Hiking the trail will take around 9 to 12 hours. Ferry boat and train tickets (only train in winter season), Free time in Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiore and Vernazza **From November 1st to March 31st the boat service is not available so the itinerary will be guaranteed with train**, The tour is confirmed only when the minimum number of people is reached, Travel by minivan 9 seats from Florence to the Cinque Terre. Situated on the western edge of the historic centre, you can find it here on Google Maps. Departures run from about 6 am in high season, and all train journeys from Florence to Cinque Terre will require a connection (change of train) at La Spezia Centrale station. Arrive in Riomaggiore, an ancient fishing village and the most southern of the 5 villages.
You can cancel most tours without penalty 24 hours before the start of the tour. Very frustrating! Its super funny to see all the other tourists doing the Michael Jackson thriller pose. And if youre feeling lazy? If the tour has a stricter cancelation policy, it is clearly stated on the tour description page. Upon booking you will receive a confirmation voucher containing your tour details and some important information. Its impossible to visit all villages in one day, so to make sure that youll spend your time wisely, here are the three must dos in Cinque Terre. A private transfer from Florence Airport to Cinque Terre (188 km / 116 miles) will be expensive - at least 250 - and take about two hours. A one-way ticket costs 6, and you can purchase at the airport and on board. This is not wrong advice, but is slightly misleading. Read my other blog if you want to learn more about nice train trips from Florence. But if you want to take it easy and only visit one of the 5 villages, I suggest to go for Riomaggiore. The Cinque Terre has no airport, meaning Pisa and Genoa are the closest, most practical entry points by air. I will not resume the included meal if it were to be done again. Experience comfortable transportation throughout your trip in safe and clean vehicles with plenty of space to sit back and relax. If youre flying into Florence and planning on going straight to the coast - read on! If you have selected the add-on, sit down at a local restaurant with a beautiful terrace and sea views. This ancient fishing village with lovely beaches and lush vegetation covering the rocks that will certainly astonish you. Weve explained how the Cinque Terre Express transport system works in this article, but the relevant information is that its always easier when booking on TrenItalia to insert your final destination rather than trying to work out transfers or changes yourself with single tickets. The Cinque Terre area consists of five fishing villages and is also known as Italys fabulous five. Ado, the traveling buddy (doesnt refer to himself as a guide) was absolutely amazing. Here is our list of most recommended tours and activities from Florence: If the tour gets canceled by the tour operator you are entitled to a full refund or you can participate on the tour on an alternative date (subject to availability). Be sure to savor your final sampling of the Liguria regions famous flavors, including its highly prized pesto, because soon youll be back onboard the train for a quick ride to your private air-conditioned coach to Florence. The meeting point differs from tour to tour. Get a c.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery: youll get there in about an hour. Cinque Terre, WoW! Tripadvisor 2019 Certificate of Excellence, Many of our tours offer the best price on the market. Here you will join a small guided walk through the vines, and then enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. What a beautiful place and yes, what you see on Instagram or online you will see there as is. You may also get an option involving Sestri Levante. This church/cathedral was built in the 12th century and is one of the most beautiful gothic structures of Italy. We're huge fans of road trips but the truth is that a rental car is not only impractical and unnecessary for accessing and enjoying the Cinque Terre, it's going to end up being an expensive burden for the nights you spend there (we've explained more in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Cinque Terre). Excursions start from. The lowest price of tours to Cinque Terre from Florence start from 90 per person. After the hike, you will still be able to enjoy free time in Monterosso. Take the bus! Meet our staff in Florence where the tour will begin. We assume that most of you reading this article will be choosing to spend a few days in the city first - if so, just skip to the next section. Then you will move to Vernazza, a village overlooked by the remains of a Medieval castle with a cylindrical tower, in which you can enjoy some free time. A moderate amount is involved to visit Cinque Terre. Departure are around every six minutes, tickets cost 1.50, and it takes 20 minutes to arrive at the train station. By using these you are directly supporting Along Dusty Roads to remain an independent travel blog, and to provide you with free content to help you travel more, and travel better. Look for a guide wearing GetYourGuide attire and holding a red GetYourGuide sign. There, you will find the meeting point details along with some images, tips, links to Google Maps and GPS coordinates. Its also a realistic and accessible next stop on your Italy itinerary once you've spent a few nights or longer in Florence (Firenze) - and thats exactly what we did last summer! You can easily reach the meeting point getting on T1 Leonardo tramway direction Villa Costanza (you have to get off at Villa Costanza stop which is also the end of the line). Choose to add lunch on a scenic terrace, and/or a rewarding hike through coastal vineyards. After that you will reach Monterosso, known as the pearl of Cinque Terre. Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. Ill happily advise you about visiting Cinque Terre, Pisa, Siena, and Florence of course. First youll have a typical Ligurian lunch, where youll get the chance to taste the handmade pasta trofie with Pesto sauce, and other typical delicatessen. From the bus station, you're a two minute walk from Santa Maria Novella train station! If you will have some questions or issues with the booking process you are welcome to send us an email at booking@happytovisit.com, By submitting this form, you agree that we use your details to contact you and to our. Read more, Explore the breathtaking Ligurian coast on a tour of Portovenere and the Cinque Terre, a .
