We plan to take a train to Cinque terre from Florence. We are staying one night in Levanto just north of Monterosso, and need to drop off luggage at hotel prior to hiking. Most blogs recommend starting at Riomaggiore and work our way up. Need help planning this. What train to take. Where to stop. Luggage drop off/storage, etc. So much info out there but I’m hoping to get very clear instructions w/o spending days trying to figure this out. Thanks very much. First time there. We’re a fit and active retired couple.
Ana
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7104 posts
Go to Trenitalia website to book tickets from Florence to Levanto. The trip takes around 3 hours and will require a change in Pisa, or Pisa and La Spezia. Almost any hotel will store your luggage if you arrive before your room is ready. To get to any of the Cinque Terre villages, you just buy a ticket (or a CT day pass) at the Levanto station. The Cinque Terre express runs every 20 minutes between Levanto and La Spezia, stopping at every village along the way. It only takes 5 minutes to train from one village to the next.
As for hiking, it's unclear which hiking trail you are referring to. There are many, and not all are open, depending on weather and other conditions. Its always best to check their status before setting out : https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php Dont forget that the Via del Amore trail requires the paid CT Card.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you! Does it make sense to take a train from Florence to La Spezia, then the cinque terre express from there to Levanto? Would that make a shorter trip altogether? Any thoughts on if we should go from Monterosso Al Mare to Riomaggiore, and ferry back? I haven’t studied our hiking routes yet but will look at the easiest way, and take train for some of it, if it looks too challenging.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Ok, I looked at the Trenitalia website. I see the last leg from LaSpezia to Levanto is the 5 Terre Express. Thanks!