Ferry Boat Tours in the Portofino Area.
Boat excursions to Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Cinque Terre, and Portovenere from Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Chiavari, Lavagna, Sestri Levante.
Portofino Ferry Boat Schedules 2024 / Battelli,Traghetti Orari 2024 / Fähre Zeitplan 2024
The ferry boat trips are one of the great attractions of the Portofino / Gulf of Tigullio area, providing visits to the little villages of Portofino and San Fruttuoso on Lines 1 & 2 along with fabulous views of the famous coastline.
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Check the Official Ferry Website HERE for recent changes before your departure.
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The ferry boat trips are one of the great attractions of the Portofino / Gulf of Tigullio area, providing visits to the little villages of Portofino and San Fruttuoso on Lines 1 & 2 along with fabulous views of the famous coastline.
Boats also travel to Portovenere and three Cinque Terre villages on Lines 3, 4*, & 5* from Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Chiavari, Lavagna, and Sestri Levante. The three villages of Cinque Terre visited in different combinations are Vernazza, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore. Reservation required.
All the latest available Schedules are below. Good for planning - timetables vary little year to year. Check schedules locally before departure as times and frequency may vary during the season and due to weather conditions.
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| San Giacomo di Corte, Santa Margherita Ligure. |
Our Liguria Hotel Guide & City Selector
Minimize the crowds and enjoy Portofino, Cinque Terre & Liguria. We help you choose your town with the Pluses & Minuses for each:
Link: Part 1: Cinque Terre South - Gulf of the Poets La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici.
Link: Part 2: Cinque Terre North to Portofino
Levanto, Bonassola, Moneglia, Sestri L., Lavagna, Chiavari.
Link: Part 3: Towns on the Portofino Peninsula Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Portofino, Camogli, Recco.
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Where are all these towns?
Liguria / Cinque Terre / Portofino Map
Link: Part 1: Cinque Terre South - Gulf of the Poets La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici.
Link: Part 2: Cinque Terre North to Portofino
Levanto, Bonassola, Moneglia, Sestri L., Lavagna, Chiavari.
Link: Part 3: Towns on the Portofino Peninsula Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Portofino, Camogli, Recco.
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Where are all these towns?
Liguria / Cinque Terre / Portofino Map
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| Rapallo. Liguria's famous Trompe l'oeil. |
From Rapallo / Santa Margherita (SML)
Click for times. qd = daily number of boats.
Line 1 March 9 - March 31 (qd 2)
Line 1 April (qd 6)
Line 1 May June July (qd 7/8)
Line 1 August (qd 9)
Line 1 September (qd 7/8)
Line 1 October (qd 6)
Line 1 Nov. 1 - Nov. 4 (qd 2)
Night Cruises to Portofino July: Saturday August: Friday + Saturday
Rapallo 20:00 + 21:30 Santa Margherita 20:15 + 21:45 Return: 23:30
Your RT ticket from Rapallo or SML allows you to stop over at Portofino and/or San Fruttuoso and
Click for times. qd = daily number of boats.
Line 1 March 9 - March 31 (qd 2)
Line 1 April (qd 6)
Line 1 May June July (qd 7/8)
Line 1 August (qd 9)
Line 1 September (qd 7/8)
Line 1 October (qd 6)
Line 1 Nov. 1 - Nov. 4 (qd 2)
Night Cruises to Portofino July: Saturday August: Friday + Saturday
Rapallo 20:00 + 21:30 Santa Margherita 20:15 + 21:45 Return: 23:30
Your RT ticket from Rapallo or SML allows you to stop over at Portofino and/or San Fruttuoso and
take a
later boat. The boat times for return trips posted at each dock. Only group charters from Nov. 5.
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For advice and reviews on guidebooks for Liguria, Florence, Rome, Venice & more, read our article:
➼ Rick Steves Pocket Cinque Terre Guidebook also covers Portofino and Santa Margherita
Line 2 To Portofino / San Fruttuoso
From Moneglia / Sestri Levante / Lavagna / Chiavari
Morning Boat Sestri Levante 9:00 Lavagna 9:15 Chiavari 9:30
Effective Periods: July, August Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Sept. 1-23 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Stops for 45 minutes in San Fruttuoso and 1 hour in Portofino. Stopovers allowed if multiple boats
Afternoon Boat Moneglia 13:45 Sestri Levante 14:15 Lavagna 14:30 Chiavari 14:45
Effective Periods:
April Wed., Sun. plus April 21, April 22, April 25
May Wed., Sun. plus May 1
June Wed., Sun.
July Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
August Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Sept. 1- 22 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Sept. 25-30 Friday, Sunday
Oct. Wed. Oct.2 & Sun. Oct.6
You can stop for 1 hour in San Fruttuoso and 1 hour in Portofino or 2 1/2 hours in Portofino.
