Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) occupies a unique position among Italian airports: it is not just a gateway to Pisa but to all of Tuscany. The airport sits less than 2 km from Pisa Centrale station, and a dedicated automated people-mover — the PisaMover — links the two in about five minutes. From Pisa Centrale, fast trains reach Florence in under an hour. Here is how the whole system fits together.
PisaMover: the airport rail link
The PisaMover is an automated cable-driven people-mover that runs from a station inside the airport terminal to Pisa Centrale railway station in around 5 minutes. It operates very frequently — roughly every 8 minutes — and runs from early morning until late at night, making it the default link between the airport and the rest of the transport network.
Tickets are bought at machines in the airport station. The fare is low. The journey is short enough that even with luggage it feels effortless; there are lifts between platforms and the boarding areas are step-free. The PisaMover station at the airport is on the upper floor of the terminal building, accessed by lift or escalator from arrivals.
Pisa Centrale: the hub for Tuscany
Once at Pisa Centrale, you have access to a well-connected regional and intercity network:
- Florence (Firenze SMN): regional trains run frequently, taking about 50–60 minutes. Fast Frecciabianca and some Intercity services cover the route in around 45 minutes. Florence is by far the most popular onward destination from Pisa Airport.
- Livorno: regional trains reach Livorno in 15–20 minutes, from where Sardinia ferries (Moby, Corsica Sardinia Ferries, GNV) depart.
- Lucca: a short regional train journey, about 30 minutes.
- Cinque Terre / La Spezia: roughly 1h15–1h30 by regional train northwards along the Ligurian coast.
- Siena, Arezzo and southern Tuscany: these require a change in Florence; plan accordingly.
See our guide to travelling Italy by train for more on building a Tuscan or wider Italian itinerary from Pisa.
Bus into Pisa city centre
For travellers staying in Pisa itself — near the Campo dei Miracoli / Leaning Tower rather than at Pisa Centrale — the LAM Rossa bus (part of the local CPT network) runs from the airport directly to the Leaning Tower district. Journey time is about 10 minutes. The bus is a sensible alternative to taking the PisaMover and then a taxi or second bus if your hotel is near the monuments.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Taxis are available from the rank outside arrivals. The fare to Pisa city centre is modest given the short distance — Pisa is a small city and most of its hotels are within 10 minutes of the airport by taxi. For Florence, a taxi is considerably more expensive than the train combination, taking roughly 1h–1h15 by motorway (A11 then A1) and costing multiples of the rail fare. It is rarely the right choice for the Florence leg unless you have a very specific address to reach and time to spare.
Uber is available in Pisa, though the fleet is smaller than in larger Italian cities.
Hire car for Tuscany
Pisa Airport has a strong selection of hire car desks and is an excellent starting point for a Tuscan road trip. The Val d'Orcia, Chianti, San Gimignano, Volterra and the Maremma coast are all appealing destinations that reward having your own vehicle. Collect a car on arrival if you plan to tour immediately; if you are spending a day or two in Pisa or Florence first, it may be easier to collect the car when you leave.
The ZTL restricted traffic zones in both Pisa and Florence mean driving into the historic centres is restricted. Park at the periphery and walk or use local buses.
Getting to Pisa city and the Leaning Tower
Pisa's famous Campo dei Miracoli with the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery is about 2 km from Pisa Centrale station — a 25-minute walk or a short bus or taxi ride. Many visitors to Pisa arrive and leave on the same day (it is a popular day trip from Florence), in which case the PisaMover to Centrale and then a short walk or bus to the monuments is the standard route. The tower can get crowded; timed entry is required for the tower climb itself.
Which option should you choose?
Take the PisaMover without hesitation — it is fast, frequent, cheap and removes any traffic uncertainty. From Pisa Centrale, the regional train to Florence is the overwhelming choice for most travellers. If you are staying near the Leaning Tower, the LAM Rossa bus from the airport is a direct and practical alternative to the PisaMover-then-taxi combination. A hire car makes sense for a Tuscan tour but not for point-to-point city travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Pisa Airport to Florence by public transport?
About 60–75 minutes in total: roughly 5 minutes on the PisaMover to Pisa Centrale, then 50–60 minutes on the regional train to Florence SMN. Fast Frecciabianca services do it in closer to 45 minutes from Centrale.
What is the PisaMover and does it cost extra?
The PisaMover is a short automated people-mover linking the airport to Pisa Centrale station. It has its own ticket, separate from train tickets, but the fare is low. Tickets are available at machines in the airport station.
Is there a direct bus from Pisa Airport to the Leaning Tower?
Yes. The LAM Rossa city bus runs directly from the airport to the Campo dei Miracoli area, taking about 10 minutes. It is the most convenient option if your hotel is in that part of the city.
Can I take a taxi from Pisa Airport to Florence?
Yes, but it is significantly more expensive than the train and takes a similar time or longer in traffic. The train is almost always the better choice for the Pisa–Florence leg.
Sources and further reading:
- PisaMover information and tickets: PisaMover (pisa-mover.com).
- Train times from Pisa Centrale: Trenitalia (trenitalia.com).
- Local bus services: CPT Pisa.
- Leaning Tower timed entry: opapisa.it.