We are arriving by train in La Spezia, and staying at a hotel in the hills above Vernazza. I believe that the local "milk train" will get us from La S to Ver, but then not sure how to get to the hotel. Have tried to email the hotel re this, but so far, no response (which causes me concern about that place for other reasons...). Does anyone know if there are taxis or shuttle vans in that area ? The road downhill from the hotel to town looks to be a couple of miles, very curvy, and may not be a reasonable daily walk for us to get to the coastal towns and beaches, etc.
Any suggestions are most welcome - thanks.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
if you're not going peak season you can ask locals to find you a room on your arrival, just ask any gift shop or coffee shop owner, and they'll figure out a place for you. it's probably somebody's house in the town so shouldn't be very much walk and generally good value. the owner will come to get you so you don't have to drag your luggage for too long. there is no taxi or bus in these towns, you have to walk a bit, that's why staying at somebody's home you know you're pretty close to the harbor (this is where all the good food and nice views are).
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
What is your hotel? A hotel way up on the hills outside the city is not good for going daily to the downhill town. (I strongly disagree with the above-mentioned suggestion of asking locals for rooms. IT is a recipe for being stuck with expensive makeshift accommodations. Stay at a proper hotel).
Posted by
Seattle
50 posts
Hi Leslie-
I think your post will get more views if you post "To the Boot" instead of "To the West!"
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
leslie, It would help if you could provide the name of the hotel and the approximate location. It's difficult to know what "in the hills above Vernazza" refers to. Yes, the local trains will indeed get you from La Spezia to Vernazza and the other towns. I suspect that guests at the hotel you're referring to normally arrive by car, and therefore the location is not a problem. However one thing to keep in mind is that access to "non resident" vehicles may still be limited in Vernazza, as I'm not sure if the parking facilities have been re-built after the Oct. 2011 floods. AFAIK, only vehicles belonging to local residents and service vehicles are permitted in the town. You might consider changing hotels or changing towns, as being "up in the hills" will not allow you to enjoy the ambience in Vernazza in the evenings as much. Happy travels!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
My experience in some of the towns is that there are local mini-buses that take you up and down the hills. I don't think they go between the towns. They let the train and the ferry do that. You can confirm this with your hotel. About 1,50Euro per ride. Also, you can stop in any TI office in the CT (there's one in the La Spezia Centrale train station) and buy the Cinque Terre Treno card. It provides unlimited train rides from La Spezia to Levanto for a specific amount of days. This card also lets you ride the mini-buses. It also covers the fares on the famous trails should they be open.
Posted by
Austin, Texas, USA
572 posts
I fell into a trap like this on a visit to the CT many years ago. The "hotel in the hills above Vernazza" looked very nice on the website and their map made it look really close to town. However, what I did not realize until we arrived was the only way there was up the trail to Corniglia. That was an oversight I have promised to never make again. After looking at the map again it said "not to scale" in little print on the bottom. The views were great, but getting up there and back down for dinner, gelato, etc. was a major pain. I hope you have a better experience than we did.