Florence to Vernazza

Mike is correct. However, there are 4 tracks in these stations and the trains passing through at full speed are on the inside set of tracks and not the ones closest to the platform. These trains are announced on the speaker. Again, they are at full speed and you can feel them go by. Not tooooo scary, however.

You can buy all necessary tickets at one time in Florence. There are no direct trains from Florence to Vernazza. Thus, you will need to change trains at either Pisa or La Spezia or both on some runs. You can either use the ticket machine in the Florence train station or the ticket window (or a nearby travel agency) to purchase the tickets. You will receive one ticket for each train that you will be on. Most likely, you will have 2-3 tickets. This is not difficult.

CLICK HERE to see the train schedule. For the ICPlus and EC trains, you will need time and seat reservations. However, not to worry. The ticket machine or the ticket agent will do this for you. Note that not all trains through the CT stop at Vernazza. Fewer stop at Vernazza, Corniglia and Manorola.

You can buy them all at once, and that's good because the time between connections can be short.

Note that when you get to the CT, you can buy a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day pass from the Trenitalia office (or maybe it's the information center.) that is good for unlimited rides on any train between La Spezia to the South and Levanto to the North. It's good on all trains, all trails between the towns (yep, they have trolls in toll booths), all mini-buses in the towns and the open air museum. Note that the mini-buses do not go between towns - only the town that they are in.

not directly addressing your question, but a word of advice. The stations in the Cinque Terra are small and the benches are right near the tracks (maybe 5 feet away). Not all trains stop, and the ones that do FLY thru at 50-70mph. So be cautious and if you're travelling with children be sure to keep a close watch on them.

Thanks everyone!!