For most of getting to Cinque Terre might sound almost impossible as many of us travel by plane to Italy and we don’t know which is the closest airport for Cinque Terre and which is the best way to get there and around.
So, first of all, I want to tell you that Cinque Terre or “ Five Lands” is a natural reserve which comprises 5 picturesque towns built on top of steep rocks along the Ligurian coastline.
Each of these 5 towns has their own feel and essence even though at first look you will be tempted to say that they are the same.
Vernazza Cinque Terre Italy Town
The five towns from the Five Lands area are:
- Riomaggiore
- Manarola
- Corniglia
- Vernazza
- Monterosso al Mare
These are very old towns, full of history with many ancient churches and castles are hidden between the rocky terrain.
Narrow streets opening into beautiful squares lined with colourful old houses stacked on top each other is the landscape which characterises these magnificent villages.
It is definitely a place which you have to visit when planning your trip to Italy and a place which should be marked on your itinerary when searching for the closest Cinque Terre airport.
Airport for Cinque Terre
The good news is that there are two nearest airports to 5 Terre:
- Galileo Galilei International airport for Pisa (PSA) and
- Cristoforo Colombo International airport from Genoa (GOA).
These two international airports are not that famous and popular all over the world, so you might not be able to find any flights on these ones.
Airport Cinque Terre
If you get a flight to Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) then you don’t have to worry, as this airport is only a 2 hours train ride from Genoa.
Once you reach the Cinque Terre closest airport it is time to see how to get from Pisa and Genoa to the Cinque Terre area.
From Pisa to Cinque Terre
The closest airport for Cinque Terre, Aeroporto Internazionale Galilei Galilei or Pisa International airport is considered the most important gate for Tuscany region.
More than 20 airlines fly on this airport, especially during peak season.
From Pisa to La Spezia ( the main city from 5 Terre area) are only 85 kilometres and there are direct regional trains to the national reserve.
Vernazza 5 Terre
Once you get off the plane, search for the shuttle train from the airport called PisaMover; this train will transport you to Pisa Centrale railway station.
From there take the train to La Spezia Centrale to get to the edge of the national park Cinque Terre. The ride lasts for about 1.5 hours and the prices start from 7.5 euros.
Once you get to La Spezia station take the Cinque Terre Express, the train which leads you to the 5 villages from the area in less than 45 minutes. This Cinque Terre Express train has train stops in each of the 5 villages and with the designated card you can hop on and hop off in each village.
From Genoa to Cinque Terre
Genoa airport is considered to be the second Cinque Terre airport and is located 86 kilometres away from Sestri Levante, in northern Italy.
From Genoa International Airport take the shuttle bus known as Volabus and go to Genoa main train station.
Take the train to Levanto from Genoa train station and in less than 1.5 hours (travel time) you reach the Cinque Terre villages.
From Florence to Cinque Terre
Florence is another airport where you can land if you plan to visit the Cinque Terre region.
The local train ride from Florence to La Spezia lasts for about 2 hours and 20 minutes, but it is a beautiful journey which gives you the opportunity to admire the beauty of the Italian landscape.
For those who don’t have that much time to lose on the road, you can use the rental car services available in Florence and drive to La Spezia.
Visit Italy cinque terre town
The car ride lasts for about 1 and a half hour and the car might be rented directly from Florence airport.
Get the best price for your car rental today
A car is useful to get from the airport to the La Spezia or Levante area, because in the villages from the national park you cannot enter by car.
You will have to leave your car in a designated area from La Spezia or Levanto and from there you can take the train, the boat or follow the hiking path which goes to all the 5 villages.
I hope this article managed to answer your question about which is the closest airport for Cinque Terre.
Do you plan to visit this part of the world at some point in the future?
Or have you already been there?
I would love to hear your impressions and thoughts in the comments below.
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