Getting to Northern Tuscany

By Air

The closest international airport is Pisa with direct scheduled services from the UK via London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham and East Midlands airports as well as services from many other European cities. There are also regional services into Florence.

By Car

From the UK we recommend crossing Dover-Calais, either by Ferry or Eurotunnel and then travelling via Belgium and Luxembourg, re-entering France to the west of Strasbourg. This route avoids high French motorway tolls until the last 30 miles. Stay overnight near Strasbourg and the following day enter Germany at Mulhouse and then into Switzerland, this avoids having to drive through the city of Basle, which is presently unavoidable if you enter Switzerland directly from France. To use Swiss roads you will need a Swiss Motorway carnet, valid for a calendar year. You can buy these at the border on in advance via the AA/RAC in the UK. Pass through Switzerland, take the Gottard tunnel through the Alps and enter Italy near Como. Proceed south, pass Milan using the Tangentiale ovest, then take the A1 toward Bologna, the A16 towards Viareggio and then the A11 to Lucca.

By Train

Probably for the enthusiast only. Eurostar from Waterloo to Paris, sleeper or couchette overnight from Paris Lyon to Pisa. 15 hours +

By Coach

There is a coach service from London Victoria coach station to Florence. Probably suitable only if you don't like flying or travel by train. This is no longer a cheap option as low-cost airlines are frequently less expensive than this.