I've checked the trenitalia website for schedules of trains and cannot find anything available for the morning of September 9th to Cinque Terre. There are 8 of us who must arrive before 5:00 pm to claim our rooms in Riomaggiore. Help! it's our first time and none of us knows what we are doing. Someone suggested getting tickets once we arrive - is that really safe, or could they be sold out? Are they sold out already and that's why an earlier train is not available? (I wasn't kidding when I said I know nothing). We are also leaving for Rome on the 12th and would like to arrive in Rome rather early. Do I purchase tickets for that at the same time I buy for Venice to CT? THANKS for your expert advice.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
368 posts
According to trenitalia.com there is a train leaving Venice at 745AMish and arriving in Riomaggiore around 2PM.
As for using their site to purchase, I have no idea... :-)
Posted by
OP
Dayton, OH, USA
52 posts
On one site I see it on the sked....on another it does not offer any morning options at all. Does anyone know where I can purchase tickets this week, before we go?
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
Why dont you do a google search for all the RR webpages and use the toll free phone number to call those agencies selling tickets?
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
Venice to La Spezia would be a route that would get you to the CT. There are frequent local trains from La Spezia to Riomaggiore; you won't need a reservation for this part of the trip.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Kathie, CLICK HERE to see the morning train schedule from Venice to La Spezia Centrale. From La Spezia, you are one stop away from Riomaggiore (8 minutes). Looks like you can depart as late as 9:00am for a 14:38 arrival in La Spezia. From La Spezia, train departures for Riomaggiore are at 15:00, 15:10, 15:25 and 16:01. There are more later.
I have routed you from Venezia-Santa Lucia to La Spezia Centrale. If you were to ask Trenitalia for Venezia-Santa Lucia to Riomaggiore, you get slightly different train routings. Just for comparison, CLICK HERE to see the schedule from Venice to Riomaggiore. Either way, you are fine.
If you are staying in the CT for 2-3 days or more, I would suggest the following. Route from Venice to La Spezia. At the La Spezia train station, go into the Tourist Information (TI) office in the station and buy a Cinque Terre Treno card. They come in 1,2,3 and 7-day varieties. This card permits unlimited train travel for the validated period in the CT and farther north to Levanto, free travel on the coastal trails and free rides on the mini-buses in the towns. It's really a nice card. Then, you walk outside to the platform and jump on the next train to Riomaggiore. This ride will be included in the pass. Don't worry about 9 people. The local trains in the CT are almost all local R trains. You get on and try and find a seat. If none, you stand. In the high season, the CT trains can be quite packed. Again, don't worry. It's the local culture there.
Posted by
OP
Dayton, OH, USA
52 posts
Wow...thank you so much, Larry.
Do you think I should book tickets before we go (on Saturday) for the Venice/CT portion of the trip?
If so, where do I book them?
Kathie
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Kathie, there is no place at this time to pre-book your Italy train tickets. If this were France or some other countries, you could purchase online and print them out. No so with Trenitalia for Americans. I assume that you are flying into Venice Marco Polo. I would suggest getting checked into your hotel and when you get a breather, have your first gelato and do either of the following: 1) ask your hotel people for a nearby travel agency. Tickets there can cost a tad more but can be quite convenient. Or, 2) take the vaporetto to the train station (Ferrovia stop). It's on the Grand Canal so you'll enjoy the whole adventure. Go into the train station and use the self-service machine. The self-service machine will prompt you in English, will prompt you for the date, time and train run, will assign seat numbers on train runs that require them and will accept your American credit card. You may have to purchase all 9 tickets at once to be assured of sitting together. If the self-service machine isn't a suitable choice, you can go to the ticket window. However, if you go to the window, have all of your travel information down on paper to hand to the agent. English is often a 3rd language for agents behind Italian, French or German. We found it a bit challenging to talk to, and understand, the agent. We did have our schedule written down and had no trouble getting our tickets.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
187 posts
The Trenatalia website is difficult to use from the US. I bought train tickets for the trip to Cinque Terre in Venice a couple of days ahead at the American Express office nar St. Marks Square. Their staff spoke English and were very helpful. It costs a little bit more but was worth it to me. Then I bought tickets to Rome a day or so ahead while in the Cinque Terre. The train station staff helped me and it worked just fine. In hindsight, I would worry more about trying to do it myself here using the Trenatalia website than buying tickets in Italy.
Posted by
OP
Dayton, OH, USA
52 posts
Thank you. You all have been so helpful. I've made notes and stuck them into my Rick Steve's book(s).
Im' ready to try it!