I realize I need to go to Nice RR station for this trip and get proper direction. How long does it take to get from Nice to Cinque Terre..and returning - where do I get train from CT to Milan (also how much time to allow here?). Am I better off just checking with tour guide once I arrive?
Maria, Could you provide a bit more information on your travel plans? To start with, you'll be traveling from Nice Ville station. It would help to know which of the villages in the "Cinque Terre National Park" you wish to visit? Are you going to be staying there for a day or so? The trip via rail from Nice to the C.T. (using Monterosso as the destination) will be ~5.5 to 6.5 hours with 2 or 3 changes, depending on which train you choose. There will be one change at Ventimiglia and another possibly at Genova Piazza Principe. You'll "get" the train from C.T. to Milan via the rail station in whichever town you're staying in. Each of the five villages has a station. Again depending on which train you choose, there will likely be a change at either La Spezia or Genova and possibly another location. There are a couple of direct trains each day from Monterosso to Milan with a travel time of ~2H:55M. Which "tour guide" were you planning to check with? Happy travels!