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

REVIEW · CAPRI

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

  • 4.3129 reviews
  • From $152.93
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Operated by Capri Day Tour · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.3 (129)Price from$152.93Operated byCapri Day TourBook viaGetYourGuide

Capri’s cliffs look different when you control the day. This DIY package strings together the island’s big hits with locked-in prices and tickets, so you can wander instead of racing a group.

Two things I really like are the included boat ride with a Blue Grotto stop and the included 3-course lunch in Anacapri at La Giara.

One thing to keep in mind: weather can affect the Blue Grotto plan, and you may still face short waits for funicular or transfers.

Key highlights worth planning around

  • Boat tour with a Blue Grotto stop (weather-dependent) plus time to continue the coast at your own pace
  • La Giara Restaurant lunch in Anacapri with a real, sit-down Italian meal
  • Mount Solaro by chairlift from Piazza Vittoria for wide-open island views
  • Freer time in Capri’s historic center, not just a photo stop
  • Funicolare back down to Marina Grande, built into the flow of the day
  • Skip the ticket line for the included activities (saves time when Capri is packed)

A DIY day that still feels organized

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - A DIY day that still feels organized
Capri is one of those places where you can easily burn your whole day just figuring out routes, lines, and ticket booths. This format is built to prevent that. You get vouchers and tickets stitched together for the main parts of the island, but you’re not chained to a guide or a strict timetable.

That balance is the whole appeal. You get the big “must-do” experiences without the stress of hunting down separate ticket systems for each one. And because the plan is DIY, you can pause in scenic spots, linger over gelato, or cut back if your feet have filed a complaint.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Capri.

Starting at Motoscafisti Pier: where your day gets real

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - Starting at Motoscafisti Pier: where your day gets real
Your day kicks off at Motoscafisti di Capri Pier (Dock n. 0), Marina Grande. This is where you claim the package tickets and vouchers, so treat it like your check-in moment even though the rest is self-led.

A practical tip: arrive early enough to breathe. Capri mornings can feel chaotic, and the first hour sets the tone. Once you’re holding the right vouchers, the rest of the day becomes much easier to navigate.

You’ll then follow the day’s flow:

  • get onto the first available boat tour for the island circuit
  • take the bus up to Anacapri
  • lunch in Anacapri
  • chairlift to Mount Solaro
  • bus back down to Capri town
  • funicular down to Marina Grande for your ferry connections

The island boat tour and the Blue Grotto stop

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - The island boat tour and the Blue Grotto stop
The included boat tour around Capri is built for the classic coastline views. Expect smaller-than-you-might-think boats, and a ride that’s long enough to feel like an excursion without dragging on all day. Plan for around 90 minutes to about 1.2 hours, and use the time to watch the rocks, coves, and dramatic sea cliffs slide by.

Blue Grotto reality check: amazing, but not guaranteed

The package includes the boat stop at the Blue Grotto, but the Blue Grotto entrance ticket is not included. That means you’re relying on your voucher plan for access, plus the usual real-world variable: sea conditions.

If the sea is rough or wind is up, the Blue Grotto can close or operate differently. On a bad weather day, you may still get coastal views from the boat even if the grotto visit isn’t what you expected.

If you hit long waits, use your ticket strategy

One very useful lesson from people who’ve done this: if you draw a long line for the grotto visit, check whether your voucher allows alternate access. There’s mention of using a stair entrance to reduce waiting time. Also, when the grotto gets busy, ask on-site whether your voucher can be used to return later. That kind of flexibility can save your afternoon when Capri is packed.

La Giara in Anacapri: lunch that anchors the day

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - La Giara in Anacapri: lunch that anchors the day
Anacapri is where Capri feels a bit less like a postcard factory. The bus ride from Marina Grande gets you there fast, and the best part is that lunch is included and planned for you.

You’ll have a 3-course Italian lunch at La Giara Restaurant. This is not just a quick bite between attractions. It’s a proper sit-down meal that works as a reset before the chairlift climb and the big views of Mount Solaro.

What makes this lunch a smart value

Capri dining can be pricey, and it’s easy to underestimate how much you’ll spend when you’re hungry after walking (or after waiting in lines). Having lunch locked in makes the day feel financially calmer. Many people also note that the meal comes with drinks included, which helps keep the total cost predictable.

One small planning thought: if you arrive at lunch with too much stomach excitement (like trying to eat gelato immediately after the boat), you’ll want to slow down. Use lunch as your real fuel, then give yourself time afterward for Anacapri’s streets and viewpoints.

Mount Solaro by chairlift: the view trade you actually want

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - Mount Solaro by chairlift: the view trade you actually want
From Piazza Vittoria, you take the chairlift up to Mount Solaro. This is widely treated as the highlight of the day for a reason: once you’re up there, you get expansive views across the island and the water that makes Capri famous.

Expect the ride to feel exciting. People describe the chairlift as a moment that delivers on the hype. You don’t just ride up for a photo. You go up for the panorama, the breeze, and the fact that your legs finally get a break.

Timing matters more than you think

Even with tickets in hand, chairlift days can be busy. Plan for some waiting time. If your schedule is tight because of ferry timing, aim to keep momentum after lunch so you don’t end up watching the queue length rise faster than your plans.

