While planning a Cinque Terre trip, you’re probably wondering if you need the Cinque Terre Card or not. We know we were.
That’s why, after exploring all of Cinque Terre, we created this detailed guide that should help you decide whether you need it or not. Spoiler alert: We bought ours.
What is the Cinque Terre Card?
The Cinque Terre Card is a pass that allows you to access paid trails in Cinque Terre National Parks, along with a few other benefits, depending on the type of card you choose.
Yes, there’s more than one type of Cinque Terre card.
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Types of Cinque Terre Card
There are two main types of Cinque Terre Card: the Trekking Card (which includes the hiking fee for paid trails from Monterosso to Vernazza and Vernazza to Corniglia) and the Train Card, which includes the same hiking fee plus unlimited train travel between Levanto, all Cinque Terre towns, and La Spezia.
- Read next: Things not to miss in Cinque Terre (Guide)
List of things that both the trekking and train cards include:
- Cinque Terre paid hiking trails – Vernazza to Monterosso hike and Corniglia to Vernazza hike
- Free bus shuttles
- Free use of toilets on all train stations (1 EUR without the card)
- Free Wi-Fi at Parks’ hot spots
- Free entry to Podere Case Lovara on the Levanto to Monterosso hiking trail – check more about it in our Cinque Terre hikes guide
- Some guided tours – different schedule each day, check it here
- Discounted tickets for some Civic Museums in La Spezia (Amedeo Lia, Castello San Giorgio, CAMeC, Sigillo, Palazzina delle Arti, Etnografico, Diocesano)
To sum up:
- If you plan to travel by train, consider purchasing the Cinque Terre Train Card, which gives you unlimited train travel between the villages.
- If you only want access to paid hiking trails (to and from Vernazza), get the Cinque Terre Trekking Card.
‘Plus’ version of the cards
And then there is a ‘plus’ version of both cards, so Trekking Card Plus and Train Card Plus, which include the famous 900-meter-long path called Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Path) between Riomaggiore and Manarola.
However, to access this famous path, you’ll need to purchase either the Train Card or the Trekking Card and add 10 EUR to that. This is not really worth it if you ask us.
Cinque Terre Card validity
The Cinque Terre Card (trekking & train version) is valid until midnight on the day of issue.
For a multiple-day ticket, it’s valid for 2 or 3 consecutive days, starting from the day of purchase or the chosen date (if purchased online – which we recommend).
Important
Even if you buy the Cinque Terre Card at, let’s say, 5 pm, it will only be valid just until midnight that same day, and not 5 pm the next day.
Is the Cinque Terre Card really worth it?
Yes, the Cinque Terre Card is generally worth the money.
There are several perks included with the card, such as free toilets at train stations and free bus shuttles (for example, the one between Corniglia train station and the town, or between Manarola and Volastra, etc.).
Plus, there’s less hassle with a card, especially the train one (no need to stand in long queues to buy a train ticket during the peak summer season, and no need to bother with validating the ticket).
You also have the flexibility to go with the flow and between the villages as you please.
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However, this also depends on your Cinque Terre Itinerary and how many times you plan to take the train. So you need to do your own math here, but let’s try to break it down.
If you plan to hike the paid trails (Monterosso – Vernazza and Corniglia – Vernazza) and take the train three (or more times) that day, it makes sense to consider the Cinque Terre Train Card, which includes the hiking fee and unlimited train travel between the Cinque Terre towns, including Levanto and La Spezia. It will save you money.
A one-way train journey between any Cinque Terre town can cost 5 EUR, 8 EUR, or 10 EUR in the peak summer season.
Important: You NEED the Cinque Terre Trekking card for hikes on paid trails to or from Vernazza.
So, even if you don’t plan to use the trains frequently but plan to hike to or from Vernazza, you still need to buy the card. In this case, the trekking card.
Which one is better, the Train Card or the Trekking Card?
We think the Cinque Terre Train Card makes much more sense, especially if you plan to take trains to get to all the main towns of Cinque Terre.
Additionally, you have free toilet access at all train stations (a 1 EUR cash charge applies otherwise) and entry to the paid hiking trails to and from Vernazza.
The Cinque Terre Trekking Card is only worth it if you want to hike the trails and don’t plan to travel by train much, especially if you plan to book a hotel within Cinque Terre. In that case, we recommend taking it only for the days you actually need it (doing hikes to/from Vernazza).
In Cinque Terre, paid trails are charged only from 9 am until 5 pm, which means that if you hike before or after this time, you don’t need to show the card.
However, be careful if you don’t have a card, as you need to complete the hike by 9 am, as they check for the card at both the start and end of the hike.
