travelingyogi

My friends and I are taking our first trip to Europe. We are arriving in Rome in mid-May for 3 nights, moving on to Florence for 3 nights and flying from Pisa to Paris for 5 nights. I need suggestions on the best way to get from Florence to Pisa for a 1:00 pm flight to Paris. We'd like to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa before the flight and we really do not want to drive a car. Also, I'd really like day trips to Brugges and London from Paris but I don't want to feel rushed, so I'm wondering if I should save it for another trip to include maybe Switzerland.

gh21

The best way to get to Pisa is by train. Not sure of the best way to get from Pisa train station to the airport--taxi??

Save the day trips for another time.

gh21

Found the answer---

Pisa Airport is Directly Connected to the Italian Railway Network

Catch your train at the Airport

Of all European regional airports Pisa’s Galileo Galilei is the one that is closest to a railway terminal (less than 40 metres of covered walkway).
Direct railway lines connect every day Pisa Airport to Pisa Central Station and to Florence.

At the Airport, you can buy your railway ticket at the information office in the arrivals hall. The railway terminal is located just outside the Check in hall.

travelingyogi

Thanks so much

new_adventure

Agree with everything gh21 said. Additionally, to ensure you are able to see the Leaning Tower, obviously take an early morning train from Florence, and buy your tickets for the tower in advance so you get a reserved time that still allows you time to get to the airport.

From the Pisa Central train station, it's about a 20 minute (semi brisk) or 30 minute (more leisurely pace) walk to the tower. That's without stopping in any of the shops along the way. Also does not take into account schlepping luggage. Not sure about luggage storage options, but would think worth checking into.

Your visit to the tower is only about 40 minutes, if memory serves. While you are there, I would have to say that the Cathedral is definitely worth a visit, and the Baptistry if time allows. All three are very close together, in the Field of Miracles.

kybourbon

Trains from Florence to the airport will arrive at Pisa Centrale first. Some will require a change there and others won't. You would have to get off at Centrale and store your luggage (5€ for 5 hours - there can be a line so allow time), walk or take the shuttle bus to the tower.

It might be easier to go to the airport first and check your luggage onto your flight (depending how early they allow you to check it) and then take a train to centrale (5 minutes away). There is also a general luggage storage at the airport (7€). http://www.pisa-airport.com/aeroporto_di_pisa_85.html

If you decide to go to the airport first, you might want to take the Terravision shuttle bus from Florence train station. The bus is 5€. The train is almost 8€.
http://www.terravision.eu/florence_pisa.html

PalenQ

I have been in Pisa Centrale station when the left-luggage has been mysteriously closed for a spell - I would take bourbon's 2nd advice and go first to the airport and stash your bags and there has also been times when I went to get my bag at Pisa Centrale when the desk was again mysteriously unstaffed for some time - this is Italy you know!

You can also take a train from Pisa Centrale to a secondary train station right by the Leaning Tower area but that station does not have any luggage storage and trains run only hourly or so - but if schedules are conducive it could be a quick way back to Centrale.

maiteland

Hi, if you are looking to do a day trip from Paris to London you can catch the Eurostar and be here in 90 minutes. I would suggest to get the train ticket early to get a cheaper price. I dont think that you would get a chance to see much in London if you only came for a day but you could sure rush around and try. The first Eurostar train leaves at 6;45 in the morning and arrives in the UK at 8;00 and the last train to leave london St pancras back to Paris is 8;00pm.

annhig

loads of trains from the main station in Florence [Santa Maria Novella] to Pisa.

here's the link to the trenitalia.it website where you can look up the timetable:

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

as others have said, you have a number of options - leave your luggage at Pisa Centrale and walk/get a cab to the campo dei miracoli [where the Tower and other historical buildings are] or get the train straight through to the airport [marked aeroporto] and check the luggage in, then get the train or cab to the Tower.

the latter plan would be my preference but it might be thwarted if you couldn't check the luggage in early enough to make the plan viable - you need to check how early you can check in.

kybourbon

>>>the latter plan would be my preference but it might be thwarted if you couldn't check the luggage in early enough to make the plan viable - you need to check how early you can check in.<<<

If the airline wouldn't let them check luggage early they could still use the airport luggage storage.

travelingyogi

You all have been extremely helpful. I'll look into getting to the airport by train early enough to check luggage and grab a cab so that I have time to visit the sites. I'm so excited! More questions to come.

PalenQ

If wanting to ascend the Leaning Tower itself there is a limited number of people who can do it each hour so be sure to book a time slot early or you may have to wait a long long time in line - and I believe walking up the twisting ramps is well worth it - especially the lopsided view once up top.

annhig

book your time to climb the leaning tower here:

www.opapisa.it.

you need to turn up about 10 mins in advance to collect your ticket/s and deposit any bags in the lockers available. we did it with our kids a few years ago and enjoyed it just as much as they did but the real stars are the Duomo and the baptistry, IMHO.

just amazing.