Staying in Lucca next spring for 5 nights, can't wait! Want to do a full day trip to explore the Cinque Terre, and will have a car. Would like to tap into your expertise about the best way to accomplish. Drive as far as possible and then take the train? Drive all the way and park close if possible? We are not inclined to hike between towns, so use the train or boat to go between?
Thank you for your help,
Scott
Scott,
You could drive to La Spezia then take the train to the Cinque Terre.
There are frequent trains & it takes less than 5 minutes from village to village.
You could also take a ferry boat between the villages.
Will you be needing the car after you visit the CT?
Where else will you be traveling to?
Happy planning!
If you have to drive go to LaSpezia and from there by train. To go between Cinque Terra towns besides walking you can use the train or boat. Driving between C.T. towns is slow with huge detours and very narrow and steep roads.
Thank you Ilja and Priscilla for the quick replies! We will be returning to Lucca after our day in CT, so will need to return to the car. Spending time in Florence and Chianti region while in Italy, and then to Barcelona.
Thank you,
Scott
scott,
Having a car to explore the Cinque Terre is of little value, as vehicles aren't allowed into the towns. I agree with the previous comment that driving to a "gateway" location and then using the frequent local trains is the best plan. The easiest solution from Lucca would be La Spezia, which is at the southern end of the C.T. as there's a car park near the station.
Which month in the "spring" will this trip be taking place? Note that operation of the boats is subject to weather.
Pisa is a very short train ride from Lucca, and Pisa to La Spezia takes well under an hour by train. And the train fare from Pisa to La Spezia is only €9 per segment in advance using the Economy fare. I don't even see a cheaper fare it is so cheap.
You may find that parking, and fuel, etc., by car would be more expensive, and you will avoid any possible fines that day.
I don't know if you could drive it faster.
Thank you for all the help, several excellent options. We are traveling in early April, including Easter weekend.
Scott
I must agree to the train. You can't use a car in CT (not allowed) and the train is so easy. Parking is on the outside of town for a car. The train drops you off in the center. Only a few minutes from town to town by train and much cheaper than ferry.
When you are in Lucca, you can buy your tickets a day ahead of time, if you want. I usually end my trip in CT, but since I have to fly out of Pisa (closest airport) I take a train to Lucca, spend the night (or 2) and it is cheap and easy.
Never, never consider a car, it is a useless waste of money.
Also, my 2 cents, you might want to consider spending a night or 2 in CT instead of 5 nights in Lucca, unless you had a real special reason for 5 nights in Lucca! Happy travels and good luck!
Hello Scott
We are a group of 6 cousins traveling to Italy next May and also be staying in Lucca for 5 nights. It is one of our favorite towns, easily walkable and a great base for other areas. We will also be going to CT for one of those days, depending on the weather and going by train. We might do a little hiking but also using the train and possibly ferry, again depending on the weather (I hate boats so it has to be a very clear/low wind day for me to get into a ferry). A car is a headache and waste in CT, so just leave your car in Lucca that day. We will actually be traveling in from Cortona/ Vinci via car and dropping the car off at the Avis location just outside the walls. Make sure you take time to just walk on the walls (or bike) and enjoy the town!
Hello Scott
We are a group of 6 cousins traveling to Italy next May and also be staying in Lucca for 5 nights. It is one of our favorite towns, easily walkable and a great base for other areas. We will also be going to CT for one of those days, depending on the weather and going by train. We might do a little hiking but also using the train and possibly ferry, again depending on the weather (I hate boats so it has to be a very clear/low wind day for me to get into a ferry). A car is a headache and waste in CT, so just leave your car in Lucca that day. We will actually be traveling in from Cortona/ Vinci via car and dropping the car off at the Avis location just outside the walls. Make sure you take time to just walk on the walls (or bike) and enjoy the town!
Thank you again to all! Taking the train to CT sounds like the best option, and possibly using the ferry between villages as weather permits. Visited Lucca for only a few hours a year ago, and enjoyed the pace of life, as well as the peaceful attitude. Using Lucca as base camp for exploring Tuscany, including Chianti region, Florence , and the CT.
Thank you again for all the wonderful suggestions and tips!
Scott
