Train stations in La Spezia

La Spezia is the practical rail gateway to the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets. The city has two stations, La Spezia Centrale and La Spezia Migliarina. Use La Spezia Centrale for almost every trip. La Spezia Migliarina is a smaller station on the eastern side of the city; use it only if your train starts or ends there.

Getting around La Spezia

La Spezia Centrale has eight platforms and sits in the historic centre, so the pedestrianised streets, museums and hotels start right outside. Local buses run from the stops on Via Fiume, including Piazza Caduti del Lavoro, close to the station. Bought by smartphone, a 60-minute urban ticket starts at €1.50 and a day ticket costs €5.

La Spezia Migliarina is one stop east of Centrale, about 4 minutes by regional train on the Pisa and Pontremoli lines. The seasonal 5 Terre Express runs between Levanto and La Spezia Centrale or Migliarina.

For the Gulf of Poets, the Lerici bus leaves from the Piazza Caduti del Lavoro stop. The Portovenere bus leaves from Mercato Nord, about 10 minutes on foot from Centrale. Trenitalia sells the Lerici and the Portovenere bus leg with a rail ticket for €2.50 each way, added to the train fare. The bus itself is run by a separate company, so Trenitalia does not sell the bus leg on its own.

Trains from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre

Regional trains run from La Spezia Centrale to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, then on to Levanto. From La Spezia Centrale, Riomaggiore is about 8 minutes away, Vernazza about 20 and Monterosso about 25. Coming back to La Spezia takes up to 2 minutes longer.

From 14 March to 1 November 2026 the 5 Terre Express adds 46 daily services between Levanto and La Spezia Migliarina or Centrale, about one every half hour, calling at all five villages.

The Cinque Terre single ticket (Fare 39/9) covers one direct journey inside the Park, including La Spezia and Levanto, and is valid for 75 minutes. Until 1 November 2026 adults pay €5, €8 or €10 depending on the Park's attendance band (A, B or C). Children aged 4 to under 12 pay €2.50, €4 or €5.

From La Spezia to Genoa

Regional trains run from La Spezia Centrale to Genova Brignole roughly every two hours in the timetable valid until 12 December 2026, in about 1 hour 30, calling at Levanto, Sestri Levante, Chiavari, Rapallo and other coastal stations. Faster InterCity and Frecciarossa trains also run to Genova Brignole and Genova Piazza Principe; a Frecciarossa takes about 70 to 85 minutes. Engineering works at Genoa from 5 October 2026 can change some regional origins, destinations and times, so check your train on the day.

Cinque Terre Train Card

The Cinque Terre Train Card gives unlimited second-class regional trains between La Spezia and Levanto, plus Park services such as Blue Trail access, guided tours and the village buses. It also includes the Via dell'Amore. Adults aged 12 to 69 pay €22, €29.50 or €35 for one day and €49, €68 or €81 for three days until 1 November 2026, by attendance band. Two days cost €36.50 in band A and €51 in band B. From 2 November to 31 December 2026 the adult prices are €17.30, €29 and €34 for one, two and three days. A Card expires at midnight on its last day, is issued in the holder's name, cannot be transferred or refunded, and needs valid ID.

Rail passes and reservations

An Interrail Pass covers the Trenitalia regional trains between La Spezia and the five villages, and regional trains need no reservation. It does not cover the Park's Train Card or the village buses. An Italian InterCity needs a €3 reservation; a Frecciabianca is €10 and a Frecciarossa €13 (as of October 2026).