We are a group of 3 relatively able seniors, one of whom is a seasoned driver in Italy. Should we rent a car for a 2-day trip to visit the Cinque Terre area in February or use public transport?
Posted by
Wengen
2907 posts
Cars are not very useful in the Cinque Terre. Parking is limited, and is usually outside the village, which usually means a long, steep
climb back after your visit.
The train however just takes you directly from one village to the next, and runs quite frequent. And you can combine the train with hikes along the paths, and even a boat ride.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1388 posts
Agreed, a car is an expensive burden in this scenario. Take the train and change - probably in Viareggio - to get to La Spezia.
Then use the local train schedule to specific towns. Depending on the town it may be possible to buy a ticket to the town you want or it may complicate your ticket search - use La Spezia for the clearest options.
Weather in February will be cold - depending on where you live - and subject to rain and wind. Check the weather right now for a real time report of what it might be like. I don't think the ferry starts limited service until March so the train will probably be your only option.
Hope that helps,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
Oyster, Virginia
2 posts
Thanks so much to both of you for your sage advice.
Posted by
5714 posts
You could very well be able to find a parking space in February--whether you want to is another question!
I say play it by ear depending on weather and consider parking at La Spezia if it saves you time.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16530 posts
February is not the time to visit the Cinque Terre.
In any case, if you take a train from Lucca to La Spezia it will take you 1.5 hours to reach La Spezia. Then from SP you will take another train to whichever town you want to visit (just a few min ride).
If you drive, it will take about 1 hour from Lucca to La Spezia station parking structure, therefore only 1/2 hour faster than the train. But, unless you already have a car, then you need to add the time necessary to go the closest rental agency in Lucca, do the necessary paper work to get your car, find your way to the freeway, and drive. Parking at the La Spezia station is right at the station, so it is only a few minutes to walk to the platforms. When everything is said and done, the train will therefore be faster.
If you already have a car and you are staying in some rural location outside of the city of Lucca, then you might consider driving, as you would save a little. But if not, don't rent the car just for that.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1919 posts
We visited CT from Porto Venere, May 2024. My extensive research about driving to the CT from La Spezia indicated that the road to the two most southern villages was a well-paved albeit twisty road, but the road continuing north to the other three villages was much narrower and had many more curves. (Unfortunately, I can't confirm that because on the day set aside for that drive the rain came down in torrents and the road was closed due to extensive flooding.)
The following day we drove Porto Venere through La Spezia to Lucca where we stopped for a few hours before continuing on to Siena. That was an easy drive.