Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch

Capri’s best day may be the one you plan yourself: this package connects a boat ride around the island with Anacapri, the Mount Solaro chairlift, lunch, and time in Capri town. You collect your vouchers at Marina Grande, then set your own pace.

I like the freedom to choose when to take each included ride and the way the package brings the island’s main experiences together. I also like that lunch is included, so you can spend less time sorting out logistics and more time seeing Capri.

The trade-off is that independence does not mean no waiting. Buses, the chairlift, and funicular can queue, while rough seas or high tides may close the Blue Grotto. Its entrance fee and your ferry are not included.

What makes this Capri day trip useful

• The Blue Grotto is a stop, not a guarantee of entry: Sea conditions can prevent boats from entering, and the separate entrance fee is not included.
• The day has no set group schedule: Use the vouchers in an order and at a pace that suit you, while keeping an eye on your return ferry.
• Anacapri gets its own time: The package includes a bus there, a meal at La Giara, and a chairlift ride to Mount Solaro.
• The views from Mount Solaro are a major payoff: The chairlift climbs above Anacapri, with broad views from the summit on a clear day.
• You get transport at both ends of the day: Bus rides connect the port, Anacapri, and Capri town; the funicular returns you to Marina Grande.
• The $152.93 price covers several key costs: It includes the boat tour, local transport, chairlift, lunch, and funicular, but not the ferry or Blue Grotto entrance.

Build your day around the boat tour

The meeting point is Motoscafisti Capri Pier, Dock 0, at Marina Grande. After you step off your ferry, go to the Motoscafisti stand to collect your package tickets and vouchers. The boat tour leaves from nearby, making it a practical first stop before you start moving between the port, Anacapri, and Capri town.

The boat ride circles the island and takes about 90 minutes. From the water, you get a different view of Capri’s coastline and its landmarks, and the skipper may add useful commentary. It is one of the package’s most memorable parts, but plan for changing sea conditions: high winds or rough water can affect the route and whether the Blue Grotto is open.

The Blue Grotto is the famous draw, but the package only includes a stop by it. You pay the entrance fee separately, and entry depends on conditions at sea. Even when the grotto is open, a long wait can eat into your day. One practical tip is to ask at the pier about current conditions and waiting times before deciding how much time to commit.

If the grotto is closed, the boat tour can still take you past other coastal sights. Treat the cave as a possible extra, not the sole reason to book. That mindset helps keep a weather change from turning the day into a disappointment.

Ride the bus uphill to Anacapri

From Marina Grande, take the private bus toward Anacapri. The bus stop is a few metres beyond Pier 23. The package covers this transfer, but the island’s buses can feel busy and confusing, especially when larger groups are boarding. Check that you are joining the right bus and allow spare time instead of assuming you will board immediately.

Anacapri is a good place to slow the pace after the boat ride. The package’s suggested route brings you here for lunch and the Mount Solaro chairlift, both of which are included. You can also use your free time to explore the historic center rather than rushing straight from one voucher to the next.

Because there is no guide or fixed schedule, you need to keep track of your own sequence. That is a real benefit if you like making your own choices, but less appealing if you want someone else to manage every transition. Save the restaurant location and bus stop details on your phone, and keep your ferry departure time in mind as you plan.

Take a three-course break at La Giara

Lunch is at La Giara Restaurant in Anacapri. The package includes a three-course meal, and reports of what is served describe a starter, main course, and dessert. Drinks are included too: water plus a soft drink, wine, or beer. The meal makes the package feel more useful than a set of transport tickets alone, particularly during a full day on the island.

There is a practical value here as well. You do not have to spend part of the day comparing menus and prices when you could be exploring. The restaurant is easy to locate using a map, though you should still leave enough time for the meal and the chairlift rather than treating lunch as a quick stop.

A fixed restaurant does mean less choice about where to eat. If you want to pick a different restaurant or prefer to set your own meal budget, this part of the package may be less appealing. But if you value convenience and a proper sit-down break, the included meal is a strong part of the deal.

Take the chairlift to Mount Solaro

From Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri, board the chairlift to Mount Solaro. This ride is one of the day’s signature experiences: instead of climbing on foot, you rise above Anacapri and reach the island’s high point by chairlift. On a clear day, the views from the top stretch far across the surrounding coast and sea.

