Florence to Cinque Terre by train
No direct train: about 3 hours from Firenze SMN to Monterosso, changing at Pisa Centrale, La Spezia Centrale or both.
- Origin
- Florence
- Destination
- Cinque Terre
- Main stations
- Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Monterosso
- Country
- Italy
Florence to the Cinque Terre takes about 3 hours by Trenitalia train, with one or two changes and no direct service.
Change at Pisa, La Spezia or both
No train runs straight through to the Cinque Terre. Regional trains leave Firenze Santa Maria Novella for Pisa Centrale at least twice an hour and take about an hour. The best connection at Pisa is an Intercity heading for Genoa and Milan, which calls at Monterosso and nowhere else in the Cinque Terre. Catch one and the whole trip can take about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Other journeys change at La Spezia Centrale onto a regional train along the coast, either after a change at Pisa or on a regional that runs through from Florence to La Spezia. Allow 3 to 3 hours 45 minutes. From La Spezia, Monterosso is only about 20 minutes away.
Which village to aim for
Five stations make up the Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Head for Monterosso unless you are staying in another village. It is the only one the Intercity serves, so it is usually the quickest arrival.
Regional trains between La Spezia Centrale and Levanto stop at all five. Bound for Riomaggiore or Manarola? Change at La Spezia, because they are the first stops on the coast.
Tickets and passes
Trenitalia sells the whole journey as one ticket. A paper regional ticket over 50 km stays valid for 4 hours once validated. Stamp it before you board.
Between 2 November 2026 and 19 March 2027, an ordinary regional ticket covers the Cinque Terre stops. Outside that period, different fare rules can apply at the Cinque Terre stations. For hopping between villages, the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card gives unlimited second-class regional travel between Levanto and La Spezia. It is personal and non-refundable.
An Interrail pass covers the Trenitalia regional trains. On the Intercity, pass holders need a reservation.
Weekend closures in winter 2026/27
RFI is rebuilding station access at Riomaggiore and Manarola. To do the work, trains between La Spezia and Corniglia stop for 48 hours over the weekends of 19 to 20 December 2026, 9 to 10 January 2027 and 6 to 7 February 2027. That cuts the coastal link to Monterosso, Intercity included. If you travel on one of those weekends, check how Trenitalia is replacing the trains before you set off.
Find places to stay in Cinque Terre
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Florence to Cinque Terre?
No. You change once or twice, at Pisa Centrale, La Spezia Centrale or both. Some Intercity trains from Pisa run straight to Monterosso, which makes for the quickest trip.
How long does the train from Florence to Cinque Terre take?
Most journeys take about 3 hours. The fastest, with an Intercity from Pisa to Monterosso, take about 2 hours 30 minutes; all-regional connections with a wait at La Spezia take up to about 3 hours 45 minutes.
Which Cinque Terre station should I travel to from Florence?
Monterosso, unless you are staying in another village. It is the only Cinque Terre station the Intercity calls at. Regional trains from La Spezia Centrale stop at all five villages.
Can I use an Interrail pass from Florence to Cinque Terre?
Yes. The pass covers Trenitalia regional trains. For the Intercity from Pisa, pass holders need a reservation.
Do I need a special ticket for the Cinque Terre trains?
Not between 2 November 2026 and 19 March 2027, when an ordinary regional ticket is enough. Outside that period, different fare rules can apply at the Cinque Terre stations. The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card covers unlimited regional travel between Levanto and La Spezia.
Can I do a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre by train?
Yes, but it is a long day. At about 3 hours each way, an early start still leaves several hours in the villages.
More routes
