Cinque Terre by rail: a complete guide

One of the most scenic rail routes in Europe, the Cinque Terre Express cuts through cliffs, offering brief glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea, on its way to the candy-coloured villages and walking trails of the Cinque Terre National Park. The train travels between La Spezia and Levanto in Northern Italy, connecting the five historic fishing villages–Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. The service is integral for both locals and visitors navigating this hilly stretch of Ligurian coastline, as roads are few and narrow in the region. With villages perched high above the sea, the railway is one of the best ways to travel through this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about travelling on the Cinque Terre Express, from ticketing and train facilities, to what you’ll see on the way.

Open Street Map (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Map of the Cinque Terre Express route.

The Cinque Terre Express train: tickets, schedule and facilities

The Cinque Terre Express is part of Trenitalia’s regional network, with fast local trains (known as regionale ) travelling between the five villages of the Cinque Terre National Park. These services are cheaper, more flexible and run regularly throughout the day. The Cinque Terre Express trains are the only way to visit all villages in the national park (there are high-speed services from Genoa/Milan to La Spezia, Levanto, or Monterosso al Mare, but you’ll have to change to the local service at these stations).

A standard ticket between any two villages costs between €5 and €10 during peak season (April to September). In winter, fares drop by 50%. The Cinque Terre Express service is covered by an Interrail/Eurail Pass and seat reservations are not required on regional services (Intercity services need a reservation). This means that Interrail/Eurail passengers can board regional Cinque Terre Express services without advance booking.

As an alternative to Interrail Passes, Cinque Terre Train Card offers unlimited train travel and access to the chargeable hiking trails (Blue Trail and Via dell'Amore) in the region. There are one, two or three-day cards available and the cost ranges from €19.50 to €78.50, depending on the amount of days and the season. This is a great option if you’re basing yourself in one of the bigger towns and want to hop between the villages over a few days.

The Cinque Terre Express service runs every 15–30 minutes in the high season and every hour in winter. Journey times are short: La Spezia to Riomaggiore takes just seven minutes, and the full route from La Spezia to Levanto is under 30 minutes. Onboard facilities are basic—no first-class carriages or catering—but the air-conditioned coaches are comfortable, and the frequent stops mean you’re never far from refreshments.

Laura Adai

Train tracks to Manarola.

The Cinque Terre villages by rail: the journey

La Spezia

La Spezia is the gateway to the Cinque Terre and the starting point of the Cinque Terre Express rail journey, but it’s worth exploring in its own right. One of Liguria’s largest port cities, it has a mix of grand 19th-century architecture, pedestrian-friendly streets, and a deep maritime heritage. The Technical Naval Museum showcases Italy’s naval history with ship models and navigation instruments, while the city’s waterfront promenade, Passeggiata Morin, is a pleasant place for a stroll before boarding the train. Leaving La Spezia, the train disappears into the first of many tunnels: a lot of the Cinque Terre Express line is spent in tunnels, with snippets of coastal scenery breaking the journey.

Alex Ghizila

La Spezia.

Riomaggiore

The first stop, Riomaggiore, appears almost without warning as the train emerges into the station on the edge of a cliff, the sea visible beyond the platform. This is the southernmost village of the five and a steep path leads down to it. Surrounded by tightly-packed houses, the small harbour is a great place to watch fishing boats come and go, or the sun setting over the water. Riomaggiore is one of the best places to taste the local, orange-tinted Sciacchetrà wine at its vineyards. Terra di Bargon do vineyard tours and wine-tasting at their cantina in the village. Back on the train, another short tunnel separates Riomaggiore from the next stop: Manarola.

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Riomaggiore

Manarola

As the train pulls into Manarola, the landscape opens up with vineyards lining the hills above the station, a reminder of the region’s centuries-old agricultural heritage. Manarola itself is a short walk downhill, where pastel-hued buildings cluster around the tiny port. The waters here are some of the clearest in the region, offering an opportunity for a dip, a dive, or some sunbathing. Nessun Dorma, a casual (and popular) bar with outdoor seating sits above the village. It is the perfect spot for taking in the view of Manarola with a tipple. Alternatively, try out their pesto-making, wine-tasting, or boat tour experiences (make sure to book in advance via their app). Rejoining the train, you’ll head north, with occasional flashes of water to the right. Between Manarola and Corniglia, the track hugs the water’s edge before curving inland.

Laura Adai

Manarola.

Corniglia

Corniglia’s station sits below the village, requiring a climb up 382 steps to reach the centre (although, there is also a shuttle). The smallest of the Cinque Terre villages, Corniglia is built high on the clifftop away from the sea, meaning fewer crowds and a quieter vibe. The village is a nature-lover's dream, and its walking trails include the relatively easy path to Vernazza, which boasts gardens along the way. All of the Cinque Terre villages have access to hiking trails and mixing the region’s hiking routes with the train offers a variety of perspectives. From Corniglia, the train dives back into the hills, passing through another long tunnel before arriving at Vernazza.

Corniglia.

Vernazza

Vernazza’s station is in the heart of the village, opening onto a small square and leading down to the harbour. Vernazza is probably the most picturesque of the villages and is often heralded as one of the most beautiful in Italy. The ruined fortress, Doria Castle (built in the 15th-century to protect the village from pirates), overlooks the bay, and the waterfront piazza is home to restaurants and cafés, as well as a small sandy beach. While you’re there, visit the Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, an elegant seaside church with a history dating back to the 13th-century. Once you’re back on the train, the next stretch of track runs close to the water before reaching the last village, Monterosso al Mare.

Ricardo Gomez Angel

Vernazza.

Monterosso al Mare

The largest of the Cinque Terre villages with a number of beaches, Monterosso is also the flattest and easiest to get around. The train station is in the newer Fegina area, while the old town, with its medieval streets (known as carrugi) and traditional trattorias, is just a short walk away. If you’re staying overnight in the Cinque Terre, Monterosso offers the widest range of accommodation options. The village is surrounded by olive and lemon groves. It is well-known for its lemon production, with an annual festival dedicated to the fruit that takes place on the third Saturday of May. On the Cinque Terre Express, the final leg of the journey runs north to Levanto, where the cliffs give way to a flatter landscape.

Bob Osias

Monterosso al Mare.

Levanto

The last stop on the line, Levanto, just beyond the Cinque Terre, is a quieter alternative for those looking to stay outside the main villages. With a long beach and a more relaxed pace, it’s a good base for exploring the region without the crowds. Levanto is also known for its medieval architecture, including the Church of Sant’Andrea, with its black-and-white striped façade. The town is a popular starting point for surfing, thanks to its consistent waves.

Travel through the Cinque Terre National Park by rail.

Rick Govic

Levanto.