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Is Capri Expensive? Complete 2025 Cost Guide for the Italian Island Paradise

Wondering is Capri expensive before booking your Italian getaway? The short answer is yes—Capri ranks among Italy’s most premium destinations with average daily costs ranging from €150-350 per person. This glamorous Mediterranean island attracts celebrities and luxury travelers with its stunning coastal scenery, exclusive boutiques, and world-class dining, but the elevated prices reflect its limited space, seasonal demand, and high-end reputation.

This comprehensive guide answers exactly how expensive is Capri in 2025, breaking down costs for accommodation, dining, transportation, and activities to help you plan your visit to this bucket-list Italian destination.

Is Capri Italy Expensive? Cost Overview for 2025

Is Capri Italy expensive compared to other Italian destinations? Let’s examine typical costs across major spending categories:

Expense CategoryBudgetMid-rangeLuxury
Accommodation€80-150€200-350€500+
Food€40-60€80-120€150+
Transportation€20-30€40-60€100+
Activities€20-40€50-100€150+
Daily Total€160-280€370-630€900+

Compared to mainland Italian destinations like Naples (just across the bay), prices on Capri are typically 30-50% higher. Even compared to other famous Italian destinations like the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, Capri is expensive. Let’s explore why and break down exactly what to expect.

Why Is Capri So Expensive?

Several factors contribute to Capri’s premium price tag:

  1. Limited space: At just 10.4 square kilometers, Capri’s developable land is extremely limited
  2. Exclusivity factor: Long history as a playground for celebrities and the ultra-wealthy
  3. High cost of operations: Most supplies must be imported via ferry or hydrofoil
  4. Extreme seasonality: Businesses must make most of their annual income during a short tourist season
  5. Exceptional natural beauty: The breathtaking landscapes and perfect Mediterranean setting command premium prices

These factors combine to create one of Italy’s most expensive destinations, though many visitors find the unique experience worth the cost.

How Expensive Is Capri for Accommodation?

Accommodation represents the largest expense when visiting Capri:

Hotel and Accommodation Costs

  • Budget options: €80-150 per night (basic guesthouses, B&Bs away from main areas)
  • Mid-range hotels: €200-350 per night (3-4 star hotels)
  • Luxury accommodations: €500-2,000+ per night (5-star hotels, villas with views)

Prices can increase by 30-50% during peak season (July-August), while some accommodations close entirely during the winter months. For the best combination of value and availability, consider visiting in May-June or September.

Money-saving tip: Staying in Naples or Sorrento and visiting Capri as a day trip can dramatically reduce accommodation costs, though you’ll miss experiencing the island’s magical atmosphere after day-trippers depart.

Is Capri Expensive to Eat Out?

Is Capri expensive to eat out? Yes, dining is notably pricier than most Italian destinations. Here’s what to expect:

Food Costs in Capri

  • Coffee at a café: €3-5 (standing) / €6-8 (seated with view)
  • Casual lunch: €20-35 per person
  • Mid-range restaurant dinner: €50-80 per person
  • Fine dining experience: €120-200+ per person
  • Gelato: €3-5 for a small cup/cone
  • Aperitivo drinks: €10-15 for a standard cocktail

Restaurants in prime locations like the Piazzetta (Capri town’s main square) or with sea views charge premium prices. For more reasonable options, explore side streets away from main tourist areas or dine in Anacapri, which tends to be less expensive than Capri town.

According to Numbeo’s cost data, restaurant prices in Capri average 30-40% higher than in Naples and about 15-20% higher than the Amalfi Coast.

Transportation Costs: How to Get to Capri Italy and Getting Around

How to Get to Capri Italy from the Mainland

  • Ferry from Naples: €21-25 one-way (70-80 minutes)
  • High-speed ferry from Naples: €24-28 one-way (45-50 minutes)
  • Ferry from Sorrento: €19-22 one-way (25-30 minutes)
  • Ferry from Positano/Amalfi: €23-28 one-way (seasonal service, 30-50 minutes)
  • Private boat transfer: €400-800+ one-way depending on boat size and season

According to the official ferry booking platform, prices increase during high season, and the last ferries typically depart Capri between 7-9pm depending on the season.

Getting Around Capri

  • Funicular (Capri port to Capri town): €2.20 one-way
  • Bus (between Capri town and Anacapri): €2.20 one-way
  • Taxi: €20-35 for short trips, €40-60 between major points on the island
  • Boat rental (self-drive small boat): €120-200+ for 2-4 hours
  • Private boat tour around island: €180-350+ depending on boat size and duration

Money-saving tip: Purchase a daily bus/funicular pass for €8.60 if planning multiple journeys in one day.

Activity and Attraction Costs

Even the island’s natural attractions often come with admission fees:

  • Blue Grotto entrance: €14 (plus €15-20 for rowboat service)
  • Villa San Michele: €10
  • Gardens of Augustus: €1.50
  • Mount Solaro chairlift (Anacapri): €12 round-trip
  • Private boat tour: €180-400 depending on duration and group size
  • Group boat tour: €40-70 per person

Hiking remains one of the more affordable activities, with trails like the Path of the Forts (Sentiero dei Fortini) and the Pizzolungo trail offering spectacular views for free.

