we are arriving in milan easter sunday @ 7am and want to go to vernazza. do we need train reservations for the 2 of us or will it not be a problem to get tickets at the trian station??? also is there an express train from milan to the cinque terre?? thanks :):)
Posted by
White Bear Lake, MN, USA
479 posts
You should be able to walk up and get a train ticket without any issue.
You will want to take as fast a train as possible from Milan to La Spezia through Genoa. That train will speed you through Vernazza, but this is ok! Then you buy your train ticket to Vernazza in La Spezia and backtrack. You'll only backtrack about 2 or 3 stops (about 15-20 min). In order to take a train from Genoa that will stop in Vernazza you'd have to take the slow train that stops at every last station between the two. You'll be on the train forever if you do it that way. Just go all the way through to La Spezia.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Several notes. First, how are you arriving in Milan? If by plane at Malpensa, you will need to take a bus to the main Milano Centrale train station. Second, Easter is one of those rare times in Italy when trains could be full. Don't be afraid to jump up to 1st class if 2nd class tickets are not available. Third, trains will go to Genoa before turning south. You may have to change trains there. Fourth, you may have 1-2 train changes. Don't worry, there are few direct trains to the CT from Milan and none to Vernazza. Fifth, you will need seat reservations for the ICPlus and EC trains listed in the link below. Don't worry. The ticket agent at the station does this for you or you can use the electronic ticket machine that also does this in English.
Sixth, CLICK HERE to see the train schedule for Easter Sunday.
Posted by
Roswell
11 posts
As a side note, there are direct trains from Milan to Monterosso al Mare and then you can jump the local train to Vernazza. Not a lot of choices but it is a direct train. For example: IC 653 - departs 1210 from Milan Centrale - arrives 1500 in Monterosso
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Last year, I took a train from Milan to Vernazza with change in Genoa. Train from Genoa stopped in Vernazza. Check trenitalia website for trains that stop in Vernazza (about hourly on Sunday, I believe). I purchased my ticket upon arrival at Milan train station, but then it wasn't Easter weekend.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Bruce doesn't really have to check the Trenitalia site. I have provided a link above to the Easter Sunday Trenitalia train schedule from Milan to Vernazza. Times and train numbers are there.