First of all is the ct treno card available? I went to the (www.paronazionale5terre.it)sight and was not able to find info on it(only the ct card). If yes, Ricks book showed that train transport in the park is included, is this still true? Secondly, I will be there for 4 nights, which card should I purchase the 7 day or the 3day plus the 1 day pass? I will be leaving early on the 5th day.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32227 posts
Felecia, the Cinque Terre (park) card used to include travel on the local trains, however I believe that was changed in 2007. When I was there in the fall of 2006, that was the case.
You'll need at least the Cinque Terre card if you're going to hike the trails, a function that is also provided with the Treno card. However, according to Rick's Italy 2008 "This card is not a good value, because you'd have to hike and take three train trips every day just to break even." You'll have to decide how many times you plan on using the local train, to determine whether this will be cost-effective for you? An individual ticket costs €1 and is good for six hours.
Good luck and happy travels!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Felicia, there is confusion on this subject. There appear to be two cards - the Cinque Terre card by the Cinque Terre Park Service and the Cinque Terre Treno card that gets you unlimited travel on the trains from La Spezia to Levanto. The park's Cinque Terre Card exlcudes the unlimited trains.
The Cinque Terre Treno card has the Trenitalia logo on it. CLICK HERE to see a great picture of the Treno cards. Note that is says "Treno" and you can see the Trenitalia logo.
You can buy the Treno cards in the Tourist Information offices (TI) from La Spezia to Levanto and possibly other areas. It is unique to the CT area. If you buy in the TIs, you should get a nice brochure and a great piece of paper with all train times for all cities between La Spezia and Levanto.
The card is good for unlimited travel on the trains during the validated period, fares on the trails between the towns, minibuses in the towns and other benefits. CLICK HERE to see the Park Service's web page on the Treno card.
Now, I see a more current web page for the Parco Nazionale Dell Cinque Terre that discusses the Cinque Terre Treno card and
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Ken, you are most likely correct on the value but, with no self-service ticket machines in any of the 5 CT towns and ticket offices only in Monterosso and Manarola, you're always bouncing around to get tickets to be legal. Of course, you can take a chance and buy several "Open tickets" on the R trains to avoid going to the train station but then again, you pay a few Euro and have the pass. Sometimes, RS is just a bit too frugal.
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1234 posts
Felecia, We just returned from CT a couple of weeks ago. I believe there is only one card. I just asked for the CT card, and clarified that it was for parks and trains. I bought it at the Vernazza train station.
Also, we bought our card on day 2, because day 1 we arrived late in the afternoon and just wanted to hang out in Vernazza. We didn't want to pay for a day we weren't going to use it.
Enjoy your trip, CT is wonderful!!!
Posted by
lansing
72 posts
there are definetly two types of cards. you can buy just the card giving you access to the tails or you can buy the card giving access to trails and trains. i was asked which i wanted and was quoted the different prices for each. that was about 3 weeks ago. that said, if you are gutsy you can ride the trains for free. you risk paying a fine, but my train ticket was never checked in the 3 days i was there.