Cinque Terre TRAVEL TIPS

Traveling through Cinque Terre can be very confusing. We try to help.

Train Travel

• Always validate your tickets (there is a 50 Euro fine).
   
• If the machine doesn't work find the conductor. He will validate your ticket. (Don't wait until he finds you!)
   
• Platforms can change, always listen to the announcements or check the displays.
   
• Platforms are short in Vernazza, and Riomaggiore. The train can stop in the tunnel and you might not be aware of the stop.
   
• IF you are waiting for a train, do not block the people getting off the train.
   
• The monitors inside the train often display the wrong stop. Pay attention and count the stops.
   
• When checking the display, the departures are usually listed on the bottom.
   
• SOP means train-strike (they usually last from a few hours to a day) check the displays.
   
• RIT means "Delay" the minutes of delay will be displayed.
   
• Not all train stop in every village. Some only stop in Riomaggiore and Monterosso. Check the train schedule available at the information office, or look at the yellow departure schedules in the glass cases on the walls of the train station.

Cinque Terre Day pass

 The cost is 16 Euro and half the trails are closed. The regular train ticket is 4 Euro per stop.

Safety

There is pick-pocketing going on in the trains. Be smart! Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and watches. Keep your wallet out of reach.

Day trips from Cinque Terre

Lucca, Toscany (60 miles)
This is a good day-trip if you are staying in Cinque Terre. Take the train to Viareggio and then to Lucca. Estimated travel-time 2 hours by car and by train. (Change in Viareggio).

Pisa Toscany (60 miles)
If you go a little further by train, you can go to Pisa.
Estimated travel-time 1.5 hours by car or train.

Florence Toscany (110 miles)
Leave early if you want to Florence. There is a lot to see and lines are long into Museums.
(You can reserve tickets online for the Museum).
Estimated travel-time 2.5 hours by car and around 3 hours by train. (Change in Pisa).

Siena Toscany (140 miles)
A bit further yet and you are in Siena.
Estimated travel-time 4 hours by car and 3.5 hours by train. (Change in Pisa, then Empoli).

These destinations can be done as day-trips from Cinque Terre if you leave early (9 am at the latest) and can all be reached by train.