Night trains in Cinque Terre

I'm looking at the CT train schedule from this past June that you can pick up in the CT. From Levanto which is North of the CT to La Spezia which is South of the CT, they begin their runs into the CT at 4:46am with the last one leaving Levanto at 23:42. In reverse from La Spezia to Levanto, the first train leaves at 12:30am with the last one departing La Spezia at 23:10. Thus, it's really almost all of the day. All of the runs mentioned above will stop at Monterosso and Riomagiorre. The RS book says that these train stopping in the CT only stop at Monterosso. Not true. They stop at Riomaggiore as well. Now, the big secret. A good many of these train runs do not stop at Vernazza, Corniglia or Manorola. Still, about 25 trains running north and about the same running south do stop at each town. In the evening, trains will go north from all 5 towns about once an hour until the last one at about 23.18. Same going in the other direction.

Hi Linda... Yes it is possible to see the sunset in one village and take the train back to the other . When you get there they will give you a great little timetable of all 5 villages at the ticket window. It seems to me the latest trains that go to each village are about 11 P.M. There are then trains at 1.00A.M. and 4 A.M. Some of the very late trains do not stop every where so do get a schedule. If there is a line beside the village it means the train does not stop.Also, some of the stations close early, and that will mean when you go out at night you need to get a round trip ticket when you leave. I know the Vernazza station is open late, but the Manerola is closed fairly early.

Thanks Larry & Jane for the very informative responses!

I saw a spectacular sunset in Vernazza from the Castello restaurant in May one year. Monterosso has a mountain blocking the view of the sunset.

Thanks Swan...you read my mind. I'm planning on staying in Monterosso but did want to experience what Rick Steves says about evenings in Vernazza. And next May is exactly when we'll be there so your tip is valuable. Do you remember what time does the sun sets in May?

As I recall, we were in the restaurant approx. from 6pm to 8pm. I think you could see the sunset without being up high in the castle (Castello), but that's where we were. From the piazza/pier area down below, with a glass of wine in hand, the sunset should be just as spectacular. I think May is a perfect month for Italy--toward the end of the month it starts feeling hot in Rome and further south.