Livorno to Florence by train

[petlady7]

Has anybody ever made their own way to Florence by train or bus , if so could you let us know which train or bus station and approximate costs please , I have looked on the trenitalia website and it does not give any options , thank you

[Keith1010]

I would post this on the Italy Ports Of Call Board. There is a lot of information on the board already on this topic.

 

Keith

[Essiesmom]

Get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports. He tells you exactly how to do it, from gangway to station, and what it should cost, how long it will take, etc. He researched and wrote the book just for questions like this. EM

[navybankerteacher]

We did Livorno to Lucca by train - changing at Pisa - in 2010 - I recall it was about 15 Euro R/T. The problem with going all the way to Florence is the time required each way - leaving very little time in Florence -- certainly not enough to see the David or get into the Uffizi Museum - both always have lines.

 

The only practical way would be by hired car or possibly ship's tour - both options fairly expensive.

[Hlitner]

I am going to disagree (just a little) with the previous post about time. We have been to Livorno more then a dozen times via cruise ship (and also spent weeks in the area on long driving trips) and if you do things right you will get about 5-6 hours in Florence (Firenze in Italian). If you want to go to the Ufizzi or see David (its in the Academia) you can buy tickets online in advance and save the time you would waste waiting in line. But keep in mind that the Academia is a good 25-35 min walk from the other tourist spots (or a quick taxi ride). The key is to make the 8:12 train (the next train is at 9:06) which takes about 1:20 to get you to Florence. From the Florence train station the main part of town (which includes the Ufizzi) is within walking distancee. The return trains leave at 28 min past the hour (every hour) and take about 1:20.

 

The major problem with the trains is getting between the port and the Livorno Centrale train station. You will need to get a taxi and, in the morning at the port many taxis will not want to do this short haul (about 20 Euro fare). You should try to be among the first off your ship, walk right over to the taxi queue, and be politely assertive in asking for a taxi to the Livorno "stazione". There are usually a few taxis that will do the short haul although you might have to wait a few minutes. If none of the drivers will do that run ask them to please call you a taxi :). It is about 10-15 min to the station. When you return in the afternoon you need to leave at least an hour to get back to the ship since you might not find a taxi at the station. There are usually a few taxis, but its first come first serve (we always run off the train and to the station entrance to get one of the few taxis). If the taxis are all gone you have to wait for them to return (or ask somebody to please call you a taxi). Depending on how late your ship is in port you will probably take either the 3:28 (our usual train) or 4:28 train back to Livorno. Not sure of the current fare but it will be less then 15 Euros round trip.

 

The alternative is that you could always take the ship's transportation (they all offer a DIY excursion which is transfer only) which will cost you $60 - $100 depending on the cruise line.

 

Hank

[Aquahound]

I just returned from a Med cruise and faced this same question. Through the Share a Shore Excursion website, several of us booked a private taxi that took us to both Florence and Pisa. The cost was 320 Euros for 4 people or 400 Euros for up to 8 people (total). When you break that down, it's not a bad price. Florence is easily walkable and Pisa does not require a lot of time, especially if you pre-book your Leaning Tower climb. We had about 4 hours in Florence and 1.5 hours in Pisa. The time was perfect and we saw everything we wanted to see. In fact, we even had to time sit, rest, and enjoy a coffee in Florence.

 

If Pisa is not an interest to you, it does not have to be included. It's a taxi service, so they will cater it to your likes.

 

I recommend enrolling in your cruise's roll call on this site. You may find others doing the same thing. They may be looking for others to join them. Good luck.

[cherylandtk]

If you don't want to take a taxi from the port or cannot get one, you can also take a bus to the train station. If the port shuttle is operating it drops you two blocks from the bus plaza, Piazza Grande. Take bus #1 to the train station. 10 minute ride, leaves every 5-10 minutes, cost 1 euro. Otherwise, it is a 20 minute walk to the bus plaza from the cruise ship port.

 

Best case scenario it is two hours each way, but will likely take 2.5. If you miss the train it is an hour wait for the next one, so plan on three hours each way. That gives you 5 hours in Florence, plus an extra hour to be back on board. I agree with Hank that the key is to be on the 8:12 train to Florence. Plan on taking the return train no later than the 15:28 pm departure. (The last possible train is the 16:28 (4:28 pm) from Florence which arrives back in Livorno at a few minutes before 6. You still have to get from the station to the ship by the 6:30 all aboard call.)

