Milan to the Cinque Terre by train

How long is the train from Milan to the Cinque Terre?

About 3 hours on a direct Intercity. The fastest Milan to La Spezia trains take about 3 hours 7 minutes; the average across all trains is closer to 3.5 hours.

A real example from the 2026 timetable: IC 665 leaves Milano Centrale at 12:10, calls at Genova Piazza Principe and Brignole, reaches Levanto at 15:01, Monterosso at 15:07 and La Spezia Centrale at 15:21. That one does not run on some summer dates, which is a good reminder to check your exact day.

Slower regional trains need a change in Genoa and take longer. For a day trip, the direct Intercity is the one you want.

How often do direct trains run, and how early can you leave?

There are about 9 direct trains a day, roughly every 2 hours, with the first around 6:00 in the morning.

For a day trip, the first or second direct train of the morning is the only realistic choice: anything later and you arrive with too little daylight left.

Which station should you get off at?

Monterosso if you start in the north, La Spezia Centrale if you start in Riomaggiore or Manarola. The direct Intercity stops at Levanto, Monterosso and La Spezia.

Monterosso is one of the five villages, so you can start exploring the moment you step off. La Spezia is the regional city just south of Riomaggiore; you change there to the local train. Levanto lies just north of the park and is mainly useful for parking or staying overnight.

How much does the train cost?

From about €15.90 each way in 2nd class on an Intercity booked in advance, so about €32 return. Walk-up fares are higher.

Then add the local trains between villages: a single ticket costs €5, €8 or €10 depending on the day, or a one-day Cinque Terre Treno card costs €22 to €35 for an adult in 2026. See the Cinque Terre Card guide for which is cheaper on your day.

Do you need to reserve a seat?

Yes, seat reservation is mandatory on Intercity trains, and the reservation comes with the ticket.

Book online or in the Trenitalia app. Advance fares are cheaper and sell out on summer weekends, so buy as soon as your date is fixed. Regional trains have no reservations and fixed fares.

How do you get back to Milan the same day?

Take a direct Intercity from Monterosso or La Spezia Centrale in the late afternoon or early evening; the last direct trains leave in the evening.

Pick your return train before you go and plan the day backwards from it. The local train from the far villages to La Spezia takes only minutes, but platforms are crowded in the late afternoon, so leave a buffer. If you miss the last direct train, slower regional connections via Genoa are the fallback.

Is the train better than a coach tour from Milan?

For most people, yes: it is cheaper, about as fast, and stops inside the villages, while coaches stop outside and switch to trains or boats anyway.

Coach reviewers' most common complaint is time: guests on the most-booked coach day report about 2 to 3 hours in the villages out of a 12 to 14 hour day. A coach makes sense if you want one booking with a tour leader at the lowest price, from $80. If you want the train's freedom and someone to run the logistics, the first-class train day with a private guide (from $681) is the in-between option.

First-class train tickets from Milano Centrale, a private guide for about 5 hours on the coast, local trains and a boat hop in season.

★ 4.9 from 17 reviews · 12 hours · from $681

Explore the first-class train day with a private guide →

Can you drive instead?

You can, but the drive is about 230 km and 3 hours, and parking in the villages is scarce, so drivers park in Levanto or La Spezia and take the train in anyway.

The route is the A7 toward Genoa, then the A12 toward Livorno, with tolls of about €24. Exit at Carrodano-Levanto for Monterosso, or La Spezia for Riomaggiore and Manarola. The roads down to the villages are narrow and steep.

Frequently asked questions