How to Get to Cinque Terre: Flights, Airport Transfers and Driving from the US

Cinque Terre is five villages on Italy’s western coast in Liguria, roughly halfway between Genoa and Pisa.

At a glance

• Closest airports: Pisa and Genoa
• Flights from the US: non-stop from New York to Milan Malpensa
• Milan to the villages: about 3 hours by Intercity train
• Pisa or Genoa to La Spezia and the villages: about 1 hour by train or car
• Regional train La Spezia to Levanto: 30 minutes, stopping at all five villages
• Ferry day ticket: 42 euros round trip for adults, from La Spezia, Portovenere and Levanto

How do you fly to Cinque Terre from the US?

The closest airports are Pisa and Genoa, and Milan Malpensa is the third gateway. Pisa is small and served by budget airlines. From the US, non-stop flights run from New York to Milan Malpensa.

Distances from La Spezia show how the options stack up. Pisa is 48 miles (78 km) away and Genoa about 62 miles (100 km). Florence is 106 miles (170 km) and Milan Malpensa 174 miles (280 km). Shuttle buses link each of the main airports to the central station of its city. A small airport at Sarzana, in the province of La Spezia, hosts only a very small number of charter flights each year.

From Milan Centrale, an Intercity train reaches the villages in about 3 hours. Pisa and Genoa are the shortest hops, at about one hour by train or car.

How do you get from the airport to Cinque Terre?

From the airport, take the shuttle bus to the city’s central station, then a train to La Spezia. La Spezia is the terminus on the Pisa-Genoa line, where all long-distance trains stop, and trains on that line are numerous.

From La Spezia, a regional train runs to Levanto and stops at each of the five villages. Single tickets between any two stations cost 5 to 10 euros for adults. Validate the ticket before boarding. It’s good for 75 minutes for one direct trip. Regional trains between Levanto and La Spezia Centrale from 7:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. are charged at the band A price of €5.00, which helps after a late arrival.

Can you get to Cinque Terre by train, bus or car?

The train is the easiest way to reach the villages, and the park authority names it as the ideal means of transport. The villages sit on the Genoa to La Spezia line, and only Monterosso is served by long-distance Intercity trains. From Rome, the trip takes under 4 hours: Frecciabianca to La Spezia Centrale, then the Cinque Terre Express.

Ferries run frequently from La Spezia, Portovenere and Levanto, from the end of March until November 1. They stop at Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Corniglia has no water access, so no boat stops there. A one-day round-trip ticket costs 42 euros for adults and 15 euros for children aged 6 to 11.

By car, the roads are narrow and curvy. The park authority says the difficult terrain and scarce parking discourage driving. For Riomaggiore, Manarola and Corniglia, take the A12 from Genoa or Livorno, or the A15 from Parma, and exit at La Spezia, then follow the SP370 to Riomaggiore. For Levanto and Monterosso, leave the A12 Genova-La Spezia at the Carrodano toll booth.

How do you get around Cinque Terre once you arrive?

Moving between villages takes three options: walk, train or boat. Tickets are sold at every village station, at Levanto and La Spezia, and online on the Trenitalia website or app. A day ticket for unlimited second-class travel between La Spezia and Levanto costs €14.80 for an adult, and a 2-day ticket costs €26.50. Buses connect each village to its hamlet, and they are free for Cinque Terre Card holders. The park also runs a bike-sharing service.

A car is little use once you’re there. Only local cars may enter the villages, so visitors park at the edge. Car parks charge hourly or daily rates, generally 15 to 25 euros per day.

Hiking is the third way to get around. No reservation is needed to enter the park, and there is no limit on numbers. The Cinque Terre Card is required only for the Blue Green Trail (SVA trail). Open shoes and smooth soles without anti-slip soles are forbidden on the trail network, so wear proper hiking footwear.

What documents do you need to board a flight to Italy?

U.S. citizens do not require a visa for short stays in Italy up to 90 days.

Travelers visiting Italy for business, tourism or study up to 90 days must fill out a “dichiarazione di presenza”.