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Best way to get to Cinqueterre from Genoa

We will be in Genoa in early October and want to go to Cinqueterre for the day, returning to Genoa the same day. The towns we are most interested in are Vernazza, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. We are not interested in hiking. We would like to get from town to town by ferry instead of the local train. My head is spinning trying to figure out the best way to get there, at what point to start, etc. Seems like it should be simple but I'm finding it to be tricky. Please help!

Posted by
7730 posts

The towns are all close together.
Take the train from Genoa to Monterosso and then there is regular train that shuttles between the towns.
You can buy train ticket from a kiosk computer at the station, It is really easy there is an English option
you can catch ferries from Monterosso to one of the towns and so on

https://cinqueterre-travel.com/getting_there/boat/

Posted by
32171 posts

Kathy,

It's very easy to get from Genova to the five towns of the Cinque Terre. The link for the Trenitalia website that Roberto provided will show all your options. Note that there are several stations in Genova, so you'll have to get from the area of your hotel to whichever stations are specified on the Trenitalia website.

Some of the trains will undoubtedly be Regionale, so you must validate (time & date stamp) your ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! If the train you choose uses an Intercity for one segment, tickets for these don't have to be validated, as they are specific to train, date and departure time and can only be used on the one train listed on the ticket.

You might consider starting in Riomaggiore and then working your way north (back towards Genova). Although you didn't mention Monterosso, that would be a great place to stop for a fine hot meal on the way back to Genova.

Posted by
15678 posts

Kathy, from past posts it seems as if you're no stranger to Italy or even Riomaggiore/Genoa as I see you've stayed in both before. Just curious: have you not taken a train other than the Circumvesuviana before? It's no matter at all but seems as if you probably would have.

Anyway, as Ken said, it's easy from Genova to Riomaggiore: just plug your departure station (whichever will be nearest you) and arrival stations into the Trenitalia website; there's no need to purchase tickets in advance. As he's suggested, I'd go all the way to Riomaggiore and work your way back north. I might also consider taking a train from Riomaggiore to Manarola (4 euro) and ferry from there to Vernazza for flexibility as the CT Express trains run much more frequently than the boats. As with any regionale trains you will likely be taking between Genoa and the CT (and the Circumvesuviana you took between Sorrento and Naples) you'll want to be sure to validate your tickets before boarding.

Ferry schedule:
http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/en/season-traces-valid-from-21042018-to-30092018/

Posted by
378 posts

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. I think I did not word my post correctly. I KNOW that I need to take a train from Genoa to Cinqueterre. I know about the Trenitalia site, that's what I've been looking at. I just didn't know what would be the best town to stop in given that I want to ferry to the other towns because I like the scenery from the water. I was looking for suggestions. I have been to Cinqueterre three times before, always arriving by car, never by train.

To Ken: I think your suggestion to go all the way to Riomaggiore is the best idea. Thank you.

To Kathy (from US): Yes, I have been to Genoa many times. However, I have NEVER been to Naples or taken the Circumvensiana train in my life, so I don't know where you read that.

Sorry to all if I asked a confusing question.

Posted by
378 posts

Thanks, Kathy. It does sound from that post that I was going to Naples, but unfortunately that trip never materialized.

Posted by
32171 posts

Kathy,

You're very welcome! If you decide to stop in Monterosso for a nice dinner overlooking the ocean, post another note here as the group can offer restaurant suggestions. Cantina di Miky is a big favourite with many here (it's close to the station).

Posted by
15678 posts

Ahhhh, OK, now it makes sense. Thanks for the additional clarity. :O)
Another vote for Cantina di Miky: great place!