No, you do not have to buy the card. There is no entry fee to the Cinque Terre National Park,
You will only need the card if you are hiking the blue trail between Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia. All other trails are free. The card costs €18,20 a day for an adult and includes the two trails and unlimited train travel with the Cinque Terre Express trains. In comparison a single train ticket costs €5 per journey if bought point-to-point.
Anyway, if you plan to use the train at least twice in a day and also want to hike one of the coastal paths, you better buy a Cinque Terre Train Card. Another benefit of this card is avoiding long lines to purchase train tickets during the crowded summer season.
For more information visit the page Cinque Terre Card
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