Shopping Expenses: Luxury Retail on Capri

Shopping on Capri focuses primarily on luxury and designer goods:

  • Designer boutiques: Similar to major European city prices
  • Handmade Capri sandals: €60-150+
  • Local ceramics: €30-200+ depending on size and craftsmanship
  • Limoncello (local lemon liqueur): €15-25 per bottle

Via Camerelle in Capri town hosts international luxury brands, while smaller artisan shops can be found throughout both towns.

Best Time to Visit Capri: Balancing Costs and Experience

The best time to visit Capri depends on your priorities:

  • Peak season (July-August): Highest prices, crowds, and temperatures; all attractions open, full ferry service
  • Shoulder season (May-June, September): Better value, pleasant weather, fewer crowds; all attractions open
  • Low season (October-April): Lowest prices, many businesses closed, limited transportation; peaceful atmosphere

For the optimal balance of value, weather, and availability, mid-May to early June or September offers the best experience. September visitors enjoy 25-30% lower average accommodation costs compared to August.

Is Capri Expensive Compared to Other Italian Destinations?

How expensive is Capri compared to other Italian hotspots?

DestinationCompared to Capri
Naples40-50% less expensive
Sorrento25-35% less expensive
Amalfi Coast10-20% less expensive
PositanoSimilar to slightly less
Venice10-15% less expensive
Rome20-30% less expensive
Florence25-35% less expensive

Capri consistently ranks among Italy’s top three most expensive destinations for accommodation costs.

Is Capri Island Expensive for Day Trippers?

Many visitors choose to experience Capri as a day trip from the mainland. Is Capri island expensive for day visitors? Here’s a breakdown of minimum costs:

  • Round-trip ferry from Naples: €42-50
  • Round-trip ferry from Sorrento: €38-44
  • Funicular/bus transportation on island: €8.60 (day pass)
  • Lunch: €25-40
  • One paid attraction: €10-15
  • Gelato/drinks: €10-15
  • Total day trip cost: €95-135 per person (minimum)

Organized day tours from Naples or Sorrento typically cost €85-150 per person, including transportation and guided service, sometimes with a boat tour included.

Is Capri Expensive for Tourists? Budget Tips and Strategies

Is Capri expensive for tourists on a limited budget? While certainly not a budget destination, these strategies can help manage costs:

Money-Saving Tips for Capri

  1. Visit during shoulder season (May-June or September) for lower prices and fewer crowds
  2. Book accommodation well in advance (6+ months) for better rates
  3. Stay in Anacapri instead of Capri town for more affordable lodging
  4. Pack picnic lunches from grocery stores or delis
  5. Use public transportation instead of taxis
  6. Limit dining at view restaurants to perhaps one special meal
  7. Consider a day trip instead of overnight stay if budget is very tight
  8. Book ferry tickets online in advance during high season
  9. Take advantage of free activities like hiking and public beaches
  10. Be selective about paid attractions rather than trying to see everything

Sample Capri Budgets

Here’s what different budget levels look like for daily expenses in Capri:

Budget Traveler: €150-200 per day

  • Simple B&B or guesthouse in Anacapri: €80-120
  • Self-catering breakfast, picnic lunch, modest dinner: €40-50
  • Public transportation: €8-10
  • One paid attraction: €10-15
  • Miscellaneous: €10-15

Mid-range Traveler: €300-400 per day

  • 3-star hotel: €200-250
  • Restaurant meals: €60-80
  • Transportation including one taxi: €20-30
  • Attractions: €20-40
  • Shopping/miscellaneous: €30-50

Luxury Traveler: €800+ per day

  • 4-5 star hotel or villa: €500+
  • Fine dining: €150+
  • Private transportation: €80+
  • Premium experiences (private boat tour, etc.): €150+
  • Shopping: €100+

Is Capri Expensive to Visit? The Final Verdict

Is Capri expensive to visit? Undeniably yes. It ranks among Italy’s premium destinations with prices to match its exclusivity and limited space. The island’s natural beauty, unique atmosphere, and iconic status command premium prices across all categories.

However, many visitors find that Capri’s stunning landscapes, azure waters, and elegant atmosphere provide value despite the high costs. By traveling during shoulder season, being selective about splurges, and applying the budget strategies outlined above, you can experience the essence of Capri without completely breaking the bank.

For those with flexible budgets seeking a uniquely beautiful Mediterranean island experience, Capri’s premium prices are offset by genuinely world-class scenery, ambiance, and that special feeling that comes from standing on one of Italy’s most famous and sought-after destinations.

Whether you choose to splurge on a luxury stay or visit as a strategic day-tripper, experiencing Capri’s beauty firsthand helps answer the question of why is Capri so expensive?—because there’s truly nowhere else quite like it.

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