Where does the Cinque Terre train run?

The Cinque Terre Express is a fast-regional train offered by Trenitalia which covers the route from La Spezia to Levanto and reaches the main cities of the Cinque Terre National Park – Monterosso, Corniglia, Vernazza, Riomaggiore and Manarola.



The Cinque Terre Express is a dedicated regional rail service that runs along a stunning stretch of the Ligurian coast in Northern Italy. The line connects the five historic fishing villages—Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare—and operates between the gateway cities of La Spezia Centrale (to the south) and Levanto (to the north). The train is part of Trenitalia's regional network and is the most efficient way to navigate the region, as roads are extremely narrow and parking is nearly non-existent. The entire journey from La Spezia to Levanto takes less than 30 minutes, with the hops between individual villages taking only 2 to 5 minutes each. Most of the tracks run through tunnels carved into the cliffs, with "snippets" of breathtaking sea views appearing as the train emerges at each station. In 2026, the service runs every 15 to 30 minutes during the high season, and travelers often use the "Cinque Terre Treno Card" for unlimited trips and access to the park’s hiking trails.

People Also Ask

How long does it take to get between towns in the Cinque Terre on the train? From La Spezia to Riomaggiore is 10 minutes. And between the actual Cinque Terre towns, it's less than 5 minutes.

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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).

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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.

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Cinque Terre has a long main season that effectively spans May to October, due to the Liguria region's mild Mediterranean climate. Really the best time to visit Cinque Terre is on the edges of this period, in mid to late April, or mid to late October.

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It is very important to validate all Cinque Terre train tickets before you board the train. The passengers who board a train without a validated ticket, or with an irregular ticket, will be issued with a penalty fare of at least 50 euros.

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Shopping and prices The Cinque Terre is not cheap. As everywhere in the world, tourism has raised prices. I often go to the market of La Spezia to shop for food, it's much cheaper than the stores of the villages. In restaurants, you have to expect Western European prices.

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But the Via dell'Amore has been closed since September 24, 2012—initially after a landslide, which was then compounded by wave damage in 2018. The full trail should reopen in July 2024. An initial stretch of it, starting from Riomaggiore, reopened on July 1 for a three-month preview.

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Vernazza: Located to the north of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is probably the most beautiful and picturesque fishing village of Cinque Terre, where its colourful houses hang above the sea level on rugged cliffs. It has a charming natural port and an old castle, built to protect the area from pirates.

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The busiest months are May, June, September, and October; July and August can be less congested (but hotter).

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October is the rainiest month in the Cinque Terre.

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The Amalfi Coast is home to lavish 5-star hotels and international jet-setters. Plus it's possible to reach the beautiful island of Capri, sample pizza in its home of Naples, and visit Pompeii. Cinque Terre is more laid-back, suited to those who adore hiking and photography.

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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.

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Frequent Trains from Florence to Cinque Terre-Monterosso Many go through Pisa or La Spezia, but there are other options. Also note that some routes require two connections. The trip takes from 2.5-3 hours, and tickets cost $20-28.

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Overtourism is a growing phenomenon that our own research indicates affects almost 100 destinations around the world so far, but there are few places in Europe where the problem is so clearly visible as Cinque Terre, on Italy's resplendent Ligurian coast.

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