How To Get to Florence From The Livorno Cruise Port

Cruising to Florence: your gateway to art, history, and more
Written By: Andrea Spallanzani
Reviewed by: Rick Orford
How & Why We Created This Article

This article has been written, reviewed, and fact-checked by Rick and I. We live in Italy and travel throughout the country to help you make the best choices for your trip. We wrote this piece to help you have the best trip possible on your next trip to Italy. Portions of this article have been written using assistive AI tools to help with tasks like research, spell-checking, grammar, and translation.

Last Updated February 29, 2024

In this article, you'll learn how:

  1. Consider taking the train, bus, or taxi from Livorno to Florence for cost-effective and convenient travel.
  2. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds, making them ideal times to explore Florence.
  3. Plan your route, be prepared for potential delays, and purchase tickets in advance for popular attractions. Dress appropriately when visiting churches and savor the local cuisine.

Are you taking a Mediterranean cruise and visiting Florence and Rome for the first time? Do you want to know how to get there if you arrive by cruise ship? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Rick and I last visited Florence on the Emerald Princess, and I created this article to help make it as easy as possible to visit the city. 

About the historic city of Florence

Florence is the capital of Tuscany, Italy, and it’s the most populous city in Tuscany. The city is also the birthplace of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Romans founded Florence in 59 BC as a military camp called Florentia. It was renamed Florentia Septimana (“Florentia of the Seven”) by Constantius II in 354 AD. Florence became the capital of the Italian Renaissance in the 14-15th centuries. UNESCO declared the Historical Centre of Florence a World Heritage Site in 1982.

Florence—one of Italy’s most stunning and historically rich cities—is a special place. Here are a few Major points of interest that make it worth visiting:

The Duomo is Florence’s cathedral, a fantastic piece of architecture. Filippo Brunelleschi designed the dome and is an iconic part of the cityscape and it took 16 years to build.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art galleries in the world, with works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli on display. Notably, there are over 70 museums in Florence, it would be a great experience to visit the others. 

The Ponte Vecchio is a bridge over the Arno River that has existed since medieval times. It’s famous for its gold merchants and the fact that it’s the only bridge in Florence to survive WWII bombing raids.

Florence is famous for its truffles and “Fiorentina” steak and has some amazing restaurants. The most famous restaurants are La Lanterna and Il Ponte Vecchio.

If you’re visiting Florence on a cruise, there are some things you need to know first. Cruise ships usually dock in Livorno, about an hour and a half away from Florence.

How to get from the cruise terminal in Livorno to Florence?

Transportation ModeDescriptionDurationCost (Approx.)
TrainRecommended and cost-effective option~1 hr 30 mins€10.80
BusComfortable with air conditioning~1 hr 30 mins~€15 each way
TaxiConvenient but more expensive~1 hr 9 mins€110 to €140
Cruise Line ExcursionEasiest with ship wait, but not the cheapestVariesVaries
Private TourCustomizable options for city toursVariesVaries
CarRent and drive via SGC Firenze – Pisa~1-1.5 hrsVaries

How far is Florence from the cruise port? The driving distance between the Livorno cruise port and Florence is 75 miles.

There are several ways to get to Florence from Livorno, but our favorite way is by train. The train ride takes about an hour and 20 minutes to reach Florence Santa Maria Novella Central Station. Buses and taxis are also available, but they can be more expensive and take longer than the train.

Cruise Line Excursion

A cruise line excursion is probably the easiest way to reach Florence from the cruise port of Livorno. If you take an excursion from the cruise line, the ship will wait for you – even if your tour is delayed. However, a cruise line excursion might not be the cheapest option.

Private Tour

Several tour companies can provide you with a tour from the cruise terminal in Livorno to downtown Florence. You can pick a simple transfer from the port or an entire city tour.

By Taxi

The fastest way to travel from Livorno to Florence is by taxi, with a duration of 1 hour and 9 minutes and a cost ranging from €110 to €140. Ensure you negotiate the price before you get in the cab, as rates can vary depending on the time of day. The Taxi ride takes approximately one and a half hours, depending on the traffic. As a result, be sure to know your “all aboard” time, and leave early in case you’re late – otherwise, you might be spending the night in Florence.

By Train

Taking the train is definitely one of the best and easiest ways to get to Florence from Livorno. It’s super convenient—the trip only takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to go the 78 kilometers between the Livorno Central Station and Florence. There are tons of trains running this route too, around 42 per day, so you’ve always got options. Tickets are pretty affordable as well, starting at just €10.80.

By Bus

Many buses go to Florence, so pick the one that goes to your desired destination. There is a bus stop in Livorno on the same side of the street as the cruise terminal. It’s located at Via S. Maria Della Monica, next to the cathedral. 

The buses in Italy are very comfortable and have air conditioning. The bus trip lasts about an hour and a half, depending on traffic. Bus tickets cost approximately 15 Euros each way.

By Car

A car on its way to florence from a cruise ship

If you rent a car, take the SGC Firenze – Pisa and follow the signs to Florence. Depending on traffic, the drive will take about an hour to an hour and a half.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when planning your visit:

Map out your route and allow plenty of time to get there and back.

It’s often jam-packed driving on the road between Florence and Livorno, so plan for potential delays.

If you’re uncomfortable driving in Italy, consider hiring a driver or taking a taxi instead.

Whichever option you choose, be sure to plan and buy your tickets in advance, as they can sell out during busy times.

Best time to visit Florence

There is no definitive answer to when the best time to visit Florence is. That said, there are some factors you may want to consider when making your decision.

It is a popular tourist spot, so there are always people visiting. The cheapest time to visit Florence is during the spring or fall – and it’s our favorite because the weather is mild, and there are not as many tourists. The city can be very crowded in the summer. Some events in Florence in the spring and fall are worth attending.

If you’re looking for good weather, April through October are generally a good bet.

Another factor to consider is what to do while you’re in Florence. If you’re into sightseeing in general, any time of year should work well. However, if you’re looking to do some hiking or want to explore Tuscany’s picturesque villages, you’ll probably want to avoid the colder winter months.

Tips when visiting Florence

Millions of people visit Florence each year, but many don’t take the time to plan their trip, and they miss out on some of the best things Florence has to offer. Consider these suggestions as you explore this charming town.

  1. First, the city is very walkable, but it’s also hilly. Expect a lot of stairs! Also, the streets can be narrow and crowded, so be careful when walking around.
  2. Make sure you have a good map of the city. Florence is a large city, and it can be challenging to navigate without a map.
  3. Have a plan for what you want to see and do. There’s a lot to see and do in Florence, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t have a plan.
  4. Be prepared for long lines at popular tourist attractions. Florence is very popular with tourists, so be prepared for long lines at places like the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery.
  5. Take a walk along the river Arno. It’s one of the prettiest streets in Florence and offers excellent cityscape views.
  6. If you’re planning on visiting any of the churches in Florence, be sure to dress appropriately. No shorts or tank tops are allowed in most churches.
  7. Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the food! Florence is home to some of the best restaurants in Italy, so be sure to try out some of the local cuisines. And if you’re looking to learn more about Tuscany’s food, don’t skip the Tuscan cooking tours!

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are looking to explore the beautiful city of Florence, Italy, and are arriving from a cruise, there are several options for how to get there. Train, bus, or taxi can take you from the Livorno port to the city. Florence is a popular tourist destination, so book your transportation in advance to ensure you have a seat.