We are planning to take the train from Nice to Cinque Terre in early October. I have discovered that I am unable to pre-purchase tickets as I did last year (for a trip that was only within France.) Is that becase the trip is too near timewise, or is it because the train is between 2 countries? Would you anticipate any problem buying tickets and getting seats on the day of departure? We will only be in France one day before we depart (after disembarking a cruise.)
Likewise, we plan to train from 5 Terre to Florence, and later to Rome. Same question - any problems buying tickets the day of travel? I speak a little French and very little Italian--but willing to try!

We did that same trip in reverse: Rome- Florence- Venice- Santa Margherita Ligure (for Cinque Terre)- Nice. We were there in May 2006, and we just bought train tickets as we went. I don't know if it would be any more crowded in October than May. It's not hard to get by without Italian or French, as most ticket sellers speak English, too. Have fun!

We are going from Nice to Cinque Terre by train in late Oct. also. I read that one must change trains 3 times and it takes 7 hours. Is this true?

Hanabilly - please write to me when you return and tell me what you learned.

Where do you recommend staying in Cinque Terre?

Merci! Gratzi! Thanks.

We will be staying just outside Cinque Terre in Levanto at Hotel Nazionale. I understand it is a very short train ride to the villages. I had difficulty finding a place in the villages - so small; also wanted a little more flexibility. I will let you know about the trip upon return- possibly during...haven't decided whether to take the laptop (trying to go light for once.)This is our fist trip to Italy (only second to Europe - so VERY excited.)

From Nice-Ville to Manarola (picked at random from among the five "terre&quot it takes anything from 5.30 hours with two changes to 5.47 hours with three changes of trains to 6.55 hours with just one change of trains en route.

Probably the most comfortable times for departure and arrival are the Nice-Ville departure of 10.05 (reservations mandatory) that gets into Manarola at 15.35 (changes at Genova-Principe arr. 13.06 dep. 13.47, reservations mandatory - and Monterosso arr. 15.02 dep. 15.24 no reservations needed on the last short hop).

You can buy the ticket on the french railway site www.voyages-sncf.fr, at least for the international leg to Genova-Piazzale Principe, it comes up as 15€.

You have plenty of time in Genova to buy a ticket for the remainder of the trip, probably best from the vending machine although the 13.47 train requires a seat reservation which you need to do at the ticket counter, but instead you can take the 14.11 which requires no reservation, just climb aboard, it gets to Monterosso at 15.42 and leaves for Manarola at 16.06, arr. 16.21.

Or - if you will be in Nice for a couple of days, buy it there on arrival.