efg

In mid-June, we will be traveling via train from Milan to Cinque Terre and staying in Manarola for two nights. It looks like the best route is to travel via Genova - is that right? Should I arrange for our train ticket far in advance or just the day before we travel? Many thanks for your help.

baldrick

Yes, the train to Genova and then southwards direction La Spezia and Livorno.
This is a train ticket you can buy just before boarding, but it might be wise to go and buy it the day before, specifying that the tickets are for the next day.

BTilke

Get your tickets at least the day before and for the Milan to Genoa leg at least, get a seat reservation. I took a train to and from Milan that ran through Genoa (left last week and got back yesterday) and the train was PACKED. People without reservations were standing at the back of the trainc cars, in aisles, etc., with no place to put their luggage. You can't get a seat reservation at the last minute, so that's why I recommend you buy the tickets before hand.

Huitres

I travel the Milano-Genova-Cinque Terre route about 6 times a year via train and have never had any trouble buying tickets when I am right there at Milano's Centrale Station, the day of travel. I have traveled in the height of summer even, still no problem. There are several trains daily that travel this route, so if you miss one, there is always another. I travel 2nd class and always have a seat. If you are feeling terribly insecure about it and will be in Milano prior, then go ahead and buy your tickets the day before, otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

BTilke

Huitres, if you had traveled that route over the last week without a reservation, you would DEFINITELY have been standing for a good part of the trip, if not all of it. Every seat was taken in first AND second class with many, many people standing. Between the holiday, the strikes, the problems at Nice airport, etc., people were flocking onto the train.
There were dozens and dozens of people who thought they could waltz on to the train with no reservation and find a seat who got a big and very unpleasant surprise. Considering how cheap a seat reservation is, it's penny wise and pound foolish not to have one, unless, of course, you're wearing very comfortable shoes, don't mind standing for hours, and also don't mind desperate people pushing past you with their unwieldy luggage trying to find a seat somewhere, anywhere.