Traveling from Siena to Monterrosa al mare

Rome2Rio.com lists this as a 2hr and 54 minute drive of 135miles. (Driving is slightly quicker than the fastest train or train/bus combo). I wonder if this wouldn't be an easier option than trying to connect a bus/train itinerary?

Is this your first trip to Italy? Are you comfortable driving a manual (stick shift) car? What is the full itinerary for your trip (number of nights and locations)?

On Trenitalia the fastest train route with least changes appears to be something like this:

09:18 Siena
10:20 Empoli
Travel time: 01:02
Train: Regionale 23464

10:27 Empoli -- Note the tight connection time!--
12:20 La Spezia Centrale
Travel time: 01:53
Train: Regionale 23353

12:25 La Spezia Centrale -- Note the tight connection time!--
12:41 Monterosso
Travel time: 00:16
Train: Regionale Veloce 2518

It would be tough (but not impossible) to make these connections (as long as all the trains run on time) If one train is a bit late, or if you have trouble navigating to the next train there's a possibility you might miss the connection and have to wait at the station for a while to catch the next train which will make the day much longer. (This happened to my husband and I on our last trip traveling through other Italian cities and it kind of stinks to be stuck for several hours if there's nothing exciting to do/see near the particular station your in).

It shouldn't be all that bad. Just plugging this Sunday's date into the Trenitalia website, the journey can take anywhere from over 4 hours with 3 train changes to 3 hours, 11 minutes with just two changes, and a range in between so you have lots to choose from.

The one taking 3 hours/11minutes leaves at 11:41 AM. It changes in Empoli and Pisa, and arrives at 14:52 PM. I'm also seeing a 6:36 AM train with just one change (Empoli). That one takes nearly four hours but would have you there by 10:35 AM

So in the end, it can depend on whether you're wanting to get to Monterosso as early as possible in the day or spend less time on a train? Oh, and you'll probably want to take the local bus to the train station in Siena as it's outside of the city's center.

Anyway, it really won't be that arduous at all. :O)

Carole,

Just wondering... do you have any intentions to visit Florence before heading to Monterosso?

This option would break up your trip a bit if you choose to do it this way.

Thank you so much for the information. While a car sounds like a good idea, driving is not an option for us.

We are planning to arrive in Florence and stay for three days, then spend two in Siena and then three days in Cinque Terre and we will return to Florence for the remaining two night since we are departing from there. We might spend a day in Lucca.

We have been to Italy a number of times, but never had the opportunity to visit Tuscany and the Cinque Terre.

As you explain the train travel, I think it is manageable. Thank you again.
I am currently looking for guides to the wine regions. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate it.

Carole, you'll be fine. Just post back if you get confused about schedules?

Thanks again. I'm not familiar with Trenitalia and will check it out. If I get in trouble I just might check back as you suggested.

Carole, Trenitalia is Italy's national railway. Here's the website in English:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=4ddd1a035296f310VgnVCM1000005817f90aRCRD

You do NOT have to pre-purchase tickets for this journey: do it on the day you're leaving Siena or from a ticket window the day before, if leaving on a very early train. That way you can do it with a human during business hours instead of machine, if you're nervous about that. Use the website just to explore your options. Without pulling up the schedules I looked at yesterday, I seem to recall that the entire journey will be on regional trains - which don't have seat assignments so you just hop on (validate your tickets!!!).

When you start typing "Monterosso" for your destination station, you'll notice that two choices pop up: choose just plain"Montersosso" and not "Monterosso Marche."

We enjoy rail travel in Italy as trains are sort of a novelty when we live. It's a great time to just relax, watch the world fly by, catch up with your journal or do some more reading about your next destination. Feel free to bring beverages and snacks, too.

If you can change the sequence of your itinerary and do the Cinque Terre after Florence, it will save you time and train changes.