The Cinque Terre Express runs every 20 minutes between La Spezia and Levanto, connecting all five villages in minutes. Single tickets cost €5–€10 depending on season — here's how the train works, what the Cinque Terre Card covers and whether it's worth buying.
The Cinque Terre Express is the local train that connects all five villages between La Spezia and Levanto — and it is genuinely the best way to get around. It runs every 20 minutes, takes just a few minutes between each village, and means you never need to worry about driving cliff roads or finding parking. This guide covers everything you need to know: how the train works, what tickets cost, whether the Cinque Terre Card is worth buying, and how to get to La Spezia from wherever you're starting.
If you want to know more about the villages themselves read our Cinque Terre Guide.
How the Cinque Terre Express Works
| Operator | Trenitalia regional train service |
| Route | La Spezia Centrale → Riomaggiore → Manarola → Corniglia → Vernazza → Monterosso → Levanto |
| Frequency | Every 20 minutes in peak season |
| Direction signs | Towards Monterosso and Levanto: follow "PER GENOVA". Towards Riomaggiore and La Spezia: follow "PER LA SPEZIA" |
| Timetables | Check train times on Trenitalia or Trainline |
The train is the backbone of getting around Cinque Terre — fast, frequent and completely stress-free. Between the villages it travels mostly through tunnels carved into the cliffs, so the views are brief, but arriving into each small station just steps from the harbour is part of the experience.
| Journey | Time between stations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| La Spezia → Riomaggiore | 9 mins | First village from La Spezia |
| Riomaggiore → Manarola | 4 mins | |
| Manarola → Corniglia | 5 mins | |
| Corniglia → Vernazza | 5 mins | |
| Vernazza → Monterosso | 4 mins | Largest village |
| Monterosso → Levanto | 5 mins | Northern end of the line |
Cinque Terre Express Ticket Prices 2026
Single ticket prices for the Cinque Terre Express are tiered by season. The same flat rate applies regardless of how many villages apart your journey is — so Riomaggiore to Manarola (4 minutes) costs the same as La Spezia to Levanto (30 minutes).
| Category A — Low season (green) | Adults €5 — Children (4–11) €2.50 |
| Category B — Medium season (yellow) | Adults €8 — Children (4–11) €4 |
| Category C — Peak season (red) | Adults €10 — Children (4–11) €5 |
| Evening fare (after 7.30pm) | Adults €5 regardless of season |
| Children under 4 | Free (if seated on parent's lap) |
| Winter (November to March) | Around €3 per journey |
Tickets must be validated before boarding — look for the green stamping machines on the platforms and station corridors. Fines for unvalidated tickets are significant. If you have a paper ticket, stamp it. If you buy through the Trenitalia or Trainline app, digital validation is handled automatically.
Seasonality
Tickets are priced according to the season. Seasonality does vary also by specific day - Trenitalia has a calendar on its web site.
| A — Low season green | March, beginning of April and weekdays in May and October |
| B — Medium season yellow | April, June, September and weekdays in July and August |
| C — Peak season red | Public holidays (Easter, May 1st, June 2nd etc) and weekends in July and August |
The Cinque Terre Card — Is It Worth It?
If you're planning to hop between villages several times in a day, the Cinque Terre Card works out significantly cheaper than buying individual tickets. It also includes access to the hiking trails, which you'd otherwise need to pay for separately.
| What's included | Unlimited Cinque Terre Express travel between La Spezia and Levanto, access to the hiking trails, use of local buses within the park, reduced entry to Civic museums in La Spezia |
| Where to buy | Trenitalia app, or Trainline, or at any village ticket office or La Spezia station |
The Cinque Terre Treno Card prices vary depending on the travel period. There are three different price categories: low (green), medium (yellow) and peak season (red). See Trenitalia for specific dates.
| Cinque Terre Treno Card | A — Low seasongreen | B — Medium seasonyellow | C — Peak seasonred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (12–69 years) | |||
| 1 day | €22.00 | €29.50 | €35.00 |
| 2 days | €36.50 | €51.00 | €61.00 |
| 3 days | €49.00 | €68.00 | €81.00 |
| Children (4–11 years) | |||
| 1 day | €15.00 | €20.00 | €23.50 |
| 2 days | €24.50 | €33.50 | €40.50 |
| 3 days | €33.00 | €44.50 | €53.50 |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children) | |||
| 1 day | €56.50 | €77.00 | €91.50 |
| 2 days | €94.00 | €132.00 | €159.00 |
| 3 days | €125.50 | €175.00 | €210.50 |
| Over 70 | |||
| 1 day | €18.50 | €25.00 | €29.50 |
| 2 days | €30.50 | €42.50 | €51.00 |
| 3 days | €41.00 | €56.00 | €67.50 |
Is the Cinque Terre Card worth buying?
It depends on how you're spending your day. Here's the honest calculation:
- If you plan to take 4 or more train journeys in a day — yes, the card is worth it. Four single tickets at peak season prices (€10 each) costs €40. The day card costs €5 less.
