Cinque Terre ferry schedule: October 14 to 26, 2019

For those of you planning to visit the Cinque Terre this October, here’s the ferry schedule for the villages + Levanto, Portovenere & La Spezia.

Ticket prices vary depending on where you plan to catch the ferry and what you’d like to do. Below you will find the fares (although the price list doesn’t specify it, the rates are in local currency which is €). Unfortunately the price lists are currently only in Italian so be sure to check out my key (and answers to FAQs) at the bottom of this post.

2019 Ferry prices within the Cinque Terre

2019 Ferry prices to/from Levanto

2019 Ferry prices to/from Portovenere

2019 Ferry prices to/from La Spezia

KEY:

  • A: abbreviation for andata, which means “to” (in this case it also implies a one-way ticket)
  • A/R: abbreviation for andata e ritorno, a round-trip ticket
  • Giornaliero: unlimited day pass
  • Pomeridiano: unlimited afternoon pass
  • Andata con soste: a one-way, unidirectional ticket with the possibility to hop off and on the ferry (the number of stops permitted is specified)
  • o: or
  • e: and
  • Residenti: a special tariff reserved for residents
  • Bambini 6-11 anni: child fare (ages 6-11 years)
  • Adulti: adult fare (which also applies to children 12 years and older)
  • Giro isole: Ferry tour around Portovenere’s islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
  • Giro golfo: Ferry tour of the Gulf of La Spezia (also known as the Gulf of Poets)
  • FAQs

    Q. Will the Cinque Terre ferries run after October 26th?

    A. Each year the ferries typically run up until All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 1st and 2nd) with a limited schedule. As soon as the timetable is released I will post it here on the blog. Usually the ferries will stop running on November 3rd and recommence the following spring.

    Q. What’s the rate for children 5 and under?

    A. Kids 5 years of age and younger ride for free, so long as they are accompanied by a paying adult.

    Q. Do the ferries always run?

    A. The ferries run contingent on sea and weather conditions. If the seas are rough the ferries are cancelled.

    Q. Can I buy ferry tickets online?

    A. No, ferry tickets cannot be purchased online. You can purchase tickets in person at the ticket counters (strategically located near the docking points). Heads up: Payment is oftentimes only accepted in cash so be sure to hit up an ATM first.

    Q. Is it worth it?

    A. Absolutely! Seeing the Cinque Terre by water is beautiful and offers a glimpse of our area from a different perspective. If you’re traveling solo or with just another person or two, the ferries are usually the most cost effective option. If you’re wanting to have a more personalized experience you can book either a shared or private boat tour with one of the local boat companies. In Riomaggiore I recommend Cinque Terre Boat Tour and Cinque Terre dal Mare. Let them know that Cinque Terre Insider sent you!

    Q. Are the ferries handicap-accessible?

    A. Unfortunately, they are not. If a disabled person is steady on their feet, some stops are easier to board than others (like La Spezia and Portovenere, where passengers typically board from the side of the ferry). All five of the Cinque Terre villages, however, require passengers to embark and disembark via a gangplank (which is less than ideal for those with walking or balance impairments).

    Do you have a question regarding the ferries that I didn’t answer here? Let me know about it in the comments section below!

    Enjoy the Cinque Terre by sea!

    Cinque Terre + Portovenere ferry schedule: October 1-27, 2018

    As peak-season 2018 winds down, so do the ferries connecting the Cinque Terre and Portovenere.

    A limited schedule runs between October 1st and 27th. It’s highly likely that this schedule, or a very similar one, will extend to cover the dates up to and including November 1st (which is All Saints’ Day, a national holiday in Italy). After this holiday, the ferries will stop running and will recommence in March or April of 2019 (precise dates haven’t been released yet).

    Keep in mind that the ferries will only run when sea and weather conditions permit.

    The different pass options are as follows:

    Point-to-point ticket prices will depend on the village of departure and where you’d like to go. I’m posting the rates for departures from Riomaggiore below just to give an idea and linking to the rates from the other villages below.

    FYI: Prices on the left are for adults and for children ages 12 and up. Prices on the right are for children ages 6 to 11. Small children (ages 0 to 5 years) ride for free with a paying adult.

    Here are the links to the other village’s ticket prices for the ferries:

    Manarola

    Vernazza

    Monterosso

    Portovenere

    Remember, the Consorzio Marittimo Turistico 5 Terre – Golfo dei Poeti is the only official ferry line in the Cinque Terre. You can visit their website here.

    Ciao for now,

    Amy

    Cinque Terre + Portovenere ferry schedule: April 21 – September 30, 2018

    Due to a family emergency and an unexpected trip to the US, I have quite a few posts to publish to catch everyone up on the latest happenings in the Cinque Terre. Please bear with me!

