Cinque Terre's Airport: What You Need To Know

Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Italy, consisting of five villages nestled atop cliffs overlooking the sea. When planning a trip to this picturesque destination, one of the first considerations is often the closest and most convenient airport to fly into. In this regard, Pisa International Airport stands out as the nearest option, situated just 45.2 miles or 99 kilometres away. It offers efficient rail connections, with travellers able to reach Pisa Centrale railway station and subsequently transfer to a local train towards Cinque Terre, usually with a stop in La Spezia Centrale. The journey from Pisa Airport to Cinque Terre typically takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes by car or approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by train.

Pisa International Airport is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Cinque Terre by car

Pisa International Airport is the closest airport to Cinque Terre, located just 99 kilometres or 45.2 miles away. By car, the journey from Pisa International Airport to Cinque Terre takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The highway is good and easy to drive on, making this airport the nearest and most convenient choice for travellers.

If you are planning to rent a car, it is important to note that car parking in Cinque Terre is limited and often far from the village centres. Additionally, drop-off stations are not available in any of the villages, with the closest ones being in La Spezia. Therefore, it might be more convenient to use public transportation or a private transfer service to get from the airport to Cinque Terre.

When travelling from Pisa International Airport to Cinque Terre, you have the option to take a shuttle train or a shuttle bus to Pisa Centrale railway station. From there, you can take a train to Cinque Terre, typically with a transfer at La Spezia Centrale. The total travel time for this option is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Another airport option for travelling to Cinque Terre is Genoa International Airport, located 127 kilometres away. The drive from Genoa International Airport to Cinque Terre takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Public transport is also available, with the "Volabus" service offering a shuttle from the airport to Genova Principe railway station, where you can catch a direct train to Cinque Terre.

For travellers coming from further away, Malpensa Milan Airport is an alternative, situated 285 kilometres from Cinque Terre. The journey by car takes about 3 hours. This airport may be preferable for those with specific flight needs or long-haul journeys.

Genoa International Airport is 1 hour and 45 minutes away by car

While Cinque Terre does not have its own airport, there are several airports nearby that you can consider flying into. The closest airport to Cinque Terre is Pisa International Airport, located just 99 kilometres or 45.2 miles away. From Pisa Airport, it's approximately a 1-hour and 15-minute to 1-hour and 30-minute drive to Cinque Terre. Alternatively, you can take a train by first reaching Pisa Centrale railway station and then taking a local train to Cinque Terre, usually with a transfer at La Spezia Centrale.

Another great option is Genoa International Airport, the topic of this paragraph. Genoa Airport is situated 127 kilometres from Cinque Terre and is about an hour's drive away. An important point to note is that the drive to Cinque Terre from the airport takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it a convenient option for those travelling by car. If you prefer public transportation, the airport provides a "Volabus" service to Genova Principe railway station, where you can catch a direct train to Cinque Terre without any changes. This option is straightforward and efficient.

Other airports in the vicinity of Cinque Terre include Florence Airport, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, and Milan Malpensa Airport. Florence Airport is about a 2-hour and 15-minute drive from Cinque Terre, while Bologna Airport is approximately a 3-hour drive. Milan Malpensa Airport is the furthest of these options, situated 285 kilometres away, and the journey to Cinque Terre by car takes approximately 3 hours.

Milan Malpensa Airport is 3 hours away by car

Milan Malpensa Airport is the best option for those travelling to Cinque Terre from further afield. The airport is 285 kilometres away from Cinque Terre, and the journey by car takes about 3 hours. This airport is a good option for those with specific flight requirements or those arriving from long-haul destinations.

If you are hiring a car at Milan Malpensa Airport, you can easily reach the Lake of Garda, Lake Como, Lake Orta and Venice. However, if Cinque Terre is your final destination, it is better to go by train from Milan to Venice and then hire a private driver down to Cinque Terre.

Milan Malpensa Airport is served by a train, the Malpensa Express, which connects the airport to Milano Centre. From there, you can catch a regional train to one of the five villages in Cinque Terre. Several companies offer shuttle services from the airport to the Milano Centrale Train Station. The train from Milano Centrale to Cinque Terre takes about 4 hours and costs around €21. You can book your ticket on Omio directly to the chosen village or La Spezia.

If you are planning to make stops between Milan and Cinque Terre, it makes sense to fly into Milan. However, if you are only travelling to Cinque Terre, Pisa Airport is the closest airport, located just 99 kilometres away. It is the most convenient choice for travellers, with a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to Cinque Terre.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is 3 hours away by car

While the closest airport to Cinque Terre is Pisa International Airport, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is a great alternative. It is located about 83.5 miles from Cinque Terre and is about 3 hours away by car.

If you're travelling from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport to Cinque Terre, you can take a train or a bus. Shuttle services are available from the airport to the Bologna Centrale Train Station. From there, you can catch a regional train to one of the five villages in Cinque Terre. The train from Bologna Centrale to La Spezia, the nearest city to Cinque Terre, takes between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the number of transfers. You can expect to pay between EUR 19 and EUR 27 for this journey.

Alternatively, you can take a direct bus from Bologna to La Spezia and then take a local train to your chosen village. The bus takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs EUR 20.

Florence Airport is 2 hours and 15 minutes away by car

The closest airport to Cinque Terre is Pisa Airport, located just 99 kilometres or 45.2 miles away. The next closest airport is Genoa International Airport, situated 127 kilometres away. Pisa Airport is the most convenient choice for travellers, with a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes to Cinque Terre.

However, if you are looking for an airport with more direct flight options, Milan Malpensa Airport is another alternative, at 285 kilometres away. The journey by car to Cinque Terre from Milan Malpensa takes about 3 hours.

Florence Airport is a bit further away than Pisa and Genoa, and it is rare to find a train connection without changes. By car, Florence Airport is about 2 hours and 15 minutes away from Cinque Terre, and the highway is good and easy to drive on.

Florence Airport to Cinque Terre by Train

Several companies offer shuttle services from Florence Airport to the Firenze Santa Maria Novella Train Station. From there, you can catch a regional train to one of the five villages in Cinque Terre. The train takes about 2 hours and costs around EUR 16. You can book your ticket on Omio.

Florence Airport to Cinque Terre by Bus

Alternatively, you can take a direct bus from Florence Airport to La Spezia, the city closest to Cinque Terre. From La Spezia, you can take a local train to one of the five villages. The bus takes 2 hours and costs EUR 12. You can book your ticket on Omio.

Frequently asked questions