Scheduled ferries to the Cinque Terre depart from La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici, and Levanto and stop at four of the five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Corniglia does not have a ferry dock. In 2026, the full route operates from March 28 through November 1; a one-day pass costs 42 euros, and trips may be canceled in rough seas. It is not a substitute for the train, but it is the most beautiful way to see the villages from the sea and to reach Portovenere, which the train does not serve.
- Operated by: 5 Terre Golfo dei Poeti Maritime Tourism Consortium (Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti)
- Villages with a dock: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso; Corniglia does not have one
- 2026 Season: Full service from March 28 to November 1; reduced service in March and from November 2 to December 8
- One-day ticket: €42 for adults, €15 for children ages 6–11
- Rough seas: suspended trips or canceled port calls; check the advisories starting at 8 a.m.
- Train or boat: take the train to get around quickly, take the boat for a sightseeing trip
Who operates the boats?
The scheduled ferry service is operated by the Consorzio Marittimo Turistico Cinque Terre Golfo dei Poeti, based in La Spezia, known as Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti. Line 02 Cinque Terre connects La Spezia, Lerici, and Portovenere to the villages and continues on to Levanto. Line 01 operates within the gulf (La Spezia, Lerici, Portovenere, Palmaria Island); Line 03 runs in the summer from Viareggio and Marina di Carrara.
Further west, from Genoa and the Tigullio area, there are only day trips. From Genoa, Nervi, Recco, and Camogli, the Golfo Paradiso ferry goes to Monterosso with a three-hour stop: in 2026, on June 27, on Saturdays in July and August, and on September 5 and 12. From the Tigullio region, the Tigullio Maritime Service operates the “Super Cinque Terre” route from Santa Margherita and Rapallo or from Chiavari, Lavagna, and Sestri Levante: a tour past the five villages, with a three-hour stop in Monterosso and a one-hour stop in Riomaggiore. Round-trip fare: 47 or 42 euros.
Where does the boat stop?
Line 02 stops at Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Corniglia sits atop a promontory and has no boat landing; you can get there by train or on foot. The main departure points are from the Passeggiata Morin in La Spezia, from Portovenere, and from Lerici. From Levanto, there are few departures—usually one or two in the morning and one return trip in the afternoon. From June 30 to August 29, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, there is also a departure from Moneglia and Deiva Marina.
2026 Season and Schedule
In 2026, there are two phases:
- March 28 through November 1: full service. During peak season, a boat departs from Portovenere about once an hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last return trip from Monterosso is in the late afternoon, between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., depending on the time of year.
- March 1–27 and November 2–December 8: “Cinque Terre Trip,” a single round-trip tour from La Spezia to Portovenere to Vernazza to Monterosso, departing in the morning and returning in the afternoon.
The schedules change several times, and some trips are only available on certain days: download the PDF for the relevant period from the official website the night before.
Estimated travel times: Portovenere–Riomaggiore about 35 minutes, Riomaggiore–Manarola 10, Manarola–Vernazza 25, Vernazza–Monterosso 20. It takes about an hour and a half to get from Portovenere to Monterosso, and over two hours from La Spezia, because the route goes through Portovenere.
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Tickets and Prices for 2026
| Ticket (Line 02) | Adults | Ages 6–11 |
|---|---|---|
| Daily pass—get on and off as many times as you want | 42 € | €15 |
| Afternoon, at the ticket office starting at 2 p.m. | €28 | €15 |
| La Spezia or Lerici → Riomaggiore or Manarola | 22 € | 10 € |
| La Spezia or Lerici → Vernazza, Monterosso, or Levanto | 30 € | 15 € |
| Portovenere → Riomaggiore or Manarola | 18 € | 10 € |
| Portovenere → Vernazza, Monterosso, or Levanto | 22 € | 10 € |
| Riomaggiore–Manarola or Vernazza–Monterosso | 10 € | 5 € |
| La Spezia–Portovenere, one-way | 8 € | 6 € |
Prices from the official 2026 price list, as of October 10, 2026. Younger children ride for free. On the “Cinque Terre Trip” in March and November, a one-day pass costs 37 euros. With the one-day pass, you can add a tour of the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto from Portovenere for 5 euros.
