DIY Shore Excursion from Genoa: Taking the Train to Monterosso, Cinque Terre

On our stop in Genoa, Italy, aboard the Sun Princess, we decided to skip the official ship excursions and take the train to Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre on our own. I had researched ahead of time but found limited information about what to expect at Genoa’s Piazza Principe train station, so I’ll share our experience here, with plenty of photos, to show just how easy it was.

From Ship to Train Station

Our ship docked at 8:00 AM, and I had already bought train tickets online for the 8:30 departure. That meant we needed to get off quickly. Luckily, we were able to disembark at 7:50, and the terminal was practically empty.

Even though the train station isn’t far from the port, I didn’t want to risk wandering Genoa’s curvy streets and getting lost, especially with the heat. We grabbed a taxi right outside the port. The ride was quick and easy, and while it wasn’t cheap (around €12–15 for such a short distance), it was worth avoiding stress at the start of the day.

Genoa Piazza Principe Station

The exterior of the Genoa Piazza Principe Station is striking with its historic architecture. Inside, it was simple to navigate. There are ticket counters and machines if you don’t already have tickets.

The station also has a McDonald’s, a café, and small shops selling drinks and snacks, so if you’re early, you won’t go hungry.

We bought tickets online before our trip, but you can also buy them at the train station.

For those using paper tickets, remember to validate them at the green machines before boarding — I snapped a photo so you know what to look for.

Departure boards are easy to find.

Boarding the Train in Genoa

We waited on the platform for our train. Fortunately, everything was clearly marked.

The only hiccup came when we boarded: our tickets were for Car 1, first class, so we naturally went to the front. Wrong! In Italy, Car 1 can be anywhere in the train’s lineup. We accidentally boarded Car 7, which had standard seating.

No harm done. The seats were fine, and the ride itself was beautiful.

The tracks hug the coastline, and watching the Mediterranean views through the window was unforgettable.

Arriving by Train in Monterosso, Cinque Terre

Stepping off the train in Monterosso felt like entering a postcard. The turquoise water, rocky cliffs, and rows of colorful beach umbrellas lined up along the sand were stunning.

We spent our time exploring, relaxing, and just soaking in the charm of Cinque Terre’s largest village.

The Return Trip to Genoa

For the return journey, we found the correct Car 1 and enjoyed the slightly nicer first-class seats. The only issue was a delay of about 45 minutes, which seems to be a fairly normal occurrence.

Thankfully, we had left Monterosso around 2:00 PM, giving us plenty of time to make it back to Genoa, walk to the port, and board the ship without stress. (Note: the return train was delayed by about an hour, but we allowed plenty of time for delays.)

This crossbody phone strap (with a pouch) on Amazon was the perfect way to carry my phone without worry, keeping it hands-free and secure all day! I used this on all our port days!

Why This DIY Excursion Was a Win

If your cruise stops in Genoa and you’re looking for a memorable, budget-friendly adventure, taking the train to Monterosso is a fantastic choice. It’s simple to do on your own, gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and the coastal scenery along the way is absolutely beautiful. This easy DIY excursion turned out to be one of our favorite days of the trip.