Train from Rome to Cinque Terre--Book in Advance?

Only if you want to save money, but lock yourself into a specific train time. They sell like airline tickets, cheap fare = specific train itinerary. Higher fare, travel when show up at the station.

Example on Trenitalia is that route tomorrow shows 46 to 64 euro depending on what time you depart. That will most likely be your range if you take the day off train and buy your ticket that day. You have more flexibility this way depending what time you want to leave.

If you change the date to late in august there are trains from 23 euro to 49 euro. So you can see the savings by booking in advance. But you are locked into that train time.

So evaluate if you want savings or flexibility.

tim,

I'd suggest checking the schedules on the Trenitalia website to see if there are any discounted tickets left on the direct trains from Roma Termini to La Spezia Centrale on the day you'll be travelling. There are direct departures at 06:15, 06:57 and 09:57, among others. From La Spezia, you'll take the Cinque Terre Express to Manarola.

When you buy tickets, be sure to specify your actual destination, and don't forget to validate the ticket on the C.T. Express before boarding. The tickets for the first segment from Rome to La Spezia will have compulsory seat reservations, which will be provided with your tickets.

If there are no discounted Super Economy or Economy tickets left for the first segment, there's no advantage to buying advance tickets. Just buy them at the station a day or two prior to travel at the station in Rome as the prices will be the same. The Kiosks are very easy to use and that will avoid standing a long queue at the ticket office.