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How to get from Pisa to Florence
Popularly known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is where you’d want to go for the best of medieval art and culture.
Visit the Uffizi and Accademia galleries for the most iconic European masterpieces, particularly Michelangelo’s marble monument David. Walk the streets of the Historic Centre and marvel at how this ancient Etruscan settlement became one of the wealthiest cities in the Middle Ages.
3 ways to get from Pisa to Florence
The train is the most convenient way to travel the 85 km distance from Pisa to Florence. A ticket costs €9 ($9.50) for the 1 to 1.5-hour journey. Other options include a 1 to 1.5-hour bus and a 1.5-hour private transfer with rates from €8 ($8.50) and €180 ($190), respectively.
The train is our most recommended way to get from Pisa to Florence. They’re cheap, fast, convenient, and trains depart several times every hour from morning to late at night. You can get a ticket for €9 ($9.50). The train stations are also located within the city centres, so you don’t need any additional rides.
Travelling by bus from Pisa to Florence is also cheap, but there are only a few departures daily. We don’t really recommend this option unless you’re coming from Pisa Airport. Bus rates start from €8 ($8.50) from Pisa city centre and €16 ($17) from Pisa Airport. The estimated 1 to 1.5-hour travel time can also get longer depending on traffic conditions.
You can also take a 1.5-hour taxi from Pisa to Florence, but the taxi is the most expensive option with fares from €180 ($190). We don’t think it’s worth spending this much when you can just as easily take the train for just a few euros. But if you’re travelling in a group and want a door-to-door transfer, then it’s a very convenient choice.
Pisa to Florence by Train
We recommend taking the train from Pisa to Florence as it has everything you could ask for. During the 1 to 1.5-hour train ride, you get comfortable and spacious seats, plenty of room for luggage, and awesome views.
More importantly, all trains on this route are direct, so no need for any transfers. Another great advantage of taking the train is that you won’t get stuck in traffic jams.
There are 2 types of trains available on this route:
- Regionale trains depart several times every hour from 04:15 to 22:30. Travel time is around 1-1.5 hours for just €9 ($9.50).
- There are also 3 Frecciargento high-speed trains daily. Travel time is only a bit faster, around 50 minutes, but tickets are twice more expensive at €19 ($20).
Considering the price and travel time difference, we don’t really recommend taking a Freccia train. That’s unless you prefer to travel 1st class, which is only available on a high-speed train from Pisa to Florence.
Train schedules from Pisa to Florence
Both Pisa and Florence are very busy tourist spots, so if you want to skip the possibly long queues at the train station, it’s best to book your ticket online beforehand. We recommend booking via Omio for its easy and efficient user interface.
Departure and arrival station
All trains depart from Pisa Centrale. That’s just 1 km south of the Leaning Tower.
If you take a regional train, you will get off at Santa Maria Novella Station in the city centre, located 1 km northwest of Florence Cathedral. Freccia trains arrive at Florence Campo di Marte in Via Mannelli, about 3 km away from this cathedral.
Coming from Pisa Airport?
Are you coming from Pisa Airport? The airport is located only 1.5 km south of Pisa Centrale, making it very easy to complete this leg of the journey. You can simply take an 8-minute PisaMover, a monorail that connects the airport to Pisa Centrale.
You can buy a ticket at the PisaMover ticket machine for €5 ($5). Train tickets to Florence are also available here, which saves you the hassle of queuing for tickets again at Pisa Centrale.
Trains are available every 10 minutes. Note that the PisaMover makes one stop at San Giusto Aurelia Station (airport car park) before arriving at Pisa Centrale.
Pisa to Florence by Bus
We don’t really see any benefit in taking the bus over the train, except if you’re coming from Pisa Airport. The estimated travel time for the bus ride is 1 to 1.5 hours, but it can still depend on traffic conditions. There are also fewer trips on this route.
FlixBus is the only train company departing and arriving from the city centres. There are bus trips daily but only from afternoon to evening. Prices start from €8 ($8.50).
If you’re coming from Pisa Airport, you can take a Caronna Tour Bus to Florence. For this option, fares are twice more expensive at €16 ($17).
Bus schedules from Pisa to Florence
If you’re travelling with Caronna Tour, then you can buy a ticket on BookAway. You can book FlixBus directly through its website.
Departure and arrival station
FlixBus buses are available at Pietra Petrasantina, which is located 1.5 km northwest of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You will be dropped off at Villa Constanza Bus Station, which is a 25-minute tram ride away from Florence city centre.
On the other hand, Caronna Tour buses that depart from Pisa Airport will drop you off at the T2 Guidoni bus stop outside Florence Airport.
Pisa to Florence by Taxi
Travelling in a group? Taking a private transfer can be quite pricey. We don’t think it’s a very practical choice considering the trains are already very efficient.
However, if you’re travelling with kids, older parents, or lots of luggage, then it’s also worth considering. Depending on your exact pick-up and drop-off, taxi rates from Pisa to Florence can be around €180 ($190).
The best way to get a taxi is to approach one in a taxi stand, or you can ask your hotel to call one for you. In Italy, it is not customary for professional drivers to offer a ride, so if someone does, don’t accept it! Also, make sure their metreis turned on. If the driver wants to set a price, make sure that it’s around the price we mentioned above so you won’t get ripped off.
If you want a guaranteed secure ride and are travelling in a large group, you can just book a minivan with GetYourGuide. They offer private transfers from Pisa to Florence with rates from €209 ($220) for 3 people. The van can sit up to 8 people, but you would have to pay additional costs.
Book a Private Transfer with GetYourGuide
Pisa to Florence 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)
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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.
