Everything cruise passengers need to know to travel from Livorno cruise port to Lucca by taxi, car rental, and train.
Lucca is probably one of the most underrated towns in Tuscany amongst cruise ship excursions and passengers.
Surprisingly, most cruise lines do not offer shore excursions to Lucca without including other sites like Torre del Lago or Pisa. Consequently, the cruise traveler on these shore excursions will only have time to visit and enjoy a few attractions of Lucca.
But you will miss quite a lot, for Lucca has a unique charm that cruisers should enjoy on a leisurely visit. The good news is that Lucca is very easy to explore on your own as there are a few good ways to travel to Lucca independently.
Traveling by rail from Livorno to Lucca is one of our favorites and the most affordable - around €6.50 per person one way. On the other end of the scale, a return Taxi ride will cost around €200.00 (up to four sharing a cab).
Renting a car will cost less than a taxi and is another good option to have in mind. Check our review of car rentals in Livorno to learn how to book and get a good deal.
Photo courtesy Get Your Guide
How to travel from Livorno to Lucca by rail
To travel by rail from the cruise port in Livorno to Lucca you need to first get to the railway station - Livorno Centrale - in the port city. There are a few options to get to the Train Station from the cruise port in Livorno:
- Take a taxi from the pier straight to Livorno Centrale railway station - may cost up to €20.00
- Take the free shuttle bus from the port to Piazza Municipio
- Walk to Via Grande and take Lam Blue bus to Livorno Centrale - €1.20 each way (buy two tickets)
- Alternatively, take a taxi from Piazza Municipio (shuttle bus drop-off) to the railway station - around €8.00
Photo © IQCruising.com
Although there isn't a direct train connection from Livorno Centrale - you will need to change train in Pisa (or in Viareggio) - Lucca is one hour away, and the train ticket costs €5.50 (€13.40 on the Frecciabianca service).
Be aware that there are only four trains early in the morning although quite a few to return. The train station in Lucca is just outside the medieval walls and no more than a pleasant 10-minute walk away from the main attractions.
If you are planning to explore Lucca on your own, and travel there by rail, make sure you double-check train times online before starting your journey.
Train Schedule
from Livorno to Lucca
Via Pisa or Viareggio on Weekdays
| LIVORNO CENTRALE |
Arrival Lucca |
DEPART LUCCA |
Arrival Livorno |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:12 AM * 08:31 AM * 08:52 AM * 9:30 AM *** 11:24 AM ** 12:20 PM * 1:12PM * |
9:20 AM 9:38 AM 9:49 AM 10:27 AM 12:27PM 1:17 PM 2:09 PM |
1:12 PM *** 1:42 PM * 2:12 PM * 2:42 PM * 3:11 PM * 3:42 PM * 4:12 PM *** 4:42 PM * 5:12 PM * 5:42 PM * |
2:09 PM 2:48 PM 3:07 PM 3:48 PM 4:12 PM 4:12 PM 4:48 PM 5:24 PM 6:08 PM 6:38 PM |
* Change train in Pisa
** Change train in Viareggio
*** Frecciabianca €13.40
These times are indicative and may change.
To double check and for weekend times strongly advisable to visit:
Trenitalia Website
Photo © IQCruising.com
Tourist Information Office in Lucca
When traveling to Lucca by train from Livorno, the cruise traveler will find a Tourist Information Office outside the Railway Station - no more than 200 yards to the right.
However, the Editor has found this Office closed at regular hours more than a few times. The closest Tourist Office will be at the the Palazzo Ducale on Piazza Napoleone (heart of the city). The Tourist Offices are open every day between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM and between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
FAQ
How many hours the cruise ship passenger will have to explore Lucca?
If traveling on your own, by train or car, you will have between 5 and 7 hours in town.
For how long do cruise ship excursions stay in Lucca?
Lucca is offered on tours including other destinations like Pisa, Florence, Viareggio, or Torre del Lago. These tours do not spend more than 3 hours in Lucca.
