Hello, wondering if anyone has experience with taking the train from Siena to Cinque Terre. We will be in Rome for a day, Sienna for 4 (day trips Pisa/Montepulciano etc). But I have not found a train to go to Cinque Terre on a Sunday. Going to stay there for 3-4 days or suggestions? Has anyone done this? Does anyone have any experience taking a cooking class in Sienna?
Posted by
Washington DC
27104 posts
I like to use the Deutsche Bahn webpage to check schedules because it is so user-friendly. When you decide what departure time you want, you'll need to go elsewhere (such as Trenitalia) to actually buy the tickets. Do not use RailEurope.
I don't know your travel date, so I checked for this coming Sunday, and there are plenty of options. You must enter the name of a specific town as your destination; I arbitrarily chose Monterosso. It appears the trip will take over 4 hours and require at least two changes. For the options I looked at, part of the trip was on a Freccia or InterCity train, so you'll save money by taking advantage of the low prices on early purchase of non-refundable/non-changeable tickets.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
There are Sunday trains from Siena to Cinque Terre in February. Use the Trenitalia website and use La Spezia, Monterosso or one of the other 4 villages as your destination. Staying in Cinque Terre for 3-4 days that time of year is probably too long. You might even consider picking another destination instead.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you ! We will be going the last week in February and first week in March. This will be our first time and after talking to a friend, she said Siena will be nice and a good home base for day trips as we could see Siena itself in a day +.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Hi Frank, thank you. Thinking that utilizing there was a good idea for more day trips. I am looking to be able to see the coast as well without spending hours and hours on the train eating up days. Any thoughts?
Posted by
Boston
1698 posts
In my opinion, it's just not worth the considerable travel time and trouble for a quick trip to Cinque Terre in mid-winter. It's cold, possibly rainy, totally empty, few businesses open, no ferry running, no green hiils with vines. Leave the CT for a future trip in May or September and consider visiting Lucca, Florence, Orvieto, Volterra.....
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Frankly, Siena is not a good base for day trips unless you have a car. For this time of year, Florence, which is a transportation hub gives you many options.
By bus...Siena, Fiesole, Greve. All under 1:15.
By train. Lucca 1:15, Pisa 1 hr. Bologna 52min, Pistoia 51min. Montecatini Terme 50 min.
Tour bus. https://www.getyourguide.com/florence-l32/day-trips-tc172/
If you want to see the Coast, Viareggio is a 30 min train ride from Pisa, but plan on it being chilly and deserted.