Any suggestions on getting to and from Vernazza and Porto Fino on Saturday June 14th, 2014 ? Thanks in advance !!!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16689 posts
You can take the train from Vernazza to Santa Margherita Ligure, then from Santa Mrgherita there are buses to Portofino.
http://www.trenitalia.com
There are also boats operating boat trips in Summer, but the timetable is not available now.
http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.net
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32478 posts
Marco,
As Roberto mentioned, that trip is very easy and you'll have several different options to get from S. Margherita to Portofino. Travel time by train between Vernazza and S. Margherita Ligure-Portofino will be about 1 to 1.5 hours each way.
If you decide to go from S. Margherita to Portofino by boat, as I recall you can buy boat tickets in the small Bar behind the rail station. You'll have a short walk down a wide staircase to the harbour area. Cross the street and follow the harbour around to the right (you'll probably see the boats). I believe the boats depart hourly, and if you have a short wait for the next boat, there's a small park nearby where you'll have some shade while you're waiting. The boat trip is about 20 minutes, and as you enter the small enclosed harbour, there will probably be at least a couple of posh yachts parked there.
In addition to taking the Bus from the rail station in S. Marghertia, I believe one can also hike to Portofino although that's not something I've ever done.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16899 posts
If you're traveling with Rick's Italy book, you can see the train, bus, and boat options described on pages 477 and 487-8. You're in luck - Italian regional train schedules are published through June 14. How to Look Up Train Schedules Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it (but it's not for buying most tickets in Italy).