Cinque Terre by plane

he most nearest airports to La Spezia are: "C. Colombo" (international) in Genoa (111 km) and "G. Galilei" (international) in Pisa (84 km). But if you are looking low cost fly to Cinque Terre you can also check airports of Milano, Parma and Bologna. In airports you can rent a car or, what is better, take a train.

Cinque Terre by train

As the main reference point is usually taken the train station of La Spezia. You can take a regional train that stops in every village of the Cinque Terre (every 40-50 min) or go for a walk through the city of La Spezia to the dock to take the motor ship. Some trains from La Spezia doesn`t stop in all towns, going regularly only in Monterosso, because it is a big resort town. We suggest you to buy the Cinque Terre CARD (day pass or more days) if you want to travel with comfort the full day between the Cinque Terre. The Card expires at midnight and don`t forget to stamp it at one of the yellow machine (in 2012 all machines were upgraded, now they are blue) in the train station before your departure. You can consult website Trenitalia to know Cinque Terre train schedule and ticket prices or you can take the list in the tourist centers, which are located in all railway stations of the Cinque Terre. Personally I use my smartphone application named "Orari Treni", it is very comfortable. 

Cinque terre by car

We should warn you that car is not the best plan to visit the Cinque Terre. Firstly, roads are winding and twisted and also way often goes downhill and then goes steep uphill. Also, there are only a few area for parking, because centers of the towns are closed to private traffic. These reasons should discourage you from using the car, taking into account that it's lots simpler to visit this area by train, hiking or boat. But if nevertheless you want to travel by a car, you always can rent a car (p.s. to rent a car in Cinque Terre go to the site of Hertz and Sixt - check for best price):You can travel to the Cinque Terre by car from La Spezia by the State Route Nr. 370 "Litoranea delle Cinque Terre". The main highway exit is "LA SPEZIA – SANTO STEFANO DI MAGRA" on the motorway A12 Genova - Livorno or A15 Parma - La Spezia. From the gate, keep on for La Spezia and when you arrive in the city keep on along the seaside looking the signs for Portovenere - CINQUE TERRE. At some point these two routes divide: you can proceed up the hill in direction to Riomaggiore - Manarola.