florence to cinque terre and . . .

Hi Marla, We travelled to the CT from Florence at the end of March in 2010 and stopped in Lucca for about 4 hours. We had a marvellous lunch and biked the ramparts (a highlight of our trip!). I believe we changed trains in Viareggio and La Spezia to get to the CT but it was no hassle as these train stations are small and easy to figure out. We checked our luggage at the TI near the train station in Lucca. For me, I could've spent more time in Lucca but we didn't want to overnight there and spend time packing up again. We also visited Siena from Florence. We took the bus (the bus station is just across from the main train station in Florence). The trip was slightly longer than taking the train to Siena but it drops you off closer to the old city center in Siena than does the train. The weather was pleasant - we were in light jackets - I think it was in the mid- to high-teens (Celsius - I'm Canadian!). We had a gorgeous day in the CT that was in the low 20's (again, Celsius). Other days when it was partly cloudy, it was cooler but still pleasant. This was at the start of April, so I bet 2 weeks later, it would've been around 20 C*.
Hope this helps!

Thank you! So did you go back to Florence from the CT and then take the bus to Sienna? How is the price of the bus compared to the train? Was your trip to Sienna a day trip or did you spend the night? Thanks!!

Thank you! So did you go back to Florence from the CT and then take the bus to Sienna? How is the price of the bus compared to the train? Was your trip to Sienna a day trip or did you spend the night? Thanks!!

The train takes 1.5 hrs. one-way while the bus was 1 hr. The train (I think) was 4.50 Euros one-way while the bus was 7 each way. Taking the train to Siena leaves you with a taxi ride or a bus(?) or a long-ish walk into the old city centre. The bus drops you off in a piazza with about a 15 minutes walk to Il Campo. We were staying in Florence and used a daytrip to visit Siena. We visited Lucca en route to the CT from Florence and stopped off there from 11 am to about 3 pm and got into the CT about 4:30 pm.

James provided great information. Here's a bit more. The train does go to both Lucca and the CT. These are all Regionale trains. As James has mentioned, you will change trains a few times. to ultimately get to the CT. Most trains from Florence to Lucca are direct with no train changes. However, the journey takes just under 2 hrs as the train does make 16 stops along the way. Regionale trains make every station stop. From Lucca to the CT, some runs require a train change at Viareggio and La Spezia Centrale and other runs require a train change a PIsa and sometimes La Spezia Centrale. Not to worry. It all works quite well. For Siena, the train is fine but the train station is about 2km from the city. You either walk slightl uphill to the city or you take the local bus or taxi from the train station to the city. The SITA bus takes you to the Siena city wall which is a lot closer. You will want the SITA Corse Rapide which is the non-stop express bus. Works quite well. The SITA bus station is about 500 feet from the main Florence train station. You can easily see it's location in the RS Florence & Tuscany book.

On our way from Florence to CT we stopped for one night in Lucca. No train changes on the way to Lucca. We stayed at the Hotel Rex, directly next to the train station (but no train noise). We biked the ramparts (one of the highlights of our trip) and explored Lucca for the day. The next morning we took the train to CT, via Pisa. We stopped for a few hours there checking our bags at the station. FYI the Hotel Rex has bikes to use for free.

In July 2009 upon leaving Florence we took the train to the C.T. and did not have to change trains until we got to LaSpezia. Like other posters stated, if you do it is very easy and you will have no problems. After a number of trips to Italy we finally visited Lucca this past September and loved it! We spent a day here and walked the wall and just enjoyed strolling the town. As for Tuscan hilltowns, Siena is a must if you have not been before as is San Gimignano. Both are extremely touristy but still worth seeing. Volterra is also very nice as are Cortona, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza but they are southern Tuscany. The Chianti drive is also lovely but I would save that for another trip if you haven't seen the above. Have a great trip!