[momofmeg]

Get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports. He tells you exactly how to do it, from gangway to station, and what it should cost, how long it will take, etc. He researched and wrote the book just for questions like this. EM

 

His DVDs are great too

[momofmeg]

I am going to disagree (just a little) with the previous post about time. We have been to Livorno more then a dozen times via cruise ship (and also spent weeks in the area on long driving trips) and if you do things right you will get about 5-6 hours in Florence (Firenze in Italian). If you want to go to the Ufizzi or see David (its in the Academia) you can buy tickets online in advance and save the time you would waste waiting in line. But keep in mind that the Academia is a good 25-35 min walk from the other tourist spots (or a quick taxi ride). The key is to make the 8:12 train (the next train is at 9:06) which takes about 1:20 to get you to Florence. From the Florence train station the main part of town (which includes the Ufizzi) is within walking distancee. The return trains leave at 28 min past the hour (every hour) and take about 1:20.

 

The major problem with the trains is getting between the port and the Livorno Centrale train station. You will need to get a taxi and, in the morning at the port many taxis will not want to do this short haul (about 20 Euro fare). You should try to be among the first off your ship, walk right over to the taxi queue, and be politely assertive in asking for a taxi to the Livorno "stazione". There are usually a few taxis that will do the short haul although you might have to wait a few minutes. If none of the drivers will do that run ask them to please call you a taxi :). It is about 10-15 min to the station. When you return in the afternoon you need to leave at least an hour to get back to the ship since you might not find a taxi at the station. There are usually a few taxis, but its first come first serve (we always run off the train and to the station entrance to get one of the few taxis). If the taxis are all gone you have to wait for them to return (or ask somebody to please call you a taxi). Depending on how late your ship is in port you will probably take either the 3:28 (our usual train) or 4:28 train back to Livorno. Not sure of the current fare but it will be less then 15 Euros round trip.

 

The alternative is that you could always take the ship's transportation (they all offer a DIY excursion which is transfer only) which will cost you $60 - $100 depending on the cruise line.

 

Hank

 

Hank, maybe her cruise did not have 12 hours in port? Most do but occasionally some don't. Especially the lines that cater more to Europeans. I know we considered a Costa cruise (before Concordia disaster) but decided against it as it only had 7 hours in Naples and we felt that was not enough time to do Pompeii, the museum in Naples and go for the famous Naples pizza. That was the port we were most concerned about-but we do like that with the cruise we booked we were able to book 2 different excursions, one in the morning (Pisa) and one in the afternoon (Tuscan winery) since we have 12 hours there. Of the 7 ports we have, 5 are 12 hours, one is overnight 30 hours and only one is under 12 hours.

[euro cruiser]

The key is to make the 8:12 train (the next train is at 9:06) which takes about 1:20 to get you to Florence. From the Florence train station the main part of town (which includes the Ufizzi) is within walking distancee. The return trains leave at 28 min past the hour (every hour) and take about 1:20.

 

The major problem with the trains is getting between the port and the Livorno Centrale train station. You will need to get a taxi and, in the morning at the port many taxis will not want to do this short haul (about 20 Euro fare). You should try to be among the first off your ship, walk right over to the taxi queue, and be politely assertive in asking for a taxi to the Livorno "stazione". There are usually a few taxis that will do the short haul although you might have to wait a few minutes. If none of the drivers will do that run ask them to please call you a taxi :). It is about 10-15 min to the station. When you return in the afternoon you need to leave at least an hour to get back to the ship since you might not find a taxi at the station. There are usually a few taxis, but its first come first serve (we always run off the train and to the station entrance to get one of the few taxis). If the taxis are all gone you have to wait for them to return (or ask somebody to please call you a taxi). Depending on how late your ship is in port you will probably take either the 3:28 (our usual train) or 4:28 train back to Livorno. Not sure of the current fare but it will be less then 15 Euros round trip.

Hank covered it all - I'll only add that the current fare is €8,20 each way, or €16,40 round trip (approximately $21).

[ITMan]

One other tip - beware the days the galleries are closed. We were there in 2009 nad going again this October.... both cruises are in Livorno on Monday - the day the main galleries are closed!

[cherylandtk]

Hank, maybe her cruise did not have 12 hours in port?

OP is on June 10 Norwegian Epic, stopping in Livorno from 7 am to 7 pm. ;)