If you’re based in Florence and are looking for a quick day trip, Pisa is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips you can make. In just over an hour, you’ll trade Renaissance palaces for the iconic Leaning Tower, medieval squares, and a lively student-town atmosphere. The best part? The journey itself—passing through Tuscany’s countryside of vineyards, villas, and little towns—already feels like part of the adventure.
So, how do you actually get there? Here's a breakdown of your best options, so you can decide which best fits your itinerary for traveling to Pisa from Florence.
*Note: All prices are accurate at time of writing, and may be subject to change. Always double-check before you go!
1. By Train
Most visitors choose the train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) to Pisa Centrale—and for good reason. It’s quick, frequent, and inexpensive. Trains leave roughly every 30 minutes, and depending on whether you take the high-speed or regional line, you’ll arrive in about 50 to 80 minutes.
Klook Tip: Regional trains don’t require seat reservations, so if you’re catching one in the morning rush, try to board early to snag a window seat. The scenery of Tuscan hills is worth it.
Florence to Pisa trains (regional) start at around €8.90 (~USD 10), while high-speed (Frecciargento or Frecciabianca) services may cost around €21–24 (~USD 25-28). Don’t forget! Regional tickets need to be validated in the little green machines before boarding. Many first-time visitors forget this, and the fines can be hefty.
The regional Pisa train from Florence is all well and good if you’re only staying between those two locations, but if you’re going to be exploring different cities in Italy, a train pass might be worth your time. There are two options for you: the Trenitalia Pass or the Eurail Italy Pass. They offer flexibility and point-to-point coverage across regions in Italy.
Option | Price Range | Travel Time Florence–Pisa | Flexibility | Seat Reservation | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trenitalia Pass | From €139 or ~ USD 162 (3 trips in 7 days, Adult 2nd class) | High-speed: ~50–60 min | Valid on Frecce high-speed trains, Intercity trains, Eurocity trains, and Italian domestic routes | Required for high-speed trains | Italy-wide, multiple cities | Travelers planning multi-city Italy trips with flexibility |
Eurail Italy Pass | From €165 or ~USD 188 (3 travel days in 1 month, Adult 2nd class) | Same as Trenitalia | More flexible: unlimited travel per travel day | Same as Trenitalia | Italy-wide, also covers some private railways + cross-border routes | Visitors who want unlimited train rides per day and freedom to hop on/off |
Regional Train Ticket (Florence–Pisa) | €8.70–€12.00 or ~USD 10-13 one-way | ~1h 20m | Fixed route & time, must buy per trip | No reservation needed, just validate ticket before boarding | Only regional routes | Budget travelers or day-trippers just going Florence ↔ Pisa |
Florence SMN to Pisa Centrale
Pisa Centrale, Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Santa Maria Novella is central to Florence, iconic in itself and easy to reach by foot or public transport. Here, you can grab a quick bite before you board since you’ll find cafés, bakeries, and even mini-supermarkets.
On the other hand, Pisa Centrale is also well equipped: 16 platforms, waiting rooms, shops, luggage storage, and even bars and cafés to refuel after your ride. Just have an eye out for pickpockets here: Keep valuables close and be especially alert on crowded platforms.
Klook Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds on regional trains, opt for an early morning train ride. The schedule of regional trains can vary depending on the season, so for up-to-date timetables, we recommend downloading the official Trenitalia app to better plan your journey. 📲
2. By Bus
Flixbus in Florence, Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
There are a few bus options, but most cater to trips between airports. This is ideal if you land at Florence Airport and head to Pisa, rather than the city center.
- FlixBus from Villa Costanza in Florence to Pisa takes about 1 hour 35 minutes and costs around €8–9 (~USD 9-11)
- Marino offers a longer ~2 h 15 m ride for around €14.80 (~USD 17)
- Flibco connects Florence airport (T2 Guidoni) to Pisa Airport in ~1 hour, costing €12–13 (~USD 14-15). From Pisa Airport, you can get to Pisa Centrale with the PisaMover, a shuttle train, in 5 minutes. The trip costs €5 (~USD 6).
