Why Santa Margherita Ligure matters for Portofino
Portofino has no main-line station. The nearest stop is S. Margherita Ligure-Portofino, which sits in Santa Margherita, and from there you continue to the village by bus, boat or on foot. The town also works as a base: it has its own harbour and seafront, and the Cinque Terre line starts from the same station.
The village centre of Portofino is a pedestrian zone, so most visitors arrive this way and leave the car behind.
Walk, bus or boat to Portofino
Three ways to cover the last stretch.
| Option | Cost (2026) | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk | Free | About 1 h 20 min | Mix of sidewalks, boardwalks and a forest path above the road |
| Bus 782 | €3.50 to €5 single | Short ride | Stamp the ticket and keep it until the end |
| Boat | €20 return | – | Seasonal; confirm the day at the pier |
For most visitors the bus is the practical choice, and the boat is the option by water. Walk one way if you have the energy, since the return by bus is quick.
Our pick: a guided day in Santa Margherita and Portofino
This tour names both towns on its programme. It starts in La Spezia, so it fits if you are staying along that stretch of coast.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours from Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino
Boat trips, coast tours and day trips on the Riviera, with live prices and availability.
Bus 782 in detail
The link between the station and the village.
Line 782 runs from the Santa Margherita station to Portofino. A single ride costs €3.50 to €5 in 2026, depending on the ticket type, so check the fare the machine or app offers you. You can buy tickets in the app, at ticket desks and at machines. Stamp the ticket and keep it until the end of the trip, since it cannot be handed on or refunded. Residents of both municipalities can use ordinary tickets with proof of residence.
The timetable changes during the year, so look at the current one at the stop.
Boats from Santa Margherita
Return fares for 2026.
| Route | Return fare |
|---|---|
| Santa Margherita to Portofino | €20 |
| Santa Margherita via Portofino to San Fruttuoso | €24 |
| Santa Margherita or Rapallo to the Cinque Terre | €47 |
Sailings follow the season and the weather, and the Cinque Terre boat does not run every day of the year. Read the Portofino boat tours guide before you plan around a departure.
Trains from Santa Margherita
Examples from the 2026 station timetable.
From Genoa
A regional train leaves Genova Brignole at 06:32 and arrives at 07:12, which is 40 minutes. From Genova Principe the 06:23 train takes 49 minutes.
To La Spezia
The 07:59 regional train reaches La Spezia at 09:20, in 1 hour 21 minutes. It is the gateway for the Cinque Terre, see day trips from Portofino.
To Milan
An Intercity train leaves at 07:39 and arrives in Milano Centrale at 10:00, in 2 hours 21 minutes. Seat reservation is required.
Season
The station plan runs from 14 June to 12 December 2026, and some trains run on certain days only. Check the day.
Tourist tax in 2026
New rates since 1 January 2026.
Santa Margherita Ligure charges tourist tax per person and night. Hotels pay by star rating: 1 star €1, 2 stars €2, 3 stars €3, 4 stars €4 and 5 stars €5. Tourist hotel residences with 3, 4 or 5 stars pay €3, €4 or €5. Portofino and Camogli rates for 2026: ask your host. See where to stay near Portofino for the areas.
Santa Margherita Ligure: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Santa Margherita to Portofino?
By the 782 bus, by boat or on foot. The walk takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. The bus single ticket costs €3.50 to €5 in 2026.
Is the walk to Portofino flat and car-free?
Not throughout. Parts have sidewalks and boardwalks beside the road, and the section between Paraggi and Portofino is a forest path of about 30 minutes.
Is it a good base for the Cinque Terre?
The station has a train to La Spezia in 1 hour 21 minutes in the example above. The Cinque Terre villages are a separate trip from there.
Does Portofino have a train station?
No. The stop is in Santa Margherita. From there, go on by bus, boat or on foot.
Is there a tourist tax?
Yes, since 1 January 2026 at €1 to €5 per person and night, depending on the hotel stars.