This 7.5-mile Train Ride Is One of the World’s Most Beautiful—With Coastal Towns, Sea Cliffs, and Stunning Ocean Views

An aerial view of the Manarola rail station, on the coast in Cinque Terre, Italy.Credit: Getty ImagesKey PointsThe Cinque Terre Express runs 7.5 miles along Italy's Ligurian coast and stops in all five Cinque Terre villages.

Most rides between neighboring villages take less than 10 minutes, making it possible to visit several stops in one day.

The seasonal service runs from March through early November in 2026, with fares and day passes varying by travel date.

Along Italy's rugged Ligurian coast, the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre comprises five villages connected by hiking trails and a train. The aptly named Cinque Terre Express runs between La Spezia Centrale and Levanto, stopping in all five: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Most rides between neighboring villages take less than 10 minutes, so you can easily see several in a single day, no hiking required. With stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, colorful villages, and dramatic sea cliffs, it's widely considered one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe, if not the world, despite its petite length of just 7.5 miles.

Here's what to know before planning a ride aboard Italy's Cinque Terre Express train.

A summertime hike in Cinque Terre.Credit: Eleonora Galli/Getty Images

The Cinque Terre Express is a seasonal route. In 2026, the train will run from March 14 to Nov. 1. You can still travel by train between the five villages during the rest of the year, but trains run less often. Spring and fall are particularly pleasant times to visit, especially if you want to pair train travel with hiking in Cinque Terre National Park.

Summer is peak season in Cinque Terre, and August is especially busy. An early start can help you beat the crowds, while later trains work well if you plan to stay for dinner or sunset. There's also a bonus to riding in the evening: After 7:30 p.m., adult tickets cost a flat 5 euros (approximately $5.69 USD) per trip, even when daytime fares are higher.

A train pulls in to Manarola station.Credit: Michael Krinke/Getty Images

Ticket prices vary by date, with adult fares ranging from 5 to 10 euros (between roughly $6 and $11 USD) each way, depending on when you plan to travel. Children ages 4 to 11 pay half price. You can buy tickets through Trenitalia, Italy's state-owned train company, or at the station.

If you plan to take several trains in a day, compare the cost of individual tickets with a Cinque Terre Train Card. The pass, which can range between 22 and 35 euros (about $25 to $40 USD), includes unlimited second-class regional train travel between La Spezia and Levanto, plus access to the national park's paid hiking trails and other services. It also includes access to the Via dell'Amore, the coastal path between Riomaggiore and Manarola, though reservations are required.

Bringing a bike? Assembled bikes, including pedal-assist e-bikes, are permitted on designated regional trains with the bicycle symbol when space is available. There is a daily 3.50 euros (about $4 USD) fee for bringing a bike onboard, but folding bikes can travel free when folded and kept within Trenitalia's size limits. And even if you're skipping the hikes between villages, comfortable shoes are still a must: Cinque Terre is steep, with plenty of stairs and uphill streets, and Corniglia sits well above its train station.

The docks at La Spezia.Credit: Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Getty Images

La Spezia marks the southern end of the Cinque Terre Express route and is where many travelers begin their trip to the five villages. Trains leave from La Spezia Centrale, with Riomaggiore about nine minutes away. The picturesque port city is also home to a major Italian naval base and has long been tied to the sea.

Riomaggiore is the first of the five Cinque Terre villages when traveling north from La Spezia. Pastel-colored houses rise above its small, rocky harbor, while the 13th-century Castello di Riomaggiore sits higher up the hillside. The castle is worth the climb for views over the village and coast.

A snack stand on a street in Manarola, Italy.Credit: iStockphoto/Getty Images

Manarola is just a few minutes by train from Riomaggiore and is known for its colorful houses built into the hillside above the sea. Head toward the waterfront, then follow the path around the headland for a view back at the village. Manarola is also one end of the Via dell'Amore, the coastal path that links it to Riomaggiore.

Corniglia is the only Cinque Terre village that doesn't sit directly on the water. Instead, it stands high above the coast, and getting there from the train station means tackling the Lardarina, a long staircase with 382 steps. A shuttle bus is also available if you'd rather skip the climb.

Vernazza is about four minutes by train from Corniglia. Its small harbor is lined with restaurants and colorful houses, while Doria Castle sits above the village and is worth the climb for the coastal views.

Colorful umbrellas on the beach in the town of Monterosso al Mare.Credit: Getty Images

Monterosso is the largest and most resort-like of the five villages, with a long beachfront and more room to spread out than its neighbors. It's the best stop if you want to spend part of the day by the water, but there's more beyond the beach: a pedestrian tunnel leads to the old town on the other side of the headland.

Levanto is the last stop on the route, about five minutes by train from Monterosso. It's not part of Cinque Terre, but many travelers stay here and take the train into the five villages. Levanto is also a popular surfing spot, thanks to its long bay and waves that pick up when swells roll into the Ligurian coast.

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