    Below you will find the peak-season schedule for the Cinque Terre + Portovenere ferries.

    If you are planning on visiting after September 30th, don’t worry! The ferries continue to run (albeit with a limited schedule) up until All Saints’ Day on November 1st. Keep in mind that the ferries will only run when sea and weather conditions permit.

    The different pass options are as follows:

    Point-to-point ticket prices will depend on the village of departure and where you’d like to go. I’m posting the rates for departures from Riomaggiore below just to give an idea and linking to the rates from the other villages below.

    FYI: Prices on the left are for adults and for children ages 12 and up. Prices on the right are for children ages 6 to 11. Small children (ages 0 to 5 years) ride for free with a paying adult.

    Here are the links to the other village’s ticket prices for the ferries:

    Manarola

    Vernazza

    Monterosso

    Portovenere

    Remember, the Consorzio Marittimo Turistico 5 Terre – Golfo dei Poeti is the only official ferry line in the Cinque Terre. You can visit their website here.

    Heads up: I’ve received numerous messages from readers that have found information online stating that the Cinque Terre ferries are not running (a website states that authorization from the Cinque Terre National Park was not received). Keep in mind this information is not from the official ferry line Consorzio Marittimo Turistico 5 Terre – Golfo dei Poeti and the ferries here are authorized and running on schedule.

    Ciao for now,

    Amy

    Side-by-side comparison of beaches in the Cinque Terre

    Phew!  It’s getting hot around here.  Luckily, the Cinque Terre villages sit right on the Ligurian Sea (which, in case you didn’t already know, is a part of the Mediterranean) so it’s easy to take a dip and cool off.  Are you wondering where you should go to sunbathe and swim?  Here’s a side-by-side comparison with photos to help you decide which village’s water access best suits your fancy.

    Riomaggiore (village #1)

    Riomaggiore has a rocky, craggy beach called La Fossola located just around the point from its picturesque marina.  I’ve decided that there’s truly no graceful way to get in and out of the water here (if you’re not particularly surefooted, this is probably a no-go for you).  However, for those that are willing to overlook this slight drawback you’ll be rewarded with pristine water and breathtaking views of the rugged landscape.

    Riomaggiore’s Fossola beach, seen from above

    img_6162Manarola (village #2)

    Manarola doesn’t actually have a beach per se.  Instead, you’ll find people basking in the sun on towels strewn all over the cement ramp that leads to the sea.  While this might not be as picturesque (or natural) as some of the other beaches, it can actually be more comfortable than lounging on the rocks.  As you gaze up at the beautiful views of the village you just might have to pinch yourself as a reminder that yes, you really are in paradise!

    Corniglia (village #3)

    Corniglia is the village smack dab in the middle of the Cinque Terre and the only one of the five located off of the sea.  Despite this, it still has water access if you’re willing to hoof it.  From the main street in the village you’ll see signs indicating Corniglia’s marina.  Follow the stairs down the hillside (which is the opposite side of the mountain that you walked up from the train station) and you’ll reach a secluded little rocky cove with crystalline water.  Because it’s harder to get to and most visitors write it off, you’ll find a fraction of the number of people here.

    Back in the day, Corniglia was famous for a different kind of beach… a nude beach called Guvano.  Today that rocky beach is only accessible by boat but nudists still seem to find their way there.

    Beneath the train station in Corniglia there are also places that people like to swim off of the rocks.  However, this area has been neglected and the metal staircase that once made the area easily accessible is no more.  For that reason, I wouldn’t even consider it an option at the moment.

    Vernazza (village #4)

    Vernazza has long been considered the pearl of the Cinque Terre; with its photogenic piazza right on the seafront flanked on opposite sides by its church and castle it’s easy to see why.  While beauty might be Vernazza’s forte, beaches are most definitely not.  Vernazza has a tiny strip of sandy beach right on the edge of the piazza but if you set out your towel here prepare to be observed by lots and lots of people.

    If rugged and more private is your style, head to Vernazza’s new beach (accessed by walking through a gap in the rock cliff, signs will warn you that passage is at your own risk).  The existence of this beach is thanks to the devastating 2011 flood and mudslides that claimed the lives of three locals.  While this beach photographs beautifully, keep in mind that it was created with dirt and debris from the flood (so don’t expect pristine).

    To access the new beach in Vernazza, walk down the main street until you see this opening in the cliff on your left, this is where you’ll need to pass through to reach the beach on the other side

    This photo was taken this spring (so expect more people to be at the beach during the warm season)

    Monterosso (village #5)

    Monterosso, the largest village of the Cinque Terre, offers the poshest options for beach goers.  What Monterosso might lack in terms of quaint charm it makes up for in spades with its beaches and riviera-esque vibe.  If your idea of a perfect day at the beach includes sand or pebbles, a sun lounger, umbrella, lifeguard, shower, changing room and bar nearby, then this is the place for you! img_5011.jpg

    The village of Monterosso has two sides, the newer Fegina (which is where the train station and the best beaches can be found) and Monterosso Vecchio (which is the historical side of the village with a smaller strip of beach).  The two sides are connected by a tunnel so it’s easy to go back and forth.

