How to get from Livorno to Florence

[Elina29]

Can anyone please tell me the best way to get from Livorno port to Florence?

[Gardyloo]

You can take a taxi from the dock to the Livorno train station, or you can walk to the station, around 20 to 30 min. depending on foot speed. Then the train into Florence takes around 1 1/2 hours. The trains are frequent; of course you'll need to carefully plan your return.

Buses from shipside (either as part of a tour or for "on your own") will be faster overall, also more expensive. You may find, however, that the buses park some distance from the center of Florence when you arrive, vs. the train station being in the middle of things, so in net time and walking distance it may be a wash.

Of course taxis and day-guides will be plentiful; it may be cost-effective compared to excursions if several people can share the car.

[Hlitner]

I would respectfully disagree with the part about walking from the pier to the train station in Livorno. This is quite a hike (we are walkers) and some of it would be on an upward slope. The train is a great option, but its best to take a taxi from the ship to the train station. This can be problamatic since many of the "pier side" taxis will be looking for full day tours rather than a local short haul. Be one of the first off the ship and assertively ask the drivers for someone to take you to the "stazione." You will save more than $50 per person by using the train over the overpriced ship's bus transportation. Make sure you carefully check the return schedule on the day you are in Livorno (do not totally trust on-line schedules) and plan to take a return train that is scheduled to get you back to Livorno about 1 1/2 hours before you must be on the ship (in case the trains are running a little late). Do not forget that you must validate your train ticket in the small validation machine (either at the platform entrance or on the platform) before you get on any train. This is the norm throughout the European train systems, and failure to validate your ticket can get you a hefty fine from the conductor.

Hank

[SteveS]

If you can afford it a private driver is the best. If you are a party of four it's not that much more than a cab and the train. You will be able to see so much more without waiting. We used Alessandro Cammili and would do so again. Email him at [email]alecamma@hotmail.com[/email]

Dawn Princess 11/97
Regal Princess
Grand Princess 7/99
Renaissance R4 7/13/00
Rotterdam 7/20/01
Radiance of the Sea 12/22/01
Royal Princess 8/10/02
Brilliance of the Sea 7/23/03
Golden Princess 12/27/03

[Tatka]

We used Daniele from [url="http://www.driverinrome.com"]www.driverinrome.com[/url] , but he is very popular and people who invited us to tour with them booked many months before (I think 5 or 6 months)

Tour for 6 was around $690 but Daniel took us to Pisa and Florence. He is driver, not a guide but very knowledgeble and speaks perfect English (was born in Canada). He knows best places to eat too.

Tour in Rome with him was even better.

Big advantage over the ship tours:

1) He drives a van and can get VERY close to the points of the interest. This is very important and specially in Rome.
2) Price

------------------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>Zuiderdam 8/21/04 FLL - Key West - Cozumel - Grand Caymans - Half Moon Cay - FLL
<LI>Splendour of the Seas 05/15/04 Barcelona - Marseilles - Villefranche - Livorno - Chivitavecchia - Naples - Barcelona
<LI>Century 07/12/03 Eastern Caribbean FFL-San Juan - St. Thomas - St.Maarten- Nassau -FFL
<LI>Komarno(Volga)07/91 Moscow - Astrahan' - Moscow (honeymoon)
<LI>Komarno(Volga)07/90 Moscow - Astrahan'- Moscow
<LI>Admiral Nachimov(or Nakhimov) (Black Sea)04/1986 Odessa - Batum [/list]

GO BRUINS!!!!

[roothy123]

We found a bus that went right to the train station (and yes, it WOULD have been a long hike from the pier to the station). You have to walk a little ways from the port to get to the bus stop, but it's about a ten minute walk as opposed to what it would likely be from the port to the train station. See my recent post on "Med ports - info for independent travelers" for more info.

[Elina29]

Thanks a lot for your prompt responses. The information is very helpful. Thanks

[lovtotravel]

We too used Mr.Cammilli(alecamma@hotmail.com)
He was pleasant and informative.He had a van,roomy for 4 passengers,we shared it with another couple.He took us to Florence and Pisa and we had lunch in a typical restaurant of the Chianti.Our tour with Mr.Cammilli was the highlight of our trip.

[Hlitner]

i would agree that a private driver might not cost much more than a cab. Most of the cabs at the port will try to get about $300 for the day (its negotiable and depends on supply and demand and your negotiating skills). A train will cost less than $25 per person or about $100 for four! Not sure if some consider this about the same price as $300, but for us the train has always saved us substantial money. When we decide to go off in directions other than Florence, we generally rent our own car for about $100 (not for everyone).

Hank

[SASSYSC]

We were just there in May and our ship (Millenium) had a shuttle bus that took us to town and from there you could take the train or bus. We opted to rent a car and then parked it in a parking garage close to the train station once in Florence. Then we just walked everywhere.

Sassy

[laurieh]

We also used Alessandro Cammilli and he was excellent. His prices are reasonable, and he's a great driver. His e-mail is [email="alecamma@hotmail.com"]alecamma@hotmail.com[/email].

[guideflorence]

Hi! you can send us an e-mail with your requests: we offert guided tours of Tuscany, but we can also send you informations about trains and cabs from Livorno to any destinations!
Marco
[url="http://www.guidepisa.com"]www.guidepisa.com[/url]
[url="http://www.guidefirenze.com"]www.guidefirenze.com[/url]



[quote name='Elina29']Can anyone please tell me the best way to get from Livorno port to Florence?[/QUOTE]

[Erin333]

[quote name='A train will cost less than $25 per person or about $100 for four! [/QUOTE']

Is that $25 each way or round-trip?