Hello. When booking my train am I better off booking Venice to La Spezia and getting a ticket to Manarola there? Or should I book it to Manarola (as that is where we are staying). The time difference is approx 1 hour of arrival and I thought La Spezia was only 11 minute train to Manarola? It just seems like wasted time. Also, I was told I need to buy a walking pass in La Spezia. Do i have to get it there or can I just keep going to Manarola and buy one there? Thank you!!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Yes, it's an 11-minute ride from La Spezia to Manarola. However, it looks like you will arrive in La Spezia just after a local train has left and you will have to wait an hour for the next one. The standard 2nd class fare for Venezia Mestre to Firenze on high-speed Eurostar Italia trains is €43. However, if you book well in advance on the Trenitalia site, you can get a Mini fare as low as €17. You will take regional trains from Venezia Santa Lucia to Venezia Mestre, Firenze to La Spezia, and La Spezia to Manarola. There is no discount for advance purchase on regional trains. Buy your tickets for those legs when you get to Venice. According to about.com, you can buy the walking pass at the tourist information office in each of the villages.
Posted by
OP
Boston, Ma, USA
17 posts
Thank you for your feedback Tim. I just have a question on the Mini fare? Where do you see this option. I hav been putting in venice to manarola (would it not give me that option if I don't book them sepereatly?) Like Venice to Florence, pay and then book the remainder of the trip? Ideally I would like to save as much as possible on travel, but want it to be convenient as well. Thank you
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You're welcome, Bethany. The Mini fare won't appear if you try to book tickets all the way. It will appear if you book only Venezia Mestre-Firenze because that's the train on your route that offers that fare.