HEllo. My usband and I travleing to Italy in a few weeks. Our first stop is Rome, then to Cinque Terre followed by Florence. What is the best/fastest way to get to Cinque Terre from Rome?
Also, we are renting a car to drive around the hill towns. Should we just rent the car in Florence and drive from there to CT?
Any and all options, please.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Ash,
The easiest and quickest way to travel from Rome to the Cinque Terre is via train. There's a direct train from Roma Termini to La Spezia, with a travel time of about four hours. The trip is fairly short and quite pleasant.
When you arrive at La Spezia, transfer to the local train for the trip to whichever of the five villages you'll be staying in.
When you buy your ticket in Rome, be sure to specify your end destination (one of the villages) so that you don't have to buy another ticket in La Spezia.
Travel from the Cinque Terre to Florence is also easy by train (one or two changes are likely though).
Regarding driving in Italy, note that you'll require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. These can be obtained for reasonable cost at any AAA office.
You might also want to check some of the previous posts here regarding the "ZTL areas" that are increasingly common in many towns, ESPECIALLY Florence. Each time drivers pass by one of the automated Cameras, a €100+ violation ticket is issued.
Happy travels!