Cinque Terre Day Trip: Private Van, Your Pace

Eight hours to wander three villages at the speed you choose, with a driver waiting between stops

A private minivan transfer and driver for up to eight passengers, departing from Livorno or La Spezia cruise port and returning you there after eight hours. You explore Manarola, Vernazzo and Monterosso on foot at your own pace, with the van available to ferry you between villages whenever you're ready to move on. Train and ferry tickets between villages are purchased separately. The driver meets you at agreed points and handles the logistics so you stay focused on the villages themselves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Riomaggiore1h
2. Portovenere1h

Explore Cinque Terre villages independently

• Pickup at Livorno or La Spezia port
• Travel to Cinque Terre in van
• Explore Manarola village
• Visit Vernazza village
• Free time in Monterosso for lunch
• Return transfer to cruise port
• Drop-off at cruise port

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your cruise port at 9am and a two-hour drive to Manarola in an air-conditioned minivan. Your driver drops you at Riomaggiore or Manarola around 11am, and from there the villages are yours to explore. Manarola's coloured buildings and harbour views sit at the edge of the Cinque Terre National Park; Vernazzo's narrow lanes open onto a waterfront square where cafés face the sea; Monterosso spreads wider, with an old town and a beach. You move between them on foot, by train (tickets separate), or by ferry, and your driver is stationed at agreed meeting points to pick you up and take you to the next village whenever you're ready.

The van stays available all day, which means you're not locked into a schedule or a group pace. You can linger over lunch in one village, spend an hour photographing the harbour in another, or browse the small shops without watching the clock. If Portovenere is part of your booking, the driver can take you there as well: a coastal town with its own coloured waterfront and the Church of San Pietro perched above the water. By 3pm you head back to meet the driver for the return journey to port, arriving around 5pm.

This is unguided, so there's no narration or scheduled stops. What you get is transport, a driver who knows the route, and the freedom to spend your port time the way you want. Comfortable shoes matter more than a guide. The villages reward wandering.

What’s included

• Private minivan transport for up to eight passengers.
• pickup and drop-off at Livorno or La Spezia cruise port.
• driver available all day to move you between villages.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• comfortable shoes recommended for walking the village lanes and viewpoints.

Options for this experience

3 options

Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or ItalianNo fixed time

Up to 8 per booking · Guide in English or ItalianNo fixed time

Up to 8 per booking · Guide in English or ItalianAvailable from 1 Feb 2027

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ciao italy tours

Is this one for you?The eight-hour window and private van mean you can linger in whichever village appeals to you longest without holding back a group or racing a schedule. If you want to explore at your own rhythm and have transport sorted while you do it, this setup removes the logistics so you focus on the villages.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

How do I get between the three villages during the day?

Your driver transports you by minivan whenever you're ready to move to the next village. You can also buy train or ferry tickets separately and travel independently if you prefer. Both options run regularly between the villages.

What is Manarola like when I arrive?

Manarola is a small fishing village with coloured buildings stacked along a narrow harbour, narrow lanes to walk through, and viewpoints overlooking the water. It's the starting point for exploring Cinque Terre, and you'll have time to photograph, shop or grab coffee before moving on to Vernazzo or Monterosso.

Do I have to stay with the group, or can I explore on my own?

You explore entirely on your own. The driver meets you at agreed points and waits, but you set the pace and decide how long to spend in each village. There's no group itinerary or scheduled stops.

What time do I need to be back at the port?

You meet your driver at 3pm in Monterosso for the return transfer to the cruise port, arriving around 5pm. The driver confirms the exact meeting point with you before you leave the van in the morning.

Is lunch included, or do I need to arrange it myself?

Lunch is not included. You choose a restaurant in any of the three villages and pay separately. Many cafés and trattorias line the waterfronts and narrow lanes, and you have time built into the day to sit down and eat.

Can I visit Portovenere as well as the three main villages?

Portovenere can be added to your booking if you arrange it at checkout. If included, your driver can transport you there. It's a coastal town with a coloured waterfront and the Church of San Pietro overlooking the sea. Train and ferry options also connect it to the other villages.