If you're going to stay for a few nights in the Cinque Terre, we recommend you have your accommodation booked well in advance and that village will be your end destination from Florence. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. There you have it: three beautiful cities that are perfect for a day trip from Florence. You'll also find a few options pop up with three connections, but we'd understand if you've got a bunch of luggage that this may not be worth the hassle! No worries, a new train leaves the platform every hour to take you to Pisa. The water is often a bit rough though, so keep that in mind if you suffer from seasickness. From Santa Maria Novella station, you'll find regular Trenitalia trains (at least one an hour, sometimes two) to bring you to any of the five Cinque Terre villages in 2.5 - 3.5 hours. Admire.
After that youll enjoy the village of Riomaggiore a small village plenty of several colored houses, defined as tower - houses, developed in height on three or four floors, which follow the steep course of the stream Enjoy some free time before heading back to La Spezia where the bus will be waiting for you. Please enter password with at least 5 characters! Youll notice fishermens boats docked daintily by the beach, colorful homes peppering the scenery, an old house looming on the horizon. Although its a 400 steps climb, its definitely worth the effort. We were very well supported by Tabata Lilo and Junko. Read more. The leaning tower of this city is just a 25 minute walk from Pisa Central Station. Our City Wonders guides will be holding a sign or a flag with the name City Wonders written on it at the meeting point. Stationed in front of the terminal, it's a fixed fee from the airport to downtown Florence, including the train station: 22 during the day, 25 from 10 pm - 6 am, and 24 on national holidays. If you're planning a day trip independently, then you can arrive and begin at any of the villages. Note that there are no train connections between Florence Airport and the city. Once again, take your time to amble around the area on your own and discover everything fate has in store for you. Find out more about the Cinque Terre transport system, and how to save money on it, in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Cinque Terre. Piazza dellUnit Italiana - Open in Google Maps, For information related to COVID measures currently in place, including specifics regarding the requirements and restrictions associated with visiting tourist attractions and travel, please review the following guidance:https://citywonders.com/covid-guidelines. Instructions to reach the meeting point: Meet our staff, who will be wearing green shirts, at Villa Costanza, Florence Coach Station. This takes longer and is more convoluted than simply taking the train, with minimal if any savings, so we do not recommend it. Its quite breathtaking. From Florence, you'll be able to reach all of the villages via public transport with only a slight difference in total cost and travel time. When joining a tour to Cinque Terre from Florence you will have an opportunity to visit some of these locations as well: The most popular tours to Cinque Terre from Florence are: Tours to Cinque Terre sometimes get fully booked so it is advisable to book at your earlier convenience. In this case, it will be replaced with transportation by train, Lunch can be selected as an add-on during the booking process. When visiting Cinque Terre, I highly recommend doing a boat tour. Cost | Varies depending on where you park and toll roads. However, spots are very limited and expensive, and your car will only sit there for the days you're exploring the Cinque Terre on foot or by train. Enjoy a pleasant ride back to Florence where the tour will end. Inside the cathedral you will find sculptures of Michelangelo, Donatello and Bernini. If you're focussing on only travelling between the two, then its simply easier and more enjoyable to take the train. In Italy, it's also required to validate tickets (paper or mobile) before boarding any Regionale train - you risk a heavy fine if you forget to do it. Monterosso.
At this main square youll find the leaning tower, the Cathedral of Pisa, the Baptistry and much more. Apart from which hike you choose, remember to take your time and explore the lovely towns. Not a bad idea at all, but there's a couple of caveats. Our guide, Edward, was very good with herding us around and did a great job as a guide too. Climb the steps to reach the center of this quaint village and take some time to wander around. With our Cinque Terre tour you will have the opportunity to visit the breathtaking coastline of Liguria, a little piece of paradise divided into five villages suspended on sheer cliffs above the sea; a unique landscape where lush vegetation and vineyards create a spectacular setting. Led only by 5-star guides and local aficionados, you can expect intriguing insights, fun facts, and stories from the people who call your destination home. It's only 4 kms / 2.4 miles outside the city, and from there you have three options to reach your next stop - Florence Santa Maria Novella train station (Google Maps). Typical travel times and costs listed (January 2022) for all five villages are: // Florence to Monterosso | 2.5 - 3.5 hours, 1 - 2 changes, 15 - 19 per person, // Florence to Vernazza | 3 - 3.5 hours, 1 - 2 changes, 15.20, // Florence to Corniglia | 3 - 3.5 hours, 1 - 2 changes, 15.20, // Florence to Manarola | 3 - 3.5 hours, 1 - 2 changes, 14.60, // Florence to Riomaggiore | 3 - 3.5 hours, 1 - 2 changes, 14.60.
