Siena to Corniglia

For current advice what day are you traveling in June
http://www.trenitalia.com/

it Acutually looks Siena to Empoli is the shortest after I searched.

Hi Jazz+Travels,

I'll be travelling on June 19th heading to Corniglia. I even considered taking a bus to Pisa and going on from there by train but I don't think it would be any easier for me to do that. But please let me know if I'm wrong.

Are you familiar with the Pisa airport at all? I ask because I'm flying in to Pisa on June 14th and taking the train to Siena from there. I'm a little worried about using the trains because I keep reading different things about which train line requires this and another one requires that etc. Is it really that complicated?

As an additional question I'm also considering going to Portofino one day while I'm in the Cinque Terre. Any advice on the best way to get there?

Thanks so much for your help!
Eva

Take the train it is real easy. Furthermore from what I see there is only one bus a day from Siena to Pisa. Only use the official train Trenitalia website to book your train and do not pay attention what people say sometimes here in my opinion they give unnecessary information that only confuses the novice traveler
http://www.trenitalia.com/

You put the city you want to leave from and the city you want to arrive in the date and the time. And that its and look at the results and pick one with minimum connections. The only thing is when you know you have a connection you have to pay attention. You should try in advance to research how many stops before yours.

You are going to have to take the new People Mover train from the Airport to Pisa Centrale Train Station to catch the train to Siena.

http://www.pisa-airport.com/en/the-passengers/transport/people-mover.html

I was in Siena last January and in Corniglia and Pisa last July. I went to Pisa on a day trip from Corniglia.

How to get to Portofino
This is the train you want
From Corniglia to S. Margherita Ligure-Portofino
Then you either take a Taxi or Catch bus 82 from outside the S. Margherita Ligure-Portofino station to Portofino. Purchase tickets before boarding from the station cafe. 3 euro one way, 5 euro return. Some people who know what they are doing even walk/

Thank you so much Jazz! Very helpful and I feel more at ease about the train travel. I just have to remember to validate them before I get on.

Do you advise buying the train tickets from home before I go or is there only a minimal price difference. If so then I will just buy them as I need them.

How did you enjoy Siena, Pisa and Corniglia? Amazing that I'll be staying in all 3 places as well. Any must sees or tips that are out of the ordinary that you can suggest?

Did you ever try the ferries when you were staying in Corniglia?

I really appreciate all your help! You've been great!!!

If you buy them at home you don't have to worry about stamping them that is one good thing.
The conductor will scan the QR code on the e-ticket. It definitely makes things easier more organized when you are not familiar with a place. No need to stand in line to buy a ticket or at the kiosk looking over your shoulder to make sure no one is trying to put a hand in your pocket. All you need to do is look at the screen to see what platform your train is going to be on. Cut out the steps you need to take from the comfort of your home before you travel, that's my motto. Just remember to print that stuff out before you go but keep in mind most hotels can do that for you if need be as the tickets come as PDF file attached in your email when you buy it.

I always buy in advance the more complicated stuff or to towns that I intend to use as a base to explore other towns. For example I bought my train ticket from the airport when I got to Rome last January. I bought my ticket to Pisa when I got to my base in Monterosso al mare. I was in Perugia last July 3 days and bought my day trip ticket to Assissi.

The Duomo is the highlight of Siena. After you see enough medieval towns they all start to look about the same to me no matter what country but there is always one building that tops it and the Duomo there is it. But unfortunately there are the human traffic jams

Actually I did not stay in Pisa which I found good as a day trip. To me It was worth an hour after you see the tower.
Corniglia? It is just part of visiting the whole Cinque Terre which is great especially the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza.
I did not do any ferries. I actually stayed in Monterosso al mare which is about a ten minute train ride or 3 hour scenic hike to Corniglia.

Thanks for your time and help.

I have just one more question and then I'll leave you alone :)

If I buy my train ticket ahead of time, do I have to be on the train at a certain time? In other words what if my ticket is for 1:00pm but I don't get out of the airport until 2:00?

Thanks again!

You should only buy a train ticket from the airport that is good all day and does not require that you take it at a scheduled time. it will say "this ticket is good for travel anytime this day from this point to this point."

For example I bought my train ticket to Rome from the airport when I got there because I did not know whether or not if my flight was going to be delayed. But it turns out that the ticket was good all day.

I have found that trains from the airport to the city that you can buy in advance are usually only good for that day.

Thank you for all your help!

Cheers!

You don't mention how many days/nights you will be in Corniglia but personally, I wouldn't bother to go to Portofino. What would be the purpose? IMHO, the 5 villages are much more beautiful than Portofino.

Hi

I will be in cinque terre for 6 nights. I thought it might be nice to see it but I don't want to waste my time either. Do you think Portovenere is worth a visit? I was also considering maybe taking the train to Sarzana one day to explore a little. Or am I better off staying put and exploring the five towns and trails?

I appreciate the advice.

Portovenere is worth it. Take the ferry from one of the five towns. The view of the church as you round the promontory is well worth it.

Thank you jkc and cbrochu30

That's another question answered. Portofino or Portovenere?

I was considering taking a ferry one day while there so now I have a clearer plan for the day. I read that the islands near Portovenere are beautiful as well. Are they worth hopping off the ferry for a closer visit?

I've not been to Portovenere or Sarzana. But have been to Lucca. Beautiful little walled town. That would be another option for a day trip.
Sarzana? Not at all familiar with this town.

I've read about how beautiful Lucca is and plan to go there my last day when I'm in Pisa. I understand that it only takes a couple of hours to view the sights there so I could see all there is to see in Pisa the first afternoon that I'm there. Sarzana is a town right at the foot of the Alps on the rail line. It looks beautiful from the pictures I've seen. It is on the way to Fosdinova which was a recommended town to visit as well.