Lucca and Pisa Italy?

Question

I am taking a meditterenean cruise in October - one of our ports is Livorno. I would like to take a day trip from Livorno to Pisa and Lucca, spending most of the time in Lucca. Any ideas about how to book the train? or bus? Should I do that before I leave the states or just do it on that day at the station? Any suggestions would help. Thanks!

Answer 1

You generally don't need to pre-book tickets for the trains except during Easter or other peak travel times, but as noted in another answer, you can do it from the Italian train website. The train from Pisa to Lucca (20 minute trip) is a regional train which does not accept reservations.  Buying a ticket in advance is meaningless because the ticket allows you to take any regional train between the two towns over a 2 month period. It's not for a specific date and time.

Because the tickets for trains are good for two months from the date of purchase, you need to validate the ticket before you get on the train. You do this by time-stamping it - look for the yellow machine in the station or by the tracks.

Answer 2

Pisa is 15 minutes train far from Livorno and Lucca is 20-25 minutes train far from Pisa.

They're mainly linked by regional trains (on this type of train is not possible to make seat reservation) with easy and frequent connections. See time table on this link http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

All what you've to do is to go Livorno's railway station, buy the ticket there, stamp it at the yellow machines and hop on the first train to Pisa. After having visited Pisa (the leaning tower is not too far from the station) you can do the same to go to Lucca and then back to Livorno.

Take care of buying separate tickets from Livorno to Pisa and from Pisa to Lucca to allow you Pisa's visit (stamp validity is just a few hours).

Answer 3

Look up train schedules and fares online at Trenitalia's site: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html. You can book online as well, which may be a good option. When cruise ships pull into port a town is flooded and there will probably be a lot of people purchasing tickets on the spot.

Since you only have a day, make a reservation to climb the tower in Pisa online: http://www.opapisa.it

Have fun!

Answer 4

Call a travel agent, that's what they do for a living. For example, arranging a rental car before you go is 3 times cheaper than waiting until you're in Italy...probably same for trains. I recommend Diplomat Travel in Washington, DC