I know it is not ideal, but if we have a rental car does anyone have advice on how to drive to the Cinque Terre and where we could possibly park our car for two nights? Thanks!

Monterosso seems to be the only one of the five with large parking lots - or at least one right on the beach in filled in sea. Arrive early in season i think. When i was in Monterosso in Jan they were enlargening, apparently, the seaside lot.

The other villages seem to have no car access for visitors except Riomaggiore - but i did not notice any parking lots there - could be.

When booking a hotel i suggest you ask them about parking info and suggestions

There's limited parking at the top of Riomaggiore

We parked at the lot in Manarola.

Monterosso is the easiest to park and to access. Do not overlook Levanto as a base as well.

We are also going to the CT.......Oct 17, 18...We are coming from Pienza...I thought we would have to park the car in La Spezia at the train station...and then just take the train to the CT (we are staying in Vernazza)...Are you hearing anything to the contrary...????? Where are ya'll staying?

You could park in Levanto and just
hop on the train to each town.

The problem with the train stations is that I read that there is no overnight parking in La Spezia and only 24-hour parking at Levanto. I will look into the other town parking lots that people have suggested. Thanks!

You could try Bonassola. A nice little seaside town just outside the 5 villages. It has plenty of car parking. I stayed there a couple of years ago for a walking holiday, and we used the trains and ferry to get around.