Help!! train tickets Venice to CT

Kay, Trenitalia seems to be having great difficulty in posting their schedule updates beyond June 15. I too saw only one train from Venice to La Spezia Centrale. However, if you put in an earlier date, you will see complete listings. Note also that you want to put in "Venezia Santa Lucia" and not just "Venice" as some runs begin in Venezia Mestre which is not the main island.

Next, you could book directly through to Manarola but since fewer trains stop at Manarola and Corniglia than any other CT towns, you will see far fewer train runs from Venice on the schedule. Plus, you will see more train changes.

If you will trust a little experience, I offer you the following suggestions. First, you can easily buy your tickets in Venice when you arrive. North Americans just FREAK because they don't have everything in hand before they travel. At the Venice train station, it is soooo easy to use the self-service kiosk. The machine will prompt you in English. (Continued)

The self-service kiosk will also provide your seat assignments and accept your credit card. Or, you can stand in line at the ticket window and buy them there. Just be sure to have your travel plans on a piece of paper. List the date, point of origin, destination, time of travel and train number. Hand it to the agent and he/she (mostly he) will sell you the tickets. He will also provide your seat assignments which are required on the high-speeds. Or, Trenitalia actually has an office in the Venice train station. They don't sell tickets but they will listen to you in English and print out an itinerary for you. You can hand that to the agent at the ticket window and he/she will sell you the tickets. Note that there are lines for the Trenitalia office and the ticket agent but they move along OK. We've done it. Still, the self-service kiosk is the answer.

Next, you are wise to consider booking a train from Venezia Santa Lucia to La Spezia even though you will be going to Manarola. Many more options.

CLICK HERE to see a morning train schedule for June 5. Check out that 8:43 run with only one train change.

Now. I've got you to La Spezia Centrale. How do you get to Manarola. This is so cool. Walk into the Tourist Information Office (TI) in the La Spezia train station and purchase a 1,2,3 or 7-day Cinque Terre Treno card. This card provides unlimited train travel from La Spezia to Levanto which includes the 5 towns. This card also covers the fares on all trails between the towns as well as the mini-buses in the towns. If you are staying 2-3 days, it's a great value.

Finally, check the schedule, validate your CT Treno card and jump on the next train to Manarola. Fun stuff all the way.

I booked the train tickets at the American Express office in Venice a day or so before, but you could also get tickets at the Venice train station after you arrive. Don't fret about not having it done before you leave. Trains are frequent, and it's easy to do on the spot in Italy---much easier than here. Also, second class is fine.

Thanks for the replies. I have the train info I want, and will likely buy the tickets once we arrive in Italy.

Kay

try using the deutsche bahn website for all your italy train schedules. it is much more reliable and user freindly than the italy site. i did this and it guided me through europe with no problems!