Cinque Terre Card 2026: Train vs Trekking Pass — Which Card, Which Trails, and the Real Rules

You are planning to hike the Cinque Terre coastline, train-hop between five villages, and walk the famous Via dell'Amore. But on arrival, you face two cards with different prices, a seasonal pricing calendar that changes by the day, one trail permanently closed by landslide, and a one-way timed-entry rule that catches most first-time visitors off guard.

This guide helps you pick the right Cinque Terre Card for your plan, navigate trail closures and paid sections, time your Via dell'Amore slot, and avoid the mistakes that cost extra train fares, wasted hikes, and missed access. All prices and trail statuses are checked against official park and railway sources for the 2026 season.

What to know first

• There are two cards: the Cinque Terre Treno Card (train + trails) and the Cinque Terre Trekking Card (trails only). If you plan to take the train between villages at least twice in a day, the Treno Card almost always pays off.
• Prices change by day, not just by season. The Treno Card has three tiers (Green €22 → Red €35 adult 1-day), and the Trekking Card has two (Standard €10 → Peak €15 adult 1-day). Check the seasonal calendar before you buy.
• Not all trails need a card. Only three paid sections exist: Monterosso–Vernazza, Vernazza–Corniglia, and the Via dell'Amore. All other trails, including Levanto–Monterosso, Manarola–Volastra–Corniglia, and Via Beccara, are free.
• The short Corniglia–Manarola coastal path (SVA 592-2) is closed due to a landslide. Use the Volastra high-route detour instead, which is free and does not need a card.
• Via dell'Amore is one-way (Riomaggiore → Manarola only) and requires a timed entry slot reserved in advance, even if you already hold a Cinque Terre Card.
• Train tickets bought at the station as paper tickets must be validated in the green machines before boarding. The fine for an unvalidated ticket is steep.
• From November 2 to March 12, all paid trails except Via dell'Amore become free. During this window, single train tickets cost about €3 and the Treno Card drops to €17.30 adult 1-day.

Source: Wikimedia Commons — Cinque Terre, Italy.

Treno Card vs Trekking Card: which one do you need?

The Treno Card includes unlimited regional train travel on the La Spezia–Cinque Terre–Levanto line (2nd class), access to the three paid coastal trails, use of station toilets (otherwise €1), free local buses inside the park, and reduced entry to La Spezia civic museums. The Trekking Card covers only the trails, toilets, and buses — no trains.

Treno Card adult prices (Mar 14 – Nov 1, 2026):

• 1 day: €22 (Green) / €29.50 (Yellow) / €35 (Red)
• 2 days: €36.50 / €51 / €61
• 3 days: €49 / €68 / €81

Trekking Card adult prices (2026):

• 1 day: €10 (Standard) / €15 (Peak)
• 2 days: €17 / €26.70
• 3 days: €23.50 / €37.50

How to decide:

• If you plan to use the train at least twice in one day, buy the Treno Card. A single regional ticket costs €5–€10 depending on the seasonal category, so two trips already equal or exceed the Green-tier Treno Card price difference. You also skip ticket-office queues at every station.
• If you are staying in one village, walking between towns, and only need trail access, the Trekking Card is enough.
• Family, child (4–11 years, roughly 30% off adult), and over-70 discounts are available on both cards. Children 0–3 are free.

Trail-by-trail: open, closed, paid

Trail statuses checked May 27, 2026 — verify at a Cinque Terre Tourist Information Point on the day you hike.

Paid (requires Cinque Terre Card):

• Monterosso → Vernazza: OPEN. 3.5 km, 2 hours, moderate. Easier direction: Vernazza → Monterosso (fewer stairs). Footpath 592-4.
• Vernazza → Corniglia: OPEN. 4 km, 1.5 hours, moderate. Easier direction: Corniglia → Vernazza (start at 100 m elevation via shuttle bus included with your card). Footpath 592-3.
• Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore → Manarola): OPEN. 1 km, 30 minutes, easy. One-way. Requires timed reservation.

Closed:

• Corniglia → Manarola coastal short route (footpath 592-2): CLOSED due to landslide. No reopening date announced.

Free (no card needed):

• Manarola → Volastra → Corniglia (high route): OPEN. 5 km, 2.5 hours, moderate/difficult. Take the bus from Manarola to Volastra to skip the steepest climb.
• Manarola → Riomaggiore (Via Beccara): OPEN. 1.8 km, 1 hour, difficult. Steep stairs throughout; good fitness required.
• Levanto → Monterosso: OPEN. 8 km, 3 hours, moderate. Start from Levanto for an easier ascent.
• Riomaggiore → Portovenere: OPEN. 13 km, 5–6 hours, difficult. Morning bus to Telegrafo available to skip the initial climb.
• Monterosso → Vernazza high route (via Santuario di Reggio and Soviore): OPEN. 7.5 km, 3.5 hours, free.

Note: After heavy rain, trails can close with little notice. Ask at an Info Point before setting out.

Via dell'Amore: the one-way timed-entry route

The Via dell'Amore reopened in 2024 after 12 years of closure. It runs one-way from Riomaggiore to Manarola, is paved and flat, and takes about 30 minutes.

