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LaSpezia Tour

How to get from La Spezia to Cinque Terre

Where is Cinque Terre from La Spezia?

Cinque Terre begins just northwest of La Spezia along the Ligurian coast. Riomaggiore, the nearest of the five cities, is around 10km away and can be reached in about 8 minutes by direct regional train. Most visitors start at La Spezia Centrale, while ferry and boat journeys leave from the waterfront.

Address: La Spezia Centrale, Piazza Medaglie d’Oro, 19122 La Spezia SP, Italy | Find on maps

La Spezia is the main gateway to Cinque Terre, with fast rail connections and seasonal boat departures along the Ligurian coast.

  • Main station: La Spezia Centrale
  • Closest stop: Riomaggiore, about 8 minutes by train
  • Direct trains: All five Cinque Terre cities
  • Boat departures: From La Spezia’s waterfront
  • Best for: Quick access or a scenic coastal journey

Compare ways to travel from La Spezia to Cinque Terre

Mode of transportTravel timeEstimated costBest for

Regional train

8–25 minutes

EUR 5–10 one way, or EUR 22–35 for a one-day Train Card

Fast, affordable city hopping

Guided train tour

7–8 hours round trip

From EUR 69 per guest

Several stops without planning connections

Public ferry

1–2 hours each way

Around EUR 28–42, depending on route or ticket type

Coastal views and a slower journey

Guided boat tour

3–5.5 hours

From EUR 120 per guest

Small-group sightseeing from the water

Private boat

3–4 hours

From about EUR 850 per boat

Privacy, swimming, and flexible coastal routes

Car

30–60 minutes

Fuel plus roughly EUR 15–30 for parking

Rural stays and stops beyond the cities

Local bus

Route-dependent

From a few euros

Corniglia station and hilltop connections

How to get from La Spezia to Cinque Terre

Choose a tab based on whether you value speed, scenery, convenience, or flexibility. Each option reaches the coast differently, so check the journey, accessibility, and return arrangements before setting out.

Direct trains from La Spezia Centrale

Regional trains connect La Spezia Centrale with Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.

  • Travel time: Around 8–25 minutes
  • Fare: Approximately EUR 5–10 one way, depending on the date
  • Frequency: Multiple departures daily; check the live Trenitalia timetable
  • Best for: Fast and independent city hopping

Accessibility: Station access varies. Corniglia sits above its station and requires stairs or a local shuttle.

Travel hack: Buy a digital ticket or eligible Cinque Terre Train Card before reaching the station to avoid queues.

Train and boat tours from La Spezia

Guided tours organise the route, transport, meeting points, and return journey. Train-based experiences prioritise time ashore, while boat tours focus more on coastal views and selected stops.

  • Travel time: Around 3–8 hours round trip
  • Fare: From approximately EUR 69 per guest
  • Departure points: La Spezia Centrale, cruise terminal, Molo Italia, or Passeggiata Morin
  • Best for: First-time visitors and cruise passengers

Accessibility: Most routes include slopes, stairs, uneven streets, and transport changes. Check the selected product before booking.

Travel hack: Choose the departure point closest to your station or cruise shuttle stop.

Travel along the coast by water

Seasonal ferries and shared boat tours depart from La Spezia’s waterfront and may call at Portovenere, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Corniglia has no harbour.

  • Travel time: Around 1–2 hours by ferry; 3–5.5 hours for tours
  • Fare: Public ferry fares vary; guided cruises start around EUR 120
  • Operating period: Mainly spring to autumn
  • Best for: Coastal views and photography

Accessibility: Boarding may involve steps, gangways, and movement on uneven surfaces. Accessibility differs by vessel.

Travel hack: Sail outward and return by train for scenery without relying on the final ferry.

A boat reserved for your group

Private boat trips usually depart from Passeggiata Morin or another La Spezia waterfront meeting point. Routes may focus on Cinque Terre, Portovenere, or the Gulf of Poets.

  • Travel time: Usually around 3–4 hours
  • Fare: From approximately EUR 850 per boat
  • Group setting: Vessel reserved for your party
  • Best for: Couples, families, and small groups seeking privacy

Accessibility: Access depends on the boat and boarding point. Confirm mobility requirements directly before booking.

Travel hack: Ask whether towels, refreshments, and swimming equipment are included before departure.

Driving and parking

Driving to Cinque Terre is possible, but it is rarely the easiest option for visiting several cities in one day. Roads towards Riomaggiore and Manarola are narrow and winding, while most city centres restrict vehicle access.

  • Travel time: Around 30–60 minutes
  • Main route: SP370 towards the southern cities
  • Best for: Hilltop stays, vineyards, and countryside detours
  • Parking: Limited, usually outside the pedestrian centres, and commonly around EUR 15–30 per day
  • Best alternative: Park near La Spezia Centrale and continue by train

Accessibility: Parking areas may sit uphill from the centre, so check the walking distance and gradient before travelling.

Travel hack: Avoid driving between multiple Cinque Terre cities in one day.

Useful for short local connections

There is no practical direct bus network linking La Spezia with all five Cinque Terre cities. Local shuttles are mainly used for Corniglia station, hilltop hamlets, sanctuaries, and parking areas.

  • Travel time: Route-dependent
  • Fare: From a few euros; selected rides may be covered by eligible park cards
  • Frequency: Limited and route-specific
  • Best for: Corniglia and elevated locations

Accessibility: Vehicle accessibility varies by route and operator.

Travel hack: Use the train for the main journey and buses only for the final local connection.

Getting around Cinque Terre once you arrive

  • Regional trains are the quickest way to move between all five cities, with short journeys and stations close to most centres. Ferries offer a more scenic alternative between Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso, but they are seasonal and do not stop at Corniglia.
  • Walking works within each city, but not as the main way to travel between them unless you are following an open hiking trail. Expect steep lanes, stairs, and uneven surfaces, especially around Corniglia.
  • Local shuttles are most useful between Corniglia station and the hilltop centre, as well as for selected elevated hamlets and parking areas.

What surprises most visitors: Even short train journeys can involve crowded platforms and uphill walks after arrival, so allow more transfer time than the timetable suggests.

Other transport services to consider

Cinque Terre Train Card

The Cinque Terre Train Card includes unlimited second-class regional train travel between La Spezia and Levanto for the selected validity period, along with eligible park services. It works best when you plan to visit several cities by train in one day.

Guided tours with transport included

Some tours depart from La Spezia Centrale, the cruise-terminal area, or the waterfront and include the transport used during the experience. They suit visitors who prefer organised transfers, managed meeting times, and a planned return to La Spezia.

​Explore guided tours →

Returning to La Spezia on time

Cruise passengers and travelers with evening plans should leave a generous buffer for the return journey. Trains can become crowded, while ferry schedules may change or finish earlier because of sea conditions. Check your final connection before leaving the last city and aim to arrive in La Spezia well before your required time.

Train approaching a tunnel at Cinque Terre station, Italy, with coastal views.
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Frequently asked questions about getting to Cinque Terre from La Spezia

The regional train is usually the most affordable and practical option. It connects La Spezia Centrale with all five Cinque Terre cities, with journeys typically taking around 8 to 25 minutes.