Private car transfer from Rome to Lucca

Pepper in a couple of sightseeing stops to break up the trip into a full day tour of Italy unlike any other. Customize your transfer with stops at unique points of interest like the Sacro Bosco garden, a 16th century memorial garden full of equal parts macabre sculptures of mythical creatures and lush greenery.

Lucca is only a short distance northeast from Pisa, so lean into the culture with a stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a walk around the historic downtown. With a Daytrip driver behind the wheel, you’ll have a front seat to local insights, expert driving, and the flexible travel experience you won’t find on a bus or train. Welcome to Lucca!

The city’s layout, with its narrow, winding streets and small squares, still reflects its medieval past but with a twist. Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, Lucca’s main square, is uniquely oval-shaped, as it was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater. Its elliptical shape is still clearly visible today and leaves visitors pondering what the ancient structure must have looked like.

Lucca’s claim to fame is its well-preserved Renaissance walls, built between the 16th and 17th centuries. Unlike many other Italian cities where old fortifications have been dismantled, Lucca’s walls remain intact, encircling the historic center. These massive, tree-lined walls are now a peaceful promenade, perfect for walking or cycling. The 3.1 mile (5 km) path is perfect for elevated views of the city and the Tuscan countryside.

For fans of Italian opera, Lucca has another claim to fame. It is the birthplace of the renowned composer Giacomo Puccini. He is most recognized for the operas La Bohème and Madama Butterfly, which have left an indelible mark on the world of music. Puccini’s childhood home in Lucca has been turned into a museum and is open to tours.

Download an offline map of the area

Conserve battery life and your mobile data by downloading offline versions of the maps for cities and towns you’ll visit. Offline maps have some limitations (for example, public transit directions won’t be as accurate), but overall they are helpful for walking directions and getting oriented. When you are on wifi at home or in your hotel follow these directions to download maps of the cities in Italy you plan to explore.

• Instructions for Google Maps
• Instructions for Apple Maps

Download an offline dictionary to translate Italian

If your Italian is a little rusty, don’t fear! Rome is a large city with plenty of English-speaking locals and menus in English, but smaller cities like Lucca are a different story.

Google Translate is a handy app for quick translations and you can even download an offline version of Italian to save on battery life and mobile data usage. In rural areas of Italy, mobile data may also fall out of service or lose speed, so don’t rely on a stable internet connection for every translation!

Driving from Rome to Lucca

Driving is the fastest and most straightforward way to travel. There are no transfers or train schedules to follow. This route takes 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete.

Your Italian vacation is not the time to be navigating the rental car system, gathering driving documents, or learning how to survive on Rome’s roads. Hire a local driver who knows the notorious driving culture of Italy and will get you safely to Lucca.

Daytrip makes hiring a vetted, professional driver easy. Our online booking system lets you book your trip in advance, add sightseeing stops around Tuscany, and even accommodate children’s car seats. Transfers from Rome to Lucca start at $118 (€108), so book yours today with the speed and convenience only Daytrip can offer!

Trains from Rome to Lucca

There are no direct trains from Rome to Lucca, and finding a route that only requires one transfer is tricky. However, Italo Treno and Trenitalia have a few daily services between Rome and Pisa. Once you arrive at the Pisa train station, you will need to take a regional train to Lucca, which is 12 miles (20 km) from Pisa.

The total cost for the train tickets is between $35 and $80 (€32-€73), depending on how far ahead you book your seats and their class. Add any costs associated with the taxi or public bus rides to and from the train stations. Expect this trip to take 4 to 5 hours.

Buses from Rome to Lucca

Flixbus has only two direct bus routes per day from Rome to Lucca. Your options are:

• 10:15 AM to 3:10 PM
• 10:55 PM to 2:15 AM (the next day)

The bus ride takes 5 hours and costs between $18 and $45 (€16-€41) for one passenger and one piece of luggage.

Walk or bike the city walls

City walls you can walk on? You heard it right! When you think of Renaissance-era city walls, you probably imagine brittle tourist attractions that need constant maintenance, but not in Lucca!

Lucca’s city walls, or le mura di Lucca, are more like a raised promenade around the city. They are wide, lined with trees, and stand several yards above the ground. The walking and biking paths allow you a bird’s eye view of the old city center that is unique to Lucca. The entire perimeter is 3.1 miles (5 km), and it is easy to rent bikes for your visit. This is easily the most fun way to tour the town and get your bearings.

Have a coffee on Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

This unique, oval-shaped piazza was once a Roman amphitheater and is now surrounded by colorful buildings and lively cafes. It is the center of life here in Lucca and has a fun atmosphere for sipping a coffee and watching the world walk by.

Climb Torre Guinigi

Ascend this iconic tower topped with ancient oak trees for stunning views of Lucca’s rooftops and surrounding countryside. The trees at the top of the tower are a fun and unique addition to the tower and provide much-needed shade in the summer. Entrance is only $6 and requires climbing lots of stairs, so be prepared with appropriate footwear.

Visit Duomo di San Martino (Lucca Cathedral)

Admire the beautiful Romanesque architecture, intricate carvings, and stunning artwork inside. For an additional $3 (€2.75) entrance fee, you can climb the tower for great views of Lucca and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

The crowds are also thinner compared to summer, allowing for a more relaxed experience. Avoiding the peak summer months ensures a more comfortable and authentic experience in this enchanting Tuscan town.

Fall in Tuscany is an unbelievable experience. As the grape harvesting season descends upon the region, the fields come to life with the buzz of wine production. Pair a glass of local wine with delicious Tuscan cuisine for the best meal of your entire trip.