Italy Travel Answers

If you want cheap flights, try Ryanair into e.g. Milan. Have a look at www.skyscanner.net to see who flies where from your nearest airports (but book on the airline's own website). The Italian railway network is extensive, its trains frequent, safe and comfortable and its fares very reasonably-priced indeed. You wouldn't need to book tickets online in advance. Ticket machines have English language options and are easy to use, changing trains is also easy because platforms have clear electronic signage. So, if you flew into e.g. Milan, you could take the train onwards to Manarola or any of the Cinque Terre villages. Depending on flight times you might need to spend the first and last night in the airport arrival city, but it would still probably be cheaper than flying with a mainstream airline to e.g. Pisa or Florence. You can find train times, details and fares in English here: trenitalia.com/homepage_en.h... All the coastal CT villages have frequent railway services. You certainly do not need to book any sort of organised tour: just base yourself in a hotel or apartment in any of them (or in La Spezia, which has a wider range of accomm and is a larger settlement) and just take the train to village-hop. It really is very easy.

Best time, I think, would be in the Spring (if you can manage it) because of weather and flowers and greenery. But any time would be fine, imo, though I'd avoid June, July and August: the CT is not only popular with Italian holidaymakers but also with visitors from elsewhere (especially since Rick Steves introduced it to a US audience). Accomm prices are also lower out of season, of course. I visited in late October. The weather was lovely but even then there were plenty of people around, and cruise tour groups as well (its a common day excursion from cruises). In my daytrip from Pisa I managed to visit 3 of the 5 CT 'towns' (villages really). If I hadn't spent 3 hours or so wandering La Spezia and visiting a museum there I could have visited all 5 in one day: trains really are very frequent along that line. Have a look at www.booking.com and www.venere.com for accomm in La Sp and the villages. Both are reliable sites used by many VT-ers, neither will take any money from you as long as you turn up; you just pay the hotel/whatever as usual.

I've jut noticed Ryanair has direct flights to Pisa from Dublin. If you can make those, that's the most convenient airport for onward train travel to the CT. October flights seem to be reasonably-priced at the moment....

Ignore that last post: flights are indirect, with one stop. Sorry. :-(

Thanks, I just cheacked both ryan air and airlingues and there nearly both the same price just different airports in Milan. I would be early in Milan so could travel to a place where I could stay for 6 days and spend last night in Milan because the flight is early back to Cork or Dublin.Do I have to take a train from one Village to the other or bus..or maybe walk?I think I would love to go in October if I find something cheap as I be going to Venice in September for a week, so my budget will be small.After having all the bad rain here in Ireland I need to see something nice:)Thanks for your help:)

Rain..yes...know *exactly* what you mean! :-) You can certainly walk between the villages normally. although last year's flash floods badly damaged a section of the path (around Corniglia, I believe) and I don't know if it's re-opened. You'll need to buy a pass if you want to walk (you can get them from La Sp station, tourist info offices and within the villages too). Here's the info on what paths are open at the moment (check nearer the time): parconazionale5terre.it/sent... and info about the CT passes and where to buy them: parconazionale5terre.it/news...

Ryanair fly dublin>Milan Bergamo. Bergamo is *really* lovely town and I'd suggest you stay there on your return. My Bergamo pages may show you why I suggest this: "Town of two parts......" - Bergamo by leics You'll need to take a bus from outside the airport into Milan proper, to get the train from Milan Centrale station. More than one bus option, e.g. http://www.orioshuttle.com/_eng/ Aer Lingus fly to Milan Malpensa. From there you can easily take bus or train to Milan Centrale. Train info on the Trenitalia link, bus info here: milanomalpensa1.eu/en/access...

Although this article dates from 2003, it does give you an idea of what each segment of the CT coastal path is like (apart from the bit which has been damaged by flash floods...Manarola>Corniglia): italyheaven.co.uk/liguria/ci... Nothing too difficult or strenuous, although you will need sensible footwear.

