Pontine Islands Ferry Routes
Latest update: 20 October 2023
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The Pontine Islands ferry routes detail the schedules for sailings in and out of the island group in the central Italian region of Lazio.
There are two inhabited islands in the archipelago which lies just off Lazio's Tyrrhenian Coast to the south of Rome. The most popular of the two islands is Ponza, which is also the largest and famous for its lovely beaches and attractive port. The second island of Ventotene is smaller but no less charming and provides a great opportunity for a day-trip, whereas Ponza is more of a dedicated holiday destination. |
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Reaching the Pontine Islands
Both islands can be reached from ports in Lazio, as well as from further south where there are sailings available from Naples and the island of Ischia. In Lazio, the ports of Anzio, Formia, Terracina and San Felice Circeo serve Ponza, with the last two of those providing the shortest journey time of an hour by hydrofoil. Ventotene can be reached from Formia, Ischia and Naples, while both Ponza and Ventotene are connected to each other directly with crossings in both directions.
Boat Types and Ferry Companies
There are two types of boat that make the crossings to and from the Pontine Islands. The fastest of those are the hydrofoils or aliscafi in Italian, although they don't necessarily take the form of a hydrofoil with skis at the side, they often resemble a large catamaran or just a sleeker type of ferry. The main point is that they are for foot passengers only and it's only the larger ferries which can also carry cars.
Both islands can be reached from ports in Lazio, as well as from further south where there are sailings available from Naples and the island of Ischia. In Lazio, the ports of Anzio, Formia, Terracina and San Felice Circeo serve Ponza, with the last two of those providing the shortest journey time of an hour by hydrofoil. Ventotene can be reached from Formia, Ischia and Naples, while both Ponza and Ventotene are connected to each other directly with crossings in both directions.
Boat Types and Ferry Companies
There are two types of boat that make the crossings to and from the Pontine Islands. The fastest of those are the hydrofoils or aliscafi in Italian, although they don't necessarily take the form of a hydrofoil with skis at the side, they often resemble a large catamaran or just a sleeker type of ferry. The main point is that they are for foot passengers only and it's only the larger ferries which can also carry cars.
Laziomar
Laziomar is one of the main operators of the route and they are the only company that provide the ferry crossings. They're also the only company that offers a choice of craft as they also operate the hydrofoils. The Laziomar services run between the ports of Anzio, Formia and Terracina on the mainland to Ponza, while for Ventotene they only operate to and from Formia.
The Laziomar crossings from Formia are available all year round whereas the remaining services are only available during the summer months. Between Ponza and Terracina there are also hydrofoil services offered by NLG, while the Ponza - San Felice Circeo hydrofoil route is operated by just one company called Pontine Navigazione.
Although most routes and timetables are covered by the booking engine further down the page, the crossings to Ponza from the ports of Formia and Anzio are not. For those routes it's best to go directly to the Laziomar website which you can access via the green button below:
Laziomar is one of the main operators of the route and they are the only company that provide the ferry crossings. They're also the only company that offers a choice of craft as they also operate the hydrofoils. The Laziomar services run between the ports of Anzio, Formia and Terracina on the mainland to Ponza, while for Ventotene they only operate to and from Formia.
The Laziomar crossings from Formia are available all year round whereas the remaining services are only available during the summer months. Between Ponza and Terracina there are also hydrofoil services offered by NLG, while the Ponza - San Felice Circeo hydrofoil route is operated by just one company called Pontine Navigazione.
Although most routes and timetables are covered by the booking engine further down the page, the crossings to Ponza from the ports of Formia and Anzio are not. For those routes it's best to go directly to the Laziomar website which you can access via the green button below:
SNAV
Services to the south of Ponza are operated by the SNAV hydrofoil company. They only run during the peak summer months and only at the weekends. They operate the routes in both directions from Ponza to Ischia, Naples and Ventotene.
Services to the south of Ponza are operated by the SNAV hydrofoil company. They only run during the peak summer months and only at the weekends. They operate the routes in both directions from Ponza to Ischia, Naples and Ventotene.
Pontine Islands Ferry Tickets and Timetables
The Pontine Islands ferry ticket booking engine can be used not only for booking tickets, but also for checking the times. When purchasing a ticket via the booking engine a transaction fee applies that you don't have to pay when buying directly from the ticket office. If you simply want to check the latest times, just enter your dates and the route option - you don't have to go as far as making a booking if you don't want to.
Anzio Ferry Schedules
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Anzio is situated on the Tyrrhenian Coast around 60 kilometres south east of Rome; a car journey of about an hour.
