Travel from the birthplace of the Renaissance to a popular coastal hiking trail. Learn about taking the train from Florence to Cinque Terre-Riomaggiore.
For many travelers, an Italy itinerary includes a stay in Florence with a trip to the Cinque Terre - five charming fishing villages on the Ligurian coast that have become immensely popular for their hiking trails.
It can appear that driving would be faster, covering the 101 miles (163 km) from Florence to Riomaggiore in less than two hours, but driving requires you to navigate some winding roads toward the coast. Also, you can’t drive into or park in the Cinque Terre towns themselves. The train may take a little longer, but it eliminates much of the hassle.
Trains from Florence to Cinque Terre-Riomaggiore
There are at least 12 trains departing Firenze Santa Maria Novella station headed for Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre each day, from early morning to late afternoon. All of them require at least one change en route, as there are no direct trains from Florence to Riomaggiore, the southernmost of the five Cinque Terre towns.
Some routes from Florence to Riomaggiore require one change along the way, while others require two changes. The one-transfer itineraries involve a change in La Spezia from one Regionale train to another. The two-transfer itineraries involve you taking a Regionale train to Pisa Centrale, an InterCity train from Pisa to Levanto, and another Regionale train from Levanto to Riomaggiore.
The journey time can be from 2 hours and 39 minutes to 3 hours and 25 minutes, with some of the two-transfer routes taking less time than the one-transfer routes. Tickets cost $19-28.
Note that weekends and holidays typically mean less frequent service and sometimes longer travel times.
Direct Trains from Florence to Cinque Terre-Riomaggiore
There are no direct trains from Florence to Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre.
Amenities on Trains from Florence to Cinque Terre-Riomaggiore
There are sometimes 1st class and 2nd class cars on Regionale trains, but not always. Because reservations are not required on these trains, you simply find an available seat on a car in the appropriate class for your ticket. There is no food service or cafe car on these trains, and although they are supposed to be air-conditioned it isn’t always functional.
Florence and Cinque Terre-Riomaggiore Train Stations
Florence's Santa Maria Novella station, the main station in the city, is close to the historic center, and is a major hub for city and regional buses, making it easy to get to and from the station if you're traveling light.
The train station in Riomaggiore is near the start of the famous Via dell’Amore, the first part of the hiking trail that connects the five Cinque Terre villages. The base of the street that serves as the center of town is about a 5-10 minutes walk from the station.
Journey Information
See below for details on traveling from Florence to Riomaggiore by train.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Train Travel in Italy
From seat assignments and luggage space, to the different types of tickets, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about train travel in Italy.
Arrival and Departure Train Destinations
Read on for information about Florence to Riomaggiore train stations.
Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Guide

The center of the Renaissance is also a popular Central Italy hub for rail connections.
Read More >>Riomaggiore (Cinque Terre)

The five villages that make up Cinque Terre have long been popular tourist destinations on the Ligurian coast, but you can’t buy tickets to the “Cinque Terre train station" since Cinque Terre refers to the five towns collectively.
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