NOTE: note that there are separate schedules to Rinella and to Santa Marina di Salina (each once per week).
It is possible that the boat to SMS will dock at Rinella instead, notwithstanding the schedules. As you know, there is bus service from the Rinella Dock to SMS.
Cabin reservations are essential during the summer season (June through September).
There are also daylight hydrofoils, as in previous years:
I checked out the websites for SNAV and Alilauro schedules and noticed that the SNAV which leaves from Napoli Mergellina to Salina at 14:30 looks like it takes 6 hrs 5 min and only costs 20 euro (24 with the mandatory insurance apparently. There are only seats on this.
Compared to Alilauro which leaves from the same place at 14:15 and arrives in Salina 19:05 and which costs 108 euro
What's the difference? are passengers required to row the SNAV? should I bulk up to prepare for the crossing?
Posts: 261 | Location: western maine mountains | Registered: 26 February 2005
That 20 Euro fare on SNAV from Naples to any of the Aeolian Islands is a special advance purchase promotional rate designed to fill up the hydrofoil many months in advance. In all likelihood, this rate won't remain in force much beyond the early spring (so if you're interested, and have "firm" dates, go for it right now). The insurance is not mandatory, but would be useful in case you needed to cancel owing to illness or other events beyond your control (but not simply because you've changed your travel dates, or decide to cancel the trip).
Because the 20 Euro fare is much cheaper than the Siremar overnight ferry, it is quite attractive. Furthermore, worst case, you lose very little by purchasing this extremely cheap ticket (even if you opt out of the elective insurance coverage).
have been trying to make a reservation with SNAV for July 1st Napoli to Salina.
The website has the fare for 20euros pp.
Each time I've chosen the 20 euro fare and gone to the next page, the price comes out at either 87 euros or 93 euro for the check out. It should be 40 euro. I haven't even gotten far enough to plug in a credit card number so it's not a problem with a credit card.
Is there a trick to navigating this website?
thanks
Posts: 261 | Location: western maine mountains | Registered: 26 February 2005
I tried to use the dates July 1 and July 8 (return), and I get a round-trip fare of 40 Euros for Napoli/Salina/Napoli. The next step is to register, which I did not do.
Here are two thoughts:
1. The 20 Euro fare is sold out for the specific dates you requested. Test this possibility by using different dates.
2. The small box "exclude special fares" ("clicca per escludere eventuali tariffe speciali") should have a check mark inside it. Without the check mark, the regular fare will appear.
I tried both the Italian and the English versions of the website, and each time, I got the special fare of 40 Euros round trip for the dates above. I did not register on the site, however.
I checked your suggestions GAC but neither turned out to be the problem. The date wasn't sold out and the box 'clicca per escludere eventuali tariffi speciali' was checked off.
Here is what I found. The problem was that the 20 euro fare came up if reserving only ONE adult ticket. When I tried to book for 2 adults, then the price came out as 93 euros.
So we successfully booked our ONE WAY tickets separately, one adult at a time and got the 20 euro fare on the date we wanted.
Haven't fully figured out the return plan yet.
This fare is really quite a bargain and it will make the trip to Salina very easy to go direct from Naples.
thanks for all your help
Posts: 261 | Location: western maine mountains | Registered: 26 February 2005
How curious! I'm happy that you got the super cheap rate. At that price, I imagine it won't take too long to fill the 600 seats on the mega high speed craft which SNAV uses in high season between Naples and the Aeolian Islands.
NOTE: I would expect that SNAV would substitute a smaller hydrofoil (with around 300 seats) on the Naples/Aeolian Islands crossing when passenger load is lower, such as at the beginning and at the end of the summer season; reserving the higher-capacity mega boats for the peak of the summer (July/August) and on weekends. Travel time would be about the same, but the smaller craft will probably result in a choppier ride.