Train from Florence to Vernazza

Morgan, That's a very easy trip! There are numerous departures every day and typically one or two changes on that route. For example, there's a train departing Firenze SMN at 09:53, arriving Vernazza at 13:34 (time 3H:41M, one change at La Spezia Centrale). That particular route is a Regionale train, so it's IMPORTANT to validate your ticket prior to boarding the train, or you could face a hefty fine (which will be collected on the spot!). Other departures may also have a change at Pisa Centrale. If you're not familiar with changing trains, you may find it helpful to have a look at the "Rail Skills" chapter in Europe Through The Back Door. Happy travels!

Hi! Thank you for the response! How does one validate their ticket? At the station before you board the train? Also, once you get to La Spezia station, is that the station you stay at to get on the train that makes stops at all the CT towns? I'll be sure to have a look at the "Rail Skills" chapter. Thanks again! This is a big help!

Unless things have changed in the last couple years, there will be small yellow boxes near the entrance to the platform. Stick your ticket in and it will stamp or print a time and date on the ticket.

Morgan, As the previous reply mentioned, you'll place the ticket inside the yellow machine, which will time & date stamp it (that makes sure it can only be used that day). You may find it very helpful to have a look at This Excellent Website as there's lots of good information about travels in Italy. If you go to the page "Riding The Trains In Italy" and scroll down, you'll see a photo of the "yellow machines". In my experience, these are sometimes "broken" so in that case it's a good idea to write the time & date on the back (keep a Pen at hand). Note that you MUST validate before you board the train. If you're caught with an unvalidated ticket after the train has departed, that's when you could be fined. Cheers!

The German Rail has detailed timetables for virtually all of Europe. The Trenitalia will give you both timetables and fares, but to include regiional trains you must enter a date no more than seven days in advance.

There is only one primary way to the Cinque Terre from Florence and that will be via Pisa and La Spezia Centrale train stations. You may have to change trains at either of these two stations depending on the run. Rarely, you may have to change trains at both locations. All of these runs originate in the main Florence Santa-Maria Novella train station. All trains stopping at the five towns in the CT will usually stop at La Spezia Centrale before entering the CT. High-speeds rarely stop in the CT. Most trains will be the Regionale class trains which do require that you validate your tickets in the little yellow machine. For your journey, just purchase your ticket when you arrive in Florence. You can easily purchase the journey to Vernazza from Florence. You will receive one ticket for each train you are on. You will not recieve one ticket with all of the different trains. And yes, you must validate each ticket before getting on the train if the train is a Reginale train - which most to the CT and in the CT are. So you will be visiting the little yellow machine.

Thank you, everyone, for your help! I loved the German website. Very informative. Thanks again!