Venice to CT (Vernazza)

I dont think there are any IC train go to Riomaggiore. Most likely you have to change to R (regional) train some where before you get to CT. La Spezia will be a good place to change to R train since most local trains to CT will stop there.
Have a good trip!

Rick, Thanks for the Great books! And show! We also are using your Southern Spain book and after a week in Italy we will visit Andulusia and Morocco for a week. Anyway, I also understood that the IC only went to La Spezia. However Trenitalia has a schedule with a stop at Riomagione and another source said that they run up to Genoa with an occational stop in Rio. If so, I guess that it doesn't really matter if we pick up the local at La Spezia or Rio. Does the CT local go out of the same station at La Spezia? Buy tickets for the local at the station?
Many Thanks Again, Jim

@ Jim, the Webmaster likes us to clarify that all posted responses are from the traveling public and are not supplied by Rick Steves or Europe Through the Back Door staff members (unless specifically noted). Thus the Rick of Bellevue who answered your question (1st post) is not the Rick (our apologies to Rick of Bellevue). The Rick doesn't personally read the Helpline, we've been told, although he approves of the little community that's developed here. And about " Riomagione" - It's going to be easier for you, on internet searches and such, if you spell it Riomaggiore. The rest of your questions can be answered, pretty much, if you go to this website http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en and look at the details of the train schedules. You'll want to check out total time, total # of train changes, and other info. Let us know if we can answer any other questions. Have a great trip!

Kent, thanks. Jim, you can buy train tickets at any CT train stations. No problem.
Have a good trip!

Jim, That's a reasonably easy trip, and the shortest travel time is about 5H:20M (that will depend on which train you choose). On that route, there are usually two changes, usually in Florence and either La Spezia or Sarzana (again depending on which train you choose). Another source to check the exact route is The Trenitalia Website (click the "English" tab at the top). The current second class fare is listed at €53.70, but you may be able to qualify for the "Mini" or other discounted fares if you buy the tickets a day or two prior to travel. Check This Excellent Website for lots of good information on rail travel in Italy. A few points to note when researching fares, you'll need to use Venezia Santa Lucia as your departure point (there are two stations in Venice). There's only one station in Vernazza. Once you reach La Spezia, it's only a few minutes to Vernazza. For example, the trip from La Spezia to Riomaggiore is only 8 - 9 minutes. Happy travels!

Thank you all for the corrections and advice. We want this vacation, our 30th aniversity, to be as trouble free as possible. Doing all of the planning for our first Eupopean trip is somewhat daunting. Sorry for any violation of protocol. Jim
Mequon, WI

Jim, Not to worry. There was no violation, just a misconception. And anyway, the only penalties here are inflicted by the regulars on other regulars. I discovered RS and the hotline when I planned my first Italian adventure 2 years ago. The help and advice I got here was invaluable (thank you one and all) and I had a great trip. So come back and ask away. I vaguely remember that there was a local CT train pass and it may have been connected with the park pass. You need the park pass to hike the trails. I transferred at La Spezia to the local CT train, no problem.