Where to buy the card
The easiest way to buy the Cinque Terre Card is online through the official website (make sure to scroll all the way down until the section ‘Choose your card’). That’s what we did.
How to buy the Cinque Terre Card online?
- Go to this link (the official Cinque Terre website)
- Scroll all the way down until the section ‘Choose your card’
- Select the type of card you want to buy
- Choose the date of usage + ticket type (adult, children, etc.)
- Enter the quantity of the cards and write your full name
- Confirm all the details and go to checkout
- Now you need to create the account (can’t proceed without that)
- Pay the card & that’s it!
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In addition to the official website, you can also purchase the card on the Trenitalia website/app.
The process is straightforward, and you don’t need to print the Cinque Terre Card – you just need it accessible on your phone for trail checkpoints, during train rides, and for getting access to the train station toilets.
Otherwise, you can also buy the Cinque Terre Card at the Welcome Centers in each Cinque Terre town and at the train stations.
How much does the Cinque Terre Card cost?
A Cinque Terre Card is available for 1, 2, or 3 days, and the price depends on the type (trekking/train).
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Cinque Terre Train Card
The prices of the Cinque Terre Train Card are quite complicated, as there are 3 different price categories, depending on the season and the expected number of visitors.
The three categories of the Cinque Terre Train card are: A (the cheapest), B (middle), and C (the most expensive).
It’s sometimes a bit of a guess on which days A, B, or C categories are active. However, as a general rule, here is how it’s divided:
- Weekends in summer, as well as public holidays, fall into the most expensive category (C).
- Most of June and September, as well as weekdays in July and August, fall into the middle category (B).
- Most of March, April, May, and October are in the cheapest category (A).
- Between November and mid-March, the train card is considerably cheaper (a 3-day card costs less than a 1-day card in season), and it cannot be purchased online.
In addition to the different categories of the train card, the price also depends on the validity (1-day, 2-day, or 3-day).
What does all that mean?
Depending on the day and month of your visit, a one-day Cinque Terre Train Card costs between 19.50 and 32.50 EUR for adults aged 12 to 69, while a two-day card costs 34 to 59 EUR, and a three-day card costs 46.50 to 78.50 EUR.
For children aged 4 to 11 years, the Cinque Terre Train Card is considerably cheaper, at 12.5 to 21 EUR for a one-day, 22 to 38 EUR for a two-day, and 30.5 to 51 EUR for a three-day validity.
Children under 4 years old have a free pass and do not require a Cinque Terre Train Card. Additionally, discounts are available for family tickets and for individuals 70 years old and over.
In the tables below, you can find the exact pricing. Yes, it’s a bit complicated, we fully agree!
| 1-DAY TRAIN CARD | Low season (Range A) | Medium season (Range B) | High season (Range C) |
| Adults (12-69 years) | 19.5 EUR | 27 EUR | 32.5 EUR |
| Children (4-11 years) | 12.5 EUR | 17.5 EUR | 21 EUR |
| Over 70 years old | 16 EUR | 22.5 EUR | 27 EUR |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children 4-12 years) | 49 EUR | 69.5 EUR | 84 EUR |
| 2-DAY TRAIN CARD | Low season (Range A) | Medium season (Range B) | High season (Range C) |
| Adults (12-69 years) | 34 EUR | 48.5 EUR | 59 EUR |
| Children (4-11 years) | 22 EUR | 31 EUR | 38 EUR |
| Over 70 years old | 28 EUR | 40 EUR | 48.5 EUR |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children 4-11 years) | 86.5 EUR | 124.50 EUR | 151.5 EUR |
| 3-DAY TRAIN CARD | Low season (Range A) | Medium season (Range B) | High season (Range C) |
| Adults (12-69 years) | 46.5 EUR | 65.5 EUR | 78.5 EUR |
| Children (4-11 years) | 30.5 EUR | 42 EUR | 51 EUR |
| Over 70 years old | 38.5 EUR | 53.5 EUR | 65 EUR |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children 4-11 years) | 118 EUR | 167.5 EUR | 203 EUR |
Prices of a Cinque Terre Treno MS Card in the off-season
From November 3, 2025, to March 13, 2026, the Cinque Terre Train Card is significantly discounted due to the absence of a hiking fee during that time and the reduced number of visitors during this period. The beauty of off-season travel!
