I understand Florence is a two hour trip from the Cruise ship dock to Florence. I am not signed up for a tour & would like to know the best way to get to Florence on my own. I appreciate any suggestions!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7167 posts
Welcome!
Which cruise ship port? There are several
(Probably train)
Posted by
4971 posts
You can use the Trenitalia website/app to check schedules: https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
Be sure to use Italian place names (i.e., Firenze)
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you! We will be on a Celebrity Cruise ship. Looks like the train is the best option.
Posted by
Atlanta
5197 posts
If the cruise offers a ship excursion, you might want to take that rather than doing it on your own. Yes, it will cost more, but if there is a problem with the tour, the ship will wait for you. Not so if you are off own your own. On at least three Celebrity cruises we were on, the ship did leave without some passangers that didn't get back in time due to traffic and other problems. The poor souls were actually running along the pier as the ship departed. Two of the incidents were in ports in Italy. Even though they cost more, the ship excursions are still less expensive than paying to get to the next port if the ship leaves without you. Just food for thought.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5434 posts
If you are going to DIY, pay close attention to the all aboard time at the end of the day. Plan on being back on board at least an hour before sail away, in case of unforseen delays. And read up on train travel in Italy if you haven't done it before. The Man in Seat 61 website is a good place to start. You likely won't want to make advance train reservations, since you won't have a firm handle on debarkation times. You will want to look up train times on the Trenitalia website. But if you want to see any of the Florence museums you have to have made advance reservations. You will want to take a taxi between the cruise terminal and train station.
Have a plan B in case you miss the ship. Not the worst thing in the world, since your next port of call likely wont be that far away. But you will need your passport and a plan for train or plane and hotel.
Posted by
Green Bay
21155 posts
You still have not indicated what port you are docking at. Celebrity Cruise ship has nothing to do with it. Are you docking at La Spezia or Livorno?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5434 posts
I hope the port isn't La Spezia. That's an extra 30-60 minutes each way, compared to Livorno. And will always require a change of trains, usually in Pisa.