Florence to Cinque Terre & Pisa: Day Trip with Train

The Train Ride Between Cinque Terre's Five Villages, Plus Pisa's Leaning Tower

You travel by coach from Florence through Tuscany, then by scenic train through Cinque Terre's five villages with stops in Vernazzo and Monterosso. Lunch and exploration are on your own schedule, with beach time at Fegina if you want it. The day ends at Pisa's Leaning Tower before the evening drive back to Florence. Park entry and all train tickets between villages are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cinque Terre and Pisa

• Drive 2.5 hours through Tuscan countryside
• Board local train to Cinque Terre coastline
• Visit Vernazza village and explore streets
• Travel to Monterosso and enjoy free time
• Relax at Fegina Beach promenade
• Visit Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli
• See and photograph the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Return by coach to Florence

The experience

The coach leaves Florence at dawn and rolls through Tuscan countryside for two and a half hours before you board a local train that hugs the Italian Riviera coastline. This is the part people remember: the train winds between dramatic sea cliffs and fishing villages painted in faded pastels, the Mediterranean visible through the window the whole way. Your guide travels with you and points out the geology, the terraces carved into the hillsides for wine and olives, the way the villages cling to the rock. The train ticket is included, which means you can hop off at any of the five Cinque Terre villages without paying again.

Vernazza arrives first, and it's the postcard one: narrow medieval streets that barely fit two people side by side, a harbor where fishing boats still tie up, pastel houses stacked like a child's blocks. You get free time to walk through it, find a café, photograph the waterfront from the piazza. If you want, your guide offers a gentle walk through the village, but it's not mandatory. After Vernazzo, the train takes you to Monterosso, the largest of the five and the one with an actual beach. Fegina Beach runs along the waterfront with a promenade of restaurants, gelato shops, and cafés. Lunch is on you, there's no group meal, and you can eat where you want or take the train to another village if you'd rather see Riomaggiore or Manarola instead. The Cinque Terre National Park admission is already paid for, so the villages themselves cost you nothing to enter.

Late afternoon the coach picks you up and drives to Pisa, about an hour away. You get free time in Piazza dei Miracoli, the UNESCO square where the cathedral, baptistry, and bell tower all stand together in white and gray marble. The Leaning Tower is there. You can walk around it, photograph it from every angle, climb it if you want (that ticket costs extra and isn't guaranteed to be available). Most people spend an hour here, maybe ninety minutes if they're slow with the camera. Then it's the long coach ride back to Florence, arriving late evening.

The whole day is structured around free time, not a guided march through each village. You move by train between the Cinque Terre stops and by coach to and from Florence, which means you're not walking between villages or hiking the coastal paths. That's a different kind of trip. Comfortable shoes still matter because the villages themselves are all steep stone streets and steps, and you'll be on your feet for hours. The guide is there to explain things and lead an optional walk in Vernazzo, but mostly you're moving at your own pace.

What’s included

• Your day includes round-trip coach transport from Florence in an air-conditioned vehicle, Cinque Terre National Park admission, train tickets for travel between all five villages, an English-speaking guide throughout the day, and free time to explore Vernazzo, Monterosso, Fegina Beach, and Pisa's Piazza dei Miracoli.
• An optional gentle walk in Vernazzo is available if you want it.
• Lunch, the Leaning Tower climb, and the shuttle service from the Pisa parking area are not included.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pisa and Cinque Terre: group tourGuide in English · 07:00 and 07:30Group tour: Explore the charming coastal villages of Monterosso and Vernazza, then travel to Pisa to see its famous Leaning Tower. Duration: 12 hours 15 minutes

Pisa and Cinque Terre: private tourGuide in English · 07:00 and 07:30Private tour: Experience the ideal Italian trio on a full-day private outing from Florence to Pisa and the Cinque Terre. Duration: 12 hours

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (2 to 14 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 5

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by City Wonders Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Cinque Terre's villages and Pisa in one day without arranging your own transport or train tickets: the coach and included train pass handle both, which is what makes it possible to fit three stops into a single afternoon and evening.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 14 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Florence to Cinque Terre?

The coach journey is 2.5 hours through Tuscan countryside.

Do I have to eat with the group?

No. Lunch is free time at your own expense in Monterosso or another village. You choose where and what to eat.

Can I visit more than one Cinque Terre village?

Yes. Your train ticket lets you travel between all five villages independently. Most people visit Vernazzo and Monterosso, but you can use the train to explore Riomaggiore, Manarola, or Corniglia instead.

Is the Leaning Tower climb included?

No. Climbing the tower costs extra and is subject to availability. You can photograph it and walk around Piazza dei Miracoli for free.

What's included in the price?

Round-trip coach transport from Florence, Cinque Terre National Park admission, train tickets between the five villages, and an English-speaking guide for the day.

How much free time do I get in each village?

The itinerary adjusts based on the group, but you typically have a few hours in Monterosso and around an hour in Vernazzo. Pisa gets about an hour to ninety minutes.

Are the streets in Cinque Terre easy to walk?

No. The villages have steep, uneven stone streets, cobblestones, and steps. Comfortable shoes are essential, and a moderate level of fitness helps.

What time do I return to Florence?

Late evening, typically around 8 or 9 p.m., depending on traffic and the coach schedule.

Do I need to book the train tickets separately?

No. Train tickets are included and purchased as part of your tour booking. You'll need to provide passenger names at the time of booking.

Can I skip Pisa and stay longer in Cinque Terre?

The itinerary may be adjusted for your group, but Pisa is a standard part of the day trip. Check with the operator about flexibility.