However, there is no option to buy the card online during this period.
| Cinque Terre Treno MS Card off-season | 1-day | 2-days | 3-days |
| Adults (12-69 years) | 14.8 | 26.5 | 31.5 |
| Children (4-11 years) | 8.5 | 14.2 | 19.80 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children, 4-11 years) | 36.2 | 59.6 | 81.6 |
| Over 70 | 11.2 | 18.8 | 26 |
Prices of Cinque Terre Trekking Card
The standard rates of the Cinque Terre Trekking Card for adults (12-69 years) are 7.50 EUR for a 1-day, 14.50 EUR for a 2-day, and 21 EUR for a 3-day validity.
The standard rates of the Cinque Terre Trekking Card for children (4-11 years) are 4.5 EUR for a 1-day, 7.20 EUR for a 2-day, and 9.50 EUR for a 3-day validity.
Children under 4 years have free access.
Good to know: On specific dates, a high-season rate applies for the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which is double the standard price. However, it only occurs for 17 days a year, typically on the same dates every year.
High season rate dates for 2025:
- 19th, 20th, 21st April (Easter holidays)
- 25th, 26th, 27th April (25th is Liberation day in Italy)
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th May
- 31st May
- 1st & 2nd June (2nd June is the Republic Day in Italy)
- 8th June
- 31st October
- 1st & 2nd November
In the tables below, you can find the exact pricing.
| TREKKING CARD 1-DAY | Standard rate | High Season Rate |
| Adults (12-69 years) | 7.5 EUR | 15 EUR |
| Children (4-11 years) | 4.5 EUR | 9 EUR |
| Over 70 years old | 6 EUR | 12 EUR |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children 4-11 years) | 19.60 EUR | 39.20 EUR |
| Adults + Children SR* | 3 EUR | 3 EUR |
| TREKKING CARD 2-DAY | Standard rate | High Season Rate |
| Adults (12-69 years) | 14.50 EUR | 29 EUR |
| Children (4-12 years) | 7.20 EUR | 14.40 EUR |
| Over 70 years old | 10 EUR | 20 EUR |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children 4-12 years) | 31.50 EUR | 63 EUR |
| TREKKING CARD 3-DAY | Standard rate | High Season Rate |
| Adults (12-69 years) | 21 EUR | 42 EUR |
| Children (4-12 years) | 9.50 EUR | 19 EUR |
| Over 70 years old | 13.50 EUR | 27 EUR |
| Family (2 adults + 1 or more children 4-12 years) | 42 EUR | 84 EUR |
Things to know before buying the Cinque Terre Card
- The Cinque Terre Train Card includes only regional and regional fast trains in second class between Levanto, all five Cinque Terre towns, and La Spezia (excluding IC/ICN/FB trains).
- If a yellow weather warning is issued, the sale of Cinque Terre Cards may be suspended. If there is an orange or red weather warning, the sale of the cards will be suspended, and hiking routes will be closed.
- The Cinque Terre Card is bound to your name and is non-transferable.
- Officials will check your ticket at the start and end of paid hiking trails, and there might be inspectors on the train. You need to present your card along with a valid identification document (although we weren’t ever asked for our IDs, the official website states you must show it).
- The card is valid until midnight on the day of validity (the date you choose it for).
- The cards don’t sell out, so buy them when you’re sure of your plans.
- If you’re staying in one of the five main Cinque Terre towns, you might be entitled to a discount for the Cinque Terre Card. Not all accommodations have this perk, so make sure to ask your host.
- Between November 3rd and March 13th, there is no hiking fee for Vernazza to Monterosso and Vernazza to Corniglia trails, so there is no Cinque Terre Hiking (Trekking) card to sell.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Cinque Terre National Park is free to visit. However, you DO NEED a Cinque Terre Trekking (Hiking) Card if you plan to hike two trails going to/from Vernazza (Monterosso to Vernazza & Vernazza to Corniglia hike). The rest of the trails are free of charge.
No, you don’t need to validate your Cinque Terre Card. But you need to show them to the officials when asked.
No, there is no need to print the Cinque Terre Card. You can show it on your phone.
The Cinque Terre Card doesn’t include the ferry. It only includes trains (for the train card) and bus shuttles.
Via dell’Amore is not included in the Cinque Terre Card. However, you do need to buy the Cinque Terre Card (Train or Trekking) and pay an additional 10 EUR for the Via dell’Amore path. It’s called Cinque Terre Card Plus when buying on the official Cinque Terre National Park website.
Final thoughts
The 3-day Train Card made perfect sense for us, as we were based in Levanto, meaning we rode the train several times a day, and we also hiked the paid trails in Vernazza.
So with the card, we definitely saved some money. 😊
We hope this guide has helped you understand the Cinque Terre card better and decide if it makes sense for your trip. 🥰 If you have any questions or updates, feel free to leave a comment below and help fellow travelers.
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