Only one Cinque Terre day trip from Florence is listed on WizardTrip. It lasts 13 hours, by coach and then by train, with an optional hike or Pisa as an add-on. It has 9,011 reviews and a rating of 4.8 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026).
This article describes what the Cinque Terre tour includes, what it leaves to you to pay and what changes from one option to the next. It also says who the day suits, and who it does not.
Cinque Terre day trip from Florence: what you need to know
The Cinque Terre form a national park of five fishing villages: Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso and Riomaggiore. The day links them from Florence, with a guide, a coach and the train.
All participants meet at the same point, in front of Santa Maria Novella station. Check-in is at 7:00 am. The guide holds a “WALKABOUT TOURS” sign, next to the taxi stand and across from the McDonald’s. Booking confirmation is instant.
The coach goes to La Spezia, where the group boards the train. On the way, the guide tells the story of Lucca and Puccini, and the Carrara marble quarries can be seen from afar. The return is by coach, with arrival in Florence in the evening. The listing gives no precise time.
The five options for the day
The listing describes five options, which differ by the hike, by Pisa and by what the package includes:
- With hike: walking the trails links the Cinque Terre villages.
- Without hike: the train replaces the hike to go from one village to the next.
- With Pisa: a visit to three Cinque Terre villages and to Pisa.
- With Leaning Tower tickets: the same stops as the Pisa option, plus tickets to climb the tower.
- Transport only: round-trip coach between Florence and the Cinque Terre, the same day.
The list of services includes the coach, an English-speaking guide, free time in the villages and national park entry tickets. These tickets are excluded from the transport-only option.
The Pisa option
The options with Pisa include three Cinque Terre villages, not five. The listing does not say which. In Pisa, the group goes to the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you see the Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the baptistery. This stop closes the day, before the return to Florence.
The program, village by village
Here is the order of the day in the listing’s detailed program, for the option with all five villages:
- Manarola: arrival by train, then free time in the alleys and on the square overlooking the water. An optional walk, led by the guide, climbs above the village through terraced vineyards.
- Corniglia: the only village perched on a rocky promontory, above the sea. Free time is also for lunch.
- Vernazza: after lunch, the hike follows about 3 kilometers of medieval mule trails along the cliffs. It ends in Vernazza, where you can sit down at a bar or café, or swim.
- Monterosso: a short train ride, then free time on the beach, in the artisans’ shops or tasting the local wine.
- Riomaggiore: the southernmost village. You get there by boat, optional and weather permitting, or by train.
Time on site stays short. In October 2026, Naima (4 out of 5) had “about an hour or a little more to spend in each town.”
Hike, boat, lunch: what to budget on top?
The hike is optional. It follows about 3 kilometers of medieval mule trails along the cliffs. The listing requires an average fitness level and the ability to keep up with the group. If a trail closes, hikers take an alternative route.
The boat is an option, not included in the package. It runs along the coast to Riomaggiore. It depends on the weather, on confirmation the same day and on payment. The description places it from late March to late October, the list of services from April to October.
No meal appears in the list of services. The program includes free time for lunch in Corniglia. The listing gives no price for lunch or the boat and does not say whether the train between the villages is included. A September 2026 traveler writes: “Lunch cost €15 extra and the boat ride also cost €15.”
The tour at a glance
| Day trip | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 13 hours, back in Florence in the evening |
| Departure | Check-in at 7:00 am, Santa Maria Novella station |
| Villages | Five villages, or three with the Pisa option |
| Hike | Optional, about 3 km; otherwise by train |
| Boat | Optional, seasonal, weather permitting |
| Included | Coach, English-speaking guide, free time, national park entry tickets |
| Meals | Free time for lunch; no meal in the list of services |
| Language and group size | English only; 25 people at most |
| Cancellation | Full refund up to 24 hours before |
| Price from | €55 |
Who can come, and what happens if it rains?
The minimum age is 8. The operator specifies that it cannot accept people who have difficulty walking, or young children, because of the uneven surfaces. The listing does not mention wheelchair access.
The listing advises against the day for travelers with spine problems, pregnant women and people in poor cardiovascular health. A moderate fitness level is required.
As for weather, the description promises a tour in all weather: dress accordingly. The boat trip may stop in bad weather or strong winds, with no refund or reduction.
The listing’s booking data also provide for cancellation by the operator in case of bad weather or too few participants. They do not detail the conditions.
Which option should you choose?
- You walk regularly and want to link the villages on foot: the option with the hike.
- You would rather avoid the trails: the option without the hike, where the train links the villages.
- You want to see the Leaning Tower: the option with Pisa, or the one with tickets to climb it.
- You only want the round-trip coach ride: the transport-only option, without the park entry tickets.
- You don’t speak English: this day isn’t for you, because the listing offers no guide in another language.
For the rest of your stay, find the city’s tours and excursions on the page Things to do in Florence. To travel farther, the page for Italy gathers those for the rest of the country.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Cinque Terre day trip from Florence?
The day lasts 13 hours. Check-in is at 7:00 am in front of Santa Maria Novella station, in Florence, and the return is in the evening. The listing gives no precise arrival time.
Is the Cinque Terre tour guided in any language other than English?
No. According to the listing, the guide speaks English only: the tour is not run in several languages at once. The group has 25 people at most.
Do you have to hike to visit the Cinque Terre from Florence?
No, the hike is optional. It covers about 3 kilometers on medieval mule trails and requires an average fitness level. With the option without the hike, the group takes the train between the villages.
Can you visit Pisa during the Cinque Terre tour?
Yes, with the options that include Pisa: three Cinque Terre villages, then the Piazza dei Miracoli with the Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the baptistery. One option adds tickets to climb the tower.
How old do you have to be for the Cinque Terre tour?
The minimum age is 8. The operator cannot accept young children or people who have difficulty walking, because of the uneven surfaces. An average fitness level is required.
Can you cancel the Cinque Terre tour from Florence?
Yes, the refund is full if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the boat trip is canceled because of bad weather or strong winds, no refund is given.
Activities mentioned in this guide
All activities in Florence, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Florence
