How to Get From Florence to Pisa: The 3 Best Ways

Beautifully set in the idyllic Tuscany region, straddling the Arno river, Pisa is one of the most legendary destinations in Italy. The city's main attraction is the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most remarkable architectural structures from medieval Europe, aside from boasting an array of fabulous things to discover, including historic churches, medieval buildings, and dreamy bridges. Pisa is also home to the ancient-old University of Pisa, which has a history going back to the 12th century, being founded by Napoleon in 1810.

Rich in history and culture, Pisa is located just 42 miles from Florence, making it a fabulous day trip from the Tuscan capital. Several transportation options such as buses, and long-distance trains link the two cities, covering the route in less than 2 hours.

To help you enjoy a one-of-a-kind trip, we’ve put together a guide to the best ways to travel from Florence to Pisa, covering 3 different transport options. Have a look below!

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Where Is Pisa Located?

Pisa is located in Tuscany, on the western coast of Italy. The city is situated at the mouth of the Arno River, only 20 minutes from the Ligurian Sea.

Where to Stay In Pisa?

Pisa might be a small city, but it flaunts a huge array of tourist attractions (including the worldwide famous Leaning Tower of Pisa), so you might want to reserve 2 to 3 days in order to experience the city in depth.

The city also boasts a dazzling array of accommodations options that cater to every taste and budget. So whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic getaway or a solo traveler in search of some adventure, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay in Pisa.

Click here to discover a well-curated list of incredible places to stay in Pisa, including comfy hotels, vacation apartments, b&bs, and more.

How To Get From Florence To Pisa

Florence to Pisa by Car

Driving is a great way to reach Pisa from Florence. The journey takes about an hour (64 miles) on either the SS67 (shorter route) or the A11/E76 highways, which will reward you with some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Tuscan countryside.

There are plenty of great stops between Florence and Pisa. Must-visits include Lucca, beautifully encircled by well-preserved Renaissance walls, San Gimignano, dotted with medieval towers, and Livorno, known for its alluring canals.

There will be tolls to pay along the route, so be sure you either bring Euros to pay in cash or have your debit/credit card ready.

Florence to Pisa by Train

The train is the most convenient way to travel from Florence to Pisa. There are 46 direct trains per day leaving covering the Florence-Pisa route, and the journey can take between 49 minutes to 1h30, depending on what train you choose.

Most trains depart from the Florence Santa Maria Novella Station (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) and arrive at the Pisa Train Station (Pisa Centrale Station), which is located just a few minutes away from the Pisa city center. The earliest train leaves the Florence Train Station for Pisa at 12:40 a.m. The last train to Pisa leaves Florence at 11:07 p.m (note that the train schedules and services may vary between weekdays and weekends).

The fastest way to reach Pisa from Florence is by taking the high-speed train, which can reach a maximum speed of 155 mi/h. You can opt for either the Frecciabianca or Frecciargento trains, both are operated by Trenitalia, the national railway company of Italy.

Most high-speed trains offer Wi-Fi, a food cart with snacks, air-conditioning, and electrical outlets (these amenities are not offered on regular trains – the slower trains). The high-speed train ride to Pisa takes between 46 to 50 minutes.

This journey is always direct, so you won't stop or need to change trains.

Trenitalia also operates Intercity trains, which run on standard lines outside the high-speed network. All Intercity trains are modern and comfortable with plenty of seats, retractable tables, power sockets, air conditioning, courtesy lights, and plenty of luggage space. There are also Intercity Night trains that allow you to travel overnight in cabins with beds, berths, or seating.

If you’re traveling from Florence to Pisa on a budget you can opt for the regional trains, which usually cost around €9 (one way). There isn't much difference in price depending on when you book the train tickets. However, these slower commute trains make stops along the way and take more time to reach the final destination (journey duration is 1h14).

While you don't need to book train tickets to some regional trains in advance, it's recommended that you book all high-speed train tickets ahead of time.

Florence to Pisa by Bus

Alternatively, it’s also possible to reach Pisa from Florence by long-distance-bus. The buses are direct and depart from Florence's Piazzale Montelungo bus station. They cover a distance of 43 miles in about 1h30. Your journey time may vary depending on traffic conditions along the route.

One of the most popular companies that run buses from Florence to Pisa is Flixbus. All of their buses are equipped with facilities onboard such as air-conditioning, power sockets, and luggage storage space.

Taking the bus is the perfect option for budget travelers, as tickets can be half the price of the train if you buy them at least a week or two in advance. Fares for the outbound trip can cost as little as €7.

Florence to Pisa Train: Schedule, Tickets, and What to Expect

The regional train from Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella station) to Pisa (Pisa Centrale station) runs every 30 minutes throughout the day. Journey time is 50-60 minutes. Ticket cost: €8.90 each way from Trenitalia's fixed regional fare. There is no advance booking requirement or seat reservation for regional trains. Buy tickets at the station on the day from the Trenitalia ticket machines or app.

Which station in Florence. All trains to Pisa depart from Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN), the main Florence station in the city centre. Not from Campo di Marte or Rifredi. SMN is walkable from most Florence hotels. The Pisa Centrale station in Pisa is a separate station from Pisa Aeroporto. If you are flying out of Pisa airport, Pisa Aeroporto station is one stop before Pisa Centrale on the same line.

Validate your ticket. Regional train tickets in Italy must be validated (stamped) before boarding. Look for the yellow/green validation machines on the platform. Failure to validate results in a fine from controllers even if you have a valid ticket. Tickets bought on the Trenitalia app display a QR code that is activated at purchase time and does not require physical validation.

High-speed option. Faster Intercity and Frecciabianca trains make the journey in 46 minutes. Cost is €15-25 depending on booking date. These require seat reservations but are bookable same-day if seats remain. For most day-trip visitors, the €8.90 regional train is the practical choice. The 10-minute time saving rarely justifies the price difference. Florence hotels near SMN station on CuddlyNest from €65/night.

What to Do in Pisa: From the Station to the Leaning Tower

Pisa Centrale station is 1.4 km from the Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), which is where the Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Baptistery, and Camposanto are located. The walk from the station takes 20 minutes on a flat, signposted route. Taxis at the station rank are available and charge €7-10. There is no meaningful time advantage to taking a taxi unless you have luggage.

Leaning Tower tickets. The Tower costs €20 per person to climb. Timed tickets are mandatory and sell out weeks ahead in summer. Buy at opapisa.it. The Cathedral (Duomo) entry is free with a ticket collected at the ticket office. The Baptistery costs €7. The Camposanto costs €7. A combined ticket for all four monuments costs €27.

How long to spend. The Field of Miracles takes 2 hours to see the Cathedral, Baptistery, and Camposanto at a comfortable pace, not counting a Tower climb. Add 30 minutes for the Tower (the climb has timed entry, groups of 40 people at 35-minute intervals). A full Pisa morning or afternoon, arriving by 9 AM or 2 PM, is enough to do all four monuments without rushing. Pisa is walkable. There is little reason to stay past 4-5 hours unless you are eating locally.

The rest of Pisa beyond the Tower. Most day-trippers go to the Field of Miracles and leave. The rest of the city is largely a university town with a medieval centre worth 30-45 minutes of walking: Piazza dei Cavalieri, the Palazzo della Carovana, and the covered market along Borgo Stretto. Lunch near the Field of Miracles is tourist-priced. Walk 10 minutes toward the station for better-value restaurants. Pisa hotels on CuddlyNest from €55/night.