6 minute Transfer at La Spezia Centrale

There is also a Regionale leaving Monterosso at 7:05. Just take that one and you will have plenty of transfer time in La Spezia,

The Trenitalia route planner always gives you the fastest route, but there are other alternatives.

La Spezia is a small station, however if I was making the decision I would go with the direct train from Pisa at 5:28AM. That would eliminate one variable which for me would be worth losing some sleep over!! For me there are always situations that arise while traveling that we cannot control....traffic, crowds, accidents and unforeseen delays so I try to assume "what is the worst thing that could happen?" In your case the worst thing that could happen is you are delayed in La Spezia and miss your flight out of Pisa....

We were able to convert a '5-min' La Spezia connection (from Rome's Termini to Monterosso) a couple years ago, but it was going the other direction where we had benefit of another regionale train if we missed the first one. La Spezia Centrale is a small enough venue where it's easy to get from one track/platform to another.

The larger concern I see with the 07:23 itinerary is that you're starting from Cinque Terre... those trains don't always run exactly on time, putting the connection onto Pisa at risk. If it were me, I'd select the 05:28 train for getaway day. A little less sleep, but also a LOT less stress. :)

On 25 September I also see a departure from Monterosso at 07:05, arriving Pisa Centrale at 08:26 (17M change time in La Spezia). The latter segment on that solution is via Frecciargento, so compulsory seat reservations, and that's one of the quickest trips on that route.

I'd probably take the 07:23 departure as it's likely the flight is domestic, so won't require as much lead time for check-in, security, etc. At that time of the morning, it's less likely that the train times will be disrupted by crowds or whatever, although of course there are never any guarantees as there could be other causes for delays.

@ Ken, A Regionale ticket is valid for travel over a 4 hour window. Taking that 7:05 Regionale does not obligate you to connect to a Freccia, just continue on the same Regionale to Pisa you were planning before, but now instead of a 6 minute connection time, you have a 17 minute connection time. Just be sure to validate that ticket.

Sam,

Yes, I'm aware of that. I was simply pointing out that there was a slightly earlier option to the ones listed, and that one leg was via Freccia.

My experience is that those regional trains often run late. I would take the earlier train just to be safe.

@ken and @sam, I am not seeing a 7:05am option. Maybe I am just doing something wrong, but I only see a 5:28am and the 7:23am.

Thank you for the replies everyone!

cordgula - are you using trenitalia.com web site? That is the site of the train operator; any other sites are third party / travel agent sites which may or may not show all info. For Sept 25 from Monterosso to Pisa (Centrale or Aeroporto), I see 5:28, 6:22, 7:05, 7:23, 8:05... Enjoy your trip!

I have the same question as Bob - which website are you using to research train solutions? I obtained the information I posted from the Trenitalia website, using a date of 25 September.