Hi everyone! I am solo female traveler planning first trip to Italy. I plan on spending 1-2 nights in Vernazza (Cinque Terre) and then want to take train to Rome. Looking at train websites, I see I can take train from Vernazza to Le Spezia that gets me in at 6:44 am but next train to Rome leaves at 6:50! that seems REALLY cutting it close, but other option is to arrive at La Spezia at 5:20 am and have a long amount of time there until the 6:50 train, I wanted to leave early AM to get full day in Rome, but don't know if I should do this, maybe just leave evening before. Is there anything to do in this train station in the early AM? Will it be desolate, as I am traveling alone and don't want that...I am fit with just a backpack, could i make the connection to Rome train in six minutes?
Thanks
Posted by
Grass Valley, California
506 posts
Just did this, but to Florence, you probably can make it, I would not think the CT train will be crowded (ours later was), but I did not see any delays, it is a pretty quick trip to La Spazia and if you are good at getting your track number quickly things seemed to be on time. I get a little nervous about that stuff I personally would relax and take the train with the longer time and get a cup of coffee when I get into LaSpazia. There is a McDonalds and another walk up cafe at the train station so you could get something to eat before you get on that train, that will be a long train ride to Rome.
Posted by
ATL
14 posts
Just did this back at the end of March, but went with a longer layover since we needed to get bags out of the lockers. Glad we did, the Cinque Terre train was late and we would have missed the train(like another couple we meet at the train station in Vernazza who tried it).
The issue is not the station in La Spezia, it is small and easily navigated quickly. The issue is will the train through the Cinque Terre be on time. I have read and experienced(this once) where that is often not the case.
Take the earlier train and give yourself more time.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
What time do you want to be in Rome? The quickest and easiest way to travel that route is to connect with one of the direct trains from La Spezia Centrale to Roma Termini (travel time about 3H:45HM on the direct link). These are some of the departures you could consider.....
- Depart 05:00, arrive 10:03 (time 5H:03M) - this is the first train of the day and has a layover in La Spezia of 30 minutes - you could get breakfast while you're waiting since you'll be leaving too early to get breakfast at your hotel.
- Depart 07:15, arrive 12:03 (time 4H:48M)
- Depart 09:28, arrive 14:33 (time 5H:05M)
- Depart 12:36, arrive 16:32 (time 3H:46M)
The Trenitalia website has all the details.
There are numerous other trains on that route, with different travel times and more changes. As this is your first trip to Italy, it might be prudent to limit changes and take the simplest route. As you may be aware, tickets for Regionale trains have to be validated prior to use on the day of travel, and tickets for the fast trains (Freccia, InterCity) as specific to only one train, date and departure time, and can't be used on any other train. There are hefty fines for those with "ticket irregularities".
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Will la spezia station be deserted or creepy at 5:20 am? I'm solo female traveler.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thanks to everyone for your help! Ciao!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
miri,
I don't usually travel at that dreadful hour, but I'm sure there will be other travellers there so the station shouldn't be "creepy".