Hi!
We'll be arriving in La Spezia after Nov 3, so the tourist train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre will no longer be running. We are also traveling with someone who can't walk much, so we think driving might be the best option for us, and would like to know which town has the best (free maybe?) parking, close in. Ideally, thinking of just parking the car in one town and taking the local train to the other villages. Is this feasible to do with someone with limited walking?
Thank you.
Posted by
4713 posts
There are trains running all year. When there is parking (you can see lots if you search for it on Google Maps), it is often not near the village.
How much after Nov ? This may not really be worth it.
Definitely let weather be your guide with this potential day trip.
An easy alternative would be to drive over to Tellaro.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2176 posts
Welcome to the forum! Tell us more about your trip. Have you been to Italy before?
Be aware that visiting most if not all the CT villages requires a lot of walking on steep paths. Your question got me curious and I found this that might be helpful. Monterosso may be your best bet, but I'm not sure CT is a viable place for people with mobility/stability issues. As for the trains, think of getting on a subway car. Though you'll be going past peak season, there's really not off season any more.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16320 posts
...so the tourist train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre will no longer
be running
Welcome to the forum, Lizzie!
As above, trains run all year, just not as frequently in winter, and tickets will cost less after Nov. 3. The trains are not just for tourists; locals use them too. :O)
I would be somewhat concerned taking a traveling companion "who can't walk much" to the 5 Terre. As the villages are essentially pedestrianized, they're going to need to be able to get around on foot, and navigating stairs/slopes, even from train stations, in most of them is par for course. Have you done much reading up on the region as far as what to expect for someone with mobility limitations?
Editing to add: The ferries won't be running during your visit, in case you were thinking about a ride on one of them.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5312 posts
I will agree with the others that visiting the CT villages with someone who has walking difficulties would be VERY problematic. Monterosso is the only one that could remotely be called flattish; and that's just relative to all of the others, where cars are basically not allowed and the streets are sloped or with stairs and have varying degrees of steepness. You can use Google maps to look for public parking in each of the towns, but are unlikely to find one close to the center of any town except Monterosso or la Spezia. And certainly not free. The trains,as mentioned, run year round.
If you haven't done so, have a look at YouTube videos of the CT. It will show you just what kind of topography you would be facing.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16320 posts
Do you mean the tourist ferries?
Seasonal ferries in general between the 4 of the 5 Terre villages they service, La Spezia, Portovenere, Levanto, etc.
Posted by
Los Angeles
992 posts
The New Town in Monterosso along the beach is flat, and there is a pay parking lot there at beach level. However, it is a long walk to the Old Town, which goes up the hill, and is what people expect in terms of Cinque Terre.
The train station is in the New Town, but elevated above street level. When we were there last November the elevator to the southbound track was out of service, requiring the use of the stairs.
For someone with very limited mobility you might be better off identifying a seaside town either north or south of the CT which is relatively flat, with better access by car.