rb24

Hello,

Have a few questions...

We have an option of either landing in Bologna (Easyjet) or landing in Pisa (Ryanair) and from there, get to Florence.

I read somewhere that you can take a train from either Bologna or Pisa to Florence and it's about an hour long.

Are the trains more frequent in one city over the other? And do they take the same length of time to get to Florence?

Would landing in one be a better alternative over the other?

Also, we have about six days in Florence and Tuscany. What would you say are the must-sees?

Thanks for all your help.

rex

Pisa is closer. Bologna (Forli) has been closed a certain period this summer for extensive construction work at the airport - - or at least that's what I think I have read on the Ryanair site (or was it Easyjet?).

Don't know if this is the only Bologna airport, nor if it means nice improvements after the fact or not.

Ryanair pretty much has info on ground connections on their website for every website, and usuallu a lino to the airport's website (if one exists) - - click on "Destinations" - - here is what they list for Pisa: http://www.ryanair.ie/destinfo03/des...psa&opt=12

======================================

Pisa Airport is situated approximately 1.5 kilometres from Pisa city centre.

Bus
The number 3 bus travels from the Airport to Pisa train station every 20 minutes. Tickets cost EUR 0.80 one way. There is a coach service between the airport and Florence city centre terminating at SITA coach station, near the main railway station. It costs just over EUR 10 one way.

Terravision Express Shuttle
A dedicated coach service for Ryanair passengers operates between Pisa
airport and the centre of Florence (Santa Maria Novella station).
Tickets cost Eur10.50 one-way and Eur16.50 return.
All return ticket holders receive a free copy of our illustrated guide to their destination city.

Train
Journey from Pisa Airport to Florence city centre costs just under €4,95 one way

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Best wishes,

Rex

ira

Hi rb,

It is easier to get to Florence from Pisa airport. There is direct train service.

joearena99

Hi: Apart from the Tower of Pisa and the Bapistry, Pisa didn't really do much for my wife and myself. There were other, much more picturesque towns in Tuscany. Our favorite is San Gimignano, 'The Towered' town, followed by Sienna - plan on spending a very leisurely lunch in the piazza in Sienna - very enjoyable.

ira

PS,

The regular train is 7.5E 1cl and 4.95E 2 cl and takes 1 1/4 hr.

rb24

Thank you so much for your replies.

Rex, apparently Easyjet flies into Bologna International Airport (Guglielmo Marconi Airport - BLQ), and not Forli airport.

Was the Bologna International also closed for renovations?

I was favouring Easyjet over Ryanair because I've read Ryanair has very restrictive luggage allowances. And their penalties are quite hefty.
Any thoughts on this?

I was also told that the train ride from Bologna to Florence is a scenic one. Any comments on that?

Right now, here's what I've been told about Bologna Int'l. There's supposed to be a shuttle from the airport to the train station. And from there I can take the train to Florence.

Thanks for your comments re: Pisa. You've made that route seem more attractive than the Bologna one thus far.

janestuart

Another vote for San Gimignano, but try to get there early in the morning or maybe spend a night there.(It gets very crowded with tourists.) The Cistern is a great hotel with rooms with wonderful views over the countryside. I'd also recommend taking a side trip into Chianti - little towns like Castellini, Radda and Gaioli. Badia a Coltobuono, Lorenza de Medici's cooking school, restaurant and gift shop are minutes from Gaiole. All of this in wonderful rolling countryside away from tons of tourists. As I remember it's only about an hour from San Gimignano

michela

Hmm... you could easily spend 6 days in Florence alone. Siena is close and very nice. Fiesole is 1/2 hour from Florence by bus and is lovely for a day trip. Why not hire a scooter and explore? Yes, get to San Gim early! Well worth it. Or even better, stay overnight so you are on the spot before (and after) the tourist buses.

BlueSwimmer

Bologna is a beautiful city, known for its excellent food, towers and collonaded (sp?) sidewalks. It's definitely worth a day or two- maybe before catching your return flight?

rb24

Thank you so much for all your replies.

I have another question:
Is there a website that I can check for the schedules of the Pisa train from the airport to Florence city centre?

Ira, is the train in the airport? We don't need to take a shuttle to reach the train station?

Thank you.

ellenem

The train is literally in Pisa Airport. As you state, from Bologna Airport, you would need to take a shuttle bus into the city, which goes directly to the train station.

I believe www.trenitalia.com should have schedules. Be sure to type Pisa Aeroporto, Firenze, or Bologna to check schedules.