Best way t o see towns in Cinque Terre

Hi Carol. I think it would be best to take the train from SML into the CT & then take the trains or boats in between the villages. The views from the boat are wonderful so if the seas aren't too rough, I would try to take the boat between the villages...otherwise you'll have to take the train or walk from village to village. I personally would not drive to the CT. Parking is difficult and late June is peak season so it's sure to be busy! Have a great trip.

Carol, I agree with Sheron's suggestion. Your best bet would be to travel by train from S. Margherita Ligure to the C.T. Travel time will be about 1H:15M, depending on which train you choose. The rail station in S. Margherita is on the hill above the town, so you'll either have to walk from your hotel and up the stairs or take a Taxi. Having a car in the C.T. is not really a good idea, as parking is limited (and of course there would be a cost) and travel by car in some of the towns can be "difficult" (I'm not sure Vernazza has rebuilt their car park yet). One method you might consider is to start in Riomaggiore and then use the local train or boat to get to Manarola. From Manarola you can either hike the No. 2 trails to Corniglia, then to Vernazza and finally to Monterosso OR you can take the local train or boat. By the time you reach Monterosso, it should be about supper time, so you can stop at one of the excellent local restaurants and enjoy a fine hot meal. Depending on which train you use, travel time from there back to S. Margherita will be about 45M. There's a departure at about 20:15 that would get you back to S. Margherita by 21:00 or so (current fare for that trip is currently listed at €4.70 PP - it's a Regionale so DON'T forget to validate!). Happy travels!

Carol, I you like to hike then take the train to Monterosso, hike to Vernazza then train to Manarola and finally walk the last bit to Riomaggiore. Then train back. I think you're too far to boat all the way to Monterosso even though it's a beautiful view. I think hiking Monterosso to Vernazza is easier than Vernazza to Monterosso.
Enjoy

Carol, A bit of further information and clarification...... The boat trip from Riomaggiore to Monterosso doesn't take that long (maybe 45 minutes, but I didn't time it so that's a "rough" estimate). From the last reply..... "then train to Manarola and finally walk the last bit to Riomaggiore." As you'll be there in late June, you should be able to hike from Vernazza to Corniglia and then to Manarola (if you're so inclined), as those two segments of the trail should have been re-opened. If you're not interested in hiking those segments, take the local trains. You WON'T be able to "walk the last bit to Riomaggiore" as the Via dell'Amore will be closed until 2014 (according to the latest information). Cheers!