Getting from Livorno to Florence has never been easier with this step by step tutorial. Bus transfers are as convenient as tours and as affordable as trains!
By now you surely know the port of Livorno is quite distant from Florence and Pisa, the major points of cruisers' interest in Tuscany.
That is why your day here needs some careful planning.
You still haven't found just the right way of getting from Livorno cruise port to Florence? Don't worry, we have some fantastic news for you! Here are your options...
As you may know, I am always in search of the ways our readers can make their stay in ports more cost-effective.
Also, I would like you to make the most of your short time in port as I know ports are the reason why you came on the cruise in the first place.
That's why I was so happy to find out there was a service that offers you low-cost coach transportation from Livorno to Florence, as easy as the organized shore excursions are and as affordable as catching the train is!
Dozens of our readers book this service daily!
Now how about that?
Browsing through TripAdvisor's pages I came across many people praising the local tour operators and giving their service a whopping four-and-a-half-star rating.
It is a company that also takes you to Pisa (or both Florence and Pisa in a single day!) in their modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned coaches.
Their dedication to the cruise guests' satisfaction shows in the feedback they are getting from people just like you.
The only problem with it is that there are many cruise ships in Livorno in a single day and this service gets sold out quickly! Also, it is available only one time during the morning, at 9.45 and that's it!
'Efficient and timely check in, transfer and return. Bus was comfortable. Our guide was informative and provided information to help with our own exploration of Florence.' Lisa F.
'Well organised, very friendly guide, all was done in time. High recommend to anyone travelling on a cruise with not too much time.' John G.
'Florence was one of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever explored! It was so nice to have the option to venture on your own. Upon return, we were supposed to be dropped off to Livorno Center to take a transfer shuttle back to port, but since we were tight on time, our guide and driver were accommodating and brought us directly back to port! Thank you so much for guaranteeing return on time!' Morgan S.
Now let me explain, step-by-step, how easy it is to get on one of their buses and have a relaxed day in Florence or both Florence and Pisa.
1) When you get off the ship's gangway you need to get on the Livorno Italy port shuttle bus (also called PortoLivorno 2000 shuttle bus) that takes you to the center of Livorno. This shuttle drives passengers back and forth the whole morning.
If you have had a chance to read our Livorno port transportation pages, you will know it is impossible to walk from your cruise ship to the centre of Livorno.
Cruise ships dock on the inside of the big industrial port of Livorno and are cut off from the town itself.
It wouldn't only take you very, very long to walk through that port...it is also dangerous as there are no pedestrians' walkways at all.
That is why you just need to get on that Port shuttle bus. The charge is about 7.50 euros per person round trip and most cruise lines will make it possible for you to purchase the tickets on board.
If you forget to do it ahead of time, they will charge your cruise card on the shuttle bus itself.
The first shuttle departs once the ship is cleared by the local authorities and as soon as it fills up with the independent travelers trickling off the gangway. Which doesn't normally happen before 8am.
The Port shuttle bus will drop you off right behind Livorno's Piazza Grande, in Via Cogorano, just a few steps away from the point where the local tour operators bus shuttles leave from.
2) When you get off the Port shuttle bus in the center of Livorno, you will recognize the Florence transfer bus staff by their green t-shirts.
Their bus will be parked a few meters away from the shuttle bus that brings you from the ship.
Once again, I wholeheartedly suggest booking your seats ahead for one reason: there is only one coach to Florence a day and you don't want to miss your opportunity of this low cost transfer to Florence.
If you do, you will have to run for the next train and possibly wait for another hour for its departure. Something you just cannot afford on this short day.
You can book your trip here.
Once you book your spot on the bus ahead, your seats will be waiting for you with your name on it! So regardles of how many eager fellow passengers want to get on that same bus right there on the spot, you will be safe.
The return trip to Florence is only €42 (sometimes you can even catch it on sale), €26 for children from 3-9 as well as disabled passengers. For toddlers up to 3 years old the ride is free.
3) The bus departs to Florence at 9:45 am (or as soon as the port shuttle bus with all the people who booked their spot on board arrives). It arrives to Florence at 11:00 am.
The same bus will depart Florence at 3:45 pm and arrive back in Livorno at 5:00 pm.
Should it happen that your bus is running late for some reason (bad traffic), great thing is their friendly coach driver will take you straight back to the ship. In other words, there's no risk of running late! Which takes a lot of stress off every cruiser's back.
4) Once in Florence, the coach will drop you off a few steps away from the Santa Maria Novella train station. The same spot you would be starting your Florence exploration if you were taking a train.
From there, it's hardly a ten minute walk to the Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio and all the other famous sights of Tuscany's capital.
5) When coming back, you will come back to the same spot and have the coach bring you back to Livorno. Be on time!
What's great about this company is they are really easy to work with. Should your cruise ship miss the port due to bad weather, many TripAdvisor readers confirmed they had their money refunded no questions asked.
Is your idea of your stay in Florence a more intimate, private tour? Or something more specialised? No problem, I have some suggestions for you below...
Have a fantastic day in Florence!
Hello! My name is Martina and I have been living, working and cruising in the Med for the past 20 years. Now I want to make you Med confident! Read more about me...
4. Capri ferry
10. Livorno Italy
13. Naples to Capri
16. Messina Sicily
17. Pisa Train
18. Visiting Pompeii
19. Pompeii forum
20. Port of Piraeus
22. Venice vaporetto
23. Venice water bus
24. Livorno map
25. Getting to Zadar
27. Walk Venice
28. Mykonos beach
29. Tourist information Lucca Italy
30. Pomepii homes