On March 30th the Consorzio Marittimo Turistico 5Terre Golfo dei Poeti will kick off the 2019 touristic season with the first ferry schedules of the year. These schedules will be valid from March 30th to April 19th, 2019. Starting on April 20th these schedules will be replaced with others offering even more options (as soon as they are released I will post them here on the blog).

The following ferry schedule is for the Cinque Terre and includes Portovenere and Levanto:

If you’re staying in Lerici and wanting to reach the Cinque Terre (of if you’re staying in the Cinque Terre and you’d like to visit Lerici), this schedule is for you:

For those wanting to catch the ferry from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre:

Ticket prices vary depending on where you plan to catch the ferry and what you’d like to do. Below you will find the 2019 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.

Ferry prices within the Cinque Terre

Ferry prices to/from Levanto

Ferry prices to/from Portovenere

Ferry prices to/from La Spezia

Ferry prices to/from Lerici

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. 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.

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 (including stops for swim breaks, if you so choose) 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!

Amy