Thinking about getting the Cinque Terre Train Card? You’ll see it mentioned everywhere when planning your trip to 5T, but the official info provided by the national park website isn’t so useful to non-Italian speakers.
I purchase this card on a semi-frequent basis to get around (especially when we have friends and family visit). I also receive A LOT of questions about this travel pass. So, I’ve done a bit of digging and found the regulations governing this card, and I’m going to share the official information, answers to your questions, hints, and tips in this blog post!
Cinque Terre Train Card – FAQs
1. What is the Cinque Terre Train Card?
Also known as the Cinque Terre Treno Multi Service Card, think of it as your “travel and access pass” to the Cinque Terre National Park. It covers unlimited train rides between the villages, paid hiking trails, park buses, Wi-Fi hotspots, and even some toilets at train stations (yes, that’s a thing).
More details: Cinque Terre Train Guide for First-Timers
Local tip: If you’re hopping between villages more than twice in a day, it almost always pays for itself.
2. Are there other types of Cinque Terre Cards?
Yes, there are three main cards:
- Cinque Terre Train Card – trains + hiking trails
- Cinque Terre Trekking Card – hiking trails (no trains)
- Cinque Terre Card Plus – trains + hiking trails + Via dell’Amore (Path of Love)
Compare the cards: Cinque Terre Card Explained
Local tip: If you’re staying in one village and hiking between them, the Trekking Card might be all you need.
3. How much does the Cinque Terre Train Card cost?
A 1-day adult train card starts at €19.50 in 2025 and varies depending on the A-B-C table for low-medium-high demand days and the Pricing Table.
More details: Buying a Cinque Terre Card online
Local tip: The card is valid by calendar day, not 24 hours – so if you arrive late afternoon, maybe wait until the next morning to buy your card.
4. Are there discounts for children, families, or seniors?
Yes. Kids aged 4–11, seniors 70+, and families get reduced prices. Children under 4 are free. As are persons with disabilities and their companion. You may need to provide proof of a disability or complementary documents to avoid any difficulties.
Check pricing: Cinque Terre Card Pricing Table
5. Where can I buy the Cinque Terre Train Card?
Grab one online, or at train stations in La Spezia, Levanto, or Cinque Terre.
More details: How to buy online
Local tip: In summer, lines at La Spezia Centrale ticket counters can be long – buy online to avoid standing in the queues.
6. What is included in the Cinque Terre Train Card?
According to the 2025 official ‘regulations’ issued by the Cinque Terre National Park. These are the inclusions:
- Regional train travel between Levanto and La Spezia Centrale / La Spezia Migliarina (including 5T villages)
- Access to the paid trail network
- Guided tours and workshops are organized by the national park
- Use of the park bus service within the villages
- Use of paid restrooms in the train stations of the Cinque Terre villages
- Wi-Fi internet access at the Park's hot spots
- Free admission to the CAMeC Museum (La Spezia)
- Reduced-rate admission to the Civic Museums of La Spezia
7. What is NOT included in the Cinque Terre Train Card?
It’s important to note that the Cinque Terre Card/Pass DOES NOT include access to all the attractions in the national park. It is not like a Disney pass!
You still need to pay a separate entry fee to other attractions, like access to the castles, museums, and to walk the Via dell’Amore – Path of Love.
8. Can I buy multiday Cinque Terre Train Cards?
If you’re in Cinque Terre for 2 days or more, a great way to get a discount is to buy a multiday pass instead of separate daily passes.
Local tip: If you like traveling but hate the hassle of planning your trip, then you’ll like our ready-made self-guided itineraries.
For ideas on how to spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Cinque Terre, take a look at our helpful content that you can use to build your own perfect personalized itinerary.
9. Does the 5T card include unlimited hiking?
If you’ve got the Cinque Terre Trekking or Train Card, then all paid trails (except the Path of Love) are covered.
