Getting Here
GETTING HERE
Getting here is easy. Fly into Naples or Rome, and we can arrange for a driver to meet you.
PRIVATE DRIVER
Door to door
FROM NAPLES
Airport
FROM NAPLES
Train Station
FROM ROME
Airport
NAPLES-ISCHIA
To the island
PORT-VILLA
Arriving Ischia
VEHICLE RENTAL
Cars and scooters
DRIVER
Giuseppe (Peppe) Lauro is available to pick you up at Rome airport, Naples airports or anywhere else you need a lift. His English is not too bad, and he responds in English to English emails. This is probably the preferable means of communication as you can be specific in regards to your itinerary and he can be specific in regards to costs. Generally speaking, his prices are inclusive of gas, tolls, ferry and taxes. With sufficient passengers this can be cost effective as well as convenient. Many guests have also used him as a driver to go to Amalfi, Pompeii, Paestum etc. If needed, his cell # is 011 39 339 40 52691 (Drop the first five numbers when calling in Italy.) Note: When emailing him from his Internet site, put “Villa Beatrice” where it says “Indirrizo” and do not be alarmed if there is no indication your mail has been sent when you press “invia” to send, rest assured the note has gone out.
DIRECTIONS FROM NAPLES AIRPORT
From the Naples Airport you can either get Peppe or take a taxi. Note that Peppe can pick you up from anywhere, which is the easiest option. In the case of a taxi, ask for the price first. There does now seem to be a fixed E.19 price plus E.6 for weekends/holidays, but it is best to confirm before taking the trip.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE NAPLES TRAIN STATION
From the central Naples train station you can take a cab. When you arrive in Napoli Stazione, or if you take a cab from the Naples Airport request the pedestrian ferry port if you do not have a car, “Porto Molo Beverello per aliscafi per Ischia” (ships for Ischia) all cabs know where to go. Ask what it costs or look for the meter "Quanto costa?" Should be about 15 Euro's from the train station.
DIRECTIONS FROM ROME AIRPORT
When you arrive at the Rome airport Fiumicino, follow the signs for the train: "traino per Roma." There may be signs in English as well. Many people use the train, so you will be able to follow the crowd in finding it. This shuttle train goes directly from the airport to the central Rome train station, “Stazione Centrale," every 20 minutes. It is very reliable. The train is located in the big tube in the sky, so if there is any trouble finding it, walk out of the airport and look up. When you get to Stazione Centrale, if you are not stopping off in Rome, go to the ticket window and ask for tickets for the fastest train to Naples Station. (There are direct fast trains that take as little as an hour and half, but the later trains are local and can take 2-3 hours.) This is phonetic, but this is your question for at the ticket counter: "Quale traino arrivare i piu presto a Naploi Stazione?" Almost invariably the "Traino Diretto" arrives first. Once you are in Naples, follow the directions from that section of the site.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE PORT OF NAPLES
When you get to the Port, you will see a group of ferry ticket sales offices. Some of these sales offices are for Capri or Sorrento, so be sure you get the one to Ischia. There is often a sign outside the three ticket agents that you will choose from: Caremar or SNAV, ("Careemar" or “Snaf”) Linea Lauro, (Linia Larro") and “Medmar," otherwise ask what time the next departure for Ischia is ("qwando parta la prossima pear eeskia"). The ride is 45 minutes but sometimes they stop at the small sister island Procida, (don’t get off, it’s a quick stop!) but make sure the destination is "Porto Ischia". NOTE: "Casamicciola" is another Ischian Port, but not the one you want to go to as it is on the other side of the island. If you need a car ferry, 200 meters away from Molo Beverello is Calata Porta di Massa. There you will find the car ferry (Traghetto).
ARRIVING IN ISCHIA
As soon as you know what boat you are on, and assuming Peppe is not driving you, call Pietro's cellular (you will get his contact information at booking.) His cell typically works, but if it does not, call his house and leave the same message: We leave at (time) on (ferry line). "Partiammo a ( ) sulla ( )." Italians use both a 12 and 24 hour clock, so either is fine. If you do not have time before the boat departs, call him from Ischia Porto, and say we are in Ischia ("Siamo a Ischia"), and then just stay around where the boat let you off, he should be down in about 10-15 minutes to escort you to the house. There is often a restriction on driving a car in the port area of Ischia, in which case he will be on a scooter and will escort you in your cab.
CAR AND SCOOTER RENTALS
Though it is not essential to have a car, particularly if you are using Peppe's driving services, Ischia Rent A Car offers the option to rent a car or a scooter once you arrive on the island. Though Villa Beatrice is a destination unto itself, exploring the island calls for wheels of some sort.