Exploring Cinque Terre: A Scenic Bus Journey From Florence

Travelling from Florence to Cinque Terre by bus is possible but not direct. You can take a bus from Florence to La Spezia and then take the Cinque Terre Express train to your destination in Cinque Terre. The bus from Florence Villa Constanza Bus Station to La Spezia Chiosco Palme Viale Italia takes 2 hours and 55 minutes and costs $23–35. The whole journey by bus and train will take 3 hours and 46 minutes and cost $18–40.

Travel time and cost

The time it takes to travel from Florence to Cinque Terre by bus depends on where you are departing from and your intended destination in Cinque Terre. The closest village to La Spezia Centrale is Riomaggiore (8 minutes), while Monterosso is the furthest (23 minutes). The total travel time by bus is between 2.5 and 3.5 hours and costs between $18 and $40.

There is no direct bus from Florence to Cinque Terre. You can take a bus from Florence to Genoa and transfer to a train from there, but this option is not recommended as it takes longer and is more complicated than simply taking the train.

The fastest way to travel from Florence to Cinque Terre is by car, which takes approximately 2 hours. The road distance is 171.8 km or 106 miles. The cost of driving includes tolls and fuel, with a toll fee of €14 one way.

The cheapest way to travel from Florence to Cinque Terre is by train, which costs between $11 and $35 and takes between 2 hours and 3.5 hours. There is a direct train from Firenze S.M.N. to Corniglia that takes 2 hours and 29 minutes and costs $11. There are also trains from Firenze S.M.N. to La Spezia Centrale, which take around 2 hours. From La Spezia, you can take the Cinque Terre Express train to any of the five villages in Cinque Terre. The cost of the train from La Spezia to Cinque Terre is €18.20 for adults and €11.20 for children aged 4-12.

If you are looking for a more scenic route, you can take a ferry from the port of La Spezia to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, or Monterosso. The boat ride takes 30 minutes to Manarola and 2 hours to Monterosso. The price of the ferry is €20-€25 depending on the destination.

There are also private transfer and tour options available, which can be more expensive but may be more convenient and offer a more personalized experience.

Transport options

There are several transport options for travelling from Florence to Cinque Terre, including by train, bus, car, or guided tour. Here is a breakdown of each option:

By Train

The train is the most popular way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre. There is no direct train, but you can take a regional train from Florence's Santa Maria Novella station to La Spezia and then transfer to the Cinque Terre Express train to your final destination in Cinque Terre. The entire journey takes around 2.5 to 3 hours and costs between 18 and 30 euros.

By Bus

Taking the bus from Florence to Cinque Terre is possible, but it is not a direct route. It involves taking a bus from Florence to Genoa and then transferring to a train to Cinque Terre. This option is more complicated and time-consuming than taking the train, with minimal savings in cost.

By Car

If you are planning a road trip in Italy, renting a car can be a good option for getting to Cinque Terre from Florence. The drive is scenic, taking you through vineyards and olive groves. However, the roads in Cinque Terre are narrow and steep, and parking is limited and expensive. It is recommended to park in La Spezia and take the train or ferry to Cinque Terre.

By Guided Tour

If you prefer a stress-free experience with local insights, you can opt for a guided tour from Florence to Cinque Terre. This option offers private or small group tours with transportation, train tickets, and optional add-ons like boat rides. The cost can range from 700 to 1200 euros per group for a private tour or 150 to 200 euros per person for a small group tour.

By Plane

The closest airports to Cinque Terre are Pisa and Genoa, but Florence Airport (Peretola) is also an option. From the airport, you can take a shuttle, tram, taxi, or private transfer to Florence's Santa Maria Novella train station and then follow the train instructions above.

The journey by train

The train is the best way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre. There is no direct train, but the journey is simple and painless. You can take a direct train from Florence's Santa Maria Novella station to La Spezia in Liguria, and from there, transfer to the Cinque Terre Express train to get to the five towns. This journey will take around 2.5 to 3 hours.

There are trains every day, departing Florence for La Spezia as early as 5 am, and the last trains from La Spezia to Florence usually leave around 10 pm. Trains depart Florence for La Spezia every hour or half-hour, depending on the time of day. The cost of a ticket is about 15 euros.

Once you arrive in La Spezia, you will need to buy a new ticket for the Cinque Terre Express train to continue your journey. These trains leave every hour between 6 am and 10 pm, and the ride takes 15-30 minutes. Travel between the five towns takes about 5 minutes.

The most cost-effective option is to buy a Cinque Terre Card, which gives you unlimited rides on the Cinque Terre Express train, as well as access to all the hiking and walking trails in the national park. The card costs 18.40 euros for adults and 11.20 for children aged 4-12.

The total travel time from Florence to Cinque Terre by train is around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, and the average cost is 20-30 euros.

It is important to note that in Italy, you must validate your train ticket before boarding any Regionale train. You can do this at the station or on the mobile app.

If you are looking for a more scenic route, you can also take the train from Florence to Sestri Levante and then transfer to the Cinque Terre Express train. This route offers beautiful views of the Italian countryside and the Mediterranean Sea.

Overall, the train is a convenient, affordable, and enjoyable way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre, allowing you to relax and take in the surroundings as you travel to your destination.

The journey by bus

There is no direct bus from Florence to Cinque Terre. However, you can take a bus from Florence to Genoa and transfer to take a train from there. This option takes longer and is more complicated than taking the train, with minimal—if any—savings, so it is not recommended.

If you are set on travelling by bus, it is possible to take a bus from Florence to La Spezia and then take the Cinque Terre Express train to the five villages. This journey takes 3 hours and 46 minutes and costs $18–$40.

The bus from Florence Villa Constanza Bus Station to La Spezia Chiosco Palme Viale Italia is run by MarinoBus and costs $23–$35. It takes 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Other options

The best way to get from Florence to Cinque Terre is by train. There are frequent connections from the central station in Florence, Santa Maria Novella, to Cinque Terre. There are no direct trains, only routes with one or two connections. The journey takes 2 hours and 29 minutes and costs $11–$35.

You can also drive from Florence to Cinque Terre. The drive is approximately 106.7 miles and takes 2 hours and 4 minutes.

The journey by car

Driving from Florence to Cinque Terre can be a wonderful way to see the Italian countryside and have the flexibility to stop along the way. The journey typically takes between 3 and 4 hours without traffic, depending on your exact starting point in Florence and your destination within Cinque Terre.

The most direct route is via the A11 and A12 highways, which offer scenic views of the Tuscan hills and the Mediterranean coast. From Florence, join the A11 highway heading west, then take the A12 toward Genoa. This route offers the advantage of being a faster option, but keep in mind that Italian highways require a toll. So, have some change or smaller euro notes ready for the toll booths.

An alternative route, which is slightly longer but toll-free, is to take the SS67 Tosco-Romagnola road west out of Florence. This route takes you through some charming towns and offers a more varied landscape, including vineyards and olive groves. You will pass through Pistoia, famous for its medieval walls, and then join the SS12 in San Marcello Pistoiese. This road winds through the Apennine Mountains, providing stunning views and the opportunity to stop in small mountain villages for a coffee or a bite to eat. Eventually, you will descend towards the coast and La Spezia, from where you can take the coastal road to Cinque Terre.

The final part of your journey involves navigating the narrow, winding roads of Cinque Terre itself. The main road through the region is the SS1, which connects all five villages. Keep in mind that parking in Cinque Terre can be challenging, and it is often easier to park in La Spezia and take a train or ferry to the villages. However, if you do wish to drive, each village has a parking area, although spaces can fill up quickly during peak season.

Frequently asked questions