Cinque Terre from Florence: 5 Best Options
Last Updated on August 2, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex
Are you spending a few days in Florence and would like to go on a day trip to one of the prettiest areas in Italy? Based on our personal experience, we will guide you on how to get from Florence to Cinque Terre: fast, easy, and carefree!
The picturesque Ligurian coast towns should be on your bucket list and can easily be visited in only one day. With colorful houses, stunning views, delicious food, and small hidden beaches, the Cinque Terre offers some of the most Instagrammable places in the country.
Thus, it would be a pity not to spend at least one day exploring the alluring region of Italy.
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How to get to the Cinque Terre from Florence
Travel by train
I love traveling by train in Northern Italy. It is fast and easy. Moreover, it can also be pretty affordable as long as you book your ticket ahead of time.
Take the regional train from Florence S.M. Novella to La Spezia, and from there, hop on the Cinque Terre Express.
You won’t have to worry, as there are plenty of daily trains connecting Florence to the second-largest town in Liguria.
Book your train ticket on ItaliaRail from Florence to the final destination in Cinque Terre, or for the last part, buy the 5 Terre Express day ticket from the station in La Spezia.
Below is an example of a direct train connecting the two Italian towns:
There are also faster options that will take you from Florence to La Spezia in 2 hours or a little over that. However, that comes with a price, as you can see, and you will need to change trains once in Pisa or take the train from Firenze Campo Marte Train Station.
From La Spezia to Riomaggiore, the first village in Cinque Terre, the train takes roughly 8 minutes.
The train takes around 23 minutes to travel from La Spezia to Monterosso al Mare, the furthest town in the Cinque Terre.
Whether you choose to get off in Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Manarola, or Monterosso, the train station is steps away from the village center.
The only exception is Corniglia – the only village perched on top of the cliffs. From the train station in Corniglia, you must climb hundreds of stairs all the way to the center of town, but it will all be worth it.
An alternative option to travel from Florence to Cinque Terre by train
The second option is a bit more complicated and suitable for those who are not traveling for the first time by train in Italy.
The ride would be a little bit faster, and it would cost similarly to the first option presented.
Take the train from Florence S.M. Novella to Pisa, from Pisa go to La Spezia, and from there take the 5 Terre Express:
As you can see from the above example, you will have plenty of time to change trains in Pisa, and the option is a bit faster because the train from Pisa to La Spezia is a fast one.
When you book this option, make sure to pay extra attention to the time available between trains; you don’t want to miss one of them.
Other things worth knowing when you travel by train in Italy
In regional trains, you will have to validate your train tickets before embarking. Otherwise, you will get “la multi” – you will be fined.
Double-check the number on your ticket to ensure you board the right train. Different trains can go to the same destination.
If you book the express trains, do so in advance to save on the price. Bookings are open four months in advance.
Regional trains have the same price no matter when you book. You can also buy the ticket from the train station.
ItaliaRail will offer you the best combinations and easiest way to get from one place to the other, along with the option to book your ride.
Travel by car
Many will tell you that traveling by car on the Cinque Terre might not be the best idea. With such great train connections from Florence, I would also choose the first option.
Still, renting a car has certain advantages. You won’t have to worry about train timetables, validating the ticket, or taking the train from the correct platform.
It is a great option when you plan for a longer itinerary in Italy and won’t be returning to Florence, but will move further north.
Take the via A11/E76 from Florence to Riomaggiore, and you will be there in roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Get ready to drive on winding roads along the coastline, but also to search for a parking space because that can prove to be challenging. And it can come with a price tag.
Parking
Where possible, parking fees are quite high, ranging between 12 and 25 EUR for a day, with Riomaggiore and Monterosso being the most expensive places to park your car.
If you are traveling alone for the day, I would leave the car in La Spezia and travel by train or boat to the coastal villages. That would mean much less stress for you, and it might come with a more affordable price tag.
However, if you are planning to spend 2 days in Cinque Terre, make sure to ask your accommodation provider for a parking space. Most of them can help you with that, even if in some cases you will have to pay extra.
Renting a car
If you have decided that renting a car is the way forward for part of your itinerary, my go-to destination for the best prices is DiscoverCars.
It is a great aggregator that will help you save up to 70% on your car rental. They have a pretty good cancellation policy that gives you options in case your flight or travel plans change.
Combine train and boat
I absolutely love taking the boat whenever possible, no matter the destination.
And since the Cinque Terre is reachable by sea, I strongly encourage you to admire the colorful towns from the boat.
It is worth knowing that this option will only be available during the peak season, from April 1st to November 1st.
Check out NavigazioneGolfoDeiPoeti for ferry prices and timetables.
We bought the 2-stops ticket, so we disembarked in Porto Venere, explored a bit, and then took the next boat to Manarola.
By organized tour
The easiest and least stressful way of planning a day trip to the Cinque Terre is by booking a Cinque Terre tour from Florence.
As travelers, we always try to make the best decisions to optimize our vacation time and fit everything we want to see in one day.
Sometimes, we do book organized tours in order to avoid the hassle of wasting precious time on the road when getting to a place by public transportation. Or we just want to be less stressed and see the most we can in one day.
Therefore, you might consider booking a Cinque Terre tour from Florence. I would choose one when I want to get directly there, have a clear schedule, and fit as much as possible in a day, but still have the liberty to see the places by myself once I’m there.
Sometimes, the train fees, boat fees, and all other costs, however, add up.
Here are the top 3 options to consider:
From Florence: Seaside Beauty Day Trip to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hiking
Scent of the Sea: Cinque Terre Park Full Day Trip from Florence
By private transfer
Traveling from Florence to the Cinque Terre by private transfer is a great idea when you don’t want to worry about a thing.
This option is especially convenient if you have luggage or prefer a hassle-free journey.
Moreover, private drivers often have local knowledge and can provide insights into the region, suggesting points of interest, restaurants, and activities along the way. This local expertise can enhance your overall travel experience.
A private transfer can also be more time-efficient than public transportation, as it eliminates waiting times for buses or trains. This is particularly valuable if you have a tight schedule or want to maximize your time in Cinque Terre.
Other FAQ
Can you do a day trip from Florence?
The short answer is yes, of course, you can. The distance is roughly 200 kilometers, and there are plenty of options connecting two of Italy’s most popular attractions.
In addition, since the Cinque Terre doesn’t really offer museums or cultural attractions, you can spend one day exploring two or three of the five famous villages.
However, if you want to get to know the villages and allow yourself enough time to explore, we strongly encourage you to stay at least one night.
When you only plan for a day trip, you will need to wake up early and spend a lot of time on the road.
When is the best time to visit?
As with almost any destination in Italy, I couldn’t insist more you should go outside of the high season.
For me, the perfect time to visit would be somewhere during the shoulder season: either from the second part of March to the middle of May or from the second part of September to the second part of November.
We visited in the second part of April, and everything was just perfect! Prices are reasonable, it’s not that crowded, and the weather is amazing!
What’s the fastest way?
The fastest way to get from Florence to the Cinque Terre is by car, private transfer, or organized tour.
However, if you choose to drive there, you might end up spending more time on the road and looking for a parking space.
What’s the cheapest way?
The cheapest way to travel around Italy is almost always by train, especially when you choose regional trains or book your fast train a few months in advance.
If you take the train, you won’t have to worry about spending extra money on parking, gas, and highway taxes.
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