How far apart are Florence and Cinque Terre?

Cinque Terre is only 105 miles (169 km) away from Florence, making it an easy side trip that takes between 1.5-3 hours one way. There are a few options for making your way here—train, car or private transfer—but before choosing your means of transport, consider the geography.



Florence and the Cinque Terre are approximately 112 miles (180 km) apart. In 2026, the most popular way to travel between them is by train, which typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours. Most journeys require a quick change at "Pisa Centrale" or "La Spezia Centrale." Driving takes roughly 2 hours via the A11 and A12 highways, but this is highly discouraged for day-trippers. The five villages of Cinque Terre are largely "car-free" with extremely limited and expensive parking in La Spezia or Monterosso. Once you arrive at the "gateway" city of La Spezia, you take the 5 Terre Express train, which zips between the individual villages in just 4 to 6 minutes each. For those on a tight schedule in 2026, several "small group" van tours depart from Florence daily, but be prepared for a long 12-hour day. If you want to enjoy the famous coastal hikes or a sunset dinner in Vernazza, it is best to plan for at least one overnight stay rather than a rushed round-trip from Florence.

People Also Ask

The cheapest way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre is to train which costs €13 - €23 and takes 2h 29m. What is the fastest way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre? The quickest way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre is to drive which costs €29 - €45 and takes 2h 4m.

MORE DETAILS

From Florence, you can get to the Cinque Terre in about 2 hours, either by car or train. From Milan, you can drive to the Cinque Terre in a little under 3 hours, or get there by train in 3.5 hours. The Amalfi coast, meanwhile, is better accessed from Rome or Naples.

MORE DETAILS

If you do decide to day-trip, the big but easygoing town of La Spezia is far closer than Genoa or Pisa, with just a seven-minute commute to the closest Cinque Terre village, Riomaggiore, and around 15 to 25 minutes to the farthest village, Monterosso.

MORE DETAILS

Two to three days would allow you to enjoy its beaches and discover the culture via a cooking class. And with four to five days, you could get to know every inch of Cinque Terre on boat trips, hikes of the surrounding mountains, and even make an extra trip to historic Genoa.

MORE DETAILS

Visit some of the villages Choose to visit two or three of the villages, for example Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You have to skip Corniglia situated on top of a cliff 100 metres above sea level. If you are limited on time, take the train between the villages.

MORE DETAILS

Of course you can find some hotels in the Cinque Terre villages, mainly in Monterosso, but the number of rooms is limited. There is no space for new constructions or big buildings, which is good because the villages have already too many visitors.

MORE DETAILS

You can walk the entire route in about six hours, if you take short breaks?although many hikers prefer to spread the route out over a few days at a strolling pace, stopping to enjoy the towns along the way. You can start from either direction (Monterosso, heading south, or Riomaggiore, heading north).

MORE DETAILS

Trains are the easiest way to get to and around Cinque Terre. Trenitalia has direct connections to La Spezia from Rome, Florence, and Pisa (the closest airport). Once in Cinque Terre, the Cinque Terre Express train runs between La Spezia and Levanto in Sestri Levante, stopping at each village.

MORE DETAILS

September-October The shoulder season of September to October is the best time to visit Cinque Terre.

MORE DETAILS

La Spezia is one of the best places to stay in the Cinque Terre if you're looking for a larger base, with a cobbled old town, and museums and sights of its own. The first of the towns you reach from La Spezia is Riomaggiore, the largest town, and a great base for walkers.

MORE DETAILS