Train from Venice to Monterosso (Cinque Terre)

To understand the wealth and power of Italy’s historic maritime republics, you need to visit Venice. But to experience the simple life that most Italians led until recent decades, there’s nothing like the five tiny fishing villages perched on the Ligurian coast known as the Cinque Terre. Although the Cinque Terre towns can be just as crowded as Venice, these rustic coastal villages have a charm of their own.

Your first instinct may be to drive the 246.5 miles (397 km) from Venice to the Cinque Terre region, but keep in mind that you are going to two cities that restrict access to vehicles. Taking the train will save you the trouble of driving in these towns, and also finding and paying for remote parking outside both cities.

Frequent Trains from Venice to Cinque Terre-Monterosso

Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five Cinque Terre towns, so it has the busiest train station. There are 22 trains each day which cross Italy from Venice to Monterosso, taking between 5.5 and 6.5 hours to make the trip. Almost all trains combine stretches on high-speed Alta Velocità (AV) Frecce and Intercity trains, with stretches on the slower Regionale trains. You’ll need to change trains at least once along the way. Routes via Milan include one change and routes via Florence include at least two. Ticket prices start at $34.

Note that weekends and holidays may mean less frequent service and longer travel times.

Direct Trains from Venice to Cinque Terre-Monterosso

There are no direct trains from Venice to Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre.

Amenities on Trains from Venice to Cinque Terre-Monterosso

The Frecciarossa is the fastest AV train and its amenities include monitors listing travel information and news, air conditioning, individual power outlets, WIFI, and 3g and 4g internet. The various classes sport color-coded cars. The executive class is brown, offering a station lounge and meal service. Business and Premium are blue and red, providing a snack, drink, and a newspaper to its passengers. Finally, the Standard class is orange and also has a snack and drink service. A café car is also open to all passengers.

Frecciabianca and Frecciargento trains are slower, lower-tier AV trains, with air-conditioned 1st  and 2nd-class cars and individual power outlets. First-class travelers enjoy a free drink and newspaper, and all trains include either snack service and/or a café car.

Intercity trains are AV trains which are faster and more comfortable than Regionale trains but slower and less luxurious than Frecce trains. Intercity trains have air conditioned 1st-class and 2nd-class cars, and a café car. First class seats have power outlets, free newspapers, a mini-bar, and meal service.

Regionale trains may have 1st-class and 2nd-class cars, or only 2nd-class. Seats are not reserved in advance, so passengers may choose any available seat on their class car. Regionale trains do not have snack service or a café car, and the air­ conditioning and power sockets may be out of order.

Venice and Cinque Terre-Monterosso Train Stations

Venice has two stations: Mestre on the mainland, and Venezia Santa Lucia (abbreviated as S.Lucia) on the islands; Santa Lucia is the most convenient for departing travelers. There is a vaporetto (water bus) stop right outside the station on the Grand Canal.

Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five towns which make up the Cinque Terre, and also has the biggest train station. In addition to the slow local trains serving Cinque Terre, Monterosso also has service from faster trains coming into the region from cities like Milan or Rome. The station is in the center of town, and there are local buses if your accommodation is too far to reach on foot.