USD ($)
EUR (€)
GBP (£)
JPY (¥)If you want to swap the breathtaking cultural highlights of Florence for the tranquil coastal villages of Liguria, head from Florence to Cinque Terre. These five pastel-colored villages cascade down hillsides like icing on a cake. Each is unique, filled with winding narrow streets, trattorias, and charming specialty shops. It’s easy to walk or take the express train between the five villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso Al Mare. The more important question is how to get to Cinque Terre from Florence in the first place. Well, considering the distance from Florence to Cinque Terre is about 200 km (162 miles), there’s a wide range of quick and easy options.
Best Way To Get From Florence to Cinque Terre: Join a Tour
If traveling on foreign public transport sounds too stressful for a relaxing vacation, it’s worth checking out a guided day trip to Cinque Terre from Florence. We offer a range of day trips from Florence and multi-day Florence tour packages which include a guide-accompanied train ride between these cities. Upon arrival, the expert tour leader will escort you through the wonderful villages and share fascinating insights about the area.
If you’re adventurous and active, our hiking-themed Florence to Cinque Terre day trip is the option for you. Heading by foot through the five villages, you’ll stop off at shops, historic sites, and landmarks along the way. We also highly recommend our Tuscany & Cinque Terre 7 Day Tour Package. This includes all tours and transportation between the best spots in both regions.
Other Ways to Get From Florence to Cinque Terre
By Train
Although located in two different regions, Tuscany and Liguria, it’s relatively easy to take the train from Florence to Cinque Terre. The Florence to Cinque Terre train route is made up of two sections. Frequent trains depart from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station to La Spezia on the Italian west coast. Tickets for this first leg of the journey cost between $16.50 and $25. Exact prices depend on the time of day you travel and how far in advance you book.
When you arrive in La Spezia, you can jump on the train to Cinque Terre. The journey time from La Spezia to Riomaggiore, the first village of Cinque Terre, is just 9 minutes. If you wish to disembark at other villages further along the coast, the train journey time is around 2 to 5 minutes between each village. In total, the train from Florence to Cinque Terre, or Cinque Terre to Florence, will take you 2.5- 3 hours.
It can be a little confusing at first to travel by rail throughout Cinque Terre. However, it’s helpful to remember there are only 2 platforms at the village railway stations. One platform says ‘Per Genova’ – trains at this platform head north towards Monterosso Al Mare. The other says ‘Per La Spezia’, which runs south towards Riomaggiore and La Spezia.
The current cost of a Cinque Terre railcard for unlimited one-day use between La Spezia and Levanto is around $20 per adult and $12 for children from 4-12 years. Alternatively, you can purchase a Cinque Terre family card for $53 a day, including the train for up to 2 adults and 2 children under 12.
By Car
There’s no better way to experience the Italian countryside and coastline than by car. If you plan to hire a vehicle during your stay, you can drive to Cinque Terre in 2.5 hours from Florence. Simply take the A11 route north of Florence and drive towards Viareggio on the Tuscan coast. Here you will join the E80 coastal route which takes you past picturesque Marina di Pietrasanta, upscale Forte dei Marmi (great for designer shopping), the Gulf of Poets, and La Spezia.
Depending on where you begin your exploration of Cinque Terre, you might continue on the E80 to the furthest village of Monterosso Al Mare. Or, drive along La Spezia’s palm-lined seafront boulevard to reach Riomaggiore. En route, there are great places to stop for lunch and beautiful seaside towns such as Portovenere. As most of Cinque Terre’s villages are tumbling down a hillside, you can’t take cars into the village centers. There are dedicated car parking spots atop the hills, and minibusses and taxis can transport you to the shore.
Tourist Italy Is There for You!
If you do choose to arrive independently at Cinque Terre from Florence, we suggest you join one of our best guided tours once you’re there. Whatever route you take, Cinque Terre has so much to offer and is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.
