Getting to Santa Margherita Ligure

Getting to Santa Margherita Ligure is relatively straightforward, thanks to its well-connected location on the Italian Riviera.

Here are the main ways to reach this charming town:

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By Air

The nearest major airport to Santa Margherita Ligure is Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA), located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. From the airport, you can take a taxi, rent a car, or use public transportation to reach Santa Margherita Ligure.

Taxi: A taxi ride from Genoa Airport to Santa Margherita Ligure takes approximately 45 minutes. Please note that taxis can be rather unreliable from the airport. We recommend paying a little extra and booking a private car service from the airport to your accommodation. It’ll save you a giant hassle and doesn’t cost much more. You can book on Booking.com.
Public Transportation: You can take the Volabus shuttle from the airport to Genoa’s main train station, Genova Piazza Principe, and then catch a direct train to Santa Margherita Ligure.

Alternatively, Pisa International Airport (PSA) is another option, located about 150 kilometers (93 miles) away. From Pisa, you can take a train to Santa Margherita Ligure, with a transfer typically required in either Genoa or La Spezia.

By Train

Santa Margherita Ligure has its own train station, making it easily accessible by rail. The town is on the main train line connecting Genoa and La Spezia, with frequent regional trains running between these cities.

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From Genoa: Trains from Genoa to Santa Margherita Ligure take approximately 30-45 minutes. You can catch these trains from either Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Brignole stations.
From Milan: Direct trains from Milan to Santa Margherita Ligure take about 2-3 hours. If you need to change trains, the transfer is usually in Genoa.
From Florence: The journey from Florence to Santa Margherita Ligure typically involves a transfer in Pisa or La Spezia and takes around 3.5-4 hours.

By Car

If you prefer driving, Santa Margherita Ligure is accessible via the A12 motorway (Autostrada A12).

From Genoa: Take the A12 motorway south towards Livorno and exit at Rapallo, then follow the signs to Santa Margherita Ligure. The drive takes about 45 minutes.
From Milan: Take the A7 motorway towards Genoa, then merge onto the A12 motorway south towards Livorno and exit at Rapallo. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours.
From Florence: Take the A11 motorway towards Pisa, then merge onto the A12 motorway north towards Genoa and exit at Rapallo. The drive takes around 3 hours.

We recommend booking your rental car through Booking.com. They offer 24/7 customer support and will immediately fix an issue if it occurs. You don’t want to be stranded on your vacation.

By Bus

There are also bus services that connect Santa Margherita Ligure with nearby towns and cities. However, the train is generally the more convenient and faster option for long-distance travel.

By Boat

During the summer months, you can also reach Santa Margherita Ligure by boat from nearby coastal towns, such as Portofino, Rapallo, and Cinque Terre. This scenic option offers stunning views of the Ligurian coastline.

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