How to get to the Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is one of the few Italian destinations where it is recommended to move by public transport . Getting around by car, especially during the summer, can become really uncomfortable and complicated.
However, both solutions are possible and here is all the information you will need to discover this wonderful area.
Cinque Terre by Train
The train is undoubtedly the most practical, fastest and cheapest way to move between the villages of the Cinque Terre. All 5 towns have convenient railway stations on the Genoa-La Spezia line, where train runs are quite frequent.
Throughout the year a regional train passes every half hour and, in addition, in the summer, from March to November, the trains of the line also come into service 5 Terre Express on the La Spezia-Levanto section.
To get an idea of distances and travel times, know that the journey between Monterosso, the westernmost village, and Riomaggiore, the easternmost village, is just 14 minutes.
All stations are, moreover, very close to the center of the villages. Exploring the Cinque Terre by train is a piece of cake!
Traveling by train is the most efficient and scenic way to explore the Cinque Terre. To facilitate your travel, you will find the Train schedule and prices for 2023 in this guide.
Find out more
Cinque Terre by car
Those who love to travel by car can get to the Cinque Terre easily. The road in many places is spectacular, but you may encounter some discomfort.
In general, you need to reach the Cinque Terre coastal road by exiting at Santo Stefano Magra from the convenient A12 motorway that connects Genoa and La Spezia.
Manarola and Riomaggiore, the villages further east, are the easiest to reach because the road is convenient and offers a beautiful view. Proceeding to Corniglia and Vernazza the road becomes more tortuous and rather narrow.
But the real problem with car travel is parking. The Cinque Terre villages are inaccessible by car and have a limited number of parking spaces. In the high season it is really difficult to find a place and, even if you do, the fare is quite expensive.
Cinque Terre by boat
Moving between the Cinque Terre by boat is undoubtedly the most suggestive way and that gives an unmissable show . Seeing the villages hidden in the inlets, surrounded by luxuriant nature, appear in the distance is truly exciting.
The boat service is in service only during the summer, from April to November.
The boats leave from the port of La Spezia, connect Portovenere, the Cinque Terre villages and reach Levanto and Portofino.
Tickets can be purchased conveniently at the ticket offices near the docking points.