The question of how to get to Portofino is more articulated than it might appear because the village has no railway station of its own, no airport of its own, and access by car is limited by the ZTL. Worth knowing before choosing your itinerary. The good news is that the connections are frequent, well distributed and with several alternatives. This page summarises the realistic options according to your starting point.
Airport: Genoa “Cristoforo Colombo” (GOA)
The nearest airport is Genoa Cristoforo Colombo (GOA), around 45 km from the headland. It is a regional airport with domestic flights and a selection of European routes (London, Madrid, Munich, Tirana, Pristina and seasonal flights). From the airport to the headland the options are:
- Volabus + train: Volabus shuttle to Genoa Piazza Principe station, then regional train to Santa Margherita Ligure (40-50 minutes). Cheapest solution.
- Taxi or private transfer: average time 50-70 minutes in normal traffic. Higher cost but convenience and luggage handling.
- Hire car: only if you intend to use it to explore Liguria beyond Portofino. In the village it is not needed.
For intercontinental flights or wide-network low-cost routes the alternative airports are Milan Malpensa (around 200 km, 2h30 by train), Milan Linate (around 180 km) and Pisa (around 170 km).
Train: the most efficient way
The reference station is Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino, on the Genoa-La Spezia line. It is served by:
- Regional trains Genova Brignole-Sestri Levante (frequency every 30-60 minutes).
- Fast regional trains Genoa-La Spezia.
- Intercity trains Milan-Genoa-Rome with selective stops.
From Milano Centrale the journey time is around 2h45 with a change at Genoa; from Roma Termini around 5 hours with direct Intercity trains. All updated timetables can be checked on the Trenitalia website; in case of strikes or seasonal changes check the current schedule before departure.
ATP bus 82: from Santa Margherita to Portofino
From Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino station, ATP bus 82 reaches Portofino village in around 20-25 minutes. The route runs along the panoramic coastal road with a view over the gulf. Frequency in high season is every 20 minutes or so during daytime hours, every 30-40 minutes in low season. Tickets can be bought at the station, at a newsstand or on board (with surcharge). For updated timetables and fares: ATP Esercizio.
In high season the bus can be crowded, especially between 10 and 12 and between 17 and 19. Consider the ferries as an alternative at peak times.
Tigullio ferries
The Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio and Golfo Paradiso (for the Camogli crossing) connect Portofino to the main ports of the gulf. The ferry from Camogli or Santa Margherita Ligure is one of the most pleasant ways to arrive in the village, because you enter the harbour directly from the sea.
| From | To | Time | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camogli | Portofino | ~45 min | April-October |
| Camogli | San Fruttuoso | ~25 min | All year (reduced in winter) |
| Santa Margherita | Portofino | ~15 min | March-November |
| Rapallo | Portofino | ~30 min | March-November |
| Sestri Levante | Portofino | ~60 min | June-September |
The reference operators are the Battellieri del Golfo Paradiso (Camogli-San Fruttuoso-Portofino) and the Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio. Frequency and timetables change by season: check the current schedule before travelling. In case of rough seas or strong wind, crossings can be suspended.
By car: the reality of the ZTL
Arriving in Portofino by car is possible but not advised for a day trip. Better to treat it as a fallback solution. The historic centre is in a permanent ZTL for anyone who is not a resident or hotel guest in the village; the only paid car park is the multi-storey “Fondaco” at the entrance to the village, with high rates and often full in high season. The provincial road SP 227 that leads from Santa Margherita to Portofino is panoramic but narrow, with few lay-bys and hairpin bends.
For those travelling by car the established practice is to leave the vehicle in Santa Margherita Ligure (free car parks further out, paid ones in the centre) or in Rapallo, and reach Portofino by bus 82, ferry or taxi. For hotel guests in Portofino, the properties organise dedicated transfers or have agreements with the car park.
From central Genoa
Genoa is around 35 km from Portofino and has a far wider hotel offer. Staying in Genoa and doing a day in Portofino is a sensible choice if you are also interested in the city. From the centre: train from Genova Brignole or Piazza Principe to Santa Margherita (30-40 minutes), then bus 82.
Summary: choosing by type of trip
- Portofino village only: train to Santa Margherita + bus 82, or ferry.
- San Fruttuoso a priority: arrive at Camogli and stay there, then direct ferry.
- Trekking in the park: stay in Santa Margherita, Camogli or Ruta, paths with multiple access points.
- Family with children: train to Santa Margherita, then bus or ferry.
Once in the area, for points of interest in Portofino village see the what to see in Portofino page and, for accommodation, where to stay.
Getting around the headland
Once you have arrived in the area, moving between Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, Rapallo and the paths of the Portofino regional park is done mainly by ATP bus, ferry and on foot. Some practical pointers:
- Train between municipalities: the Genoa-La Spezia line stops at Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Zoagli, Chiavari, Sestri Levante. It is the fastest way for horizontal moves (10-15 minutes between stops).
- ATP buses: in addition to line 82 (Santa Margherita-Portofino) other lines connect the Tigullio inland. For Camogli there is a specific local network.
- Taxis: present in Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Camogli, with regulated tariffs. In Portofino village there are only a handful of licences.
- On foot and by bicycle: Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo are linked by the seafront promenade, walkable on foot (around 4 km, 1 hour) or by bicycle. A pleasant option for the afternoon.
Transfers to the Cinque Terre
Many travellers combine Portofino and the Cinque Terre. From Santa Margherita Ligure to Monterosso (the first of the Cinque Terre) there are regional trains in around 50 minutes, sometimes with a change at La Spezia for connections. In high season there are also seasonal tourist ferries from the Tigullio to the Cinque Terre, but with high fares and limited frequency: for a day trip the train remains the most efficient option.
Understanding clearly how to get to Portofino is the first step in planning an itinerary without time lost on improvised connections: the combination of train + bus 82 and the Tigullio ferries covers almost all realistic needs of a 2-4 day trip.