    I’d say 90% of Monterosso’s beaches are private so you’ll need to pay for a beach chair and umbrella to enter (rates vary but expect to pay around €20 to use an umbrella and two chairs for the entire day).  The remaining 10% of beach is public (free of charge) but oftentimes super crowded.

    Depending on what part of the beach you are on will depend on whether the beach is composed of pebbles (seen here) or sand

    Monterosso’s beach is kid-friendly and easy for them to get in and out of the water

    A view of Monterosso Vecchio’s beach, before the beach umbrellas were set up for the season

    Things to keep in mind:

    • Swimming is not permitted in the marina of Riomaggiore (this is for your own safety as boats are constantly coming in and out).
    • Stay clear of the ferry docking points in Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza & Monterosso (once again, this is for your own safety).
    • Monterosso is the only village to offer stabilimenti balneari (private, fully equipped beaches where payment is required) and lifeguards.
    •  You can purchase beach towels just about anywhere for right around €10. If you are staying in the Cinque Terre or nearby, it wouldn’t hurt to ask your host if they have any beach towels available for you to borrow (don’t take your bath towels as they stain).
    • Don’t ask me why, but sunscreen is incredibly expensive in Italy. Bring yours from home!
    • Wanting to get off the beaten path and hit up places only accessible by water? Hire your own boat! In Riomaggiore I recommend Cinque Terre dal Mare for boat rentals (they also rent out a larger boat with a skipper provided, which is ideal for those wanting zero stress).
    • Depending on the currents, sometimes jellyfish are brought into our coastal waters.  While the jellyfish stings are painful, they are not life-threatening like they can be in other parts of the world.  If it’s a hot day and you notice that nobody is in the water I would consider that a red flag.  Point to the sea and ask a local a one-word question: “Medusa?”  If they nod you’ll know it’s best to steer clear of the water on that particular day.
    • Don’t forget that our sea is usually very flat with little to no waves (almost like a lake!). If you see large, crashing waves this is a sign of rough and dangerous seas and you should keep your distance from the water’s edge.

    While you’re at it, check out my previous post with tips on how to survive a hot Italian summer.

    Buon bagno!

    Amy

    a.k.a. Cinque Terre Insider

     

    Cinque Terre ferry timetables & tips

    Ferry boat in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

    Hooray!  Spring is in the air and the ferries connecting the Cinque Terre villages are back in business starting Saturday, March 28th.  The ferries are a great way to see the Cinque Terre from a different perspective.  

    Below you’ll find the schedule that is valid from March 28th until April 17th, 2015 (they change the schedules frequently throughout the peak-season so I’ll post new schedules as soon as they are released).Cinque Terre Ferry Schedule

    As you might have noticed on the schedule, the ferries also run to Portovenere (which is about a 30 minute boat ride down the coast from Riomaggiore).  If time permits, I highly recommend going there.  It’s one of my favorite places and the views along the way are glorious!

    Cinque Terre ferry pricingIn case there’s any confusion about the fares, let me help you by breaking it down here:

    The fares listed below 5 Terre scheduled line are the ones that you’ll want to look at for the boats between the Cinque Terre.  If you are wanting to travel between the Cinque Terre villages as well as Portovenere and possibly even the islands off of Portovenere (Palmaria, Tino & Tinetto) you’ll want to look at the rates above 5 Terre scheduled line.

    Daily ticket 5 Terre: The pass you’ll want if you’re planning to hop on and off the boats as much as you like (heading in both directions).

    One way with stops: This allows you to hop on and off the boat in each village (minus Corniglia, don’t forget that there won’t be a stop there as the village is located up off the sea) so long as you are heading in the same direction.  For example, you can start in Riomaggiore, get off and back on in Manarola, ditto for Vernazza and then you end your tour in Monterosso.  You wouldn’t be able to zig-zag back and forth  between the villages (you’d need the Daily ticket 5 Terre for that).

    r/t: This is simply an abbreviation for round-trip.

    Reduced:  A reduced price ticket for children 6-11 years in age (read: kids 5 and under travel for free!).

    Daily t. Holidays: Sunday is a considered a holiday in Italy so this will be the ticket sold for Sundays and national holidays.

    Daily t. Holiday eves: Bear with me, this is Italian translating at its best.  What they really mean is a ticket for Saturdays and any day prior to a national holiday.

    Enjoy!

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