The Cinque Terre by train from Sarzana and La Spezia
The train is the easiest way to see Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso without looking for parking. Here is how to plan it.
In short
The Cinque Terre are visited by train from Sarzana station or La Spezia Centrale: from both there is a direct train to Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Buy tickets at the station, online or in the Trenitalia app. Alternatively, the Cinque Terre Card includes trains between Levanto and La Spezia and access to the National Park trails. Paper tickets for regional trains must be validated before boarding.
- Stations
- Sarzana or La Spezia Centrale
- Train to the villages
- direct
- Villa to Sarzana
- 15 minutes by car
- Villa to La Spezia
- 30 minutes by car
The day, step by step
1. Drive to the station
Sarzana (15 minutes) or La Spezia Centrale (30 minutes): leave the car there and take the train.
2. Ticket or Card
A regional ticket for a single journey, or the Cinque Terre Card if you want to hop on and off and walk the trails. Prices and rules change with the season: check the National Park website.
3. Validate
Paper tickets are validated in the machines at the station before boarding, otherwise you can be fined. With the Trenitalia app you check in on your phone.
4. One village at a time
The train stops in all five villages: get off, explore, catch the next train. Two or three villages a day are enough to enjoy them.
5. Start early
In summer the villages fill up by midday. Mornings are cooler and quieter; the afternoon is the time to head back to the beach or the pool.
Which station to start from
| Station | From the villa by car | Trains to the villages | Choose it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarzana | about 15 minutes | Direct train to the five villages | The closest to the villa |
| La Spezia Centrale | about 30 minutes | Direct train to the five villages | If you are going via La Spezia |
Indicative times: always check the day's timetable on the Trenitalia website or app.
Is the Cinque Terre Card worth it?
The Card is worth it if you take several trains between villages on the same day and want to walk the Park trails, some of which require a fee. If you only go to one or two villages and back, a regional ticket is often enough. Prices change with the season: see the Cinque Terre National Park website.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Sarzana to the Cinque Terre?
Yes: from Sarzana, as from La Spezia, there is a direct train to Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Always check the timetable on the Trenitalia website or app.
Where can I buy tickets?
At the station or online, on the Trenitalia website or app. Paper tickets must be validated before boarding.
Can you visit the Cinque Terre by car?
Not recommended: parking in the villages is scarce and far from the centre, and some roads are narrow. Drive to the station, then take the train.
A private pool villa 15 minutes from the station
From Villa Volpes the Cinque Terre are an easy day out, and the pool is waiting in the evening.