advice on public transportation from La Spezia to Volterra

sorry, more questions, same topic
maybe it's better to rent a car for that portion of the trip? We will be leaving Volterra for Florence after 2 days and I definitely dont want a car for that.

Bus schedules in Italy, on websites in English, have been a challenge for us here. Most of us use cars to explore the Tuscany hill towns, so not a lot of people on the forum have extensive knowledge of the bus system in that part of Italy. If you find someone who does, focus on their advice. That's not me. The only thing I've got are two bus schedule websites, at least one has an English version. The sites are not user friendly, it's the best I've got, if you click around maybe it will help.

Many before you have struggled with getting pre-trip advance information about bus schedules in rural parts of Italy.

Here are the websites:

http://www.sitabus.it/wps/portal/DovePartire_Toscana

http://www.sena.it/index_e.htm

If you don't get a lot of answers here, you may find that a Destination Expert at the tripadvisor.com travel Forums can help.

Thanks for your response Kent. I actually first tried to see if anyone had done this and what their experience was. Unfortunately it seems to be confusing to others as well. I will keep searching and appreciate your help. When I get back I will post my experience for someone elses review.

I haven't done this trip myself but have been making travel arrangements for some people who will be doing it in mid-July. I was similarly confused, so I asked for advice from their Volterra hotel, the extremely helpful Hotel San Lino. The hotel receptionist replied:

"The train station of Saline di Volterra doesn't work any more so often; so the best way to come from Le Cinque Terre to Volterra is by train until PONTEDERA and from there with the bus until Volterra. Outside the train station of Pontedera there is the bus terminal and I think that they can buy the tickets inside the train station. There is a bus almost every hour, until 7pm."

Apparently, the bus from Pontedera goes to Volterra's historic center, specifically the bus terminal at Piazza Martiri della Libertà, and the trip takes about 45 minutes.

Hope this helps!

I went from Cinque Terre to Volterra in 2008. Best route is train from LaSpezia to Pontedera (on main Pisa to Florence train route). From there, take bus #500 to Volterra - schedule at http://www.cpt.pisa.it/orari/extra/linea500.htm. AVOID the 13:19 bus, which is packed with unruly school kids. Bus station is only 1 block from train station. I bought my bus ticket at a cafe near the bus station (on train station side of piazza). This routing uses only 1 bus company and is faster than changing to bus in Pisa. You will need to use 2 bus companies to go from Volterra to Florence or Siena. Let me know if you have specific questions.

You all have been completely wonderful! Thanks so much for your help!!! Now I feel this is doable.