We will be in Florence for four nights in late June. (Me, my wife and two daughters, aged 16 and 17) I would like to do a day trip to Cinque Terre. Does anyone know of any tours that start in Florence and make their way to the Cinque Terre and then back? Someone was telling me about a tour that bused people out to then board a boat that goes to the various towns of the Cinque Terre giving people some time in each.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Merry Christmas,
Steve
That seems like a bit long a trip for a day trip. If you only have four nights in Florence, suggest saving CT for another trip.
Search this forum for specifics as this question has been answered several times in the last year This thread will help you plan it yourself. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/cinque-terre-075a8bc1-ed11-4446-9199-253902cf1ba2
Steve, there's no need to take an escorted tour to the Cinque Terre, and I wouldn't recommend doing so. You'll be able to move 'round and about the dense crowds - much of that bulk comprised of tour groups - more nimbly on your own. All it takes is a bit of reading up and more questions here, should you have them. As Mike said above, this question is asked a lot so a search of the forums will provide lots of info! I just wouldn't probably reference any threads older than a couple of years.
To get you started, here's one from earlier this year where I've provided links to the park's website (the Cinque Terre is a national park), some trail info, and some helpful Trenitalia train info for getting into/out of the region as quickly as possible via the two trains noted.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/best-cinque-terre-day-trip-tours-from-florence
Ferry schedules are not yet up for 2020 but should vary little from 2019's
https://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/06/complete-cinque-terre-portovenere-la.html
This is the actual website for the ferries:
https://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/en/
Last year's schedule, mid April to mid October:
https://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/en/timetable-valid-from-04202019-to-10132019/
Prices, other than a day pass, fluctuate according to distance traveled and time of day; explore by clicking on departure ports listed on the left of this page:
https://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/en/rates/
You generally don't want to use the boats as your primary means of transport but take one, say from Riomaggiore to Monterosso or Vernazza and work your way back to La Spezia, stopping at Corniglia and/or Manarola, by train or by trail where possible (note certain route closures).
Going there by train is much faster than with an escorted tour by bus.
Since the travel time from Florence (and back) is considerable and you only have one day I recommend going on your own by train.
One thing you may want to do is try to get there as early as possible in the morning, so that you can take advantage of the daylight hours available. The Cinque Terre is a place to be enjoyed outdoor during the day.
My recommendation would be to take the Frecciabianca train departing from FIRENZE CAMPO DI MARTE station at 7:54. That is the fastest train to go to La Spezia. Once in La Spezia you can take any Regional train to the village of your choice. You’ll be there in less than 2 hours. No other option gets you there that fast.
The next best option is the 8:28 Regionale Veloce from FIRENZE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA station to Pisa and then a Frecciabianca to La Spezia.
The 9:53 Regionale is the next option (no changes) but that would put you in La Spezia at 12:20 with basically only the afternoon left to enjoy the place.
Use www.trenitalia.com for schedules.
From: FIRENZE (Tutte le stazioni)
To: The village of your choice.
All options will require to change trains at least once in La Spezia.
My recommendation would be to take the Frecciabianca train departing
from FIRENZE CAMPO DI MARTE station at 7:54.
Editing last night's response to Roberto about not being able to find this train in the schedule.....
I just remembered that there will be schedule updates in June (around the 10th?) and that's probably why this train isn't showing for the late June dates I was checking (and won't for you either). However, it probably WILL operate on your travel dates, although departure time could change by a few minutes.
Going back to Firenze Campo di Marte, there is one departing at 19:44 from La Spezia Centrale that'll get you there in 1 hour, 45 minutes: the fastest time available. That one isn't showing yet for late June dates either.
These trains were the previous 7:36 and 20:03 mentioned in the thread I'd linked earlier so departure times probably changed with the December 10 update (Trenitalia updates twice a year).
ss,
A day trip to the Cinque Terre from Florence is certainly possible, although it will be a long day. I'd suggest leaving early and coming back in the evening, so that you have as much time as possible. I've posted a suggested Itinerary in some of the other threads on the forum, which have been linked in other replies above.
If you were planning on hiking some of the Sentiero Azzurro trails, note that only two of the four segments will likely be open, and a Park Pass will be required to hike those (easily purchased when you get there).
The RS Italy guidebook provides information on sights of interest in that area, restaurants, etc.
Many thanks to all who posted. I am beginning to think that it may be too rushed to do as originally planned. Marry Christmas.
Steve
