I'm currently planning a trip to Rome, Cinque Terre, and Florence. I am having a difficult time planning the Cinque Terre portion of my vacation. The 2009 Italy book indicates there are trains leaving from Rome to La Spezia every 2 hours, but I'm only finding 2 departures/day on the Rail Europe and Trenitalia websites. Any help with rail and suggestions on accomodations would be greatly appreiciated. Thanks!
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
how far in advance are you looking? Forget raileurope, they don't show all the trains, but on the trenitalia site if you are searching more than 60 days out or something, it only will show some of the trains.
However I just looked for about 10 days from now and also on July 1, and trenitalia is indeed showing only two trains... I have no idea! hopefully someone else can help you. for accommodations, Rick's book gives a ton of ideas and I'm sure if you search the helpline you'll find even more.
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
The train schedules change about the middle of this month. Trenitalia is notoriously slow with loading the new schedules. So to get an idea of the trains that will be available, pick the same day of the week for this coming week. You will get an idea of the frequency and number of trains, etc.
Posted by
Eden Prairie, MN, USA
168 posts
Don't Worry. The website from what I found is not very updated with the frequency of trains. We were just in Italy in May and would just buy tickets the day before (or day of). Everywhere we went we found there were many options and times to choose from. I also went to Cinque Terre and had no problem.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Believe it or not, there are 44 trains at day departing La Spezia Centrale to Monterosso and beyond (I've counted the runs on the Trenitalia webite). Not all runs stop at all of the other 4 towns but many do. As mentioned above, you can't see them because the pea brains at Trentialia haven't uploaded their new scheules yet. Very confusing. Put in 6/11 and you will see all of the runs. Also, its important to state where in the CT you want to get off and not just the "CT". The runs will vary based on which town you go to.
Posted by
Rome
212 posts
I just had some friends return from there. They stayed at the Gianni Franzi albergo in Vernazza and said it was really wonderful. Rooftop terrace with stunning views, prices about 80 Euro/night in high season. Lots of steps in the 5terre though, including to get to this hotel from street level.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
251 posts
Try your search again on Trenitalia, just looking up the same weekday you are planning to travel (and not the actual day you are traveling, way in advance). Looking it up, I'm seeing a train every 2 hours, just as you said..