Pisa to Vernazza by train

The six hours mentioned probably related to taking a Regional Train. Basically you buy a ticket that is good for the route, you can actually use the ticket on any of several days on any regional train on that route, just once you validate it, you have the 6 hours to complete the journey (I can't verify that it is six hours, just the concept) If you are worried about the time limit, a regional ticket Florence to Pisa, then another Pisa to LaSpezia is probably about the same. From La Spezia, you want to catch the regional train that goes to the CT. Check the schedule when there, but most of those stop at each town, including Vernazza, with no change. There are some faster trains leaving La Spezia for Genoa that stop only on Monterosso, but I would avoid these. The regional train may be difficult to find on Trenitalia and you cannot buy tickets from the US (or in Italy very far ahead)

All of this can be done easily. You just need to understand the different types of trains that make these runs. The Regionale train is the local train in Italy. It makes every stop along the run. No seat reservations are permitted. If there are no seats, you can stand. You will most likely encounter "standing" on the Regionale trains that go between the towns in the CT. They can get crowded. When you buy a ticket on this type of train, it's an open ticket for 60 days. No train number or seat reservation is on the ticket - just the departure point, destination and class (1st or 2nd). The date of purchase and a date 60 days out is also on the ticket. Once you validate this ticket and the little yellow box, the ticket is good for six hours. The Italians do this as no Regionale train has a six hour run. What you can do on this type of train is get off somewhere on the run, visit for awhile, and then get back on a later Regionale train to your ticket destination as long as everything is complete within 6 hours. Most trains that go from Florence to the CT are Regionales. You will change trains 1-2 times along the way. Most likely, these changes will take place at Pisa and La Spezia Centrale. However, not all trains on the run are Regionales so you have to be careful in your train ion. Some IC and EScity trains make the run from Florence to Pisa. Some of these IC and EScity trains also stop at Pisa on their way north and will drop you off at La Spezia. These trains require seat reservations and you must take the train specifically identified on the ticket. Also, the fares on these trains are 2-3 times more than on the Regionales. The Regionales are generally slower as they make more stops. But, not on these runs. You will most likely be on Regionales. See next message for how to do this.

To do this easily, buy two tickets while you are in Florence. The first ticket is from Florence to Pisa. You will most likely be on a Regionale train as there are few other types of trains on this run before noon. Here's a sample link. http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/nppPriceTravelSolutions.do?car=0&stazin=florence&stazout=pisa&datag=28&datam=04&dataa=2011&timsh=06&stazin_r=Staz_DA&stazout_r=Staz_A&timsm=14&timsm_r=14&lang=en&nreq=5&channel=tcom&npag=1&lang_r=en&nreq_r=5&channel_r=tcom&npag_r=1&x=29&y=11 Your second ticket will be from Pisa to Vernazza. You will most likely change trains at La Spezia Centrale. If you tell the agent or ticket machine "Regionale", you get the open 60 day ticket and you can take your time getting back to the train. Just be sure to get on a Regionale train. If the agent or ticket machine gives you a ticket on the IC or EScity train, you will need to catch that exact train. This puts you on a time limit. Go for the Rgionale. Here's a sample link to that schedule. http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/nppPriceTravelSolutions.do?car=0&stazin=pisa&stazout=vernazza&datag=28&datam=04&dataa=2011&timsh=12&stazin_r=Staz_DA&stazout_r=Staz_A&timsm=14&timsm_r=14&lang=en&nreq=5&channel=tcom&npag=1&lang_r=en&nreq_r=5&channel_r=tcom&npag_r=1&x=35&y=7 Note that you will receive one ticket for each train you are on. No such thing as one ticket from Florence to Vernazza.

To answer your last question, you can purchase your ticket from Florence to Vernazza on all Regionale trains and get off at Pisa and then get back on later as long as you complete the journey in 6 hours. As you look closely at the runs on the www.trenitalia.com website, you will see runs that require train changes at Pisa and La Spezia Centrale or just at La Spezia Centrale. It doesn't matter which run you choose as they all stop at Pisa. Just plan carefully. You will have 2-3 tickets depending on your choice of runs. Just validate the first ticket to Pisa or La Spezia and get on the train. Don't validate the other(s) - they are still good for 60 days. Just validate the other(s) when you need them.

One more item. You don't indicate in your message if you have your luggage with you. Many travelers day trip to the CT so I'm not sure. If you do, Pisa Centrale has an excellent staffed left luggage facility at the train station. As you get off the train, turn right and go down to the last two buildings on your left. The tracks will be on your right. Go between the last two buildings and you'll see the luggage storage building. 3E per bag when we did it 2 years ago. They take a photocopy of your passport and place these pages with your luggage. You need your passport to get your luggage back. It's quite safe.

Jeff Larry has it nailed for your train from Florence to Pisa! Just a note. As Larry said, the trains in the Cinque Terre may be crowded. Once you reach the first of the 5 towns, the distances between them are very short and take minutes between the stations. Be ready with your luggage at the door as they just stop for a minute. Have fun in Cinque Terre. It is just as beautiful and nice as RS says. Bobbie

The train from La Spezia to Monterosso runs through all the CT villages - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso in that order - just a few minutes between the towns. Just hop off at Vernazza. Have a great time in the CT!