Only day passes can be purchased online in advance; the digital ticket opens in the NGDP app. Other tickets must be purchased on the day of travel at the ticket office, at least a quarter of an hour in advance. In Vernazza, Deiva, and Moneglia, tickets are purchased at the pier. The day pass is non-transferable and valid only for the selected date.
Rough Seas: What Happens
The villages’ landing sites face the open sea: if the sea is rough, the captain may cancel the departure. If you cannot disembark at one port, get off at the next one. If the trip is canceled, you can travel on a later departure; a one-day pass purchased online will be refunded only if the route is suspended.
Every morning starting at 8 a.m., the Consortium posts updates on its website, app, and social media. Check the weather forecast for Monterosso or Riomaggiore as well, and keep the train as a backup plan: it runs even when the sea is rough.
Boat or train?
| Boat | Train | |
|---|---|---|
| Villages | 4, excluding Corniglia | All 5, plus Levanto and La Spezia |
| Portovenere and Lerici | Yes | No |
| Dates | March 28–November 1, then limited hours | All year round |
| Frequency During the Season | About one trip per hour | At least every half hour |
| La Spezia–Monterosso | Over 2 hours, via Portovenere | About 20 minutes |
| One day | Daily Pass: 42 € | Train Pass: 22–35 €, depending on the day |
| In rough seas | May skip | Normal |
The smartest choice is to combine them: take the train on the way there and the boat on the way back to Portovenere or La Spezia, when the afternoon light is at its best. Train schedules and tickets are available on the Cinque Terre trains page. With the Monterosso–Vernazza trail closed (see the Cinque Terre trails), the boat is also the most scenic way to travel that stretch.
Practical Tips
- In La Spezia, boarding takes place on the Passeggiata Morin, about a 20-minute walk from the Central Station along Via del Prione.
- In Levanto, take Via Semenza, at the end of the boardwalk heading east; in Riomaggiore, the landing spot is past the small marina, toward the beach.
- Stairs and Access: Not all boarding points are easy for people with mobility challenges; none of the restrooms on board are accessible. People with disabilities are given priority boarding.
- Luggage: It’s free to bring it on board as long as it’s not too bulky. If you’re moving to a new place with large suitcases, the train is more convenient.
- Dogs: They travel for free if they are on a leash and wearing a muzzle. The transportation rules also require a vaccination certificate—be sure to bring it with you.
- Bicycles: They pay half the fare and may board only at the stops listed on the schedule.
If you’re staying in La Spezia or Levanto, you’ll have both the train and the boat right at your doorstep: compare the different areas where you can stay in the Cinque Terre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the boat stop at Corniglia?
No. Corniglia is the only one of the five villages without a dock. You can get there by train: from the station, you can walk up to the village via the Lardarina staircase or take the shuttle bus.
How much will the boat ride to the Cinque Terre cost in 2026?
A one-day pass costs 42 euros for adults and 15 euros for children ages 6 to 11. An afternoon pass costs 28 euros; a one-way trip between two neighboring villages costs 10 euros.
When do the boats leave for the Cinque Terre?
In 2026, the full route will operate from March 28 through November 1. In March and from November 2 through December 8, only a shortened route to Vernazza and Monterosso will be available.
Do I need to reserve a spot on the boat?
No, usually all you need to do is buy your ticket at the ticket window a quarter of an hour before. Online, you can only purchase a day pass in advance.
Which is better, the boat or the train?
The train is faster, runs more frequently, costs less, and also stops in Corniglia. The boat is slower, but it lets you see the villages from the sea and also goes to Portovenere and Lerici.
Can you take a boat from Genoa or Portofino to the Cinque Terre?
From Genoa and Camogli, there are summer trips to Monterosso on certain Saturdays. We couldn’t find a direct route from Portofino: the Tigullio trips depart from Santa Margherita, Rapallo, Chiavari, Lavagna, and Sestri Levante.