More details: Cinque Terre Hikes
Local tip: Always check the park’s trail status page before you set off – landslides are common in this UNESCO park.
10. How do I validate my card?
Paper cards bought in person need to be stamped in the yellow or green machines at the train station. Stamp the tickets before your first train ride.
Online tickets are bought for a specific date. No stamping is needed.
11. Can I give my card to someone else?
No. Cinque Terre Train Cards are not transferable. In fact, you need to write your name on paper tickets (and provide your name (and the name of all other travelers) when buying electronic tickets).
12. Do I have to buy a Cinque Terre Card?
Not really, it depends on what you want to do. See the above list of inclusions and decide if the inclusions fits your needs.
13. How long is the card valid?
A 1-day card lasts until midnight on the date printed, not 24 hours from activation.
Local tip: Start early to get the most value from your day. But note that most cafes and attractions (churches and castles) only open after 9 am.
14. Can I use the card for trains outside the Cinque Terre?
Yes. The Cinque Terre Train Card includes the stations of La Spezia, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Levanto. La Spezia and Levanto are very close to Cinque Terre, but are not in Cinque Terre.
Local tip: If you’re heading further (like to Pisa or Genoa), you’ll need a separate train ticket.
15. Is it cheaper to buy the card or should I buy individual train tickets?
If you’re taking more than 2 train rides in a day, the card usually works out cheaper.
Local tip: Single train tickets are also a hassle to buy because it involves lining up at the station for every purchase AND validating the tickets. Or you can buy them online.
16. Do the Cinque Terre buses go between the five villages?
No! Those little buses that you see in the Cinque Terre National Park travel up to the small hamlets such as Volastra, Groppo, and San Bernardino. But, they do not go between the 5 main villages. To travel between the villages, your options are by train, ferry, boat tour, hiking, or driving.
Local tip: These buses are small and don’t circulate that frequently. So it can happen that the buses get full – especially in peak season. But, they can be a lifesaver if you have accommodation in the hamlets or hills near the 5T villages.
17. How can I get a refund if I don’t use the card?
The national park has a VERY strict refund policy. Even if your Cinque Terre Pass is unused, you’re unlikely to get a refund! (…You know, because they don’t make enough money out of the 2-3 million tourists every year – and yes, I’m being deliberately facetious).
Here are valid reasons for claiming a refund:
- In the event of a red or orange weather alert issued by the park due to unsafe weather/trail conditions
- In the event of a missed trip due to a Trenitalia (train) staff strike
Refunds are provided through the point of sale where the Card was sold. If you’ve bought a ticket online through Trenitalia, you can use their online service to request a refund. Your ticket T&Cs should also have details of how to request a refund.
18. Can I change the date of my ticket?
Yes, but again, there are strict rules (…because this is Italy – eye roll and yawn).
A date change must be made at least 24 hours before the start of the card's validity period, AND you can only swap for a like-for-like ticket based on the (A-B-C / low-medium-high demand pricing table).
You can make changes through your original point of sale.
19. What other card discounts are available?
Apart from the concessions noted above, there are also special discounts for visitors staying for one or more nights in (certified scheme) accommodation facilities located in the municipalities of Riomaggiore, Vernazza, or Monterosso. You can check with your accommodation provider to see if they are part of this scheme.
20. How are funds from the sale of the Cinque Terre Card being used?
By purchasing a Cinque Terre Card, you directly support the conservation and enhancement of the park. Some of the proceeds are reinvested in:
- Biodiversity protection projects and the restoration of the historical agricultural landscape
- Maintenance and safety improvements of the trail network
- Services for the local community
- Safety projects
So, even though most people don’t think about it, by purchasing a card, you’re contributing to the protection of this unique and beautiful UNESCO area!
Summary
The Cinque Terre Train Card is a useful all-day and multi-day travel pass to help you get around Cinque Terre quickly and easily.
In this blog post, I’ve answered the common questions I get asked so that you can book your ticket with confidence.
You can also access the official regulations here.
