Help, am trying to suss out a direct train from Florence to La Spezia, and then on to Vernazza on a Sunday in July. Online sites (German and Italian) list up to 3 train stations in La Spezia: La Spezia Centrale, la Spezia Main Station, La Spezia Migliarina.
Which train station will I arrive at from Florence and is it the same one to depart from for Vernazza(Cinque Terra). I'd hate to lug my stuff around La Spezia looking for the other station for my trip to Vernazza.
Thanks for any insight.
You change trains at La Spezia Centrale. You can see this on the Trenitalia website by using the "details" button after seeing the options between florence and Vernazza. The list will just say "spezia", but hit the details button and scroll down to see the complete route with changes and times.
Thanks everyone. This has been most helpful. I now know that I need to depart from the Firenza S.M. Novella station in Florence to arrive at La Spezia Centrale, and from there, continue on to Vernazza.
Molte grazie!
Ellen---look carefully at the schedules. You'll see that some routes from Firenze SMN have 2 changes---one at Pisa and one at La Spezia. The departures at 57 minutes after the hour have only one change (at La Spezia) and take pretty much the same time. I'd go for one of those.
Also, having just returned from there and ridden those same trains, I'll say we found it advantgeous to purchase our tickets in advance, as we could never predict how long the lines might be at the machines and ticket counter. The trains you'll be on are mostly regional trains, so you don't need (and can't make) reservations for a particular train. Just buy a ticket in advance and be sure and stamp it before boarding.
Thank you again, Lola!
It certainly IS better to not have to switch trains twice with my luggage. I'll look to get one where I only have to switch in La Spezia.
Also good to know about getting tickets ahead of time. I realize that you can't order the Regional tickets online, but my friend will be in Florence one day before me, so I can ask her to get the tickets a day early.
Good to know about stamping before boarding. I read something about yellow "validation" stamp boxes. I'll keep an eye out. I'd hate to pay a fine.
Thank you again so much! I hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer.
