How to Get to Pisa from Florence, Rome & Milan

Pisa is one of the most accessible day-trip destinations in Tuscany. The city has excellent rail connections to the rest of Italy, its own international airport, and is within easy reach of Florence, Rome, and Milan. This guide covers every option — train, bus, car, and organised tour — with specific details on travel times, costs, stations, and how to get from the station to Piazza dei Miracoli.

Getting to Pisa from Florence

Florence is the most popular base for a Pisa day trip. The two cities are approximately 90 km apart by road, and the rail connection is one of the most frequent in Tuscany.

By Train (Recommended)

Regional trains run between Florence Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN) and Pisa Centrale approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day, with more frequent services during peak hours. The journey takes 55–75 minutes depending on the number of intermediate stops.

Which station to use in Pisa?

Pisa has two stations relevant to Piazza dei Miracoli:

• Pisa San Rossore — one stop before Pisa Centrale on most Florence–Pisa trains. Piazza dei Miracoli is just a 13-minute walk from here. This is the better option for most visitors going directly to the Tower.
• Pisa Centrale — the main station with all amenities (luggage storage, shops, tourist information). Piazza dei Miracoli is a 20–25 minute walk or a short bus/taxi ride. Bus LAM Rossa (direction Pietrasantina) runs from the station to the “Torre” stop approximately every 10 minutes; the fare is around €1.50.

Tip: Not all trains stop at Pisa San Rossore — check your specific train on trenitalia.com or italiarail.com before booking. If your train terminates at Pisa Centrale, you can take a short two-stop regional train back to Pisa San Rossore.

Tickets can be purchased at station machines, online through Trenitalia or Omio, or through reseller platforms. Regional train tickets do not require advance reservation — you can buy on the day — but remember to validate your ticket at the yellow machines on the platform before boarding.

By Bus

FlixBus and other operators run coach services between Florence and Pisa. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, departing from Florence’s Villa Costanza bus station (reachable by tram). Tickets start from €7 but buses arrive at Pisa’s bus station rather than near the Tower, requiring additional transport. The train is generally faster, more frequent, and more convenient.

By Organised Tour

A half-day guided tour from Florence bundles return coach transport, a local guide at the square, and optional Tower tickets into a single booking. This removes all transport logistics and is particularly useful for visitors who have not pre-booked Tower tickets independently.

By Car

Pisa is approximately 1 hour by car from Florence via the A11 motorway. However, the historic centre of Pisa is a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) — a restricted traffic zone — which means private vehicles cannot drive close to Piazza dei Miracoli. Paid parking is available on the city’s outskirts. Free parking exists on Via Pietrasantina and surrounding streets, approximately a 15–20 minute walk from the square. Given the convenience and cost of the train, driving from Florence is rarely the better option.

Getting to Pisa from Rome

Rome is approximately 350 km from Pisa. There is no direct high-speed train between the two cities, but the connection via Florence is straightforward.

By Train (Recommended)

The fastest route is high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Frecciargento) from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (approximately 1.5 hours), then a regional train from Florence to Pisa Centrale (approximately 1 hour). Total journey time: approximately 2.5–3 hours including the connection.

Regional-only routes (without the high-speed leg) are cheaper but take 3.5–4 hours. High-speed trains require reservations and should be booked in advance, especially in peak season.

By Organised Tour

A guided day trip from Rome to Florence and Pisa handles all transport and covers both cities in a single day. See our full review of the Florence & Pisa Day Trip from Rome for itinerary, timing, and what is included.

Getting to Pisa from Milan

Milan is approximately 280 km from Pisa. The most efficient route is via Florence by high-speed train.

By Train (Recommended)

High-speed trains (Frecciarossa or Italo) run frequently between Milano Centrale and Firenze Santa Maria Novella (approximately 1.75 hours). From Florence, take a regional train to Pisa Centrale (approximately 1 hour).

Direct overnight trains from Milan to Pisa exist on some days but are slow (approximately 4 hours) and limited in frequency. The Florence connection is the standard and recommended route.

Arriving at Pisa Airport (Galileo Galilei)

Pisa has its own international airport — Aeroporto Internazionale di Pisa Galileo Galilei — which serves many European destinations. It is one of the primary airports for Tuscany, and many visitors to both Pisa and Florence fly in here.

From Pisa airport to Piazza dei Miracoli: – PisaMover train — a light rail shuttle connects the airport to Pisa Centrale station in approximately 5 minutes (€5). From Pisa Centrale, walk 20–25 minutes to the square or take bus LAM Rossa. – Bus — local buses run from the airport area toward the city centre. Journey time approximately 15–20 minutes. – Taxi — approximately €10–€15 to Piazza dei Miracoli.

From Pisa airport to Florence: Take the PisaMover to Pisa Centrale, then a regional train to Florence Santa Maria Novella (approximately 1 hour, €9–€12). Alternatively, direct airport buses (Terravision or Flixbus) run to Florence, taking approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Getting from Pisa Centrale to Piazza dei Miracoli

Once at Pisa Centrale, you have three options to reach the Leaning Tower:

Walk (20–25 minutes): The most pleasant option in good weather. Follow Via Santa Maria north from the station toward the river, cross the Arno, and continue north. The route passes through Pisa’s attractive historic centre. Street signs for the Tower are well placed throughout the walk.

Bus LAM Rossa (5–10 minutes): Take the red bus from outside the station in the direction of “Pietrasantina Park” to the “Torre” stop. Tickets cost approximately €1.50 and can be purchased from the driver or nearby tabacchi shops. Validate your ticket on boarding.

Taxi (5–8 minutes): Taxis are available outside the station. The fare to Piazza dei Miracoli is approximately €8–€12. Note: Uber does not operate in Pisa.