4 Best Ways of Getting
from Livorno to Pisa
(Cruise-Friendly Guide 2025)

Last updated: June 2025

Written by: Martina, a former cruiseline employee

Looking for the best way to get from Livorno to Pisa? While working on cruise ships I made this journey many times and now I want to help decide how to get there: by transfer bus, train, shore excursions, and taxi -  in this article, you will get a great overview of each means of transport based on my experience and cruisers feedback!

How do I get from Livorno port to Pisa?

I think that being so close to the cruise ship dock in Livorno Italy, it would be a real shame not to visit Pisa Italy, and its spectacular leaning tower on your way to or from Florence or some other Tuscan destination.

Every night before we would dock in Livorno, I got asked these questions:

• How far is Livorno from Pisa?
• What is the best way to get to Pisa from Livorno cruise port?
• Is it worth booking one of the online day trips?
• How long does the train ride from Livorno to Pisa last?
• What are the train schedules like?
• Is it possible to take a train independently?

Keep reading and you will find answers to those in this article.

1. How to get from Livorno to Pisa by Bus?

The world-famous town of Pisa is only 20km (12 miles) from the town of Livorno where your cruise ship docks.

Is there a local bus from Livorno to Pisa? Yes, there is.

However, based on my guests feedback, this service is not very tourist-friendly as the bus stop is quite far from the cruise port. 

So here's what to do instead...

Rather than using the regular local bus, there's something much better in Livorno for you: a shuttle service that caters to the needs of cruisers only!

This means:

• this shuttle bus conveniently leaves from the same spot where your Livorno port shuttle bus (PortoLivorno2000) drops you off in the center of Livorno
• it is much cheaper than your cruise line's shore excursions
• and it always brings you back in time for the sail-away

I will explain everything about it in my article on how to get to Pisa By Bus or jump directly to Pisa Low-Cost Transfer.

Due to its affordable price, this service is getting widely popular so make sure to book your seats ahead to avoid any disappointments! There's just no better deal you will find!

2. How to get from Livorno to Pisa on a shore excursion (with local guide)?

Getting on a daily tour is one of the most popular ways of seeing Pisa, Florence, and other charming Tuscan destinations in one day. 

Shore excursions are great for you if you:

• Want the safety of an organized group.
• Prefer a professional guide to explain the highlights of Miracle Square.
• Don’t want the stress of managing train or local transport.

There are two ways of taking shore excursions:

1) You can book one through your shore excursions department onboard the ship - this can be quite limiting when it comes to different tours on offer. Also it will come out much pricier (please compare the prices for yourself). That is why I think it's best for passengers who don't take the time to plan ahead. Since you're reading this, you're not one of them.

2) By booking your tours ahead of time with one of the tested, world-known tour platforms like Viator - I will show you their options here on MCPE. What is great about their tours is they are custom-made for cruisers and coordinated with ships' departure times, so no need to fear getting back on the ship late. 

What are the best shore excursions to Pisa?

It's my job to save you time and energy planning your trip so here are my best finds for Pisa guided shore excursions.

I broke them down into two types, here's the first one:

1. Livorno to Pisa only shore excursions

Pisa is only 20 minutes away from Livorno and 30–45 minutes is often enough to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the square.

That is why shore excursions that focus on Pisa only, last no longer than 3 ½ hours. If you are taking one in the morning, you will be back on board the ship by lunchtime! 

To maximize their day, most passengers will combine Pisa with some other locations in Tuscany. 

If you still decide seeing Pisa only is what you'd like to do on this day, I've found a tour that focuses on Pisa only ( a rare find!)

This shore excursion is not only super-affordable but also provides you with an expert guide to the Miracle Square where there is the Pisa Leaning Tower (you can pick the option which includes the entrance ticket to the tower).

2. Pisa and other popular destinations in Tuscany

If this is your first or second visit, you’re fit & healthy and don’t mind exploring all day… you will want Pisa to be just a quick stop on the way to:

• Florence
• Lucca
• San Gimignano
• or Cinque Terre.

One way of combining both Pisa and Lucca in a day would be by using a special tourist bus transfer service -  and for only 28,80 euros too! Read more about it and book your seats on this Bus Transfer to Pisa and Lucca here or read more on our Lucca page. 

If you want to maximize your day even more and have a tour guide by your side all day, check some of our recommendations below...

Is it worth booking one of the online day trips to Pisa? Just go check some of the reviews of the cruise passengers who booked them before you and you will see it definitely is!

3. How to get from Livorno cruise terminal to Pisa by Taxi?

As you get off the cruise ship in Livorno Italy sea port, there will be taxis available to take you to Pisa.

As I have learned, only some of them are authorized to enter the Livorno dock area and they will want to take you for a half-day/all-day tour.

Local taxis for shorter distances (to the train station or the center of Livorno) can be found some 300 feet (100 m) away at the exit from the dock area.

How much is a taxi to Pisa? The usual price for a taxi fare to Pisa is approx.€120 for a round trip for up to 4 people and that is with a 2-hour wait.

As I've mentioned already, if you’re not into detailed exploration and climbing of the Pisa tower, 30-45 minutes around the Piazza dei Miracoli is more than enough, so maybe you can cut your wait time there and arrange with your taxi driver to take you to Lucca for that price too!

If you don't like the feeling of arranging a taxi ride in a foreign country, with a driver who hardly speaks English and fear of getting ripped off by drivers who won't stick to standard prices, I suggest booking one of the taxi transfers online:

4. How to get from your cruise dock to Pisa by train?

Can you travel to Pisa by train?

Yes, you can take an independent trip from Livorno to Pisa.

The train ride from Livorno to Pisa takes only 25-30 minutes, which is great.

After doing it so many times myself I realized it was still very hectic and nerve-wrecking. Now I know why:

Many factors are out of your control!

Namely, this stretch of the journey involves a few steps and you never know when you'll catch the

• port shuttle bus that takes you from the cruise ship to Livorno Piazza Grande
• public bus from Piazza Grande to the railway station

However, it is not impossible if it is planned well and if you do not have to stick to the schedule strictly. Of course, it all comes down to how long your cruise liner is staying in port for.

The step-by-step instructions are explained in more detail in our article Pisa by Train. Also, there you will find the train schedules, train departure times, and ticket fees.

Hopefully, this article helps you make an informed decision when it comes to picking the right way of getting from Livorno to Pisa, especially when you are on a very limited schedule like all cruisers are.