How to travel from Florence to Cinque Terre, Italy – The 3 Best Ways to get from Florence to Cinque Terre
The easiest way of getting from Florence to Cinque Terre in Italy is to travel by train from Florence to La Spezia and then connecting onwards on the regional train network to your destination in Cinque Terre.
The idyllic Italian region of Cinque Terre has been drawing in throngs of visitors for decades. This magical place where vibrant pastel-coloured buildings cling precariously to dramatic cliff edges with views of the sparkling blue sea down below is considered one of the most romantic spots to visit in Italy. No wonder these iconic Italian sights are some of the most photographed in Italy!
What many first-timers don’t realise, is that Cinque Terre, which translates as ‘Five Lands’, is actually comprised of 5 separate villages. To the north, you’ll find the largest of the villages, Monterosso, and the furthest south lies Riomaggiore. In between, you’ll find the smaller towns of Corniglia, Manarola, and Vernazza.
If you happen to be travelling in the north of Italy and considering a visit to the historic city of Florence, but would also love to combine a side trip to explore the wonders of Cinque Terre, then this post on how to get from Florence to Cinque Terre, or vice versa, will be the perfect guide to help you plan your next visit!
Here I’ll take you through all the best ways to connect between these two stunning Italian destinations. Get ready to discover this gem as you sit back with an Italian drink in hand, ogle at the incredible views and architecture and discover why so many fall instantly in love with Cinque Terre!
Disclaimer: This post contains links to services or products that I trust and recommend and from which I may earn commissions. Read our privacy policy for more.
| Before you go, be sure to plan & book your trip! | |||
 | Browse & Book Hotels |  | Browse & Book Car Rentals |
 | Browse & Book Flights |  | Browse & Book Buses and Trains |
Pssst…Have you packed all your essentials? Make sure to read our European packing list post to ensure you’ve ticked all the packing necessities off your list!
Florence to Cinque Terre Train
Journey Duration: Average journey time roughly 2 hours 40 minutes
Undoubtedly the fastest and most cost-effective way to travel between these two Italian destinations is to travel from Florence to Cinque Terre by train. This particular route is not a direct option as you won’t find any trains connecting Florence non-stop to any of the 5 villages in Cinque Terre.
Instead, when travelling on the Florence to Cinque Terre train route, you can catch a direct train from Florence to La Spezia. From here you can connect onto the regional train route that connects and travels through all 5 towns in Cinque Terre.
Florence to Cinque Terre by Train: Services
The Florence Cinque Terre train service, operated by national operator Trenitalia, will involve a roughly 2 hours 30 minutes train journey from Florence to La Spezia. Then connecting onwards La Spezia to Riomaggiore is a short 8-minute train ride, and then 5 minutes onwards from each village to the next.
There are several departures from Florence each day, spread out throughout the day on this direct train service.
Cinque Terre to Florence Train: Fares & Buying Tickets
Depending on the train service booked, from Florence to La Spezia, you can expect to pay around €14 for a one-way adult ticket. Then onwards on the regional service connecting to the villages of Cinque Terre, it is €4 one-way per single journey.
To compare the departure times and fares, consider searching and booking through Omio here. I love using Omio for its ease of use and because it allows me to also compare other routes, including bus services too!
Top Tip: You may want to consider getting yourself the Cinque Terre Train Card that will allow you access to unlimited train travel on the Cinque Terre trains as well as the hiking trails. When arriving in La Spezia you can head over to the information desk to buy your tickets there.
Currently the 1-day train card costs €16 per adult – so consider the amount of travel you’d like to do and compare it to the €4 cost per point to point journey to see if it is worth your while.
Train Stations: Florence and Cinque Terre Train Stations
Departing on the train from Florence to Cinque Terre via La Spezia you’ll depart mainly from Florence’s main Santa Maria Novella station, although some trains do leave from the Campo di Marte station. Be sure to check this beforehand.