Evening Boat Sestri Levante 21:15 Lavagna 21:30 Chiavari 21:45
Effective Period: August Saturday only
Stops for 1 hour in Portofino.
Morning Boat Sestri Levante 9:00 Lavagna 9:15 Chiavari 9:30
Effective Periods: July, August Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Sept. 1-23 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Stops for 45 minutes in San Fruttuoso and 1 hour in Portofino. Stopovers allowed if multiple boats
Afternoon Boat Moneglia 13:45 Sestri Levante 14:15 Lavagna 14:30 Chiavari 14:45
Effective Periods:
April Wed., Sun. plus April 21, April 22, April 25
May Wed., Sun. plus May 1
June Wed., Sun.
July Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
August Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Sept. 1- 22 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Sept. 25-30 Friday, Sunday
Oct. Wed. Oct.2 & Sun. Oct.6
You can stop for 1 hour in San Fruttuoso and 1 hour in Portofino or 2 1/2 hours in Portofino.
Evening Boat Sestri Levante 21:15 Lavagna 21:30 Chiavari 21:45
Effective Period: August Saturday only
Stops for 1 hour in Portofino.
When multiple boats are running, your morning ticket allows you
to stop over at Portofino or San Fruttuoso and return on the afternoon boat. The
boat times for return trips posted at each dock.
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Your Homework. We also have four articles about the Portofino area you can read before you visit. The first is about how Portofino became famous: Portofino - From Fishing Village to Icon, and it will make you sing. Two are about fabulous walks from Rapallo and Santa Margherita to Portofino: A Beautiful Seaside Walk Along the Portofino Coast and Getting to Portofino - Walking Hiking and More. The third describes a very pretty and do-able hike from Camogli to San Fruttuoso: Portofino - Hike Camogli to San Fruttuoso.
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Your Homework. We also have four articles about the Portofino area you can read before you visit. The first is about how Portofino became famous: Portofino - From Fishing Village to Icon, and it will make you sing. Two are about fabulous walks from Rapallo and Santa Margherita to Portofino: A Beautiful Seaside Walk Along the Portofino Coast and Getting to Portofino - Walking Hiking and More. The third describes a very pretty and do-able hike from Camogli to San Fruttuoso: Portofino - Hike Camogli to San Fruttuoso.
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Line 3
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| Rapallo, Campanile Santo Stefano |
To Monterosso in Cinque Terre (1 hr.) and Portovenere (3 hr,)
From Santa Margherita (SML) / Rapallo / Chiavari / Lavagna / Sestri Levante
Stops for 1 hour in Monterosso and 3
hours in Portovenere and circles Palmaria Island.
PLACES ARE LIMITED, BOOKING IS REQUIRED CALL + 39 0185/284670
Departure Times:
PLACES ARE LIMITED, BOOKING IS REQUIRED CALL + 39 0185/284670
Departure Times:
Rapallo / SML / Chiavari / Lavagna /
Sestri Levante / Cinque Terre / Portovenere
8:45 / 9:00 / 9:35 / 9:45 / 10:05
Return times announced on board.
Effective Period:
May to September: Sundays
May to September: Sundays
Line 4 & 5
To Cinque Terre Super - Two Villages (Mornings)
From Rapallo / Santa Margherita (SML) / Chiavari / Lavagna / Sestri Levante
To Cinque Terre Super - Two Villages (Mornings)
From Rapallo / Santa Margherita (SML) / Chiavari / Lavagna / Sestri Levante
Stops for 3 hrs. in Monterosso after 2 hrs. in Vernazza or Riomaggiore (based on dock space).
PLACES ARE LIMITED, BOOKING IS REQUIRED
CALL + 39 0185/284670.
See the SMT Website for updated information.
CALL + 39 0185/284670.
See the SMT Website for updated information.
Departure Times:
Rapallo / SML / Chiavari / Lavagna /
Sestri Levante / Cinque Terre
8:45 / 9:00 / 9:35 / 9:45 / 10:05
Return times announced on board.
Effective Period:
Effective Period:
May to September Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Special Events. Consult the SMT Website (under Special Events) for special cruises:Rapallo Fireworks San Fruttuoso Abyss Fest Recco Fireworks
San Fruttuoso Evening Concerts Portofino By Night
Prices. Here are 2019 round trip prices listed for some of the popular ferry boat excursions:
Rapallo-Portofino 15.00 € Rapallo-San Fruttuoso 18.00 € Rapallo - Cinque Terre 40€
Chiavari/Lavagna - Portofino/San Fruttuoso 18.00 € Sestri Levante - Portofino/San Fruttuoso 20.00 €
Chiavari/Lavagna/Sestri L. - Cinque Terre 35.00 €
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| Portofino. Three Tired tourists. |
(Andata=one-way, Andata e Ritorno=round trip)
Children under 5 free.
