We are taking the route from Milan to Lake Como to Dolomites to Cinque Terre back up to Milan with a few other stops, so car is preferable to us for flexibility. However, with a 4 day stay In Monterosso we are concerned about parking. Maybe there are long term options at train stations along the way? Looking for any suggestions.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32392 posts
Having a car in the Cinque Terre is not ideal, as it's going to sit in the lot gathering dust and incurring parking charges. There are car parks in both the new town (on the beach) and old town areas (multi story lot outside the gate at the top of town), but note that you'll have to take separate roads, depending on which part of town you're going to. It is NOT possible to drive between the two parts of town to reach your hotel.
Which hotel are you staying in? Some hotels offer limited parking on a first-come-first served basis. As you'll be driving in Italy, I assume you're aware of the usual potentially expensive caveats for driving in Italy?
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Consider dropping the car somewhere on the way to the Cinque Terre (Genoa?) and taking the train on to Monterosso, then take the train (should be direct trains) back to Milan at the end.
Alternately, you could stay in Levanto, one town north of Monterosso, which is more car-friendly than the CT villages are.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Get the car in Como when it's time to leave for the Dolomites, then drop it in Milan and get on a direct IC train to Monterosso. The same trains call also at Pavia and Voghera, this way you wouldn't drive in Milan (where there is a 5 € congestion charge area) or Genoa (ZTL)
If you decide to drive only in the Dolomites, You'll save both time and money: Sorry but your travel plan looks something from the 50s, when cars were welcomed everywhere and gas was cheap.