How to get to Manarola: complete transport guide

How to get to Manarola: all the ways to reach the Cinque Terre village

Manarola is one of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre, nestled among the cliffs of the Riviera di Levante in Liguria. Reaching this colourful village requires a bit of planning, as it is not directly accessible by car. In this guide you will find all the transport options to get there comfortably.

Nearest airports to Manarola

Manarola does not have an airport in its immediate vicinity, but three airports serve the area well.

Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA)

Located about 100 km away, this is the most convenient airport. From the airport, you can reach Pisa Centrale station in a few minutes via the PisaMover. From Pisa Centrale, direct trains to La Spezia Centrale take about 1 hour, from where you continue to Manarola on the Cinque Terre regional train.

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA)

About 110 km away, it is connected to Genova Piazza Principe station by the Volabus shuttle. From Genoa, trains to La Spezia take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Further away (about 280 km) but with many international flights. The Malpensa Express connects the airport to Milano Centrale station, from where high-speed trains depart for La Spezia (about 3 hours).

By train: the best way to reach Manarola

The train is the ideal and most practical means of reaching Manarola. The village has its own railway station on the Genoa-La Spezia line.

From La Spezia Centrale

Regional trains connect La Spezia to Manarola in just 8-10 minutes, with very high frequency especially in summer (every 15-20 minutes). The Cinque Terre Express card offers unlimited rides throughout the day and can be purchased at the station or online.

From Genoa

Direct regional trains to Manarola with a possible change at La Spezia. Travel time is about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

From Milan, Rome, Florence and Turin

From major cities, you can take a high-speed train to La Spezia Centrale, then continue on the regional service. From Milan about 3 hours total, from Rome about 4 hours, from Florence about 2 hours and 30 minutes, from Turin about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

By car and parking

Manarola is essentially closed to car traffic. The historic centre can only be reached on foot.

Road route

From the A12 Genova-Livorno motorway, exit at La Spezia or Brugnato-Borghetto Vara. From there, follow the provincial road towards Manarola through the hamlet of Volastra.

Parking

The Manarola car park is located in the upper part of the village and is fee-paying, with very limited spaces. In high season it is nearly impossible to find a spot. The best alternative is to park in La Spezia and take the train.

By ferry and boat

From April to October, the boats of the Consorzio Marittimo Turistico Cinque Terre connect Manarola with the other villages and with La Spezia and Portovenere. The crossing from La Spezia takes about 30 minutes and offers spectacular views of the coastline. Boats do not operate in rough seas.

By bus

The ATC bus service connects Manarola with La Spezia and the other Cinque Terre villages along the coastal road. The service is less frequent than the train but useful as an alternative. In summer, shuttle buses operate within the Cinque Terre National Park.

Private transfers and taxis

From La Spezia Centrale you can book private transfers or taxis to reach Manarola. The cost is around 40-60 euros. Some hotels offer shuttle services from La Spezia station upon request.

Practical tips

Buy the Cinque Terre Card for unlimited train rides and trail access
In summer, book the ferry early as seats fill up quickly
Avoid driving in high season: parking is insufficient
Trains can be very crowded on summer weekends: leave early in the morning
From Pisa, the train connection is the most economical and fastest option