If you plan on taking public transportation to get to Pisa from Florence, free public WiFi might be spotty or unavailable in some areas. Consider getting a Europe eSIM for reliable data all over Italy, which is especially helpful for checking train and bus schedules. You can just install it on your phone via QR code, no need to swap out your physical SIM card.
3. By Car
Highways in Italy, Photo Credit: Virgilio
Traveling to Pisa from Florence by car offers flexibility, especially if you're exploring beyond Pisa, but Tuscany’s ZTL zones (limited-traffic areas) can be confusing and costly if you drive into the city center without authorization. Here are the routes you can take, just to give you an overview:
- SGC Firenze–Pisa Livorno (superstrada): The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and passing this way is free of charge but it’s prone to congestion.
- Autostrada A11 (Firenze–Mare motorway): Time similar to the SGC Firenze–Pisa Livorno, but the roads here are wider and safer. Just take note of the tolls (over €7 or ~USD 20)
In Pisa, there is paid parking near the Leaning Tower. Or, you can also leave your car in the Via Pietrasantina free lot and walk or bus into the center!
4. Guided Tours
The Duomo and the Leaning Tower at the Piazza dei Miracoli, Photo Credit: aitac on Unsplash
Want a hassle-free day? Organized tours are a stress-free way to experience Pisa (and Siena, San Gimignano, or Chianti depending on which tour you get) with round-trip transfers, commentary, and even traditional local meals included.
You can kick off your adventure with the Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli Half-Day Walking Tour, which is perfect for first-time visitors since this hits all of the city’s major attractions. You’ll be able to visit Piazza dei Miracoli, which includes the Leaning Tower, the Duomo, and the Baptistery with a friendly local guide. You can also opt to get the skip-the-line entrance to the Leaning Tower if you want to go inside.
Siena skyline
Now if you want to explore more of Tuscany in one go, consider the Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano Day Tour from Florence for a full regional immersion before homing back to Florence. If you prefer a fully-guided tour of those locations, you can check out the Highlights of Tuscany Tour. You’ll be able to see the vineyards of Chianti, have lunch at San Gimignano, and end the day at Siena Cathedral – all in one unforgettable day.
Traveling to Pisa from Florence is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips you can take in Italy. With trains leaving frequently, affordable regional tickets, and flexible passes like the Trenitalia or Eurail, you can plan the journey to fit your schedule.
Once you’re in Pisa, the famous Leaning Tower and the rest of Piazza dei Miracoli are just a short walk from the station. Whether you spend two hours snapping photos or half a day wandering, Pisa is worth the stop for sure.
FAQs
Is Pisa a day trip from Florence?
Yes! Pisa is just about an hour from Florence by train, making it one of the easiest Florence to Pisa day trip options. Trains run often and cost under €10 (~USD 12), so you can go in the morning, see the sights, and be back before dinner.
Is Pisa really worth visiting?
Definitely. The Leaning Tower is the star, but the whole Piazza dei Miracoli (Cathedral, Baptistery, and Camposanto) is a UNESCO site worth seeing. Pisa also has charming streets, cafés, and a lively student vibe, though it’s best as a half-day stop.
How far is Pisa from Florence by high-speed train?
By high-speed train, the journey can take just 49 minutes. You can look into the Trenitalia Pass or the Italy Eurail Pass to get deals on high-speed transfers, especially if you’re planning to visit multiple cities in Italy. Many visitors to Italy also take the Regionale trains, which reach Pisa in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Is 2 hours in Pisa enough?
For the highlights—snapping photos, climbing the Leaning Tower, and walking around the square—yes. But if you’d like to visit the Cathedral, stroll along the Arno, or enjoy a café stop, plan at least half a day.
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