Please sign in to post.

Trenitalia tickets from Pisa to la spezia in cinque terre

Hello,

I have been trying for a week to purchase Trenitalia tickets from Pisa Central to La Spezia in Cinque Terra but I see only two trains available for June 30 with one sold out. And the schedule does not work for the only train available. Returning on July 4 and not many trains available on that day too.

I read somewhere that it is because the full train schedule past June 12, 2016 is not released yet. But is there way to really confirm that and if so when the train schedule would be released for us to purchase the tickets? Anyone with any insight?

Thank you,
Shrey

Posted by
715 posts

My guess is that is the issue. If you try an earlier Wednesday, say May 19th you get many choices.

Posted by
16893 posts

Yes, the schedule change is the reason, together with the fact that these are regional trains, which usually are not confirmed until right before the change date. There is no benefit to buying regional train tickets online, so plan to buy them in any train station. See schedules before June 12 for a good idea of what the schedule will be.

Posted by
23177 posts

Look at the schedule for next week. Very little difference between now and then. Second, the trains are either intercity requiring a reservation for about 10E or Regionale for 7.50E. The intercity takes about an hour and the regionale takes about hour, 15. There are lots of trains. There is a regionale train about every 30 minutes. I would go with the Regionale simply because of the flexibility and the difference is only a few minutes. You can get on any regionale train at any time. And, more importantly, do not buy any regionale ticket on line - comes with restrictions that you don't need or want. I would buy the regionale train tickets when I was in Pisa.

Posted by
32171 posts

Shrey,

Where are you getting your schedule information? As the others have mentioned, there are numerous trains on that route every day, and especially with the Regionale trains, they don't sell-out. Is La Spezia your final destination, or are you staying in one of the five towns?

There's no reason to buy tickets in advance on that particular route. Simply buy them when you arrive at Pisa Centrale, either from a Kiosk or staffed ticket office. Even if one of the trains you'll be using is an Intercity or Freccia, the distance is so short that the advance purchase discounts would be minimal and you wouldn't save much.

One important point to mention. With locally purchased Regionale tickets, you MUST validate (time & date stamp) them prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!

Posted by
16893 posts

Ken, it is the date issue - June 30. All schedule resources will reflect the same issue.

Posted by
23177 posts

The point that everyone is trying to make is - Don't worry about not seeing only two trains and one sold out. My guess is the sold out is not. Just look next week. The same trains available next week will also be available on June 30th and July 4th. The exact times may be altered a bit but there will be just as many trains then as there is today. Second, buy Regionale train tickets when you get there. No point in buying reserved tickets.

Posted by
32171 posts

Laura, the schedule change seemed like the most likely problem but I was just curious on which website the OP was using to check schedules.

Posted by
3 posts

Hi All,

THANK YOU all very much for taking the time to read and respond. I feel better now that you all have confirmed that the tickets are not available only because the schedule is not released yet. (@Ken, I was checking on trenitalia's website itself. And final destination is livanto outside of all the villages of Cinque Terre where we have booked a hotel stay). Its getting to be the peak season too so was wanted to make sure the tickets are not sold out. I did not know that buying the tickets at the train station for the regionale trains was an option because of availability. That's great to know. @Frank, thank you!

Best,
Shrey

Posted by
32171 posts

shrey,

Thanks for the clarification and it's great to hear that you've got this all sorted. Levanto is only about 5 minutes and one stop beyond Monterosso, so it's very easy to get to. As I mentioned above, for that trip it's just as easy to buy the tickets when you arrive a Pisa Centrale (are you flying into Pisa airport?). Also as mentioned, DO NOT forget to validate tickets prior to boarding the train for any Regionale trains you'll be using.

When you arrive in Levanto, it's about a 10-15 minute walk from the station to the main part of town. It's not a difficult walk, but with luggage I'd probably use a Taxi.

Buon Viaggio!

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you again. Yes flying into Pisa from JFK. Getting tickets at Pisa centrale after arriving will be better because of the Flexibiltiy. The hotel said they were a 10 minute cab ride from the train station. So will do that since we will have luggage. Thank you.

Posted by
23177 posts

A Regionale train is unreserved. Never sells out. You validate your ticket (time stamp), get on and find a seat. No seat. Stand till one becomes available.