Cinque Terre

Margaret, Hiring a Bus is NOT the option I'd suggest (unless you have a very "generous" travel budget). The absolute best method for getting between the five towns of the Cinque Terre is to use the cheap and frequent local trains. The Bus would likely be parked and gathering dust in La Spezia for the whole day. In the same situation, I'd take a Taxi from the docks to the Livorno Centrale rail station and take the train from there. You'll need to change trains at La Spezia, but that's not a big deal. The train options will vary slightly, depending on which ones you use. Some trains between Livorno and La Spezia (ie: Freccia fast trains) require compulsory reservations, which will be included with the tickets. You'll be assigned a specific Car and Seat No. Buying your tickets on the day of travel means you'll likely be paying full price (~€15 PP). The trip from Livorno to Riomaggiore is ~1H:30M each way. The trains from La Spezia to each of the towns are usually Regionale trains, so no reservations possible. HOWEVER, be sure to validate your ticket in the yellow machine prior to boarding, or you'll risk a hefty fine which will be collected on the spot. You might consider starting by taking the train from La Spezia to Riomaggiore (~9 minutes) and then hiking the famous Via dell'Amore to Manarola. There's a small Bar part way along where you can get a "cool one" and enjoy the view. If you want to visit the next town (Corniglia), you'll need to go by train. The town is high on a bluff, but there's a Shuttle from the station. Use trains from Corniglia to Vernazza and then Monterosso. At the appointed time, return to La Spezia for the trip back to Livorno and the ship. Allow extra time as the trains can be BUSY in the afternoons. continued....

Margaret - Part 2..... Note that a Park Pass is required to hike any of the trails. You might consider buying a Cinque Terre Treno card when you arrive in Riomaggiore, as that both allows hiking the trails as well as riding back and forth on the local trains. Check the Guidebook for details. As I recall, that has to be validated also, before first use. You can research all the train departure times and other details by using the www.trenitalia.com website. One other point to mention is that the local trains can be a bit "chaotic" especially in the afternoons. The rides are usually short, so I don't find that to be a problem. You may also find it helpful to read Rick's new Mediterranean Cruise Ports Guidebook, which has lots of great information on day tours from cruise ships. Happy travels!

Margaret, you will never see tourist buses in the CT towns. There are local mini-buses but not tourist buses. The train is the only reasonable way to get to the CT and back to resume your cruise. Frist, you don't indicate when your cruise ship docks. This would be helpful. Next, you will have competition getting a taxi from the boat to the train station. This could delay your departure by train. Assuming that your ship is in by 8:00am, the first train going north to the CT from Livorno Centrale departs at 9:17. This is a high-speed train so you will need seat reservations which you will get when you purchase the ticket. There is a train change in La Spezia Centrale to a train going to Monterosso departing at 10:40. You arrive in Monterrosso at 10:54 looking at current schedules. While in the La Spezia train station, you could buy a 1-day Cinque Terre Treno card at the TI which is also located in the station (at least it used to be). You have 27 mintues between trains. Tour Monterosso. Walk the old town and the new town. It's now about 11:45. Use your Treno card to travel to Vernazza. Tour Vernazza and have lunch. It's now about 1:00pm to 1:30pm. Take the train to Manarola. Tour Manarola and then take the world famous Via del'Amore trail to Riomaggiore. It's flat and the walk takes about 25 minutes. Very scenic. Tour Riomaggiore. Your tours of Manarola and Riomaggiore should be brief. It's now about 2:45pm. If you finalize your tour of Manarola about 2:30 or so, I suggest you skip the trail walk and take the train back to Livorno. If you can finish Riomaggiore by 2:45pm, you have a possible train at 2:26pm back to Livorno. Don't miss the 2:53pm train. This arrives at 4:48pm. It will then take you about 30 minutes to get back on board the ship. It's a tight schedule.