Arrive in Manarola, the first of the Cinque Terre villages you will visit. Tours to Cinque Terre from Florence start in the morning. Enjoy free time to explore this beautiful village on your own. Not until you reach our final destination, Riomaggiore. If you want to make the most out of this Cinque Terre experience, we also offer an optional 45 minutes light hike, for those who want to see the stunning mainland and coastline scenery from a different perspective. There are a myriad of ways to reach the station from elsewhere in Florence: the majority of the city's bus lines include it on their route as does the Tramvia tram, it's walkable from several popular accommodation areas, whilst a taxi from central Florence will cost about 13 + 1 per luggage item. A City Wonders tour is the product of meticulous research, detailed planning, and a passion for providing customers with travel experiences they will cherish forever. This Romanesque church is located right next to the tower of Pisa and is known for its magnificent interior. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure. Close to the Piazza del Campo youll find the next stop: Duomo Santa Maria. Flying or travelling into Florence and want to know how to get to the Cinque Terre? These guidelines are in place to ensure that all guests have a safe and enjoyable day trip out of the city of Florence. Less stress is always a good thing on road trips! Similarly, getting off at La Spezia station and buying an onward single ticket to a Cinque Terre village is often a teeny bit more expensive. The connection stations make little to no difference to you in practical terms, but connecting to the Intercity train in Pisa or La Spezia to Monterosso does increase the ticket coast significantly (i.e .15 increases to 25), so should be avoided. After youve enjoyed the amazing 360 degrees view of the city, continue your trip to the Civic Museum. In case of national railway strikes, we may be forced to change the itinerary and no refund will be issued since it is beyond our control. Made the whole experience feel easy and was very knowledgeable about the towns along the way and in Cinque Terre. I was always hungry when I left .. :(. One of Italy's most alluring destinations, the Cinque Terre offers quintessential Mediterranean charms and experiences to the traveller in summer or shoulder-season. What we'd actually recommend is to consider basing yourselves in one of the larger towns outside the Cinque Terre i.e.
An exhausting day but worth every minute! We were very large group splitting in two when we get to the train.You need 2h with bus (which is really modern comfy bus) to get to La Spezia where you can catch the train for 5 villages of Cinque Terra. What time should I arrive at the meeting point? Then, choose to either go on an adventurous guided hike from Corniglia to Vernazza, or if you prefer to take it easy, follow your guide and take a train instead. Youll first reach Manarola, a tiny urban jewel characterized by Genoese style case-torri. The whole city is built around the Piazza del Campo and blends into the surrounding landscape. 2022 Once again, take your time to wander around the area on your own and discover everything fate has in store for just you. The first stop of our day trip brings you to the town of Vernazza, one of the most stunning places on the West Coast of Italy. This tour is a fantastic opportunity to discover and, Round-trip transport from Florence by private coach, Cinque Terre National Park admission ticket, Explore Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso and Manarola, All of our guides are experts in their field, We only hire fluent English-speakers so nothing is ever lost in translation, We focus on the little details and anecdotes that make City Wonders so special. The third Italian city that is perfect for a day trip from Florence is Siena. Relax for a bit and dont forget to take a good look around. Here in this tiny village perched high atop a cliff dropping straight into the sea, youll be dazzled with sweeping views of the tiny harbor, full of colorful boats and vibrant natural formations. Depending on your wishes and your group size it can be cheaper that most of the offered tours! Also, make sure to read 9 Car Rental Tips for Travellers before you book anything online or in person - its guaranteed to save you money. Free Cancellation Up to 48 hours in advance. We will visit four of the five villages. There was minimal time to visit Manarola, Corneglia, and Riomaggiore. Read more, Discover this 4 charming places on a wonderful tour that starts from Florence. Let your tour leader guide you through the terraced vineyards, the ancient olive groves and the spectacular panoramic views that will stay in your memories forever. All our meeting points are located close to metro stations and are easy to access. Siena is undeniably pretty, but it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Then it is all aboard! as you are taken by train (14 minutes transfer) to the oldest town of Manarola, characterized by its colorful boats and waterfront looking out over the blue-grey rocks to the sea. Before booking a tour we invite you to read our guide to visiting Cinque Terre from Florence to learn more. Here are some tips to help you find your way through the many cobblestone roads and alleys. It connects to the Blue trail, but it takes a little longer to complete. First on the to do-list when youre in Siena: the main square Piazza del Campo. In this blog Ill give you my tips for a day trip from Florence to these three popular destinations. The