The Europe CruiseFor the American voyager

Livorno

Gateway to Florence, Pisa, Lucca

Photo: Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Florence is far, so this is a long day. The Uffizi is closed Mondays and costs 25 euros on the day or 29 euros booked in advance. The Leaning Tower uses timed, limited tickets; in November it is open 9:00 am-6:00 pm.

Getting ashoreShip docks
Distance to townFlorence is about 90 km away and Pisa about 20 km (unverified). Livorno Centrale station is across town from the port.
Gateway forFlorence, Pisa, Lucca
Port or cruise shuttle, then city bus or taxi to Livorno city / Livorno Centrale stationUnverified · Unverified
On the chart

Where Livorno lies

Antique-style chart of Western Mediterranean with ports markedLivornoAvignonBarcelonaRomeGenoaMarseilleRavennaSavonaVallettaAjaccioAlicanteAlmeríaAmalfi and PositanoBastiaBilbaoCadizCagliariCannesCartagenaCataniaGibraltarIbizaLa SpeziaMahón, MenorcaMalagaMessinaMonacoNaplesOlbiaPalermoPalma de MallorcaPortoferraioPortofino / Santa Margherita LigurePulaRovinjSaint-TropezSalernoSèteŠibenikSorrentoTarragonaToulonValenciaVillefranche-sur-Mer and NiceZadar

Where your ship docks

Ships dock in the commercial port of Livorno. You usually cannot walk out; a port or cruise shuttle takes you to the city (not verified).

Shuttle. Not verified (official port site blocked).

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The wayTimeCost
Port or cruise shuttle, then city bus or taxi to Livorno city / Livorno Centrale stationUnverifiedUnverified
Regional train to PisaUnverifiedUnverified
Regional train to FlorenceUnverifiedUnverified
Ship tour or 'on your own' coach to Florence / PisaUnverifiedVaries

Port or cruise shuttle, then city bus or taxi to Livorno city / Livorno Centrale station

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified
  1. Take the shuttle to the port exit.
  2. Taxi or bus to Livorno Centrale.

Official port site could not be loaded.

Regional train to Pisa

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified
  1. Livorno Centrale to Pisa Centrale.
  2. Walk or bus to Piazza dei Miracoli.

Pisa San Rossore station is closer to the Tower.

Regional train to Florence

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified
  1. Livorno Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (may need a change at Pisa).
  2. Stamp paper tickets before boarding.

Check the return trains carefully; this is the riskiest DIY day.

Ship tour or 'on your own' coach to Florence / Pisa

Time UnverifiedCost Varies
  1. Book with the cruise line.

Safer for a first visit.

Worth the trip

What to see

Uffizi Gallery (Florence)

Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo.

How
Train to Florence SMN; walk about 15-20 minutes (unverified).
Time
2-2.5 hours
Tickets
Tue-Sun 8:15 am-6:30 pm; ticket office closes 5:30 pm. Closed Mondays, Jan 1, Dec 25. 25 euros bought on the day; 29 euros bought before the day (reserved). Reduced 2 euros (EU 18-25).

Florence Duomo and Baptistery

Brunelleschi's dome.

How
Walk from the station.
Time
1-2 hours
Tickets
Climbs and passes (Brunelleschi, Giotto, Ghiberti) sold by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore; prices not verified.

Accademia (David)

Michelangelo's David.

How
Walk.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Not verified (official site blocked). Book ahead.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The famous tower and Piazza dei Miracoli.

How
Train to Pisa.
Time
1.5-2 hours
Tickets
Timed, limited tickets, choose a time when you buy on opapisa.it. Nov 4-Dec 3: 9:00 am-6:00 pm. Entry up to 30 minutes before closing. Price not verified.
A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

  1. Pisa + Lucca or Pisa only is the easier DIY plan. Florence:
  2. 7:45 Off the ship; shuttle and taxi to Livorno Centrale.
  3. 8:30 Train to Florence.
  4. 10:00 Arrive Florence SMN; walk to the Duomo.
  5. 10:30 Uffizi (pre-booked time; closed Mondays).
  6. 12:45 Lunch.
  7. 14:00 Ponte Vecchio; Piazza della Signoria.
  8. 15:15 Walk to SMN.
  9. 15:45 Train back.
  10. 17:15 Taxi and shuttle to the ship. On board 60-90 minutes before all-aboard.
Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

  • Long distance to Florence.
  • Italy has frequent announced transport strikes (trains, local buses, ferries), often on Fridays. A national general strike was called for Oct 30, 2026 and then postponed (EAV notice), and the Uffizi listed a strike day on Oct 30, 2026. Check the Italian Ministry of Transport strike list (scioperi.mit.gov.it) the week before your port day.
  • Uffizi closed Mondays.
  • Crowds and heat in Florence.
  • Pickpockets at Pisa and Florence stations.

Do this

  • Pisa can be done in a half day from Livorno.
  • Uffizi on the day is cheaper (25 vs 29 euros) but you may queue.
Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

  • Stamp paper train tickets before boarding.
  • Leaning Tower tickets are timed and limited.

Accessibility

Florence center is flat but crowded with uneven stones. The Leaning Tower climb has about 250+ steps (unverified) and is not accessible. Shuttle is needed inside the port.

Money

Euro (EUR). Visa and Mastercard work in most shops, restaurants and museums; tap-to-pay is common. Carry 20-40 euros in cash for small cafes, toilets, markets and some buses. Use a bank ATM (inside a bank) and always choose to be charged in euros, not dollars, when a card machine or ATM asks.

Onward

More of the Western Mediterranean

Palma de MallorcaSpain Ship docksValenciaSpain Ship docksMalagaSpain Ship docksCartagenaSpain Ship docksCadizSpain Ship docksGibraltarUnited Kingdom (British Overseas Territory) Ship docksMarseilleFrance Ship docksToulonFrance Ship docks
Sources & what we could not confirm · 2 sources · checked 2026-11
Still being confirmed
  • Port shuttle details.
  • Train times and fares to Pisa and Florence.
  • Leaning Tower price and age/bag rules.
  • Accademia hours and price.
  • Duomo pass prices.