schectec

What do you recommend as the best, most economical way to get from Livorno to Florence. Our cruise ship docks at Livorno and wonder if we should taxi and what the price would be. What other options do we have? Has anyone done this? Thanks!

GeoffHamer

The port in Livorno is a long way from the station. Unless the cruise line has a bus, I'd suggest a taxi to Livorno Centrale station, then a train. The station in Firenze ("Florence&quot is close to the city centre. You can check train schedules on www.trenitalia.com and you probably have to change trains in Pisa.

Intrepid1

We are looking into the very "issue" for a cruise docking at Livorno in July. Apparently there are several docks where a ship might be tied up and have universally been told that these are not within easy walking distance of the train station; but have also been told that the taxis that will inevitably meet cruise ships in Livorno are, ideally, looking for passangers wanting a trip all the way to Florence or for passengers looking to engage them for a day's worth of touring.

Some cruises have been known to supply a free shuttle from the ship to the main train station; others will sell you a R/T transportation only "excursion" into Florence.

The trip takes about 1 1/2 hours by train once you get on the train and I am sure would be cheaper than taking a cruise line-supplied bus transfer....but how much "cheaper" and whether or not the transport back and forth ship-train station/waiting for the train/buying tickets, etc., etc., are really worth the "savings."

ira

Hi S,

There are hourly direct trains from Livorno Centrale to Florence. It takes 1:22 hr. Fare is 8E 1cl and 6E 2cl. By far the least expensive method.

A hired car or cab will take about the same amount of time.

Peggyann

There is also a bus that runs to the train station. You can pick it up very close to the cruise ship. Ask at the nearest Tobacchi(Sp?) place, also buy your bus ticket to the train station there. We did this last year, no problem. Just be sure to know when the returning train from Florence is, and that you allow plenty of time to get back to the ship. They wait for no one except thier own excursions. Have fun.

Intrepid1

I'm not sure there was ever any doubt about which mode of transport costs the least (excluding, of course, the cost of the bus or taxi to get to and from the station). I thought, and still think, the point here is balancing cost with efficiency.

Taking a bus or taxi from the ship assumes that there will be no delays waiting for a bus or taxi and that when you get to the railroad station there will be a train within the next few minutes, and vice versa on the return. Taking a ship-sold transport may or may not involve as much "inconvenience."

Current cost of these R/T "transportation only" trips from ship to Florence seems to run about $60-$65 per person (which is far more expensive than the approximately $12-$15 rail ticket cost Second Class).

We'll probably opt for the train if the train times are convenient (but then again, I enjoy traveling by rail and am familiar with Italy's rail system); I can see why others would simply pay more and go with ship-sold transport.

Budman

When we pulled into Livorno, the cruise ship (Celebrity) provided bus transportation to the train station. We walked back.

zwho

hi, if you go to www.cruisecritic.com you can find other people on your cruise and send messages back and forth, and see what they're doing. find the message board and go to roll call. It won't change the good info you received here, but its fun and you will learn something.

Intrepid1

Budman,

Thanks for that very helpful additional info. We will be on the "Millenium" and I will be sure to find out whether or not they will continue to provide the bus transportation to the train station.

luv2cthings

Budman,

Do you recall how long it took to walk from the train station in Livorno back to your ship? Also, do you recall how much earlier than the official departure time they wanted you back on the ship? I will be on the Millennium in a couple of weeks, and it is supposed to be in port from 7am to 7pm.

Mark

andy

You need to be back on the cruise ship
about 45 minutes prior to leaving.

I would personally hire a private driver who can stop somewhere for lunch, and get me into and out of Florence easily.

You have to remember that Italian trains can go on strike on a moment's notice....So I would not want to be stranded in Florence nor have to go all the way to the train station, only to find the trains not running...

Also remember, if you are late to the ship, it's on your nickel to get to the next port...

But this is just my opinion.........

Budman

I think where the ship docks will depend upon whether or not the ship will provide bus transportation into town. I don't think one will know from one port to the other where the ship will be docking.

For example, in Palma we were docked a couple of miles from the downtown area so they bussed us in, whereas other cruise ships were docked in the downtown area.

I can't remember how long it took to get back to the ship from the train station. I just know we had plenty of time once we got off the train so we walked and meandered with a group arriving at the same time.

ira

>...Italian trains can go on strike on a moment's notice....<

I believe that in Italy a strike must be announced and scheduled at least a week in advance.

GeoffHamer

Yes, there are very strict laws about strikes in Italy. The dates and times are published in advance and, even during a strike, certain trains must run by law; these are generally in the morning and evening to enable people to get to and from work. When I've suffered train strikes in Italy, they've started at 2100 one day and finished at 2100 the next day, but I don't know if this is always the case.
If you're arriving on a cruise ship, you're unlikely to know whether a strike is scheduled, but they are not really very common.