Castle of Riomaggiore is also worth visiting. There was a young woman, in our group, who obviously was interested in Edward and he did a good balancing act with her creeping in for more attention and tending to us. Details of Florence is owned by Esther Baardemans and located at. Tours however tend to proceed even in light rain - the decision is up to the tour operator. With City Wonders it's not just facts, our passionate guides tell you the stories that bring the sights to life. Some of you may be reading this as you plan for a longer Italian road trip, picking up the car at the airport or in Florence and incorporating Cinque Terre alongside other highlights of northern Italy. Return transportation by bus or minivan from Florence, Entry ticket to Cinque Terre National Park, Boat ride (April to October only, weather permitting), Free time in Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore, Guided hike from Corniglia to Vernazza (if option selected), Lunch (unless add-on selected at checkout), Discover the colorful villages that make up the Cinque Terre, Marvel at the houses built on steep cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea, Opt to enjoy lunch at a restaurant terrace in Corniglia with beautiful sea views, Take a refreshing swim in the sea or explore local boutiques, Enjoy a boat ride along the coast and take pictures of the stunning coastline, The itinerary may change due to the closure of paths, bad weather, or unforeseen events, If you would like to stay in Cinque Terre after the tour ends, or depart from Florence by train after the tour, you are welcome to bring your luggage with you, It is recommended to book any rail travel from Florence after 9:30 PM, to allow time for any traffic delays on your return journey, From November 1 to March 31, the boat service is not available and will be replaced with transportation by train, In case of bad weather the boat ride will not be available. With a local guide, youll experience your destination in a way that other visitors dont. GetYourGuide. The other main hiking trail in Cinque Terre is the Sentiero Rosso, the Red trail in English. Please note: From November 2nd to March 31st due to the absence of the boat service the itinerary would be guaranteed anyway with trains and bus. If you do this option, please do further research to confirm parking availability and costs. Use this return trip to rest while relishing in the wonderful memories just collected on this one-of-a-kind tour. We really loved this day trip and cannot recommend it enough. Request a tailor-made tour! After meeting your guide in central Florence, listen to an insightful introduction about the Cinque Terre on the 2-hour bus journey to La Spezia. The only time that wed recommend doing it is if you are planning on taking the Cinque Terre Express a few more times that day between the villages and / or going on a section of the Blue Trail hike - in that case you will save a few euro overall by purchasing the Cinque Terre Treno card, which includes unlimited travel within the Cinque Terre Express train network. Theres no Cinque Terre train station, and you instead need to search schedules using the specific village youre looking to end up in. Also the other four villages, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza and Corniglia, are very beautiful and worth a visit. This trip is well worth it but you have to keep up a fast pace to ensure you meet the train schedules. The cheapest and most practical option is the Volainbus shuttle service, picking up outside arrivals. The drive to the coast is pretty straightforward (2.5 hours, 150+ kms / 93+ miles), but you're strongly advised to only considering staying in Monterosso al Mare or Riomaggiore as they have parking for non-locals. Meet your tour guide in Florence and start a journey that will take your breath away - head by coach to the seaside towns of Vernazza, Monterosso, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Three options are: You are able to go by bus from Florence to Genoa and transfer to take a train from there. Sign up for exclusive offers with the latest travel news and tips: Copyright 2022 City Wonders Limited. The food, however, was very good. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line via getyourguide.com. I prefer traveling to Cinque Terre by train, because you dont have to worry about parking your car: just sit back and enjoy the beautiful view. Visit all five villages of the colorful Cinque Terre National Park on this guided tour from Florence. The tram service is the cheapest and most convenient, running from 5 am to midnight (Sunday to Thursday) and until 1.30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. However, a quick search of departures on any day will also bring up a variety of routes with two connections, usually in the combination of Florence > Pisa Centrale (1 hour), Pisa Centrale > La Spezia (60-90mins), La Spezia > your final stop in Cinque Terre (8-23 minutes). This tour is not wheelchair accessible. The bus departs from the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. With GetYourGuide Originals, you can enjoy complimentary rescheduling if youre late or plans change, and a full refund if youre not completely satisfied after taking your tour. / / 1.53 Firenze S. M. Novella > 15:26 Manarola | 3 hours 33 mins, change in La Spezia. In Pisa you can visit a lot of monuments and beautiful buildings at the Piazza del Duomo. Cinque Terre is a collective name given to five small and very picturesque vilages situated on the North-West coast of Italy.