A lazy Italian, that’s what I am.

Pisa Arport or Florence Airport?

Pisa, Pisa, Pisa. Florence airport is small, dangerous, sad. That’s just my opinion of course, but I have travelled to and from both and Florence airport has always been a painful experience. Also, getting out of it by car is not easy and low cost airlines don’t fly there. Of course many Florence fans will disagree, but as I have already written, I’m stating my opinion here, not an absolute, universal truth.

Pisa and Florence are 1h apart and there are frequent trains and buses between the two cities, so I strongly believe Pisa is a much better choice.

Truth be told, some central and northern European destinations are better connected to Florence airport, but in general, I do all I can to avoid Florence airport just out of fear that the plane might land on the nearby Ikea store…

How far is Pisa airport from the city?

Pisa airport, contrary to most low cost airline destinations’ airports, is in the city. Literally. You could literally walk to the train station.
Very convenient.

How can I go from Pisa airport to Florence?

There are three affordable ways.

1. By train from Pisa Aeroporto. Pisa airport has a small train station (Pisa Aeroporto) right by the departures area. When you arrive at the airport, you can buy train tickets from a kiosk to the right of the arrivals gate and then you have to walk to the opposite end of the terminal. As an alternative, you can buy your ticket from the automatic machine on the platform and you won’t have to pay the agency fees that the kiosk at the arrivals area charges. The train ride costs 5,80 euros.
   The first train from Pisa airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella leaves at 6:53 am, the next one leaves at 9:53 am and then there is one every 2 hours until 7:53 pm. If you take either the 8:18 pm or the 9:03 pm train, you will have to change at Pisa Centrale. The last (direct) train from Pisa leaves at 10:20 pm. The ride to Florence lasts 57 minutes, except for the last three trains which take 1h 30 minutes.
2. By train from Pisa Centrale. The trains mentioned in #1 are not the only trains connecting Pisa and Florence. Trains leave every 20 minutes from the Central Train Station (Pisa Centrale). So, if you happen to land in between trains from Pisa Aeroporto and you don’t feel like waiting for 2 or 3 hours for the next train, exit the terminal and get on the city bus LAM Rossa that stops right in front of the arrivals area. It will take you to the central train station in 5 minutes (literally). There you can get on the next train to Florence. The last train is still at 10:30 pm. The train ride costs 5,80 euros, the bus ride costs 1 euro.
3. By bus. Terravision buses leave from outside the arrivals area and can take you to Florence Santa Maria Novella (the central train station, right downtown) in 70 minutes for 10 euros. If you buy the return ticket, the fare is 16 euros. Buses run between 8:40 am and 12:20 am, so for late flights this is the only option. Since June 13 2011 a new busline has also been operating. It’s called Autostradale and offers one way tickets from 9.50 euros per person and round tickets for 15.50 euros. On the Pisa airport website you can find schedules and prices for both these companies.

Then of course there are taxis and they usually charge approx. 130 euros. Here is the official website for the taxi company in Pisa called CO.TA.PI. And last but not least, there are many car rental agencies and some of them offer transfer services in minivans with driver for groups of up to 7 people.

How can I go from Pisa airport to the central train station?

There are two ways:

1. By city bus. The airport and the train station are both on the “red line”, linea rossa, which is the itinerary followed by the LAM Rossa bus, which stops at the airport every 8 to 15 minutes according to the time of the day and takes you to the central train station in 5 minutes for a 1 euro.
2. By taxi. The taxi ride may cost between 5,30 and 8 euros. There is a fee for your luggage too.

If it’s a nice day and you don’t have much luggage you can even walk.

How can I go from Pisa airport or train station to the Leaning Tower?

The airport, the central train station and the Leaning Tower are all on the same city bus line (Linea Rossa). The LAM Rossa, the city bus that services it, runs every 8 to 15 minutes and connects the airport to the train station in 5 minutes and then goes on to the Leaning Tower in approx 10 minutes. The bus ticket is always 1 euro and it is valid for 60 minutes (that even gives you time to hop off at the station, leave your luggage, and hop on the next Lam Rossa). If you get on the bus at the train station, they stop outside the NH- Hotel Jolly dei Cavalieri, opposite to the station.

