Plan to fly into Rome this Fall. would like to visit Florence then Cinque Terre before we explore Rome prior to catching our return flight from Rome, to home. We ‘re planning a 12 day stay in total.
Is there a best way to head out of Rome right from the airport, to Florence to begin our tour? Also, how should we travel from Florence to Cinque Terre?
We have used VRBO before but would greatly appreciate any suggestions from your experience, regarding reasonably priced lodging and locations that are desirable in Florence, Cinque Terre, and Rome. Thank you so much...Robert
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Hi Robert. Yes, I would take the train immediately to Florence from Rome. There is an airport train; most trains to Florence require a connection in Rome, but a few ever day go directly to Florence.
Then after your stay in Florence, take the train to the Cinque Terre for a few days. You can stay in one of the five villages as most people do. I have been to this area several times and have always stayed in Levanto (one town north of Monterosso off the train). It's a cheaper option if the lodgings in the five villages are filled up or very pricey. But if you aren't frugal, just choose one of the five villages.
Then take the train back to Rome. Italy has an excellent train system.
I recommend picking up Rick's Italy book and reading through the sections on Rome, Florence, and the Cinque Terre - and then from there figure out where you want to stay, for how many nights, what you want to do, etc.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16409 posts
There are a couple trains a day from Fiumicino Aeroporto directly to Firenze S.M Novella that will get you there in around 2 hours, no changes. They are at 11: 08 and 15:08. Otherwise there are more trains that will get you there in 2.5 hours with one change in Rome. Explore your options on:
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
The journey from airport directly to Florence or Rome to Florence will be on a specific "fast" train, at a specific time, with reserved seats. If purchased in advance, you might be able to land a nice price break.
Use that same website to explore your options from Firenze (Florence) to the C.T. The Cinque Terre is not a single destination - it's Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza or Montetrosso - so you'll want to enter the village you'll be staying in. You will most likely be changing trains in La Spezia or even Pisa.
The fastest way to get there is on a "fast" Frecciabianca train from Firenze Campo di Martre station to La Spezia at 7:28 AM. In La Spezia, you'd buy (cheap) regionale tickets for onward to your chosen CT village. If taking a regionale train - which doesn't have seat assignments - always remember to validate your tickets before boarding!
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
375 posts
Lodging in the Cinque Terre books up fast, but autumn might be easier, or you could luck into someone's cancellation. We stayed in Riomaggiore and loved it. My brother stayed in Portovenere, which is just south of the Cinque Terre, and looking at his pictures, it looked like a destination in its own right. Have fun!
As for trains between the CT & Florence or Rome, there are many connections through Pisa (in addition to the direct CT--Florence train that runs less frequently)
Posted by
872 posts
"In La Spezia, you'd buy (cheap) regionale tickets for onward to your chosen CT village.'
Buy one ticket, from Campo di Marte to the village of your choice; no point wasting time in La Spezia. If the date is known, quickest purchase is online [enter 7AM and it will come up]:
https://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
You'll transfer to the "CT Express"
https://www.e656.net/orario/treno/21182.html
You'll make the connection, but if not your ticket is good for the next one.