We will travel by train, La Spezia to Venice in October. Looks like at least 2 train changes. How reliable is the Cinque Terre train regarding arrival in La Spezia? How long should we allow for train changes en route from La Spezia to Venice? Is it advisable to purchase the La Spezia-to-Venice tickets in advance?
We travel on a Saturday.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
In my experience, the CT trains often run late. Catch a train earlier than you think you will need to.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
We need more information. Where are you staying in the CT and what time are you intending to depart from La Spezia Centrale? If you are departing La Spezia on the 5:02 train, no train from the CT towns can get you there in time. If you are departing La Spezia on the 6:51 or 6:57 trains, there are only two trains from the CT towns that will get you there on time. The first arrives at 5:22am and the second arrives at 6:44am. If you are on the 6:51 train, you have 7 minutes to change trains. This is risky as trains can be a couple of minutes late. If you need to take the earlier train, there is a McDonalds in the the La Spezia train station. Grab some breakfast. If you are departing La Spezia on the 8:02 train, you will be just fine. You can see all of this on www.trenitalia.com. Just use the Italian names for the train stations even though you are on the English page. It's La Spezia Centrale and Venezia S.L.
Posted by
OP
Issaquah
5 posts
Thank you Happy Travellers. To be safe, we will take the La Spezia to Venice that leaves around 10:00.
That should give us oodles of slow CT trains to make it from Manarola to La Spezia on time.