I'll be staying in Monterrosso for three nights in late June. Given my itinerary, it's less expensive to buy single ride train tickets and pay for a one-day hiking pass. However, I'm willing to buy a Treno MS Pass that costs me a little more if it means not having to wait in a crazy long line to buy single ride train tickets. I assume the line will be long, but I'm curious if anyone knows how long. Will I be waiting for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, more? Any input is appreciated! And, yes I know the Cinque Terre will be crowded and hot in June. I'm going anyway.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5913 posts
We wished we could have purchased the train pass, even if to just use the restrooms in the train stations. The day we had for hiking between the cities, they closed the paths because there was supposed weather concerns. For that reason, they wouldn't sell the pass. Incidentally, it was gorgeous and sunny the entire day. I can't recall that there were lines to buy tickets, except for Vernazza. A word of warning. We took a train from Riamaggiore, I think, and it didn't stop in Manarola. So in some cases, the trains do not stop in all the cities.
I recall the line in Vernazza for the ticket machine was at least 10 minutes. I want to say there was perhaps a window with a live person there, but they refused to sell the tickets, even with a long line.
I suspect any lines will be longer for you than for us as we were there at the end of October, and it was about 4 years ago.
Posted by
Los Angeles
799 posts
Download and install the Trenitalia app, then create an account and specify a payment method.
No waiting in line - at least for tickets. A crowd on the platform waiting to board would be a separate issue.
Posted by
Boston
1730 posts
Since the Cinque Terre floods of October, 2011, Liguria in particular has upgraded its storm warnings. The closing of the trails is just one part of many precautions which are taken on increasing levels (yellow, orange, red) based on detailed forecasts for different types of weather events in four Ligurian zones. Sudden heavy rain in mountainous terrain is serious business and events not happening is the other side of bad evens happening.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15977 posts
Download and install the Trenitalia app, then create an account and
specify a payment method.
I believe that online tickets require check-in before boarding per the process described. Paper tickets are validated by time-stamping them the usual way.
https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-timetable
https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-how-to-validate-train-ticket
Posted by
Miami
329 posts
I was in CT in mid April and one day I did what you’re proposing. I bought 3 separate tickets in the Monterosso station around 9:30am. There was no line. I’m sure there’ll be more people in June but I doubt there’ll be a long line at 9:30am.
- Monterosso to Vernazza
- Vernazza to Manarola
- Manarola to Monterosso
To me this was easier than getting them in the app and validating them in the app with the very spotty internet connection in the CT train stations. There's a way to validate digital tickets without internet, but I didn't want to figure out how to do it. Sticking tickets in the machine was easy enough for me.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15977 posts
Sticking tickets in the machine was easy enough for me.
I would agree, Marco. That said, there are multiple ways to skin a cat so if the traveler is comfortable with the app then go for it. :O)
Posted by
OP
Portland, Oregon
156 posts
Thanks so much, all. I think I’ll go with the pass and hopefully won’t have any trouble verifying it on the Trentialia app.
Posted by
Usa
51 posts
We were in CT just 3 days back. We bought the CT Treno pass at the La Spezia station. We waited for about 5 mins in the line. Validated the pass at the machine on the platform before the first use and then we were all set.
Highly recommend the pass. It gave us the flexibility of hopping from one village to the other as we wished.
Individual tickets are 5€ each and are one time use only. So considerable savings.