Barcelona to Cinque Terre in 10 days

Have you considered flying into Florence using Vueling Airways. It has a flight that departs Barcelona 1:30pm arriving Florence - FLR at 3pm. There are several trains to Monterosso leaving Santa Maria Novella train station between 4 and 6 pm that take about 3 hours.

They also have an early morning - 6:15 am flight.

Joni has a really suggestion. It doesn't make sense to spend 4 days driving instead of actually spending time where you want to be. Plus the cost of the car rental, fuel and toll roads (France loves toll roads) is bound to be more than a low cost flight. And time is money too. The CT is the last place you want to have a car.

Flying into Florence is a great idea. I'll have to see what times the return flights are on the 13th, heading back to Barcelona.

And I hadn't even thought of the toll roads. I wrote because I was unhappy with spending 4 days driving to and from CT when our trip is only 10 days.

Thank you so much, both of you, for your input. I figured that I'd get some good suggestions and my hunch was right. Grazie!

Upon arriving in Florence, how does one get to that train station to take us to Monterosso--taxi? I think that approximate arrival time in Monterosso sounds really, really good. Thanks again!

Bus is 6E, taxi is 22E

Ellen - Vueling is showing 9am and 8pm flights from Florence to Barcelona.

I think the 8:00 pm flight is preferable. That gives us plenty of time to get to Florence. It's not ideal getting into Barcelona at 11:00, though. It's better than 4 days in a car, though. You're really knowledgeable. I'm grateful for your help. Thank you.

I just put a lock on the flights. I wanted to think about it. I'm kind of tired and didn't want to make a mistake. But, I have some questions. What is the reference to having a seat? So if you don't buy a seat, do you just stand? I'm unfamiliar with this.

Also, our return flight back to Barcelona gets in at 11:00 pm. By the time we get to a hotel, it's going to be midnight. Are they even open at that hour? Any suggestions as to where we should stay? I've not made reservations yet it Barcelona either for the first few days and the last two nights? I'm quite the worldly traveler, can you tell? HA!

Thanks for your help, Joni. You saved our vacation with your Florence suggestion. I really appreciate it.

Ellen

If you don't purchase the seat of your choice, they just assign one, so you might end up not sitting together. Be sure to read luggage restrictions.

Edit: just book a hotel with a 24 hour desk.

I'm 70, and there are days I suffer from "old timers" LOL

I looked for "luggage restrictions" and couldn't find anything. We each have a soft leather carry-on that can either fit in an overhead bin or can even fit under the seat in front of us. Thank you, Gerri for your input.

Link to Vueling's luggage webpage. Be very careful about weight as well as size.

Edited to add:
Here's the Vueling link that I failed to include originally.

Thanks. We are indeed traveling very light, so, I can't imagine that we'd have a problem. If we do, we'll just have to pay. I did try to find "luggage" on Vueling's website and wasn't successful. Thanks, acraven!

I did find the webpage. We might be better off just checking them in online prior to the airport.

HELP! So, I locked in the price until 4:45 pm Saturday and they sent me an email with a yellow box entitled, "buy your flight", but, it's not clickable. I went to Vueling's website and I found "manage your booking", but, they're asking for a "booking code" and I don't know what that is. I am totally frustrated. I'm heading out shortly to go on a 6 hour car ride and I'm unable to access a computer until near deadline time.

What is a booking code? Where do I find it? Thanks in advance!

Never mind! The only code that I had, I must have typed it wrong.

Anyway, happy for all your help. Only question remains is getting in at 11:00pm in Barcelona. How to get around and how to get a room.

Hi Ellen
I am glad you got your flights.
If you are planning to leave from Barcelona the day after you arrive from Florence - at 11pm - you could stay at one of the hotels near the airport - most are reasonably priced - $120 to $150 a night, and several have airport shuttle service. These hotels are use to late flight arrivals and early departures.
BAH Barcelona Airport Hotel
Ciutat del Prat Hotel
Tryp Barcelona Aeropuerto Hotel

This hotel adjoins the airport so is a little more expensive - $225 a night
Air Rooms Barcelona Airport by Premium Traveller
You can check them through
www.booking.com - Barcelona Airport hotels or go directly to their websites.

If you are going to go into Barcelona after you arrive the airport shuttle bus operates until 1am - website here
http://www.aerobusbcn.com/en/timetable
or you could book a private transfer - this company is very reliable.
https://booking.suntransfers.com
Hope this helps

Thank you, Joni. I'll look into those options.

I can breathe a sigh of relief now that we have our flights nailed down and the Monterosso hotel reserved. Next up, I'll need to book the Barcelona hotels, but, I'm less panicked about that. Or should I be panicked? :)

Thanks, Joni, for all your help!