Thanks for that link,it should be fine to walk in October when its not that hot anymore:)

I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time! :-)

We were just in the CT a couple of months ago (May) but based ourselves in Monterosso. Yes, you can hike the Blue Trail between most villages with the exception of the stretch between Corniglia and Manarola: closed due to a landslide and may not be open again for years: we hopped the local train to circumvent that short section. The stretch between Vernazza and Cornligia was not 'officially' open but definitely passable on foot. As Leic mentioned, there are frequent, local trains between the villages if you do not wish to hike, and I'll second her vote for spring: the flowers were beautiful and it wasn't too hot. The stretch between Vernazza and Monterosso is a real workout (especially treking downcoast from Monterosso) but the views are great! The trains are cheap and only take a matter of minutes between villages. Corniglia is perched far above the sea (and the train station) so you either huff and puff your way up, or hop one of the green park buses that travel up and down the hill (free with your hiking pass - which you must have to do the Blue Trail). Day passes are possible if you plan to use the trains a lot in one day. Do be aware that accommodations in many of the villages involve looooooong walks uphill/up steps with your luggage so pack light!! Our accommodations in Monterosso were only a couple of minutes of flat walk from the station - which was one of the reasons we chose it - but all of the villages are beautiful: can't go wrong with any of them.

Thank you for your info.I guess i will walk a lot, but also use the train. I'm quiet fit but do to heartattack and 4 bypasses about 11 years ago I'm not that good in climbing. So I will do moderate walks, just not pushing myself too hard.If anybody has any info about confenient and cheap places to stay let me know.I guess May would be beautiful with all the flowers but I dont know if I can wait that long:)I have been to Venice in October last year and the weather was fine excepted very,very cold for the 5 days i was there. But I dont mind that so long its sunny and dry:)

I'm afraid CT isn't 'cheap'; its prices reflect its popularity. If you stayed in Jan or Feb maybe, but October counts as 'shoulder season'...not high season, but not low season either. So I think you may do better to find somewhere in La Spezia, which has a wider choice of options. But have a look at booking.com and venere.com to see what's available. It might be good to stay in Vernazza, which was very badly hit by last year's floods? As for weather, no-one can tell you for certain. Fingers crossed, you'll see at least some sun in October..and it will almost certainly be warmer than home! :-)

>do to heartattack and 4 bypasses about 11 years ago I'm not that good in climbing That's good information. You will want to take it slow as all of the towns are built on hillsides so exploring them involves LOTS of climbing - even in the towns themselves. With your heart history, I might recommend Monterosso as the main part of both old and new town is fairly flat as is a large section along the water. We stayed at La Spiaggia - a very short distance from the train station and very near the beach. They also have an elevator. http://www.laspiaggiahotel.com/ It would be easy to catch a train from there to Milan - as we did, with no transfers. Weather could be iffy but with 6 days, you're likely to hit a few warm and sunny ones. I would pack a good jacket and sweater in case you get some chilly, windy, rainy days. Vernazza would be nice as well, and they would appreciate the business. :)

We took the boat between the villages. It was a lot of fun and a great way to take good photos of the villages. We were there in September last year. It's a beautiful area and in October, it would be great not to have so many tourists.

Thanks Jeanette. I think now that maybe I will go from Venice to Manarola .I had booked a week in Venice ages ago for the 15th September, so hopefully I can just change flights and airport coming back a week later.The weather should be still good around the end of September:)

Here's the ferry website in English: navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/... Not all ferries will be running in October. You'll need to check timetable info for individual routes. But ferries (really aimed at tourists rather than regular ferries) are a heck of a lot more expensive than using the train.

>But ferries (really aimed at tourists rather than regular ferries) are a heck of a lot more expensive than using the train. I should have mentioned that. Other than one ferry ride to see the coastline, we hiked or took trains as it's so much less expensive.

This thread about Cinque Terre brought back some good memories. I just posted a video of the boat we took. You can see why the boats don't run if the weather is bad :-) "boat" - Riomaggiore Video by Jeannette1

Haha - that's great, J!!! Reminds me of the boat we took to Capri from Naples on a stormy day. I don't know which was more unsettled: the seas or my stomach! Bleh.

