Hello-

I have leaped the benefit of all of your help to plan our trip to Italy which is coming up soon.

I have reserved train seats from Milan to La Spezia but have not bought tickets to get from La Spezia to Riomaggiore which is where are staying. Should this be done ahead of time or can I do this after arriving into La Spezia at 17:10 ? The next train to Riomaggiore departs at 17:20,next one 18:00. Don't know whether could get on the 17:20. Any suggestions ? Thank you.

Would you have time to purchase the tix from La Spezia to Riomaggiore while you're in Milan? That might save you some time and give you a chance to catch the 17:20. The trains seem to run a little late in that area, so you might be able to do it. Either way, good luck! -- h.

you can buy in Milano Centrale or La Spezia Station. Riomaggiore is the first stop from La Spezia.

That's a good idea- yes I think we may have time in Milan. Thanks .

Do it in Milan! We had literally minutes to catch our train in La Spezia and had to run, even though it is a small station.

It is always cheaper to buy a ticket for your whole journey, so buying separate tickets has cost you more. La Spezia to Riomaggiore is 7 km (according to the Thomas Cook timetable). For a short journey like this, you can usually buy tickets from newsagents who sell tickets for short journeys - just ask for a ticket for a seven kilometre train journey. Wherever and whenever you buy the ticket, you'll need to stamp it in one of the yellow machines at La Spezia station before joining the train.

The station is very small. The train from La Spezia to Riomaggiore is a "locale". If you buy a ticket in Milan it will include the last portion. You'll have no problem connecting.

Enjoy the Cinque Terre!

Yes, enjoy and eat at Gambero Rosso. It was the best meal of our trip!

Thank you for the info-
so I should be able to buy a ticket in Milan which I need to punch into a machine in La Spezia before getting on the train to Riomaggiore, and this is a ticket which will allow me to get on any time, depending on which train I can make after arriving to La Spezia from Milan , right ? Thanks for your help.

Yes, and just remember that you will need to "punch" everytime you get on ANY train to validate your ticket.