Are you already in Milan and planning your next trip? Or simply planning your future travels and trying to figure out how to get from Milan to Cinque Terre?

Don’t worry, it’s pretty easy. You’ll find all the info you need in this guide, with detailed step by step guide on how to get there including travel time, cost, and tips.

Let’s get to it!

 

how to get from milan to cinque terre illustration

 

Can you Do a Milan – Cinque Terre Day Trip?

Alright, this is a question I get very often. “Can I go on a day trip to Cinque Terre from Milan?” Yes, you can.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely not. Here’s why I don’t recommend it:

  • Count at least 3h to get from Milan to Cinque Terre
  • And 3h from Cinque Terre to Milan
  • Add the commute in Milan to go from and to your place
  • –> You won’t have that much time to visit the Cinque Terre

 

day trip from milan to cinque terre map

 

It’s much better to get 2 days in Cinque Terre, or at least one full day. If you’re up for the challenge, or if you truly only have 1 day as part of your Italy itinerary and want to make the most of it, go for it. 

But you should know there are more accessible destinations from Milan for a day trip such as Lake Garda, which is only 50 min train ride or a 1.5-hour drive. Read more about the Lake Garda day trip here.

If you still prefer going on a day trip from Milan to Cinque Terre, you’ll find below all the info you need to plan your trip, whether you choose to go or plan to spend several days there. 

 

Best Way to Get to Cinque Terre from Milan

There are 4 main ways to go to Cinque Terre from Milan, and they all come with their pros and cons. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Milan – Cinque Terre by train: 13€ to 30€ / 3h to 5h
  • by bus: 9€ / 4h
  • by car: 50€ to 95€ / 2h50 to 5h
  • guided tour: 125€ / 4h

And here are the pros & cons of each:

 Pros ?Cons ?
TrainFast
Cheap
Dependent on trains
BusCheap
Only 1 to 4 buses per day
CarAutonomy
Cheap if 3+ people
Expensive
Hard to find parking spots
Can get stuck in traffic
TourHands-off
Everything is planned for you
Expensive
Day tour with limited time to visit

 

Need more info? Keep reading below for the detailed version of how to get to Cinque Terre from Milan!

 

Train from Milan to Cinque Terre

The first option we’re looking at to travel from Milan to Cinque Terre is the train. It’s the fastest option, and it makes for a very easy trip.

There are 2 main trains that will take you to Cinque Terre, and which one you take depends on where you’ll be staying:

 

reaching monterosso and its beach

The beach in Monterosso al Mare

Once you get into Monterosso or La Spezia, you’ll need to take the Cinque Terre express, the regional train that goes to all 5 of the Cinque Terre villages. Find the schedule of the regional train and more details on this page.

Whether you choose to take the train to Monterosso or to La Spezia, it takes basically the same time and costs about the same.

Here are the details:

Train Milan / Cinque Terre – Monterosso Al Mare or La Spezia

⏱ Time: 3h (direct train) to 5h (change in Genoa, Parma or Levanto)

:$: Cost: 13€ to 30€

Book here: Trains from Milan to Cinque Terre

 

There are several trains per hour, but only a few direct trains. Make sure to book early to secure your seat, especially if you’re traveling in summer because train tickets get booked out insanely early in advance.

If you can’t find any train tickets left, don’t worry: the Milan – Cinque Terre train is not the only way to reach the coastal villages!

 

Bus from Milan to Cinque Terre

As an alternative of taking the train to Cinque Terre, you can take the bus. While the bus is not as fast as the direct train, it’s around the same travel time than the other trains with changes. Oh and it’s also cheaper!

The main drawback to this transportation method is the frequency. There is a very limited amount of buses per day, from 1 to 4 max.

Milan – Cinque Terre Bus (Milano – La Spezia)

⏱ Time: 4h

:$: Cost: 9€

Book here: Bus from Milan to Cinque Terre

 

Once in La Spezia, you’ll have to catch the regional train to the Cinque Terre villages, which takes about 10 minutes.

 

arriving in la spezia by train

 

Milan to Cinque Terre by Car

If you don’t want to depend on public transportation to get around, you can choose to drive from Milan to Cinque Terre, and the other way around from Cinque Terre to Milan.

You can leave at any time of day (or even night), and you can easily carry heavy luggage with you, which is harder by train. It’s also easier if you have toddlers and don’t want to struggle with your stroller in the train.

