You have seen the photos: colorful houses clinging to cliffs above the turquoise Mediterranean Sea.
This is Cinque Terre (The Five Lands). And the best way to see it is NOT by car (parking is impossible) and NOT by boat (expensive). It is by train.
The “Cinque Terre Express” connects all five villages in just 20 minutes. It is basically a subway system with a sea view.
Here is how to navigate the crowds and buy the right card.
The 5 Villages (South to North)
The train runs through tunnels inside the cliffs, popping out at each station.
- Riomaggiore: The first stop from La Spezia. Famous for its dramatic harbor.
- Manarola: The one with the best sunset view (and the famous restaurant Nessun Dorma).
- Corniglia: The quiet one. The station is at sea level, but the village is 382 steps up on the hill! (Shuttle bus available).
- Vernazza: The classic beauty with a castle tower and a beach in the harbor.
- Monterosso al Mare: The biggest one. The only one with a proper sand beach and flat terrain.
The “Cinque Terre Treno Card” (Crucial!)
Do not buy individual tickets every time you hop on. It’s annoying and expensive.
Buy the Cinque Terre Treno Card.
- What it includes:
- Unlimited train travel between La Spezia and Levanto (covering all 5 villages).
- Access to all hiking trails (The Blue Trail).
- Use of station toilets (usually €1, free with card).
- Station Wi-Fi.
- Price (2025): Approx €18 – €32 per day (varies by season/crowds).
- Where to buy: At any train station in Cinque Terre or online.
The Route: La Spezia is the Gateway
Most tourists stay in La Spezia (the big city next door) because hotels are cheaper.
- La Spezia Centrale is the hub.
- Trains run every 15-20 minutes.
- Ride time between villages is only 3-5 minutes.
Is it Scenic? (The Tunnel Truth)
Warning: The train spends 80% of the time inside dark tunnels.
- You do NOT see the view while riding between villages.
- You DO see the view when you step off the train onto the platform (especially in Manarola and Riomaggiore).
- Exceptions: The stretch near Corniglia has some sea views.
How to Avoid the Crowds
Cinque Terre is overcrowded.
- Start Early: Be on the 8:00 AM train. By 11:00 AM, the platforms are packed.
- Go Reverse: Most people start in Riomaggiore. Start in Monterosso (the furthest north) and work your way back.
- Skip the Peak: Avoid July and August if possible. May and September are perfect.
Summary
The train is the lifeline of Cinque Terre. It’s fast, cheap (with the card), and drops you right in the center of the action.
Just remember: Validate your card before you board, and hold onto your wallet in the crowds!
Ready to go? Book your train to La Spezia on Trainline and find a hotel on Booking.com.
