This is my first trip to Italy. I'm spending 2 weeks in Toscana and nearby area. After 6 days in Florence and Siena, I leave for Cinque Terre for 3 nights from Siena. My departure day happens to be on a Sunday. What is the most efficient and simple way to get to Monterosso al Mare from Siena on a Sunday with limited train and bus options. Thank you for your tips.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16055 posts
From your hotel take a taxi to the Siena train station (bottom of the hill, Siena is on a hill).
Choose the train that best fits your schedule from the schedule below:
enter:
From: SIENA
To: MONTEROSSO
Date: choose this Sunday, because if your trip is far in the future it won't be available. Schedules don't change much if at all from year to year.
Time: enter 00 (that way you see trains from the beginning of the morning).
You will need to change train a few times, depending on the solution you choose, most likely at Empoli, Pisa, and/or La Spezia. It's a long trip due to the numerous train changes (3.5 -4 hours)
You will be likely traveling almost totally on Regional trains, which offer no discounts and seats are not reserved (first come first served like on the NYC subway or the light rail in Portland, OR). Therefore no reason to purchase ahead. Buy your tickets at the Siena station when you depart. Remember to validate (date stamp) at the stamping machines the tickets next to the tracks before boarding the train (otherwise it's like traveling without a ticket and they give you a fine).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16055 posts
I'm not sure if you plan to rent a car at all while in the Tuscan countryside.
A car is helpful to have to visit small towns (but make sure you don't have a car while in Florence, because of the traffic restrictions).
If you rent a car while in Tuscany, you could return it at La Spezia (near the Cinque Terre) if it's any day except a Sunday (when all car rental in La Spezia are closed). If on a Sunday, you can return the car at the Pisa Airport (always open) then proceed by train.
Posted by
OP
Corvallis, Oregon
3 posts
Thank you for your very helpful response! I had not planned on renting a car but may consider it after your comment, especially if I find the train schedule and connections too difficult for me to navigate.
I wasn't able to see the Sunday train schedule on trenitalia.com. It kept redirecting me to lefrecce.it which safari couldn't open. I will attempt again later from a different computer.
Thank you again!
Posted by
OP
Corvallis, Oregon
3 posts
Finally was able to get train schedule!