We will be traveling from Cinque Terre to Florence in early May on a Thursday. According to the 2015 timetable he Cinque Terre train leaves Monterossa at 9:24 and arrives at La Spezia at 9:49. The train we want to take to Florence leaves La Spezia at 10:06. That is only 17 minutes. The first leg of that train is an Intercity train so we could reserve ahead and not have to take time to buy a ticket. In the RS guide books there is much talk about the Cinque Terre trains being late and unreliable. There is an earlier train leaving Monterossa at 8:45 and getting to La Spezia at 9:06 with an hour to wait for the train to Florence. Is that the best idea? I just hate to have such a long wait at the train station.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Why not take the 9:05 Intercity train from Monterosso to Pisa Centrale, connecting to a Regional Veloce train to Florence? The cost of the ticket is less and there's only one change instead of two. If the Intercity was late arriving in Pisa, there would be only about a half hour wait for next train to Florence. Also, there would be no need to adjust your tickets since the second leg of that itinerary is on a regional train that doesn't require reservations. Leaving 15 minutes earlier avoids the 9:24 "milk run" train to LaSpezia, which could run late or not run at all (it sometimes happens).
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Seventeen minutes is plenty of time for most stations in Italy.
Posted by
OP
66 posts
Frank, this is great information I did not know I could get a direct train from Monterossa. Thanks bunches.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
deacon,
Frank's suggestion is the perfect solution. When looking at rail trips, be sure to search using the departure point and desired destination, and the website will show all solutions on that route, along with travel times.
I also agree with a previous comment that 17 minutes should be more than enough time to change trains at La Spezia.
One important reminder - DON'T forget to validate the ticket for the Regionale train prior to boarding on the day of travel.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Regarding validation of the regional train ticket, you should wait until arrival at Pisa Centrale to validate it. Regional tickets are only valid for 4 hours (sometimes 6 hours) from time of validation, so validating it in Monterosso could cut it close if either train was delayed.
Posted by
OP
66 posts
Again, great information Frank. Thank you.
Posted by
Sheffield Lake, OH
54 posts
Sorry to hijack the thread. Zoe - when you say that seventeen minutes is plenty of time, do you mean for the CT train that travels from Riomaggiore to LaSpezia? The OP mentions that Rick Steves says it is often late and unreliable. Thank you.