Cinque Terre Train Station location and hill navigation.

The upper part of the towns mostly have steep hills from the train stations. Some of them can really be a hike. However, most if not all of the towns have mini-buses that go through the town. (I don't think they connect the towns, however). For Vernazza, I don't think that you will have trouble from the train station down to the water. There is a slope to the street but as I recall, it's not that bad.

Another thing that you should know is that many buildings in the CT can be up to 5 stories tall and virtually none have elevators. It's possible to have up to 100 stairs to get to your room. I hope that you are on lower levels of the hotel in which you are staying.

We had a similar circumstance this year in May traveling with a companion who had breathing issues also. That being said, we otped to stay in Monterosso at the La Colonnina in the Old Town section. Monterosso is basically flatter than the other 4 towns and this hotel was a short walk from the beach and has an elevator! There are inclines to the walking, but our friend had no trouble navigating the area at all. The train station is located down in the newer part which is a decent walk, but mostly flat. Maybe one /two flights of stairs to get back up to the track. It's a great place!!

Steve,

The train station in Vernazza is slightly "elevated" above the part of town where it's located. There are a few stairs to get down to street level (too bad this site doesn't have the capability of photos, as I could show you). Within the town, it's relatively level for the most part. However, as a previous post mentioned many of the lodgings are accessed by stairs (no elevators), so you'd have to keep that in mind when choosing.

The most challending of the five villages would be Corniglia, as it's located on top of a bluff, and there's a LONG staircase to get down to the train station. However, there is a small shuttle bus.

Given the circumstances, Monterosso would be a good choice as it's relatively flat (even walking between the old town and new town through the tunnel) and has the best sandy beach. If you want to visit the other villages, the small local train is easy and inexpensive. If your wife is able to take a short hike, the famed via del'Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola is all flat and paved (for the most part). There was a small Bar/Cafe about half way along, looking over the ocean - great place to stop for a "beverage"!

Good luck and happy travels!

Check out Tonino Basso for a place to stay in Vernazza, not far from the train station (but, away from the harbor, and still up that slight incline from the harbor - the road used to be a river bed that led to the sea).

I haven't stayed there, but it looks wonderful, and it has an elevator.

Hi Steve.. I second the nomination for Toninno Basso's rooms in Vernazza and I have stayed there. The train station is in the middle of the town and the walk to the top of the town is not hard. I have bad knees and it was not hard. Toninno will meet you and help with the luggage if you call him when you arrive from the tourist information at the train station.The rooms are on the second floor of an apartment build.ing , but there is an elevator and the rooms are very, very nice. He does book up well ahead of time however. Try to email him to see if he has anything available.When we were there he had only 4 rooms, but he may have more now. They are super clean, are air-conditioned, and there is a computer in the rooms for you to use.

The train station in Vernazza does have an elevator from the platform to street level, but the stairs are not too difficult. You could enjoy stolling the main street and harbor area without encountering stairs. Plenty of restaurants and shops at street level, plus benches and cafes where you can sit and people watch. There is a steady but gradual uphill grade from the harbor to the top of town, with the train station at about the halfway point.

Just there last week, it was amazing! I think the only town you would have problems might be Corniglia, but as soon as we got off the train station, there was a bus stop right there that will take you to the top. Have fun!

I spent a week in Vernazza and did not see the elevator. When you arrive ask where it is and IF IT WORKING because the station is above the town.

There are 20 steep steps up to the RR station from the main street but they are manageable. And the street IS sloped down to the harbor. The incline is not noticeable when walking back up.

As far as I know, there is no elevator in Vernazza, but there is one in Riomaggiore. After leaving the train station (right) and beginning toward the upper town, there is an elevator. It's not very obvious, but it is there. The charge is 50 cents or free with CT pass. Once at the top, you walk along, mostly level to the right. The church is along the way and then you start down into the main street. If walking downhill is a problem, the elevator may not help. Some people have more problem with downhill than uphill. The street leads down to an easy walk back to the train station. In Corniglia, there is a shuttle from the train station up to the town. Once in town, it is somewhat uphill, but not steep. Monterosso can be walked on the (mostly) level streets for hotels and sight-seeing. I like to stay in Monterosso.