The town is famous as being one of the key theatres of operation during World War Two when its beaches were used by the allied forces in January 1944. Those same beaches are now a favourite place for swimming and sunbathing during the summer. From Anzio it's possible to take a hydrofoil across to Ponza with a journey time of an hour and 20 minutes. The service is only available during the summer and operated by Laziomar whose hydrofoils are for foot passengers only. |
Anzio, Lazio
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Individual Ferry Routes from Anzio
Formia Ferry Schedules
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Formia is another port on the Italian mainland in the region of Lazio, further south from Anzio and slightly closer to Naples than it is to Rome. The town is a mixture between old and new with some interesting architecture and an historic marina.
The Laziomar company operate ferries and hydrofoils out of Formia with crossings available to both Ventotene and Ponza all year round. The similar distance to Ponza as to Ventotene, means a fastest journey time to both of an hour and 20 minutes. Heading north by car from Formia you can reach Rome in around two hours while the journey south to Naples is an hour and a half. |
Formia, Lazio
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Individual Ferry Routes from Formia
Ischia Ferry Schedules
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The island of Ischia is famous for its thermal springs that have been welcoming tourists since the times of the Romans, as well as a number of beaches and the beautiful Castello Aragonese.
During the summer it's possible to take a day trip from Ischia to both Ponza and Ventotene. Services are operated by the SNAV hydrofoil company over the weekends in July and August. Ischia lies 40 kilometres from Ventotene which marks the exact half way mark to Ponza. The journey time from Ischia to Ventotene is 50 minutes and roughly double that to Ponza. Ticket prices start from €28 each way for an adult to Ventotene. |
Ischia, Campania
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Individual Ferry Routes from Ischia
Naples Ferry Schedules
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Naples is the capital city of the southern Italian region of Campania. Its port on the Gulf of Naples is one of the busiest in the country with not only more than 20 destinations connected by ferry, but a large number of cruise ships using it as a stopover.
Lying in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the landscape of Naples is one of the most evocative and dramatic in Italy. Once one of the most affluent cities in the world, its status gradually diminished after the Italian unification in 1861, but it remains Italy's most vivacious city with a great deal of hidden gems to discover. From Naples you can sail to both Ventotene and Ponza. |
Naples, Campania
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Individual Ferry Routes from Naples
Ponza Ferry Schedules
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Ponza is the main attraction of the Pontine Islands. It's one of only two inhabited islands in the archipelago and has by far the larger population and land mass.
It's a particularly favourite destination for Romans who like to escape the city at the weekends to relax on Ponza's beautiful beaches such as Cala Feola. Its bustling port is bright and colourful with plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. The island isn't quite small enough to see everything on foot but there are good transport options including buses, rental cars and scooters. Excursions to the smaller island of Palmarola are also available. |
Ponza, Pontine Islands
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Individual Ferry Routes from Ponza
San Felice Circeo Ferry Schedules
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San Felice Circeo is a combination of pretty hillside borgo and small seaside port. It's also the site of the Circeo National Park which is a popular spot for hiking routes and general exploration.
Lying at a distance of 38 kilometres from Ponza, San Felice Circeo's port is the closest on the mainland to the Pontine Islands and provides the fastest journey time. The one hour crossings are made by hydrofoil and operated by the Pontine Navigazione company. The route is only available during the summer, with a crossing to Ponza in the morning and a return that same evening, making it ideal for a day trip. |
San Felice Circeo, Lazio
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Individual Ferry Routes from San Felice Circeo
Terracina Ferry Schedules
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Terracina is one of the most popular beach resorts in Lazio with a lively town centre and huge swathes of soft sand in each direction.
It's situated in the Latina Province, a short distance to the east of San Felice Circeo along the Tyrrhenian Coast. Terracina is roughly equidistant between Naples and Rome with the latter reachable by both car or train with a journey time of just under two hours. Along with San Felice Circeo, Terracina provides the fastest route to Ponza with a one hour crossing by hydrofoil. There are four separate departure times during the summer with a choice of Laziomar ferries or the faster NLG hydrofoils. |
Terracina, Lazio
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Individual Ferry Routes from Terracina
Ventotene Ferry Schedules
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Ventotene is the second largest of the Pontine Islands and the only one apart from Ponza that's inhabited. It lies south east of Ponza and roughly equidistant to the next island along which is Ischia.
Although smaller than Ponza, Ventotene is no less charming with a combination of beaches, a colourful port area and a good selection of bars, shops and restaurants. Its main claim to fame is that it was once used as a prison island for some super celebrities of the Roman Empire, including the emperor's very own daughter. You can sail to Ventotene from the mainland ports of Formia and Naples, or from the aforementioned islands: Ponza and Ischia. |
Ventotene, Pontine Islands
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Individual Ferry Routes from Ventotene
