If you can bear to tear yourself away from the charming coastal town of Sorrento by the Bay of Naples, then one of the most popular day trip destinations is Ischia. This island in the Gulf of Naples is volcanic, and famous for its naturally heated mineral waters. It’s also rich in culture and history, and abundant in beautiful beaches.
Taking a ferry to Ischia from Sorrento can also get you more off the beaten path than taking tours from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast. This is one of Italy’s lesser-known islands compared to Capri, Sardinia, and Sicily. Yet Ischia has so much to offer the visitor, believe me!
This Sorrento to Ischia Day Trip guide is here to help you plan your Sorrento to Ischia tour so you can take a day trip to this gorgeous destination in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Read on to discover how to get there, what to do, frequently asked questions, and more.
👉 Ferry Tickets
👉 Sorrento Accommodations
👉Ischia Boat Tour
How to Get to Ischia from Sorrento
The simplest way to reach Ischia, when traveling from Sorrento, is to take a ferry across. You can catch a boat in Sorrento in the morning, before making the return trip later in the day.
Each leg of the journey takes around an hour and 10 minutes to an hour-and-a-half to complete. Services operate throughout the summer season, between spring and fall. Some are direct, while others travel via Capri or Procida.
Alternatively, book an organized day tour from Sorrento to Ischia to have everything taken care of.
Sorrento to Ischia by Ferry
The Sorrento to Ischia ferry schedule operates between April and October. Services commence on 1st April and end on 31st October. These are operated by Alilauro Gruson.
Ferries travel to and forth twice per day, giving you morning and afternoon services to choose from. For day trippers, departing in the morning between 9.10 am and 9.30 am, and returning at 5.25 pm, makes the most sense.
Sorrento to Ischia
- Operator: Alilauro Gruson
- Dates: 1st April to 31st October
- Departure point: Marina Piccola, Sorrento
- Departure times: 09:10 (April to mid-August) or 09:30 (mid-August to October) & 15:50
- Travel times: 1 hour & 10 minutes to 1 hour & 30 minutes
- Prices: from around EUR 24 one way
Between the beginning of April and mid-August, ferries depart Sorrento at 9.10 am, and this outbound ferry travels via Procida. From mid-August to the end of the season, they leave at 9.30 am. This service travels directly to Ischia. It takes around an hour and 10 minutes to make this trip.
There is also a later daily service from Sorrento to Ischia, via Capri. This departs at 3.50 pm, so it’s too late for day trippers but it might work for you if you want to stay in Ischia overnight. The later service also takes a little longer: around an hour and 30 minutes.
Ferries leave from Marina Piccola in Sorrento, which is within walking distance of the center. These ferries are for foot passengers only.
Ischia to Sorrento
- Operator: Alilauro Gruson
- Dates: 1st April to 31st October
- Departure point: Ischia Porto
- Departure times: 10:45 or 17:25
- Travel times: 1 hour & 10 minutes to 1 hour & 30 minutes
- Prices: from around EUR 24 one way
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
Schedules from Ischia to Sorrento are a little more straightforward, making your return trip slightly easier. The ferry you’re likely to catch leaves Ischia at 5.25 pm. This operates daily between 1st April and 31st October.
There is also an earlier service, leaving Ischia at 10.45 am. This travels via Capri. It’s too early for day-trippers who will just have arrived via the outbound service but it might be suitable if you’re returning to Sorrento after an overnight stay on Ischia.
You can catch the ferry back to Sorrento from Ischia Porto. These ferries cannot take cars and are only for foot passengers.
Sorrento to Ischia by Day Trip
If you would prefer to be in the hands of a local expert, then booking a day trip to Ischia from Sorrento is another option. The advantage here is that you have a way to get around once you arrive in Ischia, rather than having to walk everywhere or rely on public transport.
Here are some of my favorite tours to consider. Most of these include ferry transport between Sorrento and Ischia, but one does involve traveling by private boat.
- Private day tour Sorrento to Ischia | 8 hours | Ferry & car | Villages, viewpoints, & seaside
- Sorrento to Mortella Gardens & Ischia | 9 hours | Ferry & coach | Forio & island tour
- Small group tour Sorrento to Ischia & Procida | 10-11 hours | Ferry & minibus | Island tours & free time
- Private boat excursion Sorrento to Ischia | 8 hours | Yacht or speedboat | Aragonese Castle, Sorgeto hot springs, villages, & swimming stops
What to Do in Ischia for a Day
Here are some ideas if you’re wondering what to do in Ischia in one day. While you cannot explore the whole island during a day trip, you can enjoy some of the highlights.
Thermal baths
The island of Ischia is famous for its thermal baths, and for many visitors these are the island’s main attraction. Giardini Poseidon Terme and Negombo are the best-known, and you can also access both of these via public transport.
Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash
Both are open between mid-April and mid-October. So you can visit during the ferry season, apart from in early April and late October.
Catch bus line 2 to get to the Citara Poseidon stop for Giardini Poseidon Terme. For Negombo, you need lines 1,2, CD, or CS to reach the Lacco Ameno stop.
Both thermal baths offer natural mineral pools with water at a range of temperatures. Both Negombo and Giardini Poseidon Terme also have beach areas, so you can combine a spa experience with a beach day.
Entry to each of these thermal bath complexes costs around EUR 30.
Aragonese Castle
Aragonese Castle – or Castello Aragonese d’Ischia – is the main draw on the island for fans of history. You can walk from Ischia Porto to Ischia Ponte, as it’s only about half a mile (or 800 meters) between the two. Spiaggia dei Pescatori beach is also located on the coastline between the two.
Photo by Antonio Vivace on Unsplash
The medieval castle actually sits atop an islet, which is joined to the main island via a stone bridge. Along with the thermal springs, it’s an icon of Ischia. The first fortress was built here back in 474 BC, but the current castle dates from the 15th century. It’s been used by both the Romans and the Neapolitans as a lookout.
Once you enter, a twisting pathway takes you through the buildings and gardens. It’s worth entering for the sweeping views alone, even if you’re not that into history.
Castle entrance fees are around EUR 12 per adult. Get tickets on their website.
Scooter tours
Another way to see Ischia is to rent a scooter from one of the outlets around the port. This gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility to see the places you’d like to on the island, at your own pace. It’s also a really fun way to travel, and is best for those who are used to handling a scooter or motorcycle.
For peace of mind before setting off, do make sure that your travel insurance policy covers traveling by scooter. It doesn’t and you did have an accident, you could be facing some eye-watering bills – on top of any pain and injury caused.
Beaches
Ischia’s beaches are also among the island’s star attractions. My favorites include family-friendly Sitara, the hidden gem of Cava dell’Isola, sun-drenched Maronti Beach, and Sorgeto Bay, which has naturally heated thermal pools. Find out more in this complete Ischia beaches guide.
The beaches can also be the ideal spot to dine by the sea, at one of the local restaurants you’ll find there. Check out some cool beach activities like snorkeling tours or kayak tours.
Photo – Get Your Guide Tour
Ischia to Sorrento Day Trip FAQ
How far is Ischia from Sorrento?
If you drive, it takes about three hours to reach Ischia from Sorrento, via Naples and the ferries from there. Or, as a foot passenger, you can catch a ferry in Sorrento between April and October, making the journey far faster. This takes between an hour and 10 minutes and an hour-and-a-half.
Can you go to Ischia for the day?
With good connections from Naples and within easy reach of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, the Italian island of Ischia is easy to get to. Ferry services from Naples and Sorrento mean that day trips are possible. You can also book private boat tours to take you to and around the island.
Is one day enough in Ischia?
While you cannot expect to see the entire island in one day, you can experience something of what the island has to offer. You could visit Aragonese Castle, head to the thermal springs, explore the port town, or spend time at the beach.
Alternatively, rent a scooter from the port to ride around the island’s 18 square miles. The island is four miles north to south, and six miles east to west. You can also take boat tours around Ischia.
Is Ischia worth visiting?
Ischia is certainly well worth visiting. It’s a compact, volcanic island famous for its natural mineral springs. There’s also the majestic Castello Aragonese d’Ischia, which is on its own islet connected by a bridge to Ischia.
The island also offers attractive beaches, panoramic coastal views, and appealing villages. Ischia has some lovely local restaurants, too, for sampling seafood and local cuisine. It’s also less touristy than other Italian islands, like Capri or Sicily.
How much time do you need in Ischia?
If you want to see the very best of Ischia, then you might like to stay a night or two – or even for longer. There are half-a-dozen main towns and 18 square miles to discover.
You can visit Ischia for a day, though, to enjoy some of the main attractions. These include the natural thermal springs, Aragonese Castle, pretty villages, beautiful beaches, and a range of restaurants serving local fare and fresh seafood.
How long is the ferry ride from Sorrento to Ischia?
The foot passenger ferry from Sorrento to Ischia – and vice versa – takes between an hour and 10 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes.
Can you get to Ischia from Sorrento?
You can get to the island of Ischia from Sorrento during the summer season. Foot passenger ferries operate between the two points from the beginning of April to the end of October.
There are two ferries each way, per day. You can take a day trip via the morning ferry from Sorrento, returning during the late afternoon. If you want to stay overnight – or are traveling in the opposite direction – you could also take the afternoon ferry from Sorrento to Ischia, or the morning ferry from Ischia to Sorrento.
If you want to take a car, you’ll need to drive to Naples before boarding a vehicular ferry. The trip takes around three hours each way. Another option is to book an organized day tour from Sorrento to Ischia.
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