I visited both places a couple of times but I did not stay overnite. I stayed in Santa Maria de Liguori Margerita and took a boat to Portofino for the day. I took a train to Cinque Terra. There is a train leaving several times a day and can be moved up and down in one of the cities you want. The hotel I stayed at the Conte Verde in Santa Margerita Withens that is within walking distance of the station, about 5 minutes.