high-season traffic.
Scooter rental Ischia
There are scooter rental agencies located across the island of Ischia and you don't need to book ahead of time. We do recommend renting a scooter on Ischia only if you have some previous experience, as it can be tricky to navigate the heavy car and scooter traffic, pedestrians, and bumpy roads. Rental scooters on Ischia can fit two people (driver and passenger) and you must wear a helmet (included in many rentals). Scooter rental rates on Ischia begin at about €20/day.
Is Ischia safe?
Yes. The island of Ischia—like all the islands in the Bay of Naples—is very safe and there there is little petty crime. The most likely danger you may encounter would be a small landslide, which can occasionally block rural roads. However, if this occurs it is always clearly indicated by signs. Landslides are most prevalent in the winter when the island gets a significant amount of rain.
How to get around Ischia by taxi
Taxis are easy to find on Ischia. There are also "calessini", traditional tuk-tuks that have been converted into charming island-style taxis. You can rent one to take you around the entire island or to be used like a regular taxi.
Routes and fares
From Ischia Porto to Ischia Ponte: €10.00
From Ischia Porto to Casamicciola: €15.00
From Ischia Porto tp Lacco Ameno: €20.00
From Ischia Porto to Forio: €30.00
From Ischia Porto to Sant'Angelo: €40.00
Tour of the island: €80.00
Taxi company phone numbers
Ischia: 081 99 25 50
Casamicciola: 081 90 03 69
Lacco Ameno: 081 99 51 83
Forio: 081 99 73 67
Sant’Angelo: 081 99 98 99
Is Ischia expensive?
Ischia isn't expensive compared to the nearby island of Capri or the Amalfi Coast. You'll find lower rates for hotels, restaurants, bars, and other services than at other destinations in the Bay of Naples.
How to get around Ischia by boat
Water taxis are also a great solution to get around quickly between beaches. They leave from Ischia Ponte, Sant'Angelo, and Maronti and can drop you off at beaches that are only accessible via sea. They are often less expensive than a regular land taxi to get around the island's coastline.
Routes and fares for water taxis (per person, one way):
From Ischia Ponte
Baia di Cartaromana: €4.00
Scarrupata: €13.00
Maronti: €15.00
From Sant'Angelo
Cavascura: €3.00
Sorgeto: €5.00
La Scannella: €10.00
From Maronti beach
Cavascura: €2.50
Sant’Angelo: €3.00
Sorgeto: €8.00
The average price for a private boat tour around the island is around €200.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Can you get a boat from Ischia to Sorrento?
Ischia is located in the Bay of Naples, while Sorrento is situated on the Sorrentine Peninsula, just across the bay. During the summer months, there are a variety of different boats that operate between Ischia and Sorrento, including ferries, hydrofoils, and private charter boats. In the low season (fall and winter) the availability of boats is limited and a stop in Naples may be necessary. The journey time varies depending on the type of boat and the weather conditions, but it usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour to reach Sorrento from Ischia.
Ferry and hydrofoil schedules
Is there a direct ferry from Capri to Ischia?
The ferries that directly connect the islands of Capri and Ischia only operate during the high tourist season, usually from early April to mid-October. The runs are daily, there are several departures during the day. In autumn and winter, it is instead necessary to pass through Naples.
Can you get a ferry from Ischia to Positano?
During the summer, there are direct sea connections between Ischia and Positano (and vice versa), the journey takes on average between an hour and a half and two hours. In the other months of the year it is necessary to reach Sorrento or Naples and from there continue towards Ischia or towards the Amalfi Coast.
Can you cycle around Ischia?
The island of Ischia has an area of ??less than 50 square km, but it is not effortless to cross by bicycle, both for the traffic which is often congested and for the presence of ups and downs and bumps. If you are trained, you can use a mountain bike for cycling routes to discover the interior and the hilly areas, away from the traffic and chaos of the coast. If your primary goal is to reach the beaches instead, a good idea may be to rent a pedal-assisted bicycle.
Can you do Capri and Ischia in one day?
It is not possible to visit Capri and Ischia on the same day. A single day, in fact, is hardly enough to get an idea of ??one or the other. Either island, though, can be a base for a day trip to the other.
How far is Ischia from Positano by boat?
Direct ferries from Positano to Ischia take just under two hours each way. The connections are available every day, only in the months from April to October.
How do I spend a day in Procida?
Due to its small size and proximity, Procida is the ideal destination for a day trip from Ischia. You can visit Procida either by taking one of the many ferries and hydrofoils that leave from Ischia Porto, or by renting a private boat (with or without a skipper). Or you can join one of the many group tours that depart from Ischia every day.