If you are planning to visit Florence from La Spezia cruise port, it is absolutely possible, but it is not the most straightforward option from this port.
Unlike Cinque Terre, which sits close by and is easy to reach, Florence is inland and takes more effort. On paper, the journey looks manageable. In practice, there are several stages, and each one takes time.
It’s also important to understand that Florence does not have a cruise port. Ships dock in La Spezia, and from there you travel inland. That is where some of the confusion comes from, because Florence is often listed as the destination, but the ship never goes there.
In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to get to Florence from La Spezia cruise port, what the journey actually involves, and how to decide whether it is the right choice for your day.
If you want a full overview of how La Spezia cruise port works first, including the shuttle process and where you arrive, see my La Spezia cruise port guide.
Watch My La Spezia Cruise Port Guide
If you want to see how La Spezia cruise port actually works, including where the ship docks and how to get out of the port, you can watch my full guide below.
Leaving the Ship and Getting Out of the Port
When you arrive in La Spezia, you are docked inside a working commercial port. You cannot walk out independently, so the first step is the shuttle bus.
The shuttle runs continuously and takes you to the port exit in a few minutes. It is simple, but on busy days you should allow time for queues, especially mid-morning when most passengers are heading out at the same time.
Once you are outside the port, you are already close to the town. This is where your journey to Florence begins, and this is where your day starts to take shape.
Getting to La Spezia Train Station (This Is Where People Get Caught Out)
If you are travelling independently, your next step is La Spezia Centrale. The station is around 2 kilometres, or about 1.2 miles, from the port exit. That does not sound far, but this is one of the places where people lose time without realising it.
Walking takes around 20 to 25 minutes and is mostly flat. It is straightforward, but it adds time before your journey has properly started. A taxi usually takes under 10 minutes and costs around eight to ten euros. Local buses are another option, taking around 15 minutes.
This is an early decision that affects the rest of the day. If you walk and it takes longer than expected, you can miss a train and lose time later. If you take a taxi, you remove that risk.
The Train Journey to Florence (What It Really Involves)
Once you reach La Spezia Centrale, the train journey itself is straightforward, but it is rarely direct. Most routes involve a change at Pisa Centrale, and total journey time is usually between 1 hour 45 and 2 hours each way. Some routes are slightly quicker, but the difference is often small once you factor in waiting time and connections.
Trains run regularly, and it is worth checking schedules in advance on the Trenitalia website so you know which return options you are aiming for before the day begins.
What matters here is not just the time on the train. The full journey includes several stages. You leave the ship, take the shuttle, get to the station, wait for departure, travel, possibly change trains, and then walk into Florence. By the time you arrive, you have already used a significant part of your available time.
Why Tours Often Make More Sense from La Spezia
From La Spezia, this is where organised transport starts to make more sense than it does in some other ports. Independent tours and shore excursions remove several stages from the journey. You are picked up near the port, taken directly to Florence, and brought back again without needing to manage train changes or timing.
That changes how the day feels. Instead of thinking about connections and return times, you can focus on what you are going to do once you arrive. There is still a fixed schedule, but it is handled for you. For many people, especially on a first visit, this is the option that reduces the most stress.
If you are considering this option, here are a few tour options to look at. These vary between guided tours and “on your own” time in Florence, so it is worth checking how long you actually get in the city before booking.
From La Spezia: Round-trip Transfer to Florence & Accademia
La Spezia: Florence Guided Tour with Free Time
La Spezia: Florence, Pisa w/Leaning Tower & Accademia Option
Some links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
What the Journey Is Actually Like
Once you are on the train, the journey itself is comfortable and easy to follow. The route runs inland through Tuscany, and the final stop is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, which is the main station in Florence.
The main variable is how busy the train is. Morning departures can be crowded, particularly when several ships are in port.
What is more important is the timing. By the time you arrive in Florence, you are already well into your port day. That needs to shape what you plan to do once you get there.
Arriving in Florence and Getting Your Bearings
When you arrive at Santa Maria Novella, you are already in a good position to explore the city. The area around the station is functional rather than scenic, but within a few minutes of walking, the atmosphere changes. Streets narrow, buildings become more historic, and the city starts to feel very different.
From the station, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to reach the Duomo. This is the natural starting point for most cruise visitors, and it works well because everything else connects from there.
