Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s destinations that are often on travellers’ bucket lists. The clusters of bright villages are charming, and there are also many heritage sites yet to be discovered.
However, some travellers might find it hard to find the best way to fully experience the place. So, in this article, we’d like to give you more ideas on how you can get around Cinque Terre.
Getting Around Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre villages are located in northern Italy, just three hours from Pisa, Florence, and Milan by train. The closest airports to Cinque Terre are Milan Malpensa, Pisa, and Genoa. Once you land, you can then take the airport’s shuttle buses to get to the central station in each city. From there, you can then take an intercity train that will take you directly to Cinque Terre.
If it’s your first time travelling there, multiple Cinque Terre tours can make your trip easier. However, if you want to go around by yourself, you can either walk, take the train, or travel by boat.
The Fastest Way: By Train
The Cinque Terre Express trains run frequently from March 14 to November 1. They’ll stop in all five villages, so it’ll be easy for you to explore all clusters.
You can get a hop-on, hop-off travel card at each station, which will be valid for the day. The price differs depending on low, medium, and peak seasons, regardless of how far you’re travelling. They usually cost €5, €8, or €10 for one trip, but you can also ride for free if you have the Cinque Terre Train Card.
The Traditional Way: By Hiking
Hiking has been the oldest method to go around the villages. By purchasing a Cinque Terre Train Card, you can get unlimited train travel for the Express trains on the Levanto – Cinque Terre – La Spezia line, as well as access to all the hiking trails.
It might take more time and require you to be more physically active. However, if you’d like to indulge in the gorgeous sea views, hiking is the best way. It’s also a great method to get around if you’re gathering pictures for a travel album.
For travellers concerned that they won’t be able to handle a challenging track, the coast path from Riomaggiore to Manarola (Via dell’Amore) is an easy paved walking path. The distance is about 1km, with several benches along the way.
The Comfortable Way: By Boat
Many travellers also enjoy using a boat to get around. There’s a ferry running between villages from late March to November 1. You can easily hop on and off the boats to get to the villages at scheduled times.
If you want to enjoy more of the views, but would rather not walk, the ferry is a great choice. A day ticket costs €42, and €15 for children aged 6-11. If you opt for an afternoon trip or a one-way ticket, the price would be lower.
