Pisa or Genoa: which airport for Cinque Terre?
By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 18, 2026
Both airports work, and the drive is about 1.5 hours from either. Genoa suits the northern end (Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza): direct trains get there in about 1 to 1.5 hours. Pisa suits the southern end (La Spezia, Riomaggiore, Manarola) and also has a direct Intercity to Monterosso in about 1 hour 10 minutes.
In practice, pick the airport with the cheaper or better-timed flight for your dates, then use the table below to plan the last stretch.
Pisa vs Genoa at a glance
| Pisa (PSA) | Genoa (GOA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport to train station | People Mover to Pisa Centrale, about 5 min, every 5 to 8 min (6 am to midnight) | Volabus to Genova Principe or Brignole, about 30 min, €6, every 45 min; or Airlink bus to Sestri Ponente station, €2, every 15 min |
| Train to Cinque Terre | Direct Intercity to Monterosso, about 1 h 10 min, from €12.50 (seat reservation required); other villages via La Spezia | Direct trains to Levanto, Monterosso and La Spezia, about 1 to 1.5 h, about €15 to Monterosso |
| By car | About 110 km, around 1.5 h, about €10 in tolls | About 100 km, around 1.5 h, about €9 in tolls |
| Closest end of the coast | South: La Spezia, Riomaggiore, Manarola | North: Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza |
| Good to combine with | Pisa, Lucca, Florence and Tuscany | Genoa and the Portofino coast |
Sources: Pisa to Cinque Terre (cinqueterre.eu.com), Genoa to Cinque Terre (cinqueterre.eu.com) and How to get to Cinque Terre (cinqueterre.it). Fares and timetables change; check Trenitalia before you travel.
Check live prices for your dates. We compare hundreds of travel sites through KAYAK.
Compare rental cars in PisaDriving from either airport
- Both routes use the A12 motorway. Take a ticket on entry and pay by card or cash at the exit.
- For Monterosso and Vernazza, leave the A12 at Carrodano-Levanto (some guides suggest the Brugnato exit; follow your navigation).
- For Riomaggiore and Manarola, exit at La Spezia and take the panoramic SP370 road.
- Village centres are restricted traffic zones. Park at the entrance lots, or in Levanto or La Spezia and take the train in.
Parking prices for every village are in our getting there and parking guide.
Renting a car at the airport
Airport desks in Italy usually add an airport surcharge to the rental. An April 2026 guide by Moneyside estimated it at about €6 to €8 a day at Genoa, based on its own sample of quotes. A city branch can be cheaper, but check its opening hours and how you will get there. We compare both options in airport vs city car rental.
Which airport should you choose?
- The cheaper or better-timed flight usually decides it: the difference on the ground is small.
- Staying in Levanto, Monterosso or Vernazza: Genoa is closer by train.
- Staying in La Spezia, Riomaggiore or Manarola: Pisa is the easier rail connection via La Spezia.
- Adding Florence or Tuscany: fly into Pisa. Adding Genoa or Portofino: fly into Genoa.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Cinque Terre?
Genoa and Pisa are both about 100 to 110 km away, around 1.5 hours by car. Genoa is closer to the northern villages and Pisa to the southern ones.
How do I get from Pisa airport to Cinque Terre by train?
Take the People Mover to Pisa Centrale (about 5 minutes), then a direct Intercity to Monterosso (about 1 hour 10 minutes) or a train to La Spezia and the local Cinque Terre line to the other villages.
How do I get from Genoa airport to Cinque Terre?
Take the Volabus to Genova Principe or Brignole (about 30 minutes, €6), then a direct train to Levanto, Monterosso or La Spezia (about 1 to 1.5 hours). For the other villages, change to the Cinque Terre train.
Do I need a car for Cinque Terre?
Not to move between the villages; the train is faster and parking is limited. A car is useful if you are combining Cinque Terre with Tuscany or the Riviera.
Plan the trip
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More from our Cinque Terre Special
Sources
- Pisa to Cinque Terre (cinqueterre.eu.com)
- Genoa to Cinque Terre (cinqueterre.eu.com)
- How to get to Cinque Terre (cinqueterre.it)
- Airport surcharge on car rentals in Italy, April 2026 (Moneyside, Italian)
- Parking in Cinque Terre (cinqueterre.eu.com)
Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 18, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.