How to get to Portofino by train – Full Tutorial
✅ Before starting with how to get to Portofino by train, here are some really interesting links about Portofino and Tigullio. Take a look 😉
- Portofino: 5 things to see absolutely
- Tigullio’s treasures you cannot miss: The Christ of the Abyss
- San Michele di Pagana: what to see?
- Tigullio: 5 Things you can’t miss!
- 5 things to see in Santa Margherita Ligure!
- Tigullio: 10 (and more) reason for a Winter visit
- Tigullio: 5 curious things you need to know!
- Love in Portofino: the very original song
- Portofino song: the TOP 5
- Tigullio’s TOP 5 most instgrammable places
How to get to Portofino by train – Complete guide to get to the most beautiful village in the world!
Here is the complete guide on how to get to Portofino by train, whether you want to take a day trip or a multi-day holiday in the “Borgo”.
We will explain all the ways to reach Portofino by train and visit the “Borgo” in complete tranquility.
👉 There are two really important things to know, if you are planning your vacation to Portofino.
Take also a look at: Portofino, what to do and 5 places you must see!
✔ The train is THE RECOMMENDED way to reach Portofino, especially in summer.
In summer, the number of trains is significantly increased for tourists: you will find (approximately) one run every 30 minutes.
If possible, leave the car “at home”: don’t try “venturing” towards Portofino, looking for a parking space that… is not there! In the summer, it is a mission IMPOSSIBLE.
❌ Portofino does NOT have its own train station.
You have to get off at the SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE/PORTOFINO train station and reach Portofino in another ways.
Don’t worry, it’s very simple!
Continuing the reading, we will explain step by step how to reach Portofino once you get off at Santa Margherita Ligure, with all public transport available.
You will see: that there are many easy options.
Take also a look at: 5 things to see in Santa Margherita Ligure
How to get to Portofino by train – which trains to take
In this guide we do not give you all the timetables and train combinations, because you can find them easily from the TRENITALIA website.
We explain how the railway connections in this area work and, above all, some really useful tips for getting around by train in this area of Liguria.
👉 If your departure station is Genoa, Cinque Terre or La Spezia, we recommend you to take a REGIONAL/REGIONAL FAST train. The reasons are two.
First, because if you have never seen the Ligurian coast and its villages from the train, this is the right opportunity to do so. You will love it!
Second, because fast regional / regional trains are very frequent – in summer, as we have said, every 30 minutes (sometimes even less) – and they certainly stop in Santa Margherita Ligure.
Important clarification: 85% of the trains on the Genoa-La Spezia line stop in Santa Margherita. In Rapallo, practically 99% of the convoys stopped.
We tell you more about this, below.
Take a look at: San Fruttuoso di Camogli by boat, how to get there?
Portofino how to arrive by train from outside the region (or from Ponente Ligure)
It is completely different if your departure station is from the other side of Liguria or from other region,like Piemonte, Lombardia etc. In these cases, DON’T take regional/local trains.
In our experience, it is better to spend a little more because with all the intermediate stops in the various cities, the journey becomes endless.
Choose an Intercity, a Freccia Bianca or a long-distance train. It will take you less time.
If you don’t have a direct connection from your departure station and you need to change the train, you can get off at Genoa Brignole/Principe or La Spezia Centrale. Here you will find many trains to complete the route.
It may also be useful to go down to Rapallo instead. Now we explain why.
Take also a look at: Portofino beach, the best 3 beaches in Portofino!
Why can you also go down to Rapallo?
As we said before, not all long-distance trains stop at “Santa”, while they certainly stop in Rapallo.
This is the case, for example, of some trains to and from Milan or Turin, the Freccia Bianca to Rome and others.
If the train you would like to take does not stop in Santa Margherita, don’t worry: get off at Rapallo station (for those who don’t know, Rapallo is the town bordering Santa Margherita).
From here, you can wait for the first useful train to Santa Margherita (the journey takes just a moment, about 4 minutes), or leave the station and, in front of you, you have the bus terminal outside.
Buy your ticket at the ticket office or machine and take the first available bus. They are about one every 20/25 minutes (you will find all the indications on the spot).
Let’s go back to the main hypothesis: you got off in Santa Margherita Ligure. And now… how can you reach Portofino?
Take a look at: The incredible Christ of the Abyss in San Fruttuoso
How to reach Portofino from Santa Margherita?
You’re in Santa Margherita Ligure and you want to reach Portofino: you have several possibilities.
Outside the station, you will find electric bicycles, taxis and, a few meters on the same sidewalk, the bus stop – Line 782 for Portofino (Here it is in the photo 👇 below).
The bus is one of the best options, although during peak summer periods they can be crowded. Buy your ticket at the station bar and get in the carriage!
When you buy the ticket, specify the destination Portofino: the rate for Portofino is different from the ordinary one (it costs more).
Take a look at: how to get to San Fruttuoso di Camogli – Full Tutorial
If you want to have a unique experience, we absolutely recommend you to take the FERRY to Portofino.
Go down the stairs in front of the Railway Station (photo 👇 below) and you will reach the promenade (photo 👆 above) in less than 2 minutes.
You will find – on your right – the boarding pier of the boats (and, shortly before, also the main terminal of the bus).
Ferry boats are active during the summer, from May / June to September/October and the races depart every hour.
If you don’t suffer from seasickness, it may be a good idea to reach Portofino by sea and come back by bus or on foot (or vice versa).
Take a look at: Tigullio: 10 (and more) reason for a Winter visit
How to get to Portofino by train and then… on foot!
We left for last (but not least) the more “sporty” option among those available to get to Portofino from Santa Margherita.
If you love to walk and, above all, you have not heavy suitcases and luggage, you can take the splendid pedestrian promenade that connects the two towns, all by the sea, with breathtaking views.
Once in Paraggi, about halfway along the route, you can choose to continue by the sea or to take the last part of the famous Walk of Kisses, one of the most beautiful stretches in all of Liguria.
Take a look at: Paraggi Bay, every thing you need to know about this place!
We explain you once again, because every summer we see incredible scenes, several times along the road to Portofino…
If you are free of luggage – or you have a light backpack – you can easily take the walk: it is just 5 km, all flat and it takes about 50/55 minutes.
Many day tourists do that.
If you have many luggage and you need to reach a private house or a hotel, we advise you not to “do it on foot”. Take one of the vehicles we mentioned above: it’s the best way!
Take also a look at: Walk of kisses, the best path in Portofino!
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