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How to get from Florence to Pisa
Pisa is a historical gem in the Tuscany Region. Famous around the world for its iconic Leaning Tower, the province is a must-visit for anyone exploring Italy.
Many choose to visit Pisa only as a day trip or as a pass-through, just to see the Leaning Tower before heading to the airport. But there is so much more to Pisa. In fact, it is one of the country’s main cities of art. Some other very interesting sights include the Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistery, Camposanto, and Palazzo Blu.
3 ways to get from Florence to Pisa
The best way to travel the 85 km journey from Florence to Pisa is by train. Train fares start from €9 ($9.50) and travel time is about 1-1.5 hours. Other options include a 1 to 1.5-hour bus with rates from €8 ($8.50) and a 1.5-hour taxi with prices from €180 ($190).
We recommend taking the train from Florence to Pisa. They are comfortable, spacious, and cheap. You can get a ticket for €9 ($9.50) and the journey takes around 1-1.5 hours. There are several departures every hour from morning to evening, and both train stations are conveniently located in the city centres.
There are also buses operating on this route, but with fewer departures daily. The estimated travel time is 1 to 1.5 hours, which can be much more depending on traffic conditions. We suggest taking this option only if you’re looking for a direct ride from Florence to Pisa Airport. Bus fares start from €8 ($8.50) to the city centre and €16 ($17) to the airport.
Do you prefer a private ride? You can get a taxi from Florence to Pisa from €180 ($190). We don’t think it’s worth spending this much when the train is already very efficient. Still, the taxi can be convenient if you’re travelling with young kids, older parents, or lots of luggage.
Itinerary from Florence to Pisa
Florence to Pisa by Train
When travelling from Florence to Pisa, nothing really beats the train when it comes to affordability and convenience.
Regional trains are the main trains for this route, and there are several departures every hour from morning until late evening, plus a midnight train departure. Travel time takes 1-1.5 hours for just €9 ($9.50).
There are also 3 Frecciargento high-speed trains available daily, but they depart from a different train station. These trains are twice as expensive as regional trains with fares from €19 ($20) since they can get you to Pisa in less than an hour.
Train schedules from Florence to Pisa
You can buy your tickets at the train station or you can skip the possibly long lines and buy them online instead. We recommend booking with Omio for its user-friendly booking system and the best prices.
Departure and arrival station
The train stations are located in both Florence and Pisa’s city centres.
Regional trains depart from Santa Maria Novella Station. This train station is just within walking distance of the famous Santa Maria Novella Basilica. Meanwhile, Freccia trains are available only at Florence Campo di Marte in Via Mannelli, about 4 km away from this basilica.
All trains arrive at Pisa Centrale near the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Want to get from Pisa Centrale to Pisa Airport by train?
Even though Florence has its own airport, flights departing and arriving at Pisa Airport are much cheaper. This is the main reason why many travellers fly from Pisa Airport instead of Florence Airport.
Upon arriving at Pisa Centrale by train, you can easily transfer to the PisaMover, a monorail that can then take you to Pisa Airport in around 8 minutes. Trains to the airport are available every 10 minutes.
Just follow the signs to the PisaMover station, buy your ticket at an automated ticket booth for €5 ($5), and then head on to the platform to await your ride.
Note that the monorail makes 2 stops, and you are to get off at the second one. The first stop is at San Giusto Aurelia Station, which leads to the airport car park.
Florence to Pisa by Bus
We don’t really see any reason to pick the bus over the train to get from Florence to Pisa. Although the buses are comfortable, they are slower, subject to delays, and highly dependent on traffic conditions. There are also fewer departures on this route, so you have limited options.
If you’re really keen on taking the bus, it’s still good to know that you have a couple of options. FlixBus offers 4 trips from morning to noon daily. You can also take the Caronna Tour bus if you’re heading directly to Pisa Airport.
Bus fares start from €8 ($8.50) for the 1 to 1.5-hour trip.
Bus schedules from Florence to Pisa
For guaranteed seats, you would want to book online beforehand. You can do that via BookAway for Caronna Tour. For FlixBus, you can book directly through its company website.
Departure and arrival station
The buses have different departure and arrival stations.
FlixBus departs from Villa Constanza Bus Station in Scandicci, which you can reach via a 25-minute Tram Line 1 ride from Florence city centre. You will be dropped off at Pisa Pietrasantina Bus Stop near the city centre.
On the other hand, Caronna Tour buses depart from the T2 Guidoni bus stop outside Florence Airport and bring you directly to Pisa Airport.
Florence to Pisa by Taxi
A private transfer from Florence to Pisa is quite expensive, but it is definitely worth considering if you’re travelling with family or people with limited mobility. You can be dropped off at your hotel in Pisa or at Pisa Airport.
Taxi fares start from €180 ($190) and travel time is around 1.5 hours.
When taking a taxi from one town to another in Italy, you should take note of a couple of things:
- You can get a taxi from the nearest taxi stand or have your hotel call one for you. Never trust a driver who stops to offer you a ride.
- Check to ensure that the metre is working. If it doesn’t, pick another ride. That’s unless the driver offers you a rate that is around the mentioned price above.
The last time we checked (June 2022), Uber is not yet available in Florence, so your only options are a public taxi or a private transfer.
If you’re travelling in a larger group, you can book a minivan that can sit up to 8 people through GetYourGuide. Rates start from €209 ($220) for 3 people with an additional cost for extra passengers.
Check Private Transfers with GetYourGuide
Most popular routes in Europe
Florence to Pisa in a nutshell
- Distance: 85 km (53 miles)
- Available transport options: Train, bus and taxi
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours
- Costs: €8 ($8.50) – €180 ($190)
About the author(s)
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
