My son & I are staying for 3 nights in Monterosso, we have 2 suitcases & backpack total. What’s the best way to get there? We were going to go by train (any suggestions on best website for CT trains?), but a guide in Rome mentioned he thought the ferry was better. Help, please.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
Use the train planner of Trenitalia for schedules and prices. Fill out »Firenze S M Novella« for your deprature station. Buy tickets at the railway station.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16185 posts
That guide doesn’t know what is talking about. You can’t take a ferry from Florence to Monterosso. Florence is not even on the coast.
The train is the way to go.
www.trenitalia.com
From FIRENZE (tutte le stazioni)
To MONTEROSSO
The fastest is a Frecciabianca from FIRENZE CAMPO DI MARTE
But most depart from the main station FIRENZE SANTA MARIA NOVELLA.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16687 posts
Jen, ferries don't go to the CT from Florence. They only operate ON the coast; not inland. You need to go by train. As your past posts indicate that you've been to Florence and Rome before and you know how to work the Trenitalia website, just search Firenze S.M. Novella as a departure location and Monterosso as arrival location. Trains for this journey are likely to be - but are not limited to - regionales (no seat assignments) and will involve at least 1 change.
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
(Posted at the same time as Roberto/sorry for any redundancy)
Editing to add: ferries do run from La Spezia - where one commonly switches trains into the CT region - up the coast but they would not be a convenient, fast or inexpensive choice.
Posted by
OP
Land of 10,000 lakes
84 posts
Sorry, yes, I know I’d need a train for part of the way to GET to the coast; my conundrum is to do part train/then ferry, or all train. I should have stated that better.
Posted by
OP
Land of 10,000 lakes
84 posts
Ok, thanks Kathy & everyone! Sounds like train is the way to go. We can do a boat ride once we get there.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16687 posts
We can do a boat ride once we get there.
Right. The ferries will also probably be a better choice without luggage; they can be very crowded during high season.
https://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/06/complete-cinque-terre-portovenere-la.html
Ferry tariffs (scroll down to Riomaggiore> Manarola>Vernazza> Monterosso for the CT)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LA6_bs6KELhW_Gpw1DXZvqtUdmGsSoHT/view
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
One way to avoid crowded Cinque Terre trains is to take the 10:28 regional train from SMN that has a change to an Intercity train at Pisa Centrale and arrives in Monterosso at 12:53. The downside is that you'd arrvie about 3 hours later than on the fast train mentioned above, but at least you wouldn't need to change to a crowded local train or ferry at La Spezia. The Intercity train stops in La Spezia and then Monterosso, but few Cinque Terre passengers are likely to board at La Spezia as the Intercity train isn't covered by regular Cinque Terre train tickets/passes, and besides you'll have assigned seats.
Posted by
872 posts
The fastest way to get there is from Firenze Campo di Marte at 7:28AM, changing to the local train in La Spezia:
https://oraritreniitalia.com/orari-treno-regionale-21182
That gets you there before 10AM. If there are heavy crowds, certain when cruise ships are in port, it is suggested not to be on trains between 10 and 4. Also to avoid Vernazza and Monterosso.