Cinque Terre,; Vernassa

Your question: "which are only 50 feet from the train station. We have heard that they are loud -- And I have sleep issues."

Yes, if you're sleeping 50 feet from a train track, and you have sleep issues--well, that doesn't sound like a good thing for you to do.

The trains on that run are about every hour until roughly 1am, then the trains go to the train yard and get a little sleep, then they start up again before 5am.

Your other question: Yes, it's going to be quieter if you sleep farther away from the train tracks.

AC would allow you to have the windows closed, but many rooms in the CT don't have AC. Ear plugs might help, if you can sleep with ear plugs, but if you have sleep issues, then ear plugs might cause more problems than they would solve.

Sounds like a good idea for you to sleep farther away from the train tracks.

I know we stayed in an apartment in the old town of Monterosso and I never heard the train. However we also had AC. If you don't have AC and have the windows open, it would be a problem.

Hehe, we ate a place on the beach in old town Monterosso and my wife FREAKED the first time the train went by. It sounded like a jet was about to crash into our table!

Thanks Kent. While I understand the physics, I was thinking more about what thereality is :) Besides, my name is Kent and I am originally from Eugene, but spent most of my adult life in Portland before moving to the eastside. Cheers.

From your last post: "I was thinking more about what the reality is."

A fellow with a great name like yours deserves all the help we can give him.

But I don't know what I can add to what's been said above. Sleeping 50 feet from a train station, with a sleep disorder and trains running until 1am and starting again before 5am, does not sound like a good reality to choose, if there's a choice.

No, it's all good Kent. I thought maybe that they were baby trains and didn't make a lot of noise. I also think that the stress of being there in only 3-1/2 weeks without a place to stay in Vernassa is getting to me. It looks like we are going to stay in one of the other towns instead. Any suggestions?

From your last post: "I thought maybe that they were baby trains and didn't make a lot of noise."

Nope, these are full size trains. They're not going a hundred mph through the CT, but you're probably worse off being within 50 feet of a station, because you get the sound of the train for longer, it slowing down, grinding to a halt, then starting up again.

3 and 1/2 weeks from now sounds like it might be a weekend, if so, that makes it tougher.

2nd week in Sept is not the shoulder season in the CT.

Problem is there are a limited number of rooms (small villages), except for Monterosso. Monterosso would have the largest # of rooms.

Riomaggiore also has more rooms than the two tiniest (Corniglia and Manarola).

The problem with the places listed in Rick's books is that a lot of people have those books, so Rick's picks get booked early. In big places like Milan or Rome there are always more rooms, those not listed in Rick's books. But in the CT, the # of places listed in Rick's books divided by the total # of places, well, it's probably a high ratio.

We stayed in Vernazza at the Pensione Sorriso. It was very close to the train station. I am also very sensitive to noise, and aside from the first night where we had the window open, all was fine. The inn was very pleasant - great price, comfortable beds, updated (albeit small) bathrooms. The noise didn't end up being a factor, but largely because we could close the windows. I would give it a try, having ear plugs as a back up. Pensione Sorriso also had a great little deck upstairs for a wonderful end to an evening with glass of local wine. Relaxing!!

Kent & Lisa,

As you have "sleep issues", you might consider packing a pair of Earplugs along. I believe Rick sells them in the Travel Store, as they're issued to all tour members.

If you're really concerned about the noise, you might consider staying in Corniglia rather than Vernazza (there's a new Hostel there that looks quite nice). The town is high on a bluff and far removed from the railway station. A small shuttle (Van) provides service from the station to the town. There are also some lodgings in Monterosso in the "old town" that are further back from the tracks. You don't need to limit yourself to Vernazza.

I stayed in Riomaggiore on my last trip to the Cinque Terre, but don't remember any particular problems with noise from the trains. However, after a busy day of touring and hiking the trails, I could probably sleep through an artillery barrage so that's not surprising!

Happy travels!

We slept in an apartment in a cluster of homes near the church and didn't notice the trains at all. When we went to the station to catch trains we were surprised how much noise they made. If you don't sleep like a log, I would stay away from the tracks. As you leave the tracks, you go downhill so there is a distance and elevation difference from where the trains are and the noise seems to dissipate quickly.

Kent, if you stay here:

www.elisabettacarro.it

you will be far above the train noise. We found it to be very quiet and has a view that is amazing!

If you have sleep issues I recommend Toninno Bass's rooms at the top of the town. They are probably filled , but very very clean, with air-conditioning, a computer for your use and only a 5-minute walk to the water. These rooms are in an apartment building with an elevator. The neat little restaurant Il Pirata next door to the rooms is a must for breakfast or dinner. There rooms are probably the quietest in town because you can shut the windows and put on the AC. It is even remote controlled.

Thank you everyone. We found a nice place in the middle of Vernazza that has a good reputation. We strongly considered Riomaggiore for at least one night - But this planning, with only 3 weeks to go, is exhausting! If seems as though the success of Rick Steves' is making it difficult to find places to stay, especially in CT.

Please share your choice with us!