mrsgo

Hello... We are hoping to learn all the "ins" and "outs" about taking a train from SMN station in Florence, mid afternoon on a Sunday, and going to PIsa for about 6 hours.

What is the cost of the train?
What station do we get off at , the closest to the Leaning Tower?
If we purchase round trip tickets, do we save money?
Must we decide with round trip tickets the time we wish to return or is it OPEN?
Are we better off having dinner back in Florence or is there a FUN place for a teenager to dine in Pisa you can recommend?

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

mrs. G

Connie

You can buy your tickets that day and yes, you can buy them one way at a time for more flexibility. I don't remember how much they cost but it seemed inexpensive to me.

I think there is only one terminal. I just remember getting off at Pisa.

When you get off the train, you can either take a bus--just to your right as you exit the terminal OR walk straight ahead down a pedestrian free street. It didn't take long--20-30 minutes.

PalenQ

There is a secondary train station in Pisa - s Leandro could be its name not sure that is within a 5-minute stroll of the Leaning Tower area - you'd have to transfer to a regional train to Lucca from Pisa Centrale to get to it - no direct train I believfe from Florence at least in that direction.


these are mainly regional trains Florence to Pisa so just buy a return ticket the day you go - ticket should be valid on any regional train but not the few IC or above trains serving that route so be careful and board the very frequent regional trains, many of which terminate at Pisa's airport.

great sites for answers to European rail questions - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com - check www.trenitalia.com for schedules and pricing but again on regional trains fares are dirt cheap - probably $15 or so return I'd guess. And do not forget to validate your own ticket before getting on the train.

annhig

hi mrsgo,

i did the florence -Pisa trip a few weeks ago - so to answer your first question, it's €5.80 each way. you will find a time table at www.trenitalia.it [look at the top for the icon for the english version] - the trains given are the direct ones from florence to Pisa central; there are some others which go round a longer way, as I discovered when I inadvertently caught one. it didn't matter to me as I was en route to the airport and had allowed plenty of time, but it might matter to you.

the direct ones take about an hour, and you don't have to worry about them going straight to Pisa aeroporto - they all stop at P. Centrale. you can also get a timetable for trains to the other station in Pisa, though it might be easier just to walk. but there are some trains that go direct to Pisa San rossore, [for the campo die miracoli] though they take a little longer:

http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/npp...aintype=&car=0

if you want to book your trip to the top of the Leaning tower, you can do so here:

www.opapisa.it

kybourbon

The closest station is S. Rossore. If you enter Pisa S Rossore on Trenitalia you will get some trains that require a change at Centrale while others don't require a change. Price is the same as going to Centrale. There are buses from Centrale to the tower if you get off there.

You don't save any money buying round trip as there are no discounts for the slow R trains. You can just buy your return ticket when you are ready to go back to Florence. Last train from Centrale to Florence is 10:30pm.

Another option for dinner is take the train to Lucca (25 minutes from Pisa, 2.40€). Last train from Lucca to Florence is 22:32 (1:18, 5.20€).

S. Rossore is a tiny station and doesn't have any services. There should be a ticket machine, but will likely be old style.

PalenQ

You can get direct trains from Pisa S Rossore to Lucca - about every hour if not more - S Rossore is a station on the Pisa-Lucca-Florence circular rail route. And Lucca IMO is one of Italy's finest old towns - with lots of towers - many now truncated but which once were used by wealthy folks to live high above the rabble and filth below and really fantastic walls all around the town. Lucca is super and the train station is right by the town walls. Spend as little time IMO in Pisa at the Leaning Tower and as much as possible in Lucca. Be sure to book a time to ascend the Leaning Tower as if not booking in advance you could wait hours in line.

bilboburgler

Another vote for Lucca over Pisa (Pisa think disney without the class

mrsgo

All your information is so helpful! Thank you! Do you think it is worth it to go to Lucca from Pisa for just 3 - 4 hours in the evening?

bilboburgler

The whole field where the tower is is pretty in the evening as the crowds reduce and the buildings are white and look good so should be a great photo opportunity. I'm not sure when the museum closes but I think I've seen people up the tower until 10 (I suggest check the website).

The other nice thing to do in the evening is just walk through the town as the locals come out to get the news so a gentle walk across the river, up to the field and then maybe a geleto and good meal.

There is a good curry house in Pisa (close to the tower) if you are getting bored by pasta

PalenQ

Even one hour in Lucca IME will be much more cherished by you than surviving the hectic tourist scene by the Leaning Tower and 3-4 hours would be heavenly.