The ride is exposed and can feel exhilarating, so it may not suit everyone. For those comfortable with heights, it is a memorable way to see Capri from above. The chairlift ticket is included, but lines can form, so leave room in your schedule. Your flexible day helps, but it does not make queues disappear.

Give yourself time at the summit to take in the view before heading back down. This is a good place to avoid rushing: the ride itself is brief compared with the payoff of seeing the island from above. If the weather is poor, views may be less clear, so keep expectations tied to the conditions on the day.

Return to Capri town for a change of pace

After Mount Solaro, take the bus from Piazza della Pace in Anacapri back to Capri town. The transfer is included, but bus boarding can be the least orderly part of the day. If a queue is forming, be patient, confirm your stop, and avoid planning a tight connection immediately afterward.

Capri town gives you time to wander through the historic center before returning to the port. This contrast is part of the day’s appeal: you get the coastline from a boat, open views from Mount Solaro, and then time on foot in the island’s central streets. The package does not prescribe how long to spend here, so you can linger or head down early, depending on your interests and ferry schedule.

The funicular ticket back to Marina Grande is included. The ride is short, but the line can be longer than the ride itself. Queues of around 15 minutes have occurred, and waits can be longer at busy times. If you are close to your ferry departure, do not leave the return trip until the last moment. Some people may find walking downhill quicker than waiting, but the funicular is the included option.

Is $152.93 good value?

At $152.93 per person, this is not a low-cost day out. Its value depends on how many of the included activities you plan to use. The package covers the island boat tour, bus rides to Anacapri and Capri town, Mount Solaro chairlift, a three-course lunch, and the funicular to Marina Grande. If you want to do most of those things, having the key tickets and meal arranged in advance can make the price worthwhile.

It also saves you from buying each included ticket separately and gives you a ready-made way to connect the port, Anacapri, and Capri town. The benefit is less about skipping every queue and more about having the main pieces of the day paid for and organized. You still need to navigate the stops and make your own timing decisions.

Two major expenses remain outside the package: the ferry to and from Capri and the Blue Grotto entrance fee. Factor both into your budget before booking. And if the grotto is closed, the rest of the package still has value through the boat ride, chairlift, lunch, and transport, but you should be comfortable paying for a day that may not include cave entry.

Who will enjoy this independent format?

I would choose this package if you like being in charge of your own day but do not want to arrange every transport ticket and meal from scratch. It can work well for families and small groups who want the freedom to pause or change the order of activities. You do not have to keep up with a guide or stay with a group.

It is less suitable if you prefer a guide to lead you from stop to stop, or if you need a firm timetable. Queues and bus delays can affect your plans, and rough weather can change the boat portion. You also need to pay attention to ferry times and leave enough room to get back to Marina Grande.

Comfortable shoes and clothes are sensible, as the day involves moving between the port, bus stops, chairlift, restaurant, and town. The package is described as valid for three days, with starting times shown when you check availability. Confirm the details for your chosen date before you book.

Should you book this Capri package?

Book it if you want a full Capri day with a boat trip, Mount Solaro, Anacapri, lunch, and Capri town, but prefer to set your own pace. The chairlift and the boat tour are the main reasons I would consider it, with the included lunch and transport making the day easier to organize.

Skip it if you want a guided experience, need a strict schedule, or are mainly booking for the Blue Grotto. Entry is not included and may not be possible in rough conditions. If you do book, start early, ask about grotto conditions at the port, and leave a generous buffer for queues and your return ferry.

FAQ

Is the ferry to Capri included?

No. The ferry to and from Capri is not included, so arrange and budget for it separately.

Is the Blue Grotto entrance fee included?

No. The boat tour stops by the Blue Grotto, but the separate entrance fee is not included. Entry can also be affected by sea conditions.

Is this a guided tour?

No. It is self-guided, with no guide or fixed schedule. You use the included tickets and vouchers to organize the day yourself.

What does the package include?

It includes a boat tour with a stop by the Blue Grotto, bus transfers to Anacapri and Capri town, a three-course lunch at a local restaurant, the Mount Solaro chairlift, and the funicular to Marina Grande.

Where do I collect the tickets?

Collect your package tickets at Motoscafisti Capri Pier, Dock 0, at Marina Grande.

What should I bring?

Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes are recommended.