How do I get there from here?
When we decided to go from the Cruise port at Livorno to Cinque Terre for the day we searched and searched for step by step instructions and could not find them. So, we did it. We figured it out (yes, some mistakes were made but we did it). It was a long day, we left the ship as the second couple off the ship at 9:00am and one of the last ones back on around 9:30pm.
Hindsight- we know why- it is a hard day, it is not for the faint of heart. It took 10 different modes of transportation and hours of travel time. But follow these tips and instructions and you can have an extra 2-3 hours in the area.
Is it worth it? Absolutely yes!
Is it hard? Absolutely yes
Would I do it again? Absolutely yes, but knowing this now I would go and spend even more time exploring this incredible, beautiful area of Italy!
Want more? See my Cinque Terre post:)
Tip one: You can arrange for a taxi straight off the pier if you do it ahead of time. (The ship can help you)
Take the port shuttle to the shuttle drop off.
Grab a cab at the shuttle drop off (they are across the street), they will want to take your further than the train station and they will want to put you with a group, insist they get you a single cap to the train station (16€)
Once at the station go to the main cashier and buy a ticket to La Sepiza Centrale - don’t forget to validate it- green box on the platform
(or buy one online and skip the line all together (which is what we should have done but we just we not confident in train travel)
Tip Two: We used the Rail Eurpoe App. I found it easy to use and figure out the schedule.
If you can purchase a fast train ticket if not then the regional. The regional rain will make several stops and possibly a train change at Pisa.
A photo of the train stops and the stations..
If you are in a regional train then when you get to Pisa look at the board and find the next train to La Spezia. The McDonalds at the station has a nice toilet. If not you can pay 1€ and go to a nice toilet with seats and paper at the entrance to all the platforms. West end. If you were lucky enough to get the fast train you just saved yourself an hour!
Once on train to La Spezia take it to La Spezia. When you exit the train. Look along the wall right by the pizzeria for the Cinque Terre Tourist office.there purchase you day pass, if you are there during high season this line will be CRAZY! Be prepared and when you get inside you want a Cinque Terre Treno card. (this allows you to get on and off the train at each town and freely go between towns)
Catch the train (by looking at the board for Leverno) it will stop at all towns. Pick which one to get off. Trains do not run on time so beware, especially in the high season! (our train left 10+ minutes late and caused us to miss the train in Pisa costing us an hour)
We chose to go the furthest town Monterosso and work our way back to the first town.
When you get off the train head out of the station by the beach and turn left. Head out on your way!
If you can take the ferry into at least one of the towns. Incredible views. Worth the time!
On the way home do everything in reverse…
Tip Three: Be one of the first off the train and to the cabs once getting back to Livorno, there are usually 2-3 out there, but when they are gone they are gone and it is far too far to walk.
Tip Four: Be sure you know what pier your ship is docked on, the cab driver will ask. I happen to have the shuttle ticket that had it on it, but your ship will have it on the daily. Either take a photo, write it down, whatever you need to do.