Getting Around Livorno
Livorno is a compact port city on the Tuscan coast, and most of what a visitor wants to see sits close together in the centre. That shapes how you move around: on foot and by bike for the centre itself, with buses, trains and taxis filling in the gaps and connecting you to the wider region.
On Foot
Once you have arrived in the centre, nearly everything can be visited on foot. The historic core is flat and walkable, so a day of sightseeing rarely requires any transport at all.
One local quirk is worth knowing before you set out: cyclists in Livorno often ride on the sidewalks and sometimes go the wrong way down one-way streets, so keep an eye out when walking.
By Bike
Livorno and its surroundings are very flat, which makes cycling almost as popular here as it is in the Netherlands. It is a genuinely practical way to cover more ground than you would on foot.
- Bikes can be rented from Green Bikes at Scali del Corso, 7, in the Venice Quarter.
Buses and Public Transport
Buses are the main form of public transport within the city and are useful for the stretches between the centre, the port and the station.
- Bus number 1 runs as a shuttle between the train station and the port, in both directions.
- The LAM BLU bus connects Livorno Centrale station to the town centre and then on to the port, a trip of about 20 minutes.
- A ticket covering 75 minutes of travel costs €1.5.
For self-reliant cruise passengers, the bus is part of the most economical route to the trains for Pisa and Florence.
Trains
Livorno Centrale is the main train station, with regular services to and from Florence (roughly a 1 hour 20 minute journey), Pisa (about 15 minutes) and Rome. Despite its name, the station is some distance from the centre, so plan on taking the LAM BLU bus to reach the town centre and the port.
If you are heading to Florence, ask at the station for a train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella; locals are generally happy to help you find the right service.
Taxis
Taxis are a straightforward option for direct trips, particularly when you are carrying luggage or need to reach the station early. Cruise passengers hoping to maximise time in Florence are advised to take an early cab — perhaps shared with another couple — from the ship to Livorno train station and back.
By Car
Driving around Livorno is not recommended. The local police are very vigilant and will quickly issue a ticket if you are parked in the wrong place. If you do arrive by car, there are several large parking areas where you can leave your vehicle during your stay, and many hotels also offer parking.
Arriving by Air
The airport serving Livorno is Pisa airport (PSA), Galileo Galilei. From there, the practical route into Livorno is by train: regular services run between Pisa and Livorno, with the journey taking about 15 minutes. You can also reach Livorno by bus from Pisa, Piombino, Florence and other cities.
Arriving by Sea
Livorno is a working port and a common cruise call, with ships often stopping for at least a full day so guests can tour Florence or Pisa.
- Passengers not taking a cruise-line tour can use a shuttle supplied by the port to reach the downtown area.
- From downtown, a further 10- to 20-minute walk — or another bus ride — brings you to a train station, where frequent departures run to Pisa or Florence.
Direct ferry routes connect Livorno with Bastia, Golfo Aranci, Olbia and Palermo. Generally during summer, a weekly ferry also runs from l'Île-Rousse, operated by Corsica Ferries. It is best to book early to avoid overbooking.