The idea of a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence is as irresistible as gelato on a summer day.
Who can resist the stunning, colourful cliffside villages of Cinque Terre Italy?
Whether you’re deciding about the ease of a group tour or the adventure of navigating the train on your own, there’s a certain magic in discovering these picturesque towns nestled along the Ligurian coast.
Having done this trip myself, I can’t wait to share my tips with you to ensure your day trip is nothing short of spectacular.
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Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip: Group Tour vs Train Travel
Deciding between a group tour and taking the train independently to Cinque Terre boils down to convenience versus flexibility.
A group tour offers hassle-free travel with everything organized for you, from transportation to guided insights about each village. This means no worrying about train schedules, connections, or language barriers. Plus, you’ll often benefit from the knowledge of a local guide, gaining deeper insights into the area’s history and culture.
On the other hand, travelling independently by train gives you the freedom to set your own pace and spend as much time as you like in each village. However, it requires meticulous planning, and any hiccups with train schedules can cut into your precious sightseeing time.
If you’re looking for a stress-free experience where you can sit back and soak in the beauty of Cinque Terre without logistical worries, I highly recommend opting for a group tour.
3 Best Florence to Cinque Terre Tour Options
1. Seaside Beauty Day Trip to Cinque Terre
⭐️ RATING: 4.4/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 12 hours
This group tour grants you the freedom to explore four of the five villages of Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore at your own pace.
What’s Included:
- Transportation by bus from Florence to Cinque Terre
- Tour guide in multiple languages (English, French, Italian, Portugues, German, Spanish)
- Motor vessel ticket, train ticket, boat ride ticket (to travel between villages)
“The excursion was super good, the guides Anastasia, Daniel and Mario, were very kind and attentive at all times, with the whole group. The only negative point was that there were too many people at the time we visited. This was warned by the guides before we went start the tour, because it is not their fault In general we are delighted with the places and we recommend the tour without a doubt.”
Carolina of Costa Rica
Perfect for Sightseers: Check Prices and Availability!
2. Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence with Optional Hike
⭐️ RATING: 4.8/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 13 hours
What makes this group tour stand out is the option to take a guided hike from Corniglia to Vernazza which you do not want to pass up! I’ve done this hike and it is so incredible. Escape the crowds and you will be treated to stunning coastal views.
What’s Included:
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach bus with a limit of 25 people
- English-speaking tour guide
- Entry ticket to Cinque Terre National Park
- Boat ride and train tickets to go between the villages
- Free time in all five towns
“Jessica was a wonderful tour guide and pointed us in all the right directions once we got to the train stations. (We didn’t follow the tour so we could go at our own pace with my elderly mother) the tour bus was very comfortable, scenic and AC’d. We had a special time in beautiful Cinque Terre and would recommend it.”
Dona of USA
For adventurists: Check Prices and Availability!
3. Private Day Trip from Florence to Cinque Terre
⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours
Experience the ultimate Cinque Terre day trip with this private, exclusive tour and visit all five towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore.
What’s Included:
- National park day-pass
- Train and boat tickets
- Multi-course lunch
- A certified guide with you the entire day
- Private transportation with pick up from your accommodation
“Fabian (Fabio) was the perfect guide for our packed day trip to Cinque Terre. He’s was smart, kind, and very fun, and he even extended our tour to give us more time in each village. He’s a wine sommalie and he knew everything to make the day amazing for us, and he’s a great conversationalist to make sure there’s never a dull moment.
Visiting all 5 villages in one day is a big task, but Fabio made sure we had enough time in each location, expertly navigating the trains and crowds to ensure we had all we needed. He was even willing to alter the tour if we had any needs to be met. He made us feel like VIPs, also with personally knowing so many people in the villages who gave us some preferential treatment. He also helped with our dinner reservations after the tour, which was above and beyond.”
Allison of USA
For Ultra-Experience Traveller: Check Prices and Availability!
Self-planned Day Trip to Cinque Terre from Florence
If you’ve decided to skip the group tour and go it alone, you have two options – by train or by car.
Florence to Cinque Terre by Train
Frecciarento + Regional Train ⭐ (Recommend this option)
- From Firenze Campo di Marte station to La Spezia
- From La Spezia take a Regional train that stops at each of the 5 villages (Riomaggiore is 10-minute and Monterosso al Mare is 25-minutes)
Regional + Intercity Train
- From Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station, catch the Regional Train to Pisa Centrale (approximately 1 hour)
- Arrive in Pisa and switch to an Intercity train to La Spezia Centrale (approximately 1 hour)
- From La Spezia take a Regional train that stops at each of the 5 villages (Riomaggiore is 10-minute and Monterosso al Mare is 25-minutes)
Check dates and book your train tickets in advance to save money.
Florence to Cinque Terre by Car
- Rent a car and from Florence take the A11 to Viareggio then the A12 northbound to La Spezia (about 2 hours)
- From La Spezia park your car and take the Regional Train that stops at each of the 5 villages (Riomaggiore is 10-minute and Monterosso al Mare is 25-minutes)
As a Holidaymaker
Even if you only have a day, take it! It’s impossible not to see one of Italy’s best UNESCO World Heritage sites.
If you’ve decided that a single day isn’t enough, why not extend your stay and experience the magic of these villages after the day-trippers have left? Check out my Cinque Terre 3 day itinerary for a more relaxed and immersive adventure.
Or, if you’re still on the hunt for the perfect day trip from Florence, explore my guide on Tuscany wine tours.
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