Flying into Pisa and want to know how to get to the Cinque Terre? This guide has all the information, including advice on buses, train journeys, car rental and transfers - both from the airport and the city centre.

Updated January 2024

Pisa International Airport - also known as Galileo Galilei Airport - is one of the most sensible and convenient entry points for onward travel to the Cinque Terre. Similarly, for many visitors, it makes sense to go directly from the city of the leaning tower to the five colourful villages by the sea as they travel the north-west of Italy.

In this short guide, we've shared the essential information on how to make the onward journey from Pisa to Cinque Terre by train, bus, rental car, or taxi.

Pssst. Whilst we truly believe that Cinque Terre needs more than a day trip, if you’re looking for a tour from Pisa to Cinque Terre, this one is highly rated.

pisa to cinque terre
- the essentials

Train / Frequent departures from Pisa Centrale (some direct)
Tour / This small group option is highly-rated and popular
Car / 2 hour drive, park in Monterosso or La Spezia. Check rental prices and availability on AutoEurope or RentalCars

Where To Go in Cinque Terre?

We provide more Cinque Terre tips and advice in this post, but the first thing you need to know before planning your journey from Pisa is that there are five villages in the Cinque Terre National Park: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Each has a train station, with frequent connections between them and to other parts of northern Italy. From Pisa, you'll be able to reach all of the villages via public transport with only a slight difference in total cost and travel time.

There’s no ‘Cinque Terre’ train station, and you instead need to search schedules using the specific village you’re looking to end up in.

If you're going to stay for a few nights in the Cinque Terre, we recommend you have your accommodation booked well in advance and that village will be your end destination from Pisa. If only planning for a day trip, then you can arrive and begin at any of the villages.

Read Later // 13 Wonderful Things to Do in the Cinque Terre

Pisa to Cinque Terre by Train

From Pisa Airport, you need to connect to Pisa Centrale train station. This is easily done with the 'PisaMover', which launched in 2017. A high-speed shuttle carriage, the service runs from 6 am to midnight, with departures at 5-8 minute intervals. It takes just 5 minutes to reach the train station.

Note that the PisaMover includes a stop at San Giusto Aurelia Station, but you should not disembark here.

A single ticket costs €5 per person (or €10 return), and can easily be bought in person at the airport departure point.

Once you've arrived at Pisa Centrale, you’ll need to buy a ticket to one of the five Cinque Terre villages. Tickets can be bought at the staffed kiosks in the station, from one of the many ticket machines (multiple languages available), or in advance via TrenItalia.

Note that whilst there are occasional direct trains to Monterosso from Pisa Centrale, for Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola or Riomaggiore you will need to change at La Spezia; both sections of the journey will however be included in the overall ticket cost.

There's usually a train departing every thirty minutes or so, but you can find live departure info using Google Maps or TrenItalia.

Travel time from Pisa Central to Cinque Terre will be between 1h 10 mins to 2 hours, depending on the train service, connections, and your final stop. Prices generally start from around €10 one way, but increase in price depending upon how quickly you’d like to travel, and whether you mind changing (as this is a relatively short journey, unless you’re in a super rush, we don’t think there’s any need to pay extra for the fast train).

As always in Italy, make sure you validate your train ticket before boarding or you may be fined.

Time | 70 minutes to 2 hours

Cost | €15+. You can usually buy a ticket that will combine both the PisaMover and your journey to Cinque Terre.

Travel Tip // If you're travelling from Pisa for a day trip in the Cinque Terre, then it's sensible to only get the train to La Spezia, and then purchase the Cinque Terre Treno Card, which includes unlimited travel for the day on the Cinque Terre Express train network. Find out more in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit the Cinque Terre.

Alternatively, you could join this highly-rated small group day tour from Pisa, which includes private minivan transport.

Private Transfer or Taxi

If time is tight or you prefer convenience, then taking a taxi or private car between the two is certainly feasible but expensive. There is a 24-hour taxi stand at Pisa Airport, but remember that Italian taxis always have quite a convoluted fee structure with, luggage usually charged for in addition.

In this instance, we’d recommend booking something ahead of your arrival.

Time | 90 minutes

Cost | €200+

Book | Advance reservations can be made here

Bus from Pisa to Cinque Terre

As far as we know, and from all our research, this option doesn't exist.

Given the train is regular, affordable, and a more pleasant mode of transport, just go for that instead! If you do find out about an alternative, just let us know in the comments.

Read Later // The Best Things to Do in Pisa

Pisa To Cinque Terre By Car

Some of you may be reading this as you plan for a longer Italian road trip, incorporating Cinque Terre and other highlights of northern Italy.

We're huge fans of road trips but, the truth is that a rental car is not only unnecessary for accessing and enjoying the Cinque Terre, it's going to end up being an expensive burden for the nights you spend there (we've explained more in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Cinque Terre).

However, if you're already planning on picking up your rental car at Pisa International Airport and including a stop at the Cinque Terre on your way elsewhere, then that is definitely understandable.

In this case, the 2 hour / 120 km drive along the coast is straightforward enough and we’d recommend staying in Monterosso al Mare or Riomaggiore as they have more parking for non-locals. However, spots are limited and expensive, and your car will only sit there for the days you're out exploring the Cinque Terre on foot or by train. Further, the narrow, winding roads which lead to them ain't fun.

If you choose this option, please do further research to confirm parking availability and costs.

Therefore, we'd actually recommend those of you with a rental car travelling from Pisa to consider basing yourselves in one of the larger towns outside the Cinque Terre i.e. La Spezia (1h 15 mins hour, 83 kms from Pisa) or Levanto (1h 45 mins, 110 kms from Pisa). Both these towns have more ample and affordable short and long-term parking, are much easier to navigate with a rental car, and they're also included within the Cinque Terre Express train network, which makes travelling to and between the villages quick and straightforward.

Less stress is always a good thing on road trips!

Time | 2 hours

Cost | Varies depending on where you park.

Book | We use and recommend AutoEurope or RentalCars when looking for an affordable car rental in Italy, and you find options for Pisa International Airport here.

Read Later // Also, be sure to read 9 Car Rental Tips for Travellers before you book anything online or in person: it’s guaranteed to save you money.