Make your way from the picturesque Ligurian coast to the art-filled Tuscan capital. Find out about taking the train from Cinque Terre-Monterosso to Florence.
Both the villages of the Cinque Terre and the Tuscan capital of Florence are on many Italy itineraries. If that’s true for you, then you’ll need to know about getting from the coast into the middle of Tuscany easily and without headaches.
A brief amount of research may make it look like driving would be faster to cover the 113 miles (182 km) between Monterosso al Mare and Florence, but driving in and around the Cinque Terre is challenging - and driving in Florence’s historic center is difficult. Taking the train eliminates much of the potential hassle, leaving you to relax on the trip.
Frequent Trains from Cinque Terre-Monterosso to Florence
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre, so it has the busiest train station. Trenitalia connects Monterosso to points outside the region, including Florence. There are no direct trains to Florence, but there are 20 Trenitalia trains per day departing Monterosso for Firenze Santa Maria Novella station.
You’ll need to change trains at some point along the way, though the transfer station will differ depending on the ticket you choose. Your options are typically to switch at Pisa Centrale or at La Spezia Centrale, taking Regionale or InterCity trains. The journey takes from 2.5-3 hours, and tickets cost $20-25.
Note that weekends and holidays typically mean less frequent service and sometimes longer travel times.
Direct Trains from Cinque Terre-Monterosso to Florence
There are no direct trains from Monterosso al Mare to Florence.
Amenities on Trains from Cinque Terre-Monterosso to Florence
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.
Cinque Terre-Monterosso and Florence Train Stations
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five Cinque Terre towns, and has the biggest train station of the five. In addition to the slow trains that run through the Cinque Terre, Monterosso also has service from faster trains coming into the region from places like Milan or Rome. The station is in the town center, and you can take a local bus or walk there from your lodging.
Florence's Santa Maria Novella station, the main station in the city, is close to the historic center, and the street in front of the station is a major hub for city and regional buses, making it easy to get to and from the station if you're traveling light.
Journey Information
See below for details on traveling from Monterosso to Florence 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 Monterosso to Florence train stations.
Monterosso (Cinque Terre)
The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre have long been popular tourist destinations on the Ligurian coast, but you can’t buy tickets to the “Cinque Terre train station.” “Cinque Terre” refers to the five towns collectively.
Read More >>Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Guide
The center of the Renaissance is also a popular Central Italy hub for rail connections.
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