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Early morning train from Vernazza to Milan

Posted by (Atlanta, GA) on

Right now I am scheduled to spend the last night of my Italy trip, May 29, in Vernazza. The next day I have a 12:00pm flight out of MXP. Looking at the train schedules online at Trenitalia, it looks like I would have to catch a 4:51am train out of Vernazza to make it comfortably in time to Milan to then get to MXP.

My question is do you think I will be fine catching this train? I have read that trains out of Cinque Terre tend to be unreliable and the next train at 6:16am would make it a really tight squeeze to make my flight. I have thought about cancelling my last night and getting a reservation in Milan for the last night, but I would definitely prefer to avoid this for more time in the CT. What do you think? Thanks for your help.

Posted by
521 posts

Hi Evan,

Unfortunately, the smaller the towns a train visits, the older the train tends to be. The older the train is, the greater the likelihood of a breakdown. I think that is the primary concern about the train not showing up. This happened to me once in the Czech Republic.

I never had problems with trains in the CT, but I did not have a tight schedule. Murphy's law might just come to haunt you on that one.

As long as you have a reasonable backup, in this case the other train, then it is up to you. Just make sure you arrive at the train station a bit early in case it comes earlier than it should.

Posted by
8700 posts

Most hotels and B&Bs will hold your luggage for you after you check out, usually at no charge. They'll do the same if you arrive before your room is ready and you have to wait to check in.

Posted by
6898 posts

You've done your homework. It's a tough decision. There was one report on this site where the first train out of Vernazza didn't show. Also, the local R trains in and out of the CT can run late as they can be held in the 4-track CT train stations as the inter-city and freight trains whiz on through.

Posted by
1201 posts

Evan, perhaps you could compromise by taking one of the late trains on the 29th. giving you most of the day in the CT but a cushion for making your flight.

It looks like there is one around 4:30 pm arriving at Milano Centrale about 9 pm and also one leaving around 6:30 arriving around 10 pm.

Posted by
17 posts

I have definitely thought about just taking a later train on the 29th to Milan to get more time in Vernazza that day. If I did this, does anyone know if there is somewhere for me to securely leave my bags between my check out time and train departure?

Posted by
8 posts

Evan - we have the same situation except our flight leaves on the Tues the 31st - we'll be taking the next to last train out of Monterossa straight to Malpensa and spending the night at the First Hotel Malpensa - they have shuttle service so we'll get that Monday night and again on Tuesday for our flight out.

Posted by
11 posts

Take it from one who has traveled frequently between Vernazza and Milano - don't take the chance. The first train out of Vernazza is a gamble being on time and you'd be cutting it close even if the trains were on time. Better to stay late in Vernazza, if you want another day there, and take a late train into Milano.

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