- If you also want to hike the trails — yes, the combined train and trekking card saves you buying trail access separately
- If you're only visiting one or two villages and walking between them — individual tickets are probably cheaper
- If you're visiting in the evening only — the €5 evening flat fare applies after 7.30pm, so a card is rarely worth it for evening visits
In peak season, if you're doing a full day hopping between all five villages, the card almost always pays for itself. Buy it online in advance to avoid the queues at La Spezia station, which can be long in summer.
The Cinque Terre Trekking Card
If you want to hike but don't need the train, the Trekking Card covers trail access without the train element. Prices are lower than the combined card.
| Cinque Terre Hiking Card | PriceStandard | PricePeak season |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (12–69 years) | ||
| 1 day | €10.00 | €15.00 |
| 2 days | €17.00 | €26.70 |
| 3 days | €23.50 | €37.50 |
| Children (4–11 years) | ||
| 1 day | €7.00 | €10.00 |
| 2 days | €9.70 | €14.50 |
| 3 days | €12.00 | €18.30 |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children) | ||
| 1 day | €27.10 | €40.20 |
| 2 days | €39.00 | €60.00 |
| 3 days | €49.50 | €77.50 |
| Over 70 | ||
| 1 day | €8.50 | €12.50 |
| 2 days | €12.50 | €19.20 |
| 3 days | €16.00 | €25.00 |
In winter (November to March), all hiking trails except the Via dell'Amore are free — no trekking card needed.
Where to Buy Cinque Terre Train Tickets
- Trenitalia or Trainline website or app — the best option for buying in advance and avoiding queues. Digital tickets are validated automatically
- La Spezia Centrale station — ticket offices and self-service machines. Can have long queues in peak season
- Village stations — ticket offices at Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Also self-service machines
- Cinque Terre National Park offices — can buy cards at park offices in the villages
My recommendation: buy online before you travel. The queues at La Spezia in peak season are genuinely long, and starting your day waiting for a ticket is unnecessary when you can sort it from home.
Getting to La Spezia by Train
La Spezia Centrale is the main gateway to Cinque Terre. All mainline trains from Florence, Pisa, Genoa and Milan stop here.
| From Florence | 2 hours 30 minutes — train to Pisa Centrale, change for La Spezia |
| From Pisa | Just over 1 hour |
| From Genoa | Under 1 hour — some direct trains to the villages |
| From Milan | Around 3 hours — direct or via Genoa |
| From Rome | Around 3 hours 30 minutes — via Florence or Pisa |
Practical Tips for the Cinque Terre Express
- Always validate your ticket — stamp paper tickets at the green machines before boarding. Fines are expensive and inspectors do check
- Pick up a paper timetable — free at any village station and more reliable in summer than checking online in advance
- Trains can be late and crowded — especially on summer weekends. Build in extra time if you have a connection to make
- Buy online to avoid queues — La Spezia station queues can be very long in peak season
- Evening trains are cheaper — the €5 flat fare after 7.30pm applies regardless of season, so evening village-hopping is good value
- Dogs travel free in carriers — larger dogs need a muzzle and leash and travel at half the adult fare
- Bicycles travel free — on all regional trains in Liguria
Frequently Asked Questions — Cinque Terre Train
How much does the Cinque Terre Express cost?
Single tickets cost €5 in low season, €8 in medium season and €10 in peak season for adults. Children aged 4–11 pay half price. After 7.30pm, a flat €5 fare applies regardless of season. In winter (November to March) tickets cost around €3.
Is the Cinque Terre Card worth buying?
Yes — if you plan to take four or more train journeys in a day, or if you want to hike the trails. Four individual peak season tickets cost €40; the day card costs less and includes trail access. If you're only visiting one or two villages, individual tickets may work out cheaper.
How often does the Cinque Terre Express run?
Every 20 minutes in peak season (March to November). In winter, regional trains run once or twice per hour.
Do I need to book Cinque Terre Express tickets in advance?
No — unlike mainline Italian trains, Cinque Terre Express tickets don't need to be booked in advance. You can buy at the station on the day. However, buying online via the Trenitalia or Trainline app avoids queues, which can be very long at La Spezia in summer.
Do I need to validate my Cinque Terre train ticket?
Yes — always. Paper tickets must be stamped at the green validation machines on the platform before boarding. Digital tickets bought through the Trenitalia or Trainline app are validated automatically.
What is the Cinque Terre Trekking Card?
The Trekking Card covers access to the paid hiking trails in Cinque Terre, park buses and reduced museum entry in La Spezia. It does not include train travel. Prices start at €10 for one day in low or medium season. A combined Train and Trekking Card is also available if you want both.
Are the Cinque Terre hiking trails free in winter?
Yes — from November to March, all hiking trails except the Via dell'Amore are free. No trekking card is needed. Train tickets also cost around €5 per journey in winter, making it a significantly cheaper time to visit.
