Lucca to Cinque Terre

You can go from Lucca to Cinque Terre in about 2 hours by train. Trip will require a change of train in Viareggio or Pisa and probably also in La Spezia.

We are traveling from Lucca to Monterosso in late June. We have found a train that leaves Lucca at 9:59 am, arrives in Viareggio 27 minutes later; then 27 minutes later we board a train directly to Monterosso, which gets in at 12:39. Not sure which one of the cities in the Cinque Terre you will be going to. Smaller ones require another change to a local train.

It's an easy trip by train, but study the schedules carefully. It's easy to get stranded for an hour in Viareggio or LaSpezia if you just wing it.

paula,

As you're taking just a day trip, I'd suggest leaving fairly early so that you'll have adequate time to explore the Cinque Terre. My choice would be a train departing Lucca at 06:51 arriving La Spezia at 08:25 (one change in Viareggio). From La Spezia you can board the local train to the five villages.

If you want to enjoy dinner and a "night view" of the C.T., there's a train departing La Spezia at 21:19, arriving Lucca at 22:28 (one change in Viareggio). That's really the last train of the day, as the next one isn't until 03:27.

The times for the local trains travelling north & south are listed in the Italy Guidebook. Make sure you leave enough time getting from your last C.T. village back to the station in La Spezia.

Happy travels!

You wont see much in one day. The train rides will take most of the day. But it can be done. You will have to move fast. You should plan on seeing only one of the five villages in CT.

Research what can be seen in each and choose one. I found all five to be so different as to be difficult to recommend one.

Official train info ij Italy is foind here: Trenitalia.com
Somewhere on top of the page you will find the English link.
When you search, do it just maximum 2-3 days ahead , otherwise it won't show the price.