Hi, October is good to see Cinque Terre, mostly good to walk on the beautiful trails passing through the villages and manarola as well, of course, since the weather is not hot anymore as in the summertime. As to find best deals have a look on this site http://www.arbaspaa.com/. They arrange personailzed tours and also offer informations about accomodations. I hope this is going to help you.

Thanks, still looking for a very cheap apartment:)I be taking the train from Venice on the 22th of September, I think thats better as going home and going back a few weeks later to Italy.But my budget is very small:(

I'd be very wary of taking recommendations from a member who has only just joined the site, personally, You certainly do not need any tours, and I suggest you use well-known sites such as booking.com and venere.com (which does have some apartments) to find acccom. But 'cheap' in September? Not likely, I'm afraid..it's still shoulder season. Additionally, if there is only you going apartments are rarely the best option financially. I am a solo traveller and have yet to find an apartment which is financially worthwhile for me for shorter stays...hotels or b&bs/pensions always work out cheaper. I suggest you look for b&b type accomm.

Hi, just booked an apartment in Manarola for 450 euro for 6 days.Well I have to wait now until its confirmed and then I can change my flights.I am just wondering will it be safe for me as a single women to travel?I know Venice is quiet safe even in the night.Not that I'm planning any late nights in Manarola:)I be soo wrecked going up and down the hills.Do you think I should book the train also soon online?The cheaper options are all gone only very early in the morning, but i dont mind to travel early.

Yes, you'll be perfectly safe as long as you use normal common sense. I almost always travel alone and have never experienced any problems whatsoever in Italy (or anywhere else I've visited). No, you really don't need to book tickets online in advance. The chances of all the trains on one day (even the cheaper ones) being absolutely stuffed full are miniscule. Regional trains cannot get full-up anyway: if there are not seats you just stand. If you can find an advance discount fare (used to be called 'Mini' now called 'Super Economy) on trenitalia.com/homepage_en.h... then it might be worthwhile. But these tickets do tie you to one specific departure time and are limited in availability (and only for some routes/dates/departures anyway). Otherwise I suggest you simply buy your onward ticket to CT when you arrive at Milan Centrale, just to save yourself a bit of time in the morning. :-)

Completely agree with Leics: you will be perfectly safe. None of the 5 villages are 'party' places, and a lot of the daytime hiking and sightseeing crowds leave later in the day so they quiet down at night. I would have been totally comfortable exploring there by myself. And Leics goes solo to all sorts of places - big and small - so she can absolutely be believed. :O)

Thats what I meant :super econemy is a good bit cheaper then the base ticket.I have to change in Firenze S. M. Novella and in Sarzana . As I go from Venice where I stay in an apartment too I think I could book a ticket in advance as I have no problem making it to the station.I travel light and dont have to haule any big suitcases around. I wont take a tripod just to make things lighter in that way too. Still waiting for my booking to be confirmed.Yes, I did think that mostly people who like nature and hiking go to all the villages, so it will be great:)I'm so excited,even I will be soo broke after:)

Not just people who like hiking and nature: the CT was a popular Italian holiday spot long before Rick Steves made it famous elsewhere. But you won't find it *too* sardined in September. I've never bought an advance ticket from Trenitalia, but they have improved over the years and I think (*think*) you should be ok buying one of the Super Economy tickets online. But if you can't...and who knows? ...don't worry. You''l be able to get a ticket ok when you're there. By the way, make sure you click 'all solutions' when you use te Trenitalia site to find times/fares. If you don't, there are some Venice>Manarola deparures which are not shown. They take longer, but they're cheaper.

I am not into hiking at all and I enjoyed all the villages of Cinque Terre. However, 6 days there would be too long for me. Jeannette

I think I be okay just walking around everywhere taking photos and eating lovely icecream and enjoying hopefully some much needet sunshine.Do I have to buy a map for all the trails etc.or maybe I can just copy something from online here?I wont to do hard trails because of my heart, but I will still do plenty walking and train riding:)