Genoa train stations: Principe or Brignole? A practical guide

Which station should you choose

Choose by where you are staying and where you are going, not by train type: many trains call at both.

Stay near the Porto Antico and ferries: Principe. Stay around Via XX Settembre, the Foce or the Levante side: Brignole. See also where to stay in Genoa.

Getting from one station to the other

The metro has one line and 8 stations: Brin, Dinegro, Principe, Darsena, San Giorgio, Sarzano/Sant’Agostino, De Ferrari and Brignole. From Principe to Brignole is 5 stops. An urban ticket costs €2 (€2.20 if integrated with Trenitalia) for 110 minutes, according to AMT; check fares and times on the AMT site. The metro has not been free since 1 November 2025. According to AMT it closes at 9pm (last departure from Brignole 9:17pm), on Saturdays at midnight; after that use buses or taxis.

By train, direct regional services take about 6 minutes according to online timetables. In October 2026 there were works in the Genoa rail junction with changed terminals: check Trenitalia before you travel.

From the stations to the sights

• Aquarium and Porto Antico: on foot from Principe, about 15 minutes (estimate); from Brignole take the metro to San Giorgio (3 stops)
• Old town and caruggi: metro to De Ferrari or San Giorgio, then walk
• Lanterna: on foot from Principe or metro to Dinegro
• Port and ferries: a few minutes on foot from Principe; see Genoa port and ferries
• Boccadasse: from Brignole by regional train to Genova Sturla (a few minutes, about 4 to 6 according to travel sites), then on foot; or an AMT bus
• Nervi: regional train from Brignole toward the Levante (about 15 minutes, estimate)
• Airport: the Volabus serves Principe and Brignole, see Genoa airport

Trains to the Riviera and big cities

The Levante line leaves from both stations toward Camogli (about 20 to 25 minutes from Brignole), Santa Margherita Ligure (35 to 40 minutes), Portofino (get off at Santa Margherita), Rapallo, Sestri Levante (under an hour) and La Spezia. For the Cinque Terre (Monterosso, Vernazza) allow 1 hour 15 to 2 hours depending on the train: fares and times in Cinque Terre train times.

Westward, regional trains go to Savona, Alassio and Ventimiglia. Milan takes about 1 hour 30 to over 2 hours depending on the train. Italo stops at both stations; for other long-distance trains check which station your ticket shows. Official timetables: Trenitalia and Italo.

Services and accessibility

Both have ticket offices, cafés, shops, paid toilets and railway police. The Kipoint left-luggage is open daily 8am to 8pm (listed from €6; confirm price and duration). Taxis wait in Piazza Verdi in front of Brignole; Principe has a rank near the station. Radio Taxi: 010 5966.

RFI offers assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility through Sala Blu: ask in person or by phone up to 1 hour ahead, 7:45am to 10:30pm. Principe has a step-free route with lift to platforms 11 to 15 and 17 to 20; Brignole has lifts to several platforms (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12). There is no tactile path and lifts may be out of service.

At night and staying safe

As in any big city, take some care in the evening. Guides advise extra caution around Principe, Via Pré and some alleys of the old town. Stay on main, well-lit streets, keep bags and phone in front of you and avoid empty alleys. With luggage and after 9pm, when the metro is closed, a taxi is the easiest choice.