Getting to Cinque Terre is straightforward once you know two things: trains are the only realistic mode of transport, and La Spezia Centrale is the hub through which almost all approaches pass. Whether you’re coming from Florence, Pisa, Milan, or Rome, the route almost always ends at La Spezia, then a short Cinque Terre Express train to whichever village you’re staying in.
This guide covers every approach: trains from major cities, the ferry network, driving and parking, and a clear explanation of the Cinque Terre Card pricing.
For things to do once you arrive, see our Cinque Terre things to do guide.
Top Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Price (from) | Group Size | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinque Terre day trip from Florence with guide | 11 hrs | from €70 | Up to 20 | Train transfer, walking tour, free time in villages |
| Cinque Terre day trip from Milan | 12 hrs | from €85 | Up to 16 | Private transport, village walking, lunch included |
| Cinque Terre boat day from La Spezia | 6 hrs | from €60 | Up to 15 | All five villages from the sea, swimming, pesto tasting |
| Cinque Terre hiking and food tour | 5 hrs | from €55 | Up to 12 | Coastal path hike, village stops, Sciacchetrà wine |
Browse all Cinque Terre tours → GetYourGuide
The Railway is the Foundation
The Ligurian coastal railway is the spine of the Cinque Terre - the reason the five villages are accessible at all. A single-track regional line runs along the cliff face, burrowing through rock between each village, connecting Levanto (north) through all five villages to La Spezia (south). The Cinque Terre Express runs this route continuously throughout the day; journey times between adjacent villages are 3–8 minutes.
La Spezia Centrale is where the Cinque Terre Express originates and where mainline trains from Florence, Pisa, Genoa, and Milan arrive. It is the single most important station for Cinque Terre access. All five villages lie along the line north of La Spezia; Levanto is the last stop before the regional line continues toward Genoa.
The train is the fastest and most reliable way to move between villages. The ferry is more scenic but weather-dependent and seasonal.
By Train from Major Cities
Florence (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes)
Fast route: Freccia trains from Florence Santa Maria Novella to La Spezia Centrale take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Tickets from approximately €18–35 as of 2026, significantly cheaper when booked a week or more in advance. From La Spezia, connect to the Cinque Terre Express - add approximately 10–25 minutes depending on which village you’re heading to.
Slow route via Pisa: Regional trains via Pisa take approximately 2–2.5 hours total but cost less (approximately €12–18 total). Change at Pisa Centrale for a regional toward La Spezia.
Practical tip: For the best prices on Freccia trains, book on Trenitalia at least 7–10 days ahead. Same-day Freccia tickets can cost €40–60. The regional train via Pisa has no reservation surcharge.
Pisa (approximately 1 hour)
Regional trains from Pisa Centrale run directly along the coast toward La Spezia, stopping at each Cinque Terre village. No change required.
Approximate journey times from Pisa Centrale:
- Monterosso al Mare: 50–55 minutes
- Vernazza: 60 minutes
- Corniglia: 63 minutes
- Manarola: 65 minutes
- Riomaggiore: 70 minutes
Cost: approximately €8–12 depending on exact routing as of 2026. Trains run approximately every 30–60 minutes in daytime hours.
From Pisa airport: Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport has a direct rail connection to Pisa Centrale (approximately 5 minutes, approximately €2.70 as of 2026). Total journey from airport to Cinque Terre is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. One of the most practical airport-to-destination connections in northern Italy.
Milan (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours)
Fast trains: Freccia services from Milano Centrale to La Spezia Centrale take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. From approximately €25–50 as of 2026 depending on class and booking window. Not all fast services are direct - some require a change at Genova Piazza Principe. Check Trenitalia for direct options.
Slower options: Regional and intercity trains via Genoa take approximately 3–3.5 hours but cost approximately €18–28. If time is not a constraint and budget is, this is a reasonable alternative.
From Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP): Take the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale (approximately 50 minutes, approximately €13 as of 2026), then a fast train to La Spezia. Total: approximately 3 hours 30–4 hours.
Genoa (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes)
Trains from Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Brignole to La Spezia take approximately 1 hour. Add 10–25 minutes on the Cinque Terre Express. Cost: approximately €7–14 as of 2026.
Direct regional trains also stop at Monterosso without changing at La Spezia - worth checking if Monterosso is your destination, as it can save 20 minutes.
Rome (approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours)
From Roma Termini, fast trains run to La Spezia via Florence - approximately 2 hours 30–3 hours, from approximately €35–70 as of 2026. Change at Florence Santa Maria Novella or occasionally at Pisa Centrale. A pure day trip from Rome to Cinque Terre is theoretical rather than practical - the travel time makes it 7+ hours of trains for a limited village visit. An overnight is strongly recommended.
