Livorno is a straightforward city to navigate once you understand its layout. The grid-plan streets, reliable bus network, and compact center make it one of Tuscany’s easiest cities for independent travel. This guide covers the practical details: which airport to fly into, how to get around, what things cost, and answers to the questions travelers ask most often about visiting this Tuscan port city. For a complete overview, visit our Livorno travel guide.
Travel Tips for Livorno: Getting There
Nearest Airports
Pisa International Airport (PSA), also called Galileo Galilei Airport, is the closest airport at just 20km north of Livorno. It handles budget airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air with connections to most European cities. From Pisa Airport, take the PisaMover shuttle to Pisa Centrale station (€5, 5 minutes), then a train to Livorno Centrale (€2.70, 15-22 minutes). Total journey time is about 40 minutes. A taxi from Pisa Airport to Livorno costs approximately €45-55 and takes 25 minutes. Florence Airport (FLR) is 85km away and connects via train (80-100 minutes, €9.90 regional fare).
Train Connections
Livorno Centrale is the main station, located on the eastern edge of the city center on Piazza Dante. It sits on the main Rome-Genoa line with frequent connections. Key routes: Pisa Centrale (15-22 min, €2.70), Florence Santa Maria Novella (80 min, €9.90 regional, €15-25 Frecciargento), Lucca (45-55 min, €5.70), Rome Termini (2.5-3.5 hours, €25-55 depending on train type), Genoa Piazza Principe (2 hours, €14-20). Buy tickets at station machines, online at www.trenitalia.com, or via the Trenitalia app. Validate paper tickets in the green machines on the platform before boarding. Fines for unvalidated tickets are €50.
Travel Tips for Livorno: Getting Around
Public Buses
Livorno’s bus network is operated by CTT Nord (www.cttnord.it). The main hub is Piazza Grande, where most routes intersect. Single tickets cost €1.50 and are valid for 70 minutes. Day passes cost €4.50. Buy tickets at tabaccherie (tobacco shops), newsstands, or via the CTT Nord app. Key routes: LAM Blu connects the station to Piazza Grande and the seafront. Bus 1 runs from the station to the Terrazza Mascagni. Buses run roughly 6:00 to 21:00 with reduced Sunday service. Night buses are limited. For ferry terminals at the port, take bus 1 or LAM Rossa from Piazza Grande.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing
Taxis in Livorno are metered and relatively affordable. A ride from the station to the seafront costs €8-12. From the station to the ferry terminal runs €10-15. Uber operates in Livorno but only the Uber Black service (professional drivers, higher rates). The main taxi rank is outside the train station. Call Radio Taxi Livorno at +39 0586 882200 to book. Taxis do not cruise for fares, find them at ranks or call ahead.
Travel Tips for Livorno: Money and Costs
Italy uses the Euro (€). Livorno has ATMs (bancomat) throughout the center, especially on Via Grande and around Piazza della Repubblica. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but keep €20-30 in cash for market stalls, small cafes, and bus tickets from tabaccherie. Tipping is not expected but appreciated: round up the bill in cafes (leave €1-2), leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. No need to tip taxi drivers beyond rounding up. A mid-range meal for two with wine costs €45-65. A coffee at the bar is €1-1.20, at a table €2-3. Aperitivo (drink with buffet snacks) costs €8-12 in the Venice district.
Travel Tips for Livorno: Safety and Practical Info
Livorno is generally safe for tourists. The city center, Venice district, and seafront are well-lit and busy into the evening. Exercise normal caution around the train station area at night, particularly the underpass to the platforms. Pickpocketing can occur on crowded buses and at the Mercato Centrale, keep wallets in front pockets. The port industrial zone north of the ferry terminals is not a pedestrian area and should be avoided. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Livorno. The city has public drinking fountains (fontanelle) in most piazzas. Pharmacies display a green cross sign, with Farmacia Comunale on Via Grande open 24 hours. The emergency number is 112.
Travel Tips for Livorno: Ferries and Cruises
Livorno is a major ferry hub for Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily. Moby Lines and Corsica Ferries operate from the Porto Mediceo terminal. The Olbia (Sardinia) ferry takes 7-8 hours overnight, costing €45-80 per person in a reclining seat. Bastia (Corsica) takes 4 hours (€35-60). Grimaldi Lines runs services to Palermo (Sicily) taking 18 hours. Book ferry tickets online at www.moby.it, www.corsica-ferries.fr, or www.grimaldi-lines.com. Cruise passengers arrive at the same terminal complex. A free shuttle bus connects the cruise terminal to Piazza Grande. From Piazza Grande, it is a 5-minute walk to Via Grande and the start of the city center.
Suggested Hotels in Livorno
Grand Hotel Palazzo
A 5-star waterfront hotel set in a restored 19th-century palace with panoramic sea views, a rooftop pool, and two restaurants. Best for couples and luxury travelers who want a full-service resort experience on the Livorno seafront. Check rates and availability
Hotel Navy
A 3-star hotel in a beautifully restored Art Nouveau villa opposite the Naval Academy, with cozy rooms and a garden overlooking the sea. Best for couples and solo travelers seeking character and a seafront location at mid-range prices. Check rates and availability
Hotel Gennarino
A budget-friendly Art Nouveau villa with colorful floor-by-floor decor, air-conditioned rooms, and sandy beaches a 10-minute walk away. Best for budget travelers and families who want a charming period property without the luxury price tag. Check rates and availability