However, there are many drawbacks to driving there:

  • traffic can get pretty bad, especially in summer
  • you can’t actually drive inside the villages, so you’ll have to leave your car on the road outside the villages and walk there
  • driving between the villages is on narrow mountain roads and they get extremely crowded in summer
  • parking spots can be hard to find, make sure your hotel has a parking lot

Milan – Cinque Terre Drive

⏱ Time: 2h50 to 5h depending on traffic

:$: Cost: 50€ to 95€(25€ toll + 26€ fuel + 45€ optional car rental for 2 days)

Book here: Milan Rental Car

 

Renting a car or simply driving to Cinque Terre from Milan is way more expensive than the train or the bus, but it can be interesting if you’re 3, as the cost will be split among all members of the group.

 

Take a Tour – Day Trip from Milan to Cinque Terre

And finally, the last option is to go on a Cinque Terre tour from Milan. This is the most expensive option, but it’s also the most hands-off one. Just book your tour, and you’re done. You won’t have to worry about all the logistics of planning the trip: when do we leave, do we take the train or the bus, do we go to Monterosso or La Spezia, which villages do we visit, …

Simply show up to the departure point, and let yourself be carried along on this tour.

 

arriving in vernazza with the train

 

Be warned though, this will be exhausting: the whole tour lasts 13 hours. But be sure you’ll have made the most out of your day in Cinque Terre, and that you’ll go home with many treasured memories. Here’s the program of the tour:

  • Luxury coach ride from Milan to Monterosso
  • Visit Monterosso
  • Trip to Vernazza
  • Visit Vernazza
  • Boat ride to La Spezia

Book here: Cinque Terre day trip from Milan

 

milan to cinque terre train bus car and tour illustration

Quick recap of the options to travel from Milan to Cinque Terre

FAQ About the Milan Cinque Terre Trip

I’ve answered below some of the frequently asked questions on this topic; if you still have any questions after reading those, simply drop a comment and I’ll reply asap!

 

How long does it take to go from Milan to Cinque Terre?

3 to 5 hours depending on the transportation method. If you take a direct train it takes 3h, but can take up to 5h with connecting trains. Same goes for driving, it takes 2h50 with no traffic, and up to 5h with summer traffic.

 

Is Cinque Terre closer to Milan or Florence?

Cinque Terre is closer to Florence than Milan. Going to Cinque Terre from Florence takes about 2h35, while it takes 3h from Milan.

 

finishing the day trip at night in vernazza

Vernazza harbor at night

How far is Milan from Cinque Terre?

The Milan to Cinque Terre distance is 149km (92.6 miles). However the driving distance is 262km (162.8 miles).

 

How much is the train from Milan to Cinque Terre?

13€ to 30€. Prices vary depending on the season, the day, and the type of train, but a one way ticket on the train from Milan to Cinque Terre is around 13 to 30€.

 

What is the best time to visit Cinque Terre?

The best time would certainly be between April to May and between September to October, as you’ll be able to enjoy Cinque Terre to the fullest while not having to make your way through heaps of tourists.

For a more detailed answer about the best moment of the year you should travel, check this month to month guide.

 

Where to stay in Cinque Terre?

If you plan to spend the night in Cinque Terre and go back the next day (or several days later), then here my best hotel recommendations:

⭐️ Best Hotel – La Toretta Lodge: located in a tower from the medieval times in the center of Manarola, La Toretta offers very beautiful and comfortable rooms with a stunning view of the bay.

💰 Best Budget Hotel – Daa Maduneta: located in the village of Corniglia, you wouldn’t believe the price as the place is simply stunning. The view will blow your mind, and the rooms have everything you need for you to spend a perfect night.

Not satisfied with any of these accommodations in Cinque Terre? Find your match on this post of the best Cinque Terre hotels.

 

Can I park easily in Cinque Terre?

As said earlier on this post, you can drive from Milan to the Cinque Terre, but you cannot drive to the Cinque Terre as the villages are closed to cars. You’ll need to park at one of the train stations at Levanto, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, or La Spezia. In any case, you’ll need to take the train to travel from one village to another once parked.

Parking in Cinque Terre for a few days will definitely cost you while you won’t be able to use your car. Depending on your travel style (i.e. whether you’re doing a road trip or not), you should consider not using a car.

 

Need more information?

Discover some of these other posts that might help you in visiting Cinque Terre and planning your trip.

Here’s the full guide to travel Cinque Terre including all the info and tips to visit: Ultimate Cinque Travel Guide.

Looking for the best place and hotel to stay in Cinque Terre? These posts might help:

Finally, find below travel guides to fully visit each village:

I have many other posts about Cinque Terre, feel free to check these travel guides here.

 

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