Italy is one of the easiest countries in Europe to explore by train and Easter is a brilliant time to do it. This itinerary shows exactly how you can visit multiple destinations in one week, avoid car hire completely, and keep things realistic for families.
This route starts in Genoa, follows the Ligurian coast through the Cinque Terre, moves into Tuscany with Lucca, and finishes with a relaxed final day in Pisa before flying home.
Flights are priced from London Stansted.
Find our entire route including links to the flights and accommodation to build this trip for yourself!
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Disclaimer: This itinerary and pricing are provided for inspiration and general guidance only. You must check all details (including prices, availability, train times, and entry requirements) carefully before booking. Build a Break is not a travel agent and we do not provide personalised travel advice, quotes, booking services, or trip support. Use this route as a starting point and create your own trip based on your family’s needs and circumstances.
You’ll visit all of the following locations on this trip:
Genoa
Corniglia
Cinque Terre villages:
Monterosso al Mare
Vernazza
Corniglia
Manarola
Riomaggiore
Lucca
Pisa
Duration: 7 nights / 8 days
🏙 2 nights in Genoa
🌊 3 nights in Corniglia (Cinque Terre)
🏰 2 nights in Lucca
✈️ Fly home from Pisa
This is a multi-stop train itinerary, so luggage choice is important.
Everyone should ideally travel with a backpack
Try not to take more than one suitcase between you
We haven’t included checked luggage in the flight prices
Light luggage makes boarding trains, changing platforms, and walking to accommodation far easier.
If you’ve ever dragged suitcases through Italian stations, you’ll know why this matters.
Prices are based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 12 and under)
All links are provided so you can create your own version of this trip
The details below are for inspiration and guidance only
You can swap out flights, accommodation, dates, or destinations to suit your own family and budget
Always double-check prices, availability, and timetables before booking
Build a Break is not a travel agent and does not provide personalised quotes or booking services.
London Stansted → Genoa
Outbound – Friday 4th April 2026 (Early Morning)
💷 £21 per person
🔗 https://skyscanner.pxf.io/K0aBPx
Return – Friday 11th April 2026 (Late)
Pisa → London Stansted
💷 £60 per person
🔗 https://skyscanner.pxf.io/7aRXDy
This open-jaw route avoids backtracking and works perfectly for train travel.
🚆 Booking trains in Italy
We book Italian train tickets exactly how we would at home in the UK.
✅ Trainline app — prices shown and charged in GBP
✅ Trenitalia app — Italy’s national rail operator
Both apps are easy to use, mobile-friendly, and ideal for families.
4th – 6th April 2026 (2 nights)
💷 £330 (2 nights)
Click Here for the Hotel
Getting from Genoa Airport to the city centre
🚌 Volabus from Genoa Airport to Piazza Principe or Brignole
⏱ Around 30 minutes
Affordable and luggage-friendly
🐠 One of Europe’s best aquariums
🍦 Waterfront walks and gelato stops
🏰 Characterful old town for exploring without pressure
⏱ Fastest direct trains: around 1 hour 10 minutes
🔁 More frequent option: 1 change
💷 £22.24 total for a family of 4
There are direct services throughout the day, but the one-change option runs very frequently and is just as easy.
6th – 9th April 2026 (3 nights)
Accommodation: Madüneta 5 Terre Guesthouse
Click here for the accommodation
💷 £632 (3 nights)
Quieter than the other villages
Elevated views and fewer crowds
Family rooms available
Easy train access to all five villages
Typically cheaper accommodation without compromising on standard
⏱ 5–20 minutes per journey
Frequent local trains throughout the day
With children, it’s far more enjoyable to pick one or two villages per day and mix sightseeing with beach or downtime.
It is also possible to walk through all 5 villages in one day.
⏱ Fastest journey: around 1 hour 56 minutes
🔁 2 changes
💷 £25.88 total for a family of 4
A longer travel leg, but still very manageable and broken up by changes.
Fully traffic-free historic centre
Flat, walkable streets
Walk or cycle the city walls
Calm pace after busier destinations
Leave Lucca late morning.
🚆 Lucca → Pisa Centrale
⏱ 30 minutes
💷 £10.75 total for a family of 4
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Cathedral & Piazza dei Miracoli
Riverside lunch before heading to the airport
Head to Pisa Airport around 6:30pm
✈️ Evening flight departs 9:30pm
This gives plenty of breathing space on the final day with no rushing.
✈️ Pisa city → Pisa Airport
🚝 PisaMover train
⏱ 5 minutes
💷 £23.69 total for a family of 4
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✔ No car hire
✔ Budget-friendly train travel
✔ City, coast & Tuscany in one week
✔ Easy to adapt for different family needs
Meals / snacks / groceries
Local buses, funiculars, or extras in Genoa, Cinque Terre or Lucca
Optional excursions / boat trips in Cinque Terre
Travel insurance
Checked luggage (if needed)
This is a base trip cost to help you budget and customise your own family plan.
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