We will be docking in Santa Margheria near Portofino from 8 AM to 8 PM for one day in May on a cruise. Is it easy to get to the Cinque Terre via bus or train for the day?? Thanks.
Posted by
Franklin, TN
316 posts
We took the train from Vernazza in the CT to Santa Margharita for the day. It was very easy. We had time to explore SM and take the bus to Portifino. It was a pleasant day. You could easily do it in reverse. The train that runs between the 5 towns is very easy to navigate. Do it!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9314 posts
What did you plan to do in CT?
What time will you actually get off the ship and what time do you actually have to be back on board?
I would stay closer to your ship
Visit SML, Portofino, Rapallo
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
562 posts
I took the train from Monterosso to SML and it was easy.
Posted by
Franklin, TN
316 posts
While taking the train to CT is definitely doable, after reading Christine’s reply, spending the day in SML, Portifino and Rapallo is not a bad option either. If visiting the CT is on your bucket list and this will be your only chance, maybe be ready to leave the ship as soon as it docks in the morning. You can pick one town (I would suggest Vernazza, Manarola or Riomaggiore) and spend the morning there. Eat lunch and head back. Then you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening there and not be in a rush to get back to the ship. You will get the feel for the CT, (and you can say that you’ve been there!) but still not miss out on the other places. That’s a good option too.
Posted by
OP
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
267 posts
Thank you for all your opinions. We have been to Portofino area before and been to Cinque Terre. It’s a long day from 8 AM to 8 PM so if we can take the train to the Cinque Terra early and be back in time to enjoy the Portofino area again that’s what we will do. I just wanted to make sure it was an easy train trip from Santa Margarita to the Chinque Terre. .