Trains to & from Vernazza in the Cinque Terra of Italy.

Joan, Travel from Genova to Vernazza will be very easy, as that's the northern "gateway" to the Cinque Terre. You'll most likely be departing from Genova Piazza Principe station. There are numerous direct trains each day (ie: no changes but several stops), so you'll have lots of choice. Check This Website for further information. You can use the same website to research your trip from Vernazza to Milan. On that trip, you'll travel either via Genova or La Spezia. For that trip, there will usually be at least one change (and perhaps two). Happy travels!

Ken, Thank you so very much for the very helpful info--the best I have received so far! I was able to find the schedule with lots of choice of trains. Thank you! I will be traveling in the first half of June, would you recommend making reservations now or at least ahead of time vs. getting the tickets when I arrive in Genoa? Thanks,
Joan

Ken, Thank you so very much for the very helpful info--the best I have received so far! I was able to find the schedule with lots of choice of trains. Thank you! I will be traveling in the first half of June, would you recommend making reservations now or at least ahead of time vs. getting the tickets when I arrive in Genoa? Thanks,
Joan

Joan, I'd recommend buying your tickets when you arrive in Italy (that's what I do). It's very easy, either at staffed ticket windows or using the automated Kiosks (credit card may be required). If you purchase the day prior to travel, you may be able to get the new Mini fares which are substantially discounted. You won't need reservations on all trains, and with some (Regional trains) it's not even possible to get reservations. If you check the details on whichever route you're considering, there will be a small "R" at the right side, which indicates reservations are compulsory. I'd suggest having a look at This Excellent Website for information on rail travel in Italy, including ticket purchase. There's lot of great information throughout that website, if you have time to browse. Another website you can use for researching rail trips is Deutsche Bahn. Although that's the German Rail site, they have listings for other countries as well. Finally, you may find it helpful to read the Rail Skills chapter in Europe Through The Back Door. If you haven't travelled by train in Europe before, there's a lot of good tips there. You could also download the free PDF Rail Guide from this website - click the "Railpasses" tab at the top of this page and then click the link in the lower right corner. Cheers!

Thanks again Ken for the great information! I really appreciate it!
Joan

Ken, For some reason when I go to the Trenitalia website & type in La Spezia, Italy as my origin & Milan, Italy as my destination I keep getting the same message that "There is no station which corresponds to the search criteria." I have been trying for months now thinking there might be a minimum advance time that you can view schedules. But as of today I still get the same message. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks ,
Joan

Joan - don't put the Italy in if you are on trenitalia La Spezia Centrale for the origin. Milano Centrale for the destination or perhaps one of the other stations in Milan

Ron, It still won't work even when I don't put in Italy. I have tried it with Genova Brignole and also Genova Principe as my starting point & Milano Centrale as my destination. I get "no solution found." However, on a Swiss site and also on Rail Europe I have found a schedules of many trains for that trip. Thanks,
Joan

works for me if I just use Genova

Ron, It still doesn't work with only Genova. I still get the "no solution found" message. I have the One Way box checked at the top and I entered the date 14/06/2011 for departure.
Joan

Ok I see the problem. You are looking too far out. The schedules change in June and trenitalia is slow to update. Try searching using the same day of the week but using a date in the next couple of weeks.