What You Can Actually Do in Florence on a Cruise Day
The key to Florence on a cruise day is to keep everything close together and avoid trying to cover too much ground.
From Santa Maria Novella, walk towards the Duomo. As you get closer, the dome becomes visible above the buildings, and the streets narrow. The square itself is usually busy, especially in peak season, so this is somewhere to take in from the outside rather than committing to long queues.
From the Duomo, continue on foot towards Piazza della Signoria. This is one of the main squares in the city, with the Palazzo Vecchio, statues, and open space that makes it easy to walk through without needing extra time.
From there, head towards Ponte Vecchio. The bridge is narrow and lined with shops, and as you cross it, you get a clear view along the river. It is one of the most recognisable parts of Florence and fits naturally into the route.
Once you are across the bridge, this is where you need to check your time properly. If you still have enough time, you can continue walking on this side of the river where it feels slightly less crowded. If not, this is the point to turn back and start heading towards the station.
A short stop for a coffee or something to eat works well here, but it is easier to find somewhere a few streets away from the main squares.
What causes problems is trying to add too much. Museums, indoor attractions, or moving across different parts of the city take longer than expected. The journey from La Spezia already uses a large part of the day, so once you are in Florence, keeping everything simple makes a noticeable difference.
In practical terms, most cruise visitors have time for a well-paced walk through the centre, with one or two short stops, rather than a long list of attractions.
Planning Your Return Journey (Most Important Part)
This is the part of the day that matters most, and it should be decided before you leave the port in the morning.
You need to know which train you are aiming to take back, or be clear on your return time if you are on a tour. A good rule is to aim to be back in La Spezia at least one and a half to two hours before your all-aboard time. This allows for delays, queues, and busy trains.
Leaving your return too late is one of the most common mistakes, and it is where the day can quickly become stressful.
The Real Time Commitment
From La Spezia, the total travel time is higher than many people expect. When you combine the shuttle, getting to the station, waiting time, the train journey, and the walk into Florence, you are usually committing around four hours of travel across the day.
That leaves you with around four to six hours in Florence itself, depending on your port time. That is enough to see the main highlights, but only if you keep your plan focused.
Is Florence Worth It from La Spezia?
If you have never been to Florence before, it is still worth considering. It is one of the most important cities in Italy, and even a few hours gives you a good sense of it.
However, from La Spezia, it is more of a commitment than from some other ports. The journey is longer, the day is more structured, and there is less flexibility once you decide to go.
That is why how you get there matters. If you are comfortable managing trains, doing it independently works. If you would rather simplify the day, tours or shore excursions are often the better option from this port.
Useful Guides
La Spezia Cruise Port Guide: What to Do, Transport and Tips
Cinque Terre from La Spezia Cruise Port – How to plan your visit, which villages to choose, and what to expect.
Cinque Terre on a Cruise Day – A full guide to planning your day once you arrive, including a realistic route, how many villages to visit, and how to avoid rushing.
Staying in La Spezia on a Cruise Day – What to do if you want a slower, local experience.
Florence on a Cruise Day (2026 Guide) – Once you arrive in Florence from La Spezia, the experience is the same as it would be from any other cruise port. This guide covers what to see, how to plan your time, and how to make the most of your visit once you’re in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Florence from La Spezia cruise port?
The main options are train, independent tour, or cruise excursion, with tours often being the simplest.
Is there a Florence cruise port?
No. Cruise ships dock in La Spezia, and passengers travel inland to Florence.
How far is Florence from La Spezia cruise port?
Florence is around 150 kilometres, or about 93 miles, from La Spezia.
Is it easy to travel independently?
It is doable, but involves multiple stages and planning.
Should I book a tour instead?
From La Spezia, tours are often the easier option because they remove the need to manage trains and timing.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Staying Connected at Sea
If you don’t want to rely entirely on the ship’s Wi-Fi, another option is a cruise eSIM.
Saily has recently launched cruise eSIM plans that provide mobile data both at sea and in supported ports. Depending on your itinerary and how you use your phone, this could be a convenient alternative for messaging, maps and general internet browsing.
You can check the latest plans and coverage here: Saily Cruise Esim
Use code SOLOTRAVEL10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
Affiliate disclosure: This section contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I haven’t personally tested Saily’s cruise eSIM yet, so please check the latest coverage, data allowances and device compatibility before purchasing.