Updated: July 2025
Written by: Martina, a former cruise line employee
Can you get from Livorno to Pisa by bus?
Yes, you can—but instead of using public transport, discover the exclusive shuttle designed specifically for cruise passengers. In this article, you'll learn how to book your ticket, where to meet the bus, and the departure schedule—plus enjoy peace of mind with guaranteed return timing.
Here's what you can read about on this page:
There is a dedicated round-trip transfer from the Livorno city center directly to Pisa, timed to perfectly align with cruise schedules.
Departure is from the Porto Livorno 2000 shuttle stop in Via Cogorano, just a short 10–15 minute shuttle ride from the ship.
Once aboard, enjoy a comfortable air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi and multilingual assistance.
The journey takes approximately 40 minutes one way, and you'll be dropped off at Pietrasantina parking, which is just 900 meters (≈10 min walk) from the iconic Piazza dei Miracoli, home of the Leaning Tower.
Participants are granted around 2–2.5 hours of free time in Pisa, and the return to Livorno is guaranteed on time.
Prices are about $22.74 per adult ($15.56 for children 2–8).
Keep reading for the step-by-step instructions!
Yes, it's worth visiting Pisa from Livorno, but make it just one of the stops on your day in this fantastic part of the world!
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most recognizable symbols of Italy.
Docking in a cruise port of Livorno or La Spezia, it is only natural you would think of getting to Pisa to see this amazing building, as well as all the others in the Piazza dei Miracoli.
The problem is that Pisa competes with other attractive jewels of Renaissance Tuscany like Florence, Sienna, San Gimignano, and Lucca.
It doesn't take much time to see Pisa itself, so it's always a good idea to combine it with visiting one of the other destinations, too.
What is really great about getting from the cruise terminal in Livorno to Pisa is there are so many options, and you can consider the following:
Getting on a bus transfer is an excellent option for two reasons:
Being such a popular option, in this article we will...
Just like with taking a bus transfer to Florence, when getting from Livorno to Pisa, first you need to get on the Livorno port shuttle bus (PortoLivorno2000) that takes you from your cruise ship's gangway to the center of Livorno (Via Cogorano).
If you have had a chance to read our Florence transportation pages, where the whole procedure is explained in detail, you will know it is impossible to walk from your cruise ship to the center of Livorno.
Cruise ships dock inside of the big industrial port of Livorno and are cut off from the town itself.
It wouldn't only take you very long to walk through that port...it is also dangerous, as there are no pedestrian walkways at all.
That is why you just need to get on the PortoLivorno2000 cruise port shuttle bus (which operates only between the cruise ship and Livorno town center, back and forth all day).
The charge for that shuttle is about 7 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.
This doesn't normally happen before 8 am, but the first tour shuttle to Pisa departs at 10:00 AM only anyway!
📢 Quick Tip for Cruise Guests:
The shuttle from Livorno to Pisa only runs three times each morning (typically around 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 12:00 noon),
and due to the fact there are always 3-5 ships in port at the same time, those spots fill up fast. Book yours as early as possible to guarantee a spot and ensure a smooth, stress‑free excursion.
The port shuttle bus PortoLivorno 2000 will drop you off right behind Livorno's Piazza Grande, in Via Cogorano.
That’s just a few steps from where the dedicated shuttle awaits to take you from Livorno to Pisa—in Piazza del Municipio, which is the official meeting point.
You can see the exact locations on the map above.
Something you need to do right now is to book your seat on the bus that will be waiting for you there, and you will do it by clicking this link and following the easy instructions...
When you get off the port shuttle bus you will recognize the shuttle bus staff by their green T-shirts and there will also be a friendly company representative waiting for you.
I wholeheartedly suggest booking your seats ahead for one reason: there is only one transfer bus going from Livorno to Pisa at a certain time (although there are a few convenient morning and afternoon departure times) and you don't want to miss your opportunity of this low-cost transfer to Pisa (especially if you are traveling in a bigger party).
If you do, you will have to run/wait for the next train or bus and possibly wait for hours before its departure. Something you just cannot afford on this short day.
Once you book your spot on the bus ahead, your seats will be waiting for you! So regardless of how many eager fellow passengers want to get on the bus right there on the spot, you will be safe.
The cost for the round trip is cca $22.74 for adults, and children (aged 2-9) and disabled passengers qualify for a discounted fare (cca $15.56).
The bus is free for infants (up to 2 years old).
Of course, the tickets from Livorno to Pisa can be booked and paid for online. At the time of booking, you can also pick the option that includes climbing the tower!
Cancellation is free for up to 24 hours before the day of travel. Should your ship miss the port due to bad weather, you will be refunded your money, no questions asked.
"Motor coach was very comfortable, had air conditioning and very easy to locate in Livorno! Viator staff friendly and helpful with any/all questions. The trip was amazing and we loved Pisa!!"
Before you book your low-cost shuttle from Livorno to Pisa, you will also have to decide which time suits you best to visit Pisa:
Namely, there are three different departure times from Pisa to Livorno:
Please note that, for the company to handle passenger numbers efficiently, passengers must choose one specific round trip and cannot travel back at a different time.
This means you cannot take the first bus from Livorno to Pisa and extend your stay in Pisa hoping to catch the second or the third going back.
In Pisa, the bus will drop you off at “Parcheggio
Pietrasantina”, 700 meters (1 mile) from Miracle Square.
From there you can either walk for 10-15 minutes or pick up the shuttle bus (1 euro round trip) which takes you to Piazza dei Miracoli which is where you will see the majestic Cathedral, the Baptistery and its bell tower, better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
If you think your stay in Pisa is short, let me just tell you this: Pisa is all about the Pisa Tower and the other wonderful buildings in the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Besides that, there is not much to see, do or enjoy in Pisa. That is why, especially if this is your first visit ever to Tuscany, everyone will suggest you'd rather do both Pisa and Florence in a day.
If you've been to Florence before and insist on going to Pisa only, keep in mind it's better to have your lunch and do your shopping once you return to Livorno.
Restaurants around Piazza dei Miracoli are very touristy and they offer overpriced food of questionable quality. I had lunch there once, with the view of the Duomo and the tower...and I regretted doing it.
Also, besides the little souvenir mom-and-pop stores, there are no other shops nowhere nearby. That is why an hour and twenty minutes are more than enough for walking around the Campo dei Miracoli, taking photos, and getting a few souvenirs.
Have a fantastic day in Pisa!
To book your seats in time, click here...
With over seven years working aboard cruise ships as a port guide and shopper assistant, I’ve helped thousands of passengers get the best from their days ashore in Dubrovnik. Now, I want to make you Med confident!
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. Lucca Italy
30. Pomepii homes