Cinqueterre to Geneva, Switzerland

As others will no doubt tell you, the regional train schedules aren’t posted yet for dates after June 10. But that’s not really the issue. Looking for this Sunday instead, to see current schedules, it’s just plain a long trip. I see the fastest connection is 8:21 hours with 3 changes en route, and it’s downhill from there.. Have you looked at cheap flights instead, say out of Florence or Pisa? Trains to there aren’t bad, then a quick fight might work. It’s still going to be a long day. I checked flights from Genoa to Geneva, not a good option because they all go through Rome and take as long as the train. I’ll leave more investigation with you.

If it were my trip, I’d look at leaving CT on Saturday, going halfway by train, enjoying an afternoon/evening somewhere en route, then finishing Sunday morning with a shorter trip to Geneva. But I don’t know the rest of your itinerary, it may be impossible. I just try to avoid forced marches on vacations.

Edit: there are some train connections that leave at 7:30 am and arrive mid afternoon. Still the same duration but at least you’re not arriving at 11:30 pm

Looking at the current schedule, those 8+ hour trips involve a 1 1/2 hour change time in Milan.

There are 4 direct EC trains a day from Milano Centrale to Geneva, at 8:23, 12:23, 17:23 and 19:23. It takes 4 hours and that is the fastest. Now the issue is getting from "Cinque Terre" (what town?) to Milano Centrale. There are a lot of direct IC trains from Monterosso to Milano Centrale taking 3 hours, but they are not co-ordinated to the EC trains, so you end up with 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hour change time in Milan.

Since Trenitalia prices each leg separately, and you want to get to Geneva early, Buy the 6:54 IC train from Monterosso that gets to Milan at 9:55, then a relaxing brunch at the Centrale Bistro, and buy the 12:23 to Geneva, arriving about 16:20 in the afternoon. Yes, it is 9 1/2 hours, but only 7 actually riding trains.

Thank you Sam! So helpful! By chance, what site could I book the transfer from Monterosso to Milan? I don't see it available as of yet on Trenitalia or Loco2. Or do I need to wait until Summer schedule is posted? I am staying in Manarola. From what I have read, it is easy to catch the local trains that take you to each city, and that they run frequently. So I was just planning on getting to Monterosso via the Cinque Terre Express line.

I am not seeing the 6:54 am IC train after June 29 on Trenitalia, and they run the train. Deutsche Bahn is showing it, but what do they know. At present, I'd wait a bit to see if Trenitalia renews it for sure. You can't book it until its officially on the schedule.