Opening hours:

• Mar 29 – Oct 24, 2026: 09:00–21:00 (last admission 20:30)
• Oct 25, 2026 – Mar 27, 2027: 09:00–18:00 (last admission 17:30)

Reservation rule: You must reserve a time slot in advance, either online when buying your Cinque Terre Card through the official park website (card.parconazionale5terre.it) or at the Info Point in Riomaggiore on arrival day. Cards do not sell out, but time slots fill on peak days.

Exception for overnight guests: If you hold a Resident Tourist Card (Guest Card) from your accommodation in Manarola or Riomaggiore, or stay at an establishment with the CETS Environmental Quality Label, you can walk the Via dell'Amore in either direction and outside reserved time slots for the duration of your stay.

Train tickets, validation, and winter rules

The Cinque Terre Express runs every 20 minutes between Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, and La Spezia from March 14 to November 1, 2026. Travel times between adjacent villages are 4–6 minutes.

Single ticket prices (one journey between any two stations):

• Green days: €5 adult / €2.50 child
• Yellow days: €8 adult / €4 child
• Red days: €10 adult / €5 child
• After 19:30 evening discount: €5 flat rate

Validation rule: Paper tickets bought at the station must be stamped in the green validation machines before boarding. Digital tickets bought online (Trenitalia website or app) self-validate at the scheduled departure time.

Winter (Nov 2 – Mar 12): All paid trails except Via dell'Amore are free. Trains run once or twice per hour. The Treno Card drops to €17.30 adult 1-day. Single tickets are around €3.

Common mistakes that cost time and money

• Buying single tickets when you need the Treno Card: Two same-day train trips already justify the Green-tier Treno Card. You also skip the validation step and ticket-queue risk.
• Walking the closed Corniglia–Manarola coastal path: It is still closed as of mid-2026. The detour via Volastra is free and open, but longer and harder.
• Showing up at Via dell'Amore without a time slot: Even with a valid Cinque Terre Card, you need a reserved time slot. Book it online with your card or at the Riomaggiore Info Point.
• Trying to walk Via dell'Amore from Manarola to Riomaggiore: The route is one-way in the opposite direction. You cannot enter from the Manarola end unless you hold a Guest Card from local accommodation.
• Forgetting to validate a paper train ticket: Station checks are frequent and the fine is substantial. Green validation machines are on the stairs to the platforms.
• Wearing flip-flops on paid trails: The park prohibits inadequate footwear. Trekking shoes or sturdy sneakers are required. Bring water, sun protection, and avoid midday heat.

Who should choose which card

• Train-hopping day-tripper (Milano/Firenze → Cinque Terre return): Buy the 1-day Treno Card at the first station. Train between 3–4 villages, walk the Via dell'Amore with a reserved slot, and return the same day.
• Two-night hiker staying in Monterosso or Riomaggiore: Buy the 2-day Treno Card. Use Day 1 for Monterosso–Vernazza–Corniglia and Via dell'Amore. Use Day 2 for the free Levanto–Monterosso or Via Beccara trails, returning by train.
• Budget hiker not taking the train: Buy the 1-day or 2-day Trekking Card, walk the three paid trails, and use the free high routes for the rest.
• Off-season visitor (Nov–Mar): Do not buy a card until you confirm your trail needs. Most trails are free. Single train tickets at ~€3 are often cheaper than the €17.30 Treno Card unless you make 6+ trips in one day.
• Family with young children: The Family Treno Card (2 adults + 1+ children) saves roughly 15–20% vs buying separate adult and child cards. Children 0–3 travel free.

What to check before you go

• Check the current trail open/closed list at cinqueterre.eu.com or at a park Info Point on the morning of your hike.
• Look up which seasonal pricing tier (Green/Yellow/Red or Standard/Peak) applies to your visit dates on the official calendar.
• Buy your Cinque Terre Card online at card.parconazionale5terre.it to skip station queues, or purchase at any station in the Cinque Terre, Levanto, or La Spezia.
• Reserve your Via dell'Amore time slot when you buy your card or at the Riomaggiore Info Point immediately upon arrival.
• Bring your passport or ID — the Cinque Terre Card is personal and inspectors may ask to see it alongside the card.
• Check the weather forecast. Heavy rain can close trails on short notice. In July and August, start hiking before 08:00 or after 16:00 to avoid peak heat.
• If arriving by car, park in Levanto or La Spezia. The five villages have extremely limited parking, and most roads into the villages are restricted.

Sources

• Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre — official Cinque Terre Card page: https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Ecinque-terre-card.php
• Cinque Terre Card prices and seasonal calendar (updated May 18, 2026): https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-card
• Trail status list (updated May 27, 2026): https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-current-situation
• Hiking trails guide (updated June 1, 2026): https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/footpaths-cinqueterre
• Train timetable and prices (updated June 15, 2026): https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-timetable
• Via dell'Amore access and reservation rules: https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-via-dell-amore
• Official online card purchase: https://card.parconazionale5terre.it
• UNESCO World Heritage listing — Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/826