The railroad through the Cinque Terre dates back to 1874 and is still the only practical way to connect the five World Heritage villages. Cars are hardly welcome there: the streets are too narrow, and parking spots are scarce and expensive. If you want to visit the Cinque Terre, it’s best to leave your car in Levanto, the line’s final stop, which has its own beach, plenty of parking, and a peaceful atmosphere at the end of the day.
Levanto is located along the same railroad line as the five villages, but outside the national park. That makes a difference: wider streets, its own sandy beach, more dining options, and—not least—parking. From Levanto, you can reach Monterosso in just a few minutes and Riomaggiore—the farthest of the five villages—in twenty minutes.
Levanto is located on the Genoa–La Spezia main line and is easily accessible without a car from several directions:
For international travelers, Milan is usually the most convenient point of arrival, with good flight connections from the Netherlands and Belgium and direct trains to Levanto. If you’d rather spend a few days in Genoa or Pisa first, that’s also a great option: both cities are less than an hour and a half away.
Note: Travel times are subject to change. Learn more about traveling by train in Italy.
The Cinque Terre Express runs between La Spezia and Levanto, stopping at all five villages along the way. During peak season, the train runs up to 100 times a day, approximately every 15 minutes. During the off-season, the frequency is lower, with about two trips per hour.
Travel times from Levanto Station:
Single-trip train tickets are available at the ticket machines at the station or through the Trenitalia app. A single-trip ticket is valid for 75 minutes and is intended for a journey without stops: get on, get off, and you’re done. Don’t forget to validate your ticket at the gray-green machines on the platform before departure; an unvalidated ticket is considered fare evasion.
If you plan to take more than four trips in a day, or want to hike Route 2 between Monterosso and Corniglia using the park shuttles, the Cinque Terre Card is a better deal. The card offers unlimited train travel on the line, access to hiking trails, bus transportation within the park, and discounts at museums in La Spezia. It’s valid for one, two, or three days.
The five villages are small and can fill up quickly during peak season (July and August, and around Easter). Here are a few tips to avoid that:
If you’re staying overnight in Levanto, you’ll never need to take the car to visit the Cinque Terre: the train station is usually within walking distance of the hotel. Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel , for example, is a five-minute walk from the train station and combines that location with CO2-neutral operations. More about the hotel itself: Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel, CO2-neutral accommodations in Levanto.
Between about 4 and 20 minutes, depending on the village. Monterosso is the closest at 4 minutes, while Riomaggiore is the farthest at 20 minutes.
Not necessarily. For occasional trips, a single-ride ticket is sufficient. If you take more than four trips in a day, or if you’re hiking on Route 2, the Cinque Terre Card is a better deal.
It’s possible, but two days give you more time and space to actually spend time in the villages instead of constantly traveling back and forth.
Yes. Levanto has its own sandy beach, a medieval old town, and is considerably less crowded than the five villages themselves.
Levanto has more space, its own beach, and parking. The five villages are closer to the sights, but they are smaller, busier, and accessible only by car.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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