Single ticket or Cinque Terre Card Train?
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SINGLE TICKET OR CINQUE TERRE TRAIN CARD?



One of the most frequently asked questions by those who want to visit the Cinque Terre by train is "better to buy single tickets between the various stations or take the Cinque Terre Card Train?"
The answer depends above all on what you want to do in a day, that is, how many villages you want to visit.
Instead how many days to stay, how many people are you (family with children, a couple or from solo travelling ) is secondary.

However, the doubt is for the most touristic period, from March to November, when the Cinque Terre Express increases and the card is valid. From December to February the costs of the single route are lower (2.50 euros) and there are no alternatives.

To make a decision, we first need to know the prices. For 2023, from March to November, a train ticket costs 5 euros per person for adults and 2.50 euros for children from 0 to 4 years with a seat (in your arms, they don't pay). The price is the same between La Spezia and Levanto. There is no difference between, for example, La Spezia-Riomaggiore or La Spezia-Monterosso.

The Cinque Terre Card Train is a day ticket to get on and off wherever you want between La Spezia and Levanto. The cost is as follows:

  • Adults (12 to 69 years old): € 18.20 for one day, € 33 for 2 days, € 47 for 3 days.
  • Children from 0 to 4 years: free.
  • Children from 4 to 12 years: 11.40 euros for one day (only this option).
  • Adults over 70: € 14.80 for one day (only this option).
  • Families (families with 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 to 12 years old): 48 euros.


    • With so many numbers your head is spinning, but just do two math. Some examples:
  • To visit the Cinque Terre in one day, the card is worth 18.20 euros. Otherwise it is a minimum of six trips (30 euros) from La Spezia Centrale or Levanto to see them all and go back. For example from La Spezia Centrale:
    1. La Spezia Centrale-Riomaggiore
    2. Riomaggiore-Manarola
    3. Manarola-Corniglia
    4. Corniglia-Vernazza
    5. Vernazza-Monterosso
    6. Monterosso-La Spezia Centrale (or in the Cinque Terre village where you are staying)

  • For those who stay two days, it is still worth making the card. It costs 33 euros and the trips are 7 (not 6), divided into two days, therefore 35 euros. Minimal difference, which compensates if you go as far as Levanto making eight trips. For example from La Spezia Centrale:
    First day:
    1. La Spezia Centrale-Riomaggiore
    2. Riomaggiore-Manarola
    3. Manarola-Corniglia
    4. Corniglia-La Spezia
    Second day:
    5. La Spezia-Vernazza
    5. Vernazza-Monterosso
    6. Monterosso-La Spezia Centrale (or in the Cinque Terre village where you are staying)


    • What we have just seen is valid for solo traveling, couples and for families with a child.

    The card is also cheaper for families of two adults and two children. The cost is 48 euros, instead the normal price to visit all the Cinque Terre would be 30 euros just for an adult, as we have seen above.

    So when is the Cinque Terre Card Train NOT convenient? Only if we make a maximum of three trips in one day, visiting two villages and therefore spending 15 euros.

    All frequently asked questions about the Cinque Terre