Capri town in the late afternoon: roam, rest, repeat

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - Capri town in the late afternoon: roam, rest, repeat
After Mount Solaro, you’ll take a bus back down to Capri Center. Then you get time to explore the historic center on your own.

This part matters because it’s the payoff for the walking you did earlier, plus it’s where you can move at your pace. You can:

  • browse along the lanes at a slower rhythm
  • stop for a snack without feeling guilty
  • linger where the views pull you in

In other words, this is where DIY becomes fun instead of stressful. Your vouchers set the spine of the day, and your time inside Capri town fills in the details.

Funicolare back to Marina Grande: how to avoid ferry stress

When it’s time to head back toward your ferry area, you take the funicular down to Marina Grande. Some days mean short waits; other days mean queueing for about 15 minutes.

Here’s the key strategy: don’t plan to be perfect. Build in a buffer before your ferry, because the end of the day can be the most chaotic part. If you’re pressed for time, keep your eye on the clock as you near the funicular and be ready to adjust.

Also note: if wind and sea conditions have been changing the ferry schedule, you might need flexibility at the end. Capri can be dramatic like that.

Price and what you really get for $152.93

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - Price and what you really get for $152.93
At $152.93 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to see Capri. But it’s also not just a ticket bundle. You’re buying three big forms of value:

  1. You’re not paying separately for multiple key components

Boat tour with the grotto stop, chairlift, multiple bus transfers, lunch, and the funicular ticket are all bundled.

  1. You avoid most ticket-line friction

The package states you can skip the ticket line for included components, which matters in a place known for queues.

  1. You get predictable spending for a major meal

A 3-course lunch on Capri can easily swing the total cost if you’re paying out of pocket. Locking it in helps you keep the trip within the budget you planned.

What’s not included is also important:

  • ferry to/from Capri
  • Blue Grotto entrance ticket

So the real math is: does your ferry plan and Blue Grotto ticket fit into your total budget? If yes, this package often looks like good value because it keeps the rest of the day efficient.

Logistics tips: buses, transfers, and how to keep your day smooth

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - Logistics tips: buses, transfers, and how to keep your day smooth
This itinerary depends on smooth transitions between zones: Marina Grande → Anacapri → Mount Solaro → Capri town → Marina Grande. That’s doable, but Capri transportation can get messy.

A common issue is that the bus system can feel chaotic, especially when larger tour groups are trying to board at the same time. Sometimes you may wait longer than expected. The good news is that your lunch and activities are already placed inside the flow, so a small delay usually doesn’t derail the whole day.

Simple rules that help a lot

  • Build in patience after lunch. That’s often when crowds peak.
  • Keep your vouchers handy and know which place you’re heading next.
  • If you’re tight on ferry timing, avoid lingering too long in one zone after the main climbs.

Who this DIY Capri day trip is best for

Capri: DIY Day Trip with Blue Grotto, Funicular & Lunch - Who this DIY Capri day trip is best for
This works especially well if you:

  • want independence without giving up the big highlights
  • prefer not to stand in ticket lines every time you turn around
  • like structured freedom: the main experiences are covered, but you choose how long to spend where you like

It can also fit families, because you’re not dealing with a rigid group pace. Just be realistic about waits for funicular or chairlift if you’re traveling with kids or anyone with limited stamina.

If you hate any waiting at all, this might feel like too much. You’re still in Capri, and Capri still queues.

Should you book this Capri day tour?

If your goal is a full, classic Capri day with less planning headache, I’d lean toward booking. You’re getting the major experiences stitched together: the coast by boat, a grotto stop, Anacapri lunch at La Giara, Mount Solaro by chairlift, then time in Capri town with the funicular back.

I’d hold off or plan carefully if:

  • your travel day has forecasted rough weather (Blue Grotto access can shift)
  • your budget can’t handle the additional Blue Grotto entrance ticket
  • you’re extremely sensitive to bus or funicular queues

Best move: book it as your backbone day, then keep your ferry buffer realistic. Capri rewards flexibility, and this trip gives you more control than most day tours.

FAQ

Is the ferry to and from Capri included?

No. The package does not include ferry travel to or from Capri. You’ll need to handle that separately.

Is the Blue Grotto entrance ticket included?

No. The boat tour includes a stop by the Blue Grotto, but the Blue Grotto entrance ticket is not included.

Do I need to follow a strict group schedule?

No. It’s DIY, with no guide and no fixed schedule. You organize your day using the included tickets and vouchers.

Where do I meet for the start of the trip?

You start at Motoscafisti Capri Pier (Dock n. 0), Marina Grande, at Piazza Marinai D’Italia, 1, 80076 Capri NA, Italy.

What’s included besides the boat tour?

You also get bus transfer to Anacapri, a 3-course lunch at La Giara Restaurant, chairlift tickets to Mount Solaro from Piazza Vittoria, a bus ride to Capri Center, and the funicolare ticket to Marina Grande.

How long will the boat tour take?

It’s described as lasting about 90 minutes to around 1.2 hours.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Capri involves walking and uphill movement.

Can I cancel, and can I pay later?

The package offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and it also offers a reserve now & pay later option.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Capri we have reviewed

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