By Ferry
Ferries connect La Spezia, all five Cinque Terre villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia by tender, Vernazza, Monterosso), Portovenere, and occasionally Lerici and Portofino. Services run April through October, weather permitting.
From La Spezia: Consorzio Marittimo Turistico 5 Terre operates the main ferry services. La Spezia to Riomaggiore takes approximately 30 minutes; to Monterosso approximately 50 minutes. A day pass covering all villages and La Spezia costs approximately €30–35 per person as of 2026.
Between villages: Ferry services run throughout the day in high season (April–October), roughly every 60–90 minutes. Single leg tickets cost approximately €7–10 as of 2026; day passes approximately €30 cover unlimited trips between all five villages.
Note on Corniglia: Corniglia has no direct harbour - the ferry drops passengers at a tender landing point below the village, with a steep walk or steps up to the village. Some services skip Corniglia in rough conditions.
Ferry from Portovenere: Portovenere is 20–25 minutes south of Riomaggiore by ferry - worth combining as a day trip if you’re based in the villages. See our Cinque Terre day trips guide.
Driving and Parking
Short answer: Don’t drive into the villages. Roads into Cinque Terre are restricted to residents and deliveries. Non-resident vehicles require a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) permit to enter most village areas, and fines are issued automatically by camera.
Practical approach if you’re driving to the area:
Parking in La Spezia
La Spezia has multiple public car parks within walking distance of La Spezia Centrale station. The most convenient is the covered car park at Via del Bosco (approximately €2–3/hour or €18–24/day as of 2026). From La Spezia station, take the Cinque Terre Express to whichever village you’re visiting.
Park & Ride option at La Spezia: Some car parks offer validated rates for visitors also buying a Cinque Terre Card - worth asking at the car park kiosk.
Parking at Levanto
Levanto has a large public car park near the train station. Levanto is adjacent to Monterosso on the Cinque Terre Express line - approximately 5 minutes by train. Cost: approximately €2–3/hour as of 2026. Useful if Monterosso or Vernazza are your primary targets.
Campo di Aviazione (between Riomaggiore and La Spezia)
There is a large outdoor car park at the Campo di Aviazione between La Spezia and Riomaggiore on the SS370 road, with a shuttle bus service into Riomaggiore during high season. Cost varies by season - approximately €8–12/day as of 2026. Check local signage for current operation as services change seasonally.
The Cinque Terre Card
The Cinque Terre Card is the main pass for national park access. It is not optional for hiking - the Sentiero Azzurro is ticketed, and inspectors check at trail entry points.
Card Types and Costs (as of 2026, verify at parconazionale5terre.it)
| Card | Includes | Cost (1 day) | Cost (2 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinque Terre Card | Hiking trails + bus within park | approx. €7.50 | approx. €14.50 |
| Cinque Terre Card Treno | Hiking trails + bus + Cinque Terre Express train | approx. €18 | approx. €29 |
The Treno version is worth it if you plan to move between multiple villages by train rather than hiking the full trail. If you’re primarily hiking and only taking the train once or twice, standard park card plus individual train tickets may cost less.
Children: Cards at reduced rates for children approximately 4–11 years; free for children under 4. Exact rates vary - check at the information office.
Where to buy: At information offices in each village, at La Spezia Centrale station, and online at parconazionale5terre.it. Online purchase is available but not mandatory - there is rarely a queue at the information offices in the morning.
Arriving by Air
There is no airport in Cinque Terre. The main options:
- Pisa Airport (PSA): 1 hour 15 minutes to the villages. Best option for Cinque Terre-focused trips.
- Genoa Airport (GOA): Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to Monterosso by train (bus to Genova Brignole station, then train toward La Spezia). A reasonable option.
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN): Approximately 3–4 hours total travel time to the villages. Workable if you’re combining with Milan or Como, but not the logical first choice.
- Florence Airport (FLR): Bus or taxi to Florence Santa Maria Novella (approximately 25–30 minutes), then fast train to La Spezia - approximately 2 hours total. Practical.
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Approximately 4 hours total. Better to base in Rome and do Cinque Terre as a multi-day trip rather than a day trip.
Moving Between the Villages
Once you’re there, three options:
Train (fastest): The Cinque Terre Express runs every 20–30 minutes in daytime, stopping at all five villages between La Spezia and Levanto. Journey between adjacent villages is 3–8 minutes.
Ferry (most scenic, seasonal): April through October. Between villages approximately 7–12 minutes per leg; slower overall when accounting for loading and waiting times.
Hiking (slowest, most rewarding): The Sentiero Azzurro covers approximately 12 km between Monterosso and Riomaggiore. Sections vary from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on fitness and direction. National park card required.
The village shuttle bus connects the train stations to upper areas of Monterosso and Riomaggiore - included in the Cinque Terre Card, approximately €2.50 per ride without one.