Make sure that you book the train service that runs to La Spezia Centrale, as this is the station in La Spezia where you’ll connect onward on the regional service to the various towns in Cinque Terre.
Florence to Cinque Terre Bus Service
Journey Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes from Florence to La Spezia
Travelling from Florence to Cinque Terre by bus is another way to reach this dreamy region of Italy from Firenze. That said, this bus route, operated by Marinobus, is fairly limited, offering only 1 departure daily and at a much higher cost compared to travel by train.
Total travel time is around 4 hours 30 minutes and includes a changeover in Bologna. Similarly to the train, this bus route will travel to La Spezia from where you’ll connect onto the regional train service to access the various towns within Cinque Terre.
Bus from Florence to Cinque Terre: Fares & Buying Tickets
Currently, a one-way bus ticket costs around €70, which compared to the train ticket price is quite a bit more expensive.
You can compare availability and book the bus service against the train service through Omio to compare what makes sense for your itinerary.
Driving from Florence to Cinque Terre by Car
Journey Duration: Quickest direct route – roughly 2 hours to La Spezia
If you happen to be renting a car and planning on embarking on a road trip, you may be tempted to travel from Florence to Cinque Terre by car.
It is worth noting though that the towns of Cinque Terre does have vehicle restrictions in place and whilst some routes and areas are accessible by car, others provide access to residents only.
Given the windy narrow roads, coupled with these restrictions, it is far better to travel say to La Spezia or Levanto by car and then travelling onward by train.
The distance from Florence to Cinque Terre is roughly 170 km / 105 miles, although it’s slightly less to reach La Spezia and should take around 2 hours via the A11 motorway.
This route via the A11 does include sections of toll roads, so a good resource to consult to help factor in costs is to plot your journey on the Via Michelin site. The site will give you rough estimates in terms of toll and fuel costs, perfect to help you budget out your trip.
Need to book your car rental? Search and book here on AutoEurope for great comparative rates and availability.
Florence to Cinque Terre Flights
The closest airports to Cinque Terre is both Pisa or Genoa that are both around 1 hour 30 minutes from Cinque Terre. Given the close proximity, travellers could also arrive into Florence and then drive or travel by train as outlined in this guide above.
Do you need to book your flight to Italy? Compare availability and fares for all the various airlines, as well as book on Skyscanner here.
Where to stay in Florence & Cinque Terre
Both Florence and Cinque Terre is bursting with fantastic accommodation options, whether you are searching for hotels or apartment-style accommodation, there is an option to suit all needs and budgets.
Accommodation in Florence
Offering beautiful views of the romantic Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, you may book the luxury Portrait Firenze for your stay.
For budget-conscious travellers, the Hotel Costantini, or the Porcellino Gallery Art Boutique B&B are both great choices for those wanting a central location close to all the main sights & attractions in Florence.
For a great apartment-style accommodation consider the Appartamento Piazza Signoria.
Alternatively, click here to search a selection of hotels in Florence. Or, click here to search and book apartment rentals on VRBO, offering a range of premium self-catering accommodation options at great rates!
Accommodation in Cinque Terre
With 5 charming locations to choose from, where you decide to book in Cinque Terre depends on your end destinations. Both Monterosso and Riomaggiore, being the two largest towns are both popular choices. However, that doesn’t mean you should discount Corniglia, Manarola, or Vernazza.
Click here to search for exceptional accommodation choices in the Cinque Terre region. Alternatively, click here to book a fabulous self-catering option through VRBO.
Day Trip Tours to Cinque Terre from Florence
If you’d like to explore the wonders of Cinque Terre but prefer to do so as part of an organised tour, then planning a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre is a great option to consider booking.
There is a number of great guided tour options including a full-day Private Tour from Florence to Cinque Terre that includes a stop in Pisa, or a small group guided tour to Cinque Terre from Florence that also includes a lunch stop.
Alternatively, browse the wide selection of tours and activities available from Cinque Terre here, and book the perfect excursion for your next visit!
