Fastest ~50min by train
| 🚆 Train | ~50min–1h10 | Trenitalia regional, no reservation, frequent |
| 🚌 Bus | ~1.5–2h | FlixBus/regional, slower than train |
| 🚗 Car | ~1h–1h20 | SGC FI-PI-LI expressway, toll-free; parking hassle in Pisa |
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Florence to Pisa is one of Tuscany's most popular day trips, and it's straightforwardly easy by train: a direct regional service covers the roughly 80 km in about an hour, dropping you close to the centre of Pisa. Here's everything you need to know about getting there and back.
The quickest and most popular way: the direct train
Trenitalia regional trains run frequently between Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence's central station) and Pisa Centrale, with the journey taking approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes depending on the specific service and stops. Trains run throughout the day, making it easy to depart at your leisure and return when you're ready — no need to lock into a fixed schedule.
Regional trains between Florence and Pisa do not require advance seat reservations. You can buy your ticket at the station, at a self-service machine, or through the Trenitalia app, and board the next available service. This flexibility makes the route ideal for a spontaneous day trip.
Pisa Centrale station is about 1 km from the Piazza dei Miracoli — the square containing the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery. A walk from the station takes 20–25 minutes through pleasant streets, or a local bus covers the distance in a few minutes.
A faster option: trains via the high-speed line
Some Trenitalia services from Florence to Pisa run via a faster routing and take as little as 45 to 50 minutes. These are still regional-type services in practice but are worth choosing if you spot them when checking timetables. They're not high-speed trains in the Frecciarossa sense, but they're direct and comfortable.
By bus: slower but very cheap
FlixBus and regional Tuscan bus operators connect Florence and Pisa, though journey times are typically 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and the route, and the bus is significantly slower than the train. For most visitors, the train is the better choice — faster, more frequent, and often not much more expensive.
Driving: easy but parking is the catch
The drive from Florence to Pisa is around 80 km, primarily on the SGC FI-PI-LI (the Firenze–Pisa–Livorno expressway), which is free of tolls and takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes in normal traffic. The road is comfortable and dual-carriageway for most of its length.
The catch is parking in Pisa. The area around the Piazza dei Miracoli has limited and expensive parking, and the centre of Pisa has ZTL restrictions. If you drive, use the large car parks on the edge of the city and walk or take a bus from there. For a day trip to the Tower and not much else, the train genuinely makes more sense.
What to do in Pisa
Most visitors come to Pisa specifically for the Piazza dei Miracoli — the Campo of Miracles — and the Leaning Tower. The Tower itself requires a timed-entry booking made well in advance through the official ticket site; walk-up entry is not available. The Cathedral and Baptistery are magnificent in their own right and require separate tickets.
Beyond the Tower, Pisa has a pleasant old town, the Arno riverfront, the Borgo Stretto pedestrian street, and a relaxed café culture that can be a welcome contrast to Florence's intensity. A half-day is enough to see the Tower and surrounding square; a full day gives you time to explore properly.
If you're extending your Tuscan itinerary, Lucca is just 25 minutes by train from Pisa — a walled Renaissance city and one of Tuscany's most underrated stops. Find out more about getting around Tuscany and Italy by train.
Combining Florence and Pisa with wider Italy
Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) is directly on the main Rome–Milan high-speed axis, making it easy to combine with trips north to Bologna and Milan or south to Rome. See the routes section for guides to those journeys. Pisa also has its own international airport (Galileo Galilei), which is just 2 km from Pisa Centrale by train — a 5-minute shuttle rail service — making it a convenient entry or exit point for a Tuscan trip.
Which should you choose?
The regional train is the right choice for almost every visitor: frequent, affordable, no reservation required, and drops you close to the city centre. The bus is slower and not significantly cheaper. Driving is worth it only if Pisa is a stop on a wider Tuscan road trip — parking complications make it cumbersome for a simple day visit.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Florence to Pisa?
Direct regional trains from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale take approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, depending on the service. Faster services take as little as 45 minutes.
Do I need to book the train from Florence to Pisa in advance?
No. Regional trains on this route do not require advance seat reservations. You can buy a ticket at the station or on the Trenitalia app and board the next service. Remember to validate paper tickets before boarding.
How far is Pisa Centrale from the Leaning Tower?
Pisa Centrale is about 1 km from the Piazza dei Miracoli. The walk takes around 20–25 minutes through the old town, or a local bus connects the station to the square in a few minutes.
Should I book the Leaning Tower in advance?
Yes, strongly. Entry to climb the Leaning Tower must be booked in advance through the official ticket website — walk-up entry is not available. Book as far ahead as possible, especially in summer and at weekends.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables and tickets: Trenitalia official site.
- Leaning Tower bookings: Opera della Primaziale Pisana official site.