Children 5-12 years pay one way fare for RT.
Small surcharges added on cruises at night and festivi (Sundays and holidays).Children 5-12 years pay one way fare for RT.
Boat Stuff These boats are operated by the Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio (SMT) for official information, visit the SMT Website. Contact them for Group Tours. Extra boats may be added for festivi (Sundays and holidays). Remember that boats could be canceled or delayed due to wind, waves, insufficient dock space, and insufficient passengers - although weather difficulties are rare in summer. There's a bathroom on board the ferry boat. Good dogs are allowed, bad dogs must stay home.
Yet More Info
Travelers can easily link to ferry boat serving the Gulf of Paradise further north. For example, travel from Rapallo to San Fruttuoso on an SMT ferry, and then use another ferry line from San Fruttuoso to Camogli or beyond and then take a train back to Rapallo. Information for the Gulf of Paradise boats is in our story- Camogli to San Fruttuoso Ferry Boats with Recco & Portofino
---------More Ligurian Travel Info Below----------
Travel Tip___________________________________________________________________
Travel Tip___________________________________________________________________
Renting A Car in Italy. Car rental prices are important, but don't rent based solely on low price and stick to well known companies. We have articles to help you:
Link: Car Rental Tips for Italy - Pick It Up Right
Link: Where to Rent a Car from Cinque Terre? Also useful for Portofino area.
Link: Where to Rent a Car from Cinque Terre? Also useful for Portofino area.
We advise getting your car from one of the companies with the fewest problems reported (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Budget) either direct or via a reputable car rental broker such as AutoEurope which provides added services without added price - 24/7 help before, during, and after the rental; easy changes and cancellation; as well as available less expensive zero excess (deductible) insurance.** We hope you'll make your reservation through these links -using the links do not raise your price.
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Our Ligurian Ferry Articles
Summer Cinque Terre, Portovenere, La Spezia Boat / Ferry Schedules
Fall Cinque Terre, La Spezia Area Boat Ferry Schedules.
Portofino Ferry Boat Schedules from Rapallo and Santa Margherita
Camogli to San Fruttuoso Ferry Boats with Recco & Portofino
Some of our Liguria Travel Articles
A Beautiful Seaside Walk Along the Portofino Coast Describes the Red Carpet coastal walk from Rapallo to SML.
Getting to Portofino - Walking, Hiking, and More Describes fabulous walking and hiking from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino.
Every Answer for Your Cinque Terre Trip Our online Travel Guide answers 103 FAQ's. Che fatica!
Getting to Portovenere All about buses, parking, hiking, taxis, hotels, boats in Portovenere.
Portovenere Travel Guide - The Top Ten Attractions Portovenere's attractions for reasonable folk
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Castle to Castle Along the Gulf of the Poets All about Lerici - exploring, parking and hotels.
Getting Around La Spezia Describes parking in La Spezia, as well as bus info and other goodies.
La Spezia Travel Guide: Top Ten Attractions as told by people who have actually been there.
A Guide to the Local Food around La Spezia Food of the area, as told by expert mangioni.
The Most Beautiful Villages of Liguria Part 1 The Rock Villages A 7-part series covering 28 great little towns.
Area Guidebooks First, no guidebook covers Portofino well. Second, buy your guidebooks before you arrive as you won't easily find them in Italy.
The best guidebook for Cinque Terre also has a small section on Portofino and some of the nearby towns, that is Pocket Cinque Terre Rick Steves Amazon US) (Amazon UK) (Kindle UK).
Most all of the Pocket Cinque Terre info is also included in Italy Rick Steves 2019 (Amazon US) (Amazon UK) (UK Kindle Store) which is Amazon’s best selling Italy guidebook.
For advice and reviews on guidebooks for Liguria, Florence, Rome, Venice & more, read our article:
All the Best Italy Guidebooks Reviewed
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| 2017: Our 56th Italy trip. |
We are Martha and Mike from Boston- recently retired photo editors who enjoy travel, food, and helping people. We have visited Italy for three decades, and we live in Liguria part-time.
We have no connection to the car rental or hotel industries, and we receive no payments or free stuff for our writing or opinions. As is internet convention, we receive the standard commission for clicks on many of the commercial links that result in a purchase. Your clicks will help support this site.
Written by Mike, Erudition by Martha.
Proverbio Ligure: Chi ha il culo di paglia, ha paura di fuoco.
Ligurian Proverb: He that has an ass of straw has fear of fire.