You can also walk from the station to the Leaning Tower. Pisa is flat and the city center is small and beautiful. Check our walking itineraries in Pisa.

As a last, more pricey alternative, you can get a cab. The fare is 8 to 12 euros.

What is the best station to go to the Leaning Tower?

Many people come to Pisa from Florence to see the Leaning Tower. I recommend they take the time to explore the rest of the center which is really neat. Pisa has two train stations: Pisa Centrale and Pisa San Rossore.

Pisa San Rossore is closer to the Leaning Tower but it is on a secondary line so, unless you are coming from Lucca, get on a train that goes to Pisa Centrale or it will take much longer. There are frequent buses between Pisa Centrale and the Leaning Tower (they leave from outside the NH- Hotel Jolly dei Cavalieri, opposite to the station). Or you can walk: the center is small, it takes 30 minutes or less and it is good for your heart and soul!

Use Pisa as your base…

Have you considered choosing Pisa as a base for your stay in northern Tuscany? The city is pretty, it’s a great transportation hub where you don’t need to rent a car and it’s excellent to visit Lucca, Florence, Cinque Terre and even to go to beach. It’s a lively university city, full of little restaurants and bars, interesting museums and beautiful buildings. June is no doubt the best month to be around. Oh, and I forgot to say that we have a really nice vacation rental apartment in Pisa, Behind the Tower… have I convinced you? LOL

There are amazing 360° views of Florence and Pisa. The virtual tour of Piazza dei Miracoli at dusk is incredible. That’s when the piazza is at its best: so quiet and romantic! Also, the virtual tour of Pisa from the top of the Leaning Tower is really cool! You can see the roof of Behind the Tower!

There are also virtual tours of other Italian cities, like Rome, Milan, Venice, Parma, Turin and Verona.

Really, really a great idea! Enjoy!

This year the shows will take place in the magic atmosphere of the Boboli Gardens in Florence, the Abbey of San Galgano, the town of Montevarchi and in Barberino di Mugello.

Some of the events that we recommend:

• G. Verdi’s Aida – Florence, Boboli Garden (June 15, 25, July 9 and 21 at 9:15 pm).
• W. A. Mozart’s The Magic Flute – Die Zauberflote – Abbazia di San Galgano (June 27, July 18 and 25 at 9 pm).
• Paolo Poli and the Musical Tales – San Galgano Abbey (June 30 at 9 pm).
• Ballet Gala – Florence, Boboli Garden (July 1st at 9:15 pm).
• Zubin Metha. Messa da Requiem di Verdi – Florence, Boboli Garden (July 2nd at 9:15 pm).
• Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia – San Galgano Abbey (July 11th, August 1sr at 9:00 pm).
• Verdi’s Messa da Requiem – San Galgano Abbey (July 4th at 9:00 pm).
• Carmina Burana and Bolero, Florence, Boboli Garden (July 14th at 9:15 pm).
• Carmina Burana and Bolero, San Galgano Abbey (July 17th at 9:00 pm).
• Viennese Operetta Gala, Orchestra della Toscana – Florence, Boboli Garden (July 23rd at 9:15 pm).
• Finally Anbeta – San Galgano Abbey (July 28th at 9:00 pm).
• Roberto Bolle and Friends, Florence, Boboli Garden (July 29 and 30 at 9:15 pm).

Further information is available on the site of the Opera Festival, the lyrical festival of Tuscany. Tickets can be purchased online too.

Opera lovers should moreover not miss the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago. This edition of the festival proposes:

• La Bohème – July 10th, 15th, 19th, August 1st, 14th, 21st.
• Tosca - July 11th, 17th, 26th, August 9th and 20th.
• Turandot - July 18th, 25th, 31st, August 7th and 22nd.
• Manon Lescaut – August 2nd, 8th, and 13th.

An interest event to rememer is Lirica sotto le Stelle (Lyrical music under the stars) in Pisa (Giardino Scotto). The show staged is Puccini’s La Bohème on June 20th.