Arriving in Florence from Rome by train.
Only have a couple of nights in Florence.
If we leave Rome early, I assume we should arrive and drop our stuff in Florence hotel by lunch.
Saw on a website (CAF Tours), the tour starts at 1345hrs.
Any other cheaper tour operator or can we do it on our own?

You can easily train to Pisa for about 5E per person each way. Travel time is a little over an hour. You can either book a ticket to Pisa S. Rossore station and the tower is a short walk or to Pisa Centrale and catch the bus to the tower.

If you really must see Pisa just go early in the day and see the tower and church. That's about all we liked about Pisa-just my opinion. Then you can depart for Florence afterwards and spend the rest of the day there.

Btw, I meant that you should just on your own by train. Very cheap.

awwh:

You didn't say if this is your first trip to Florence, but if it is, I wouldn't waste a day going to Pisa. There's plenty to see and do in Florence, especially since you've only got 2 nights there.

Ditto Sssteve's comments.

I considered seeing the Leaning Tower essential to my trip to Italy. It's just one of those childhood icons I've always wanted to see. As a photographer I also wanted the opportunity to photograph the Tower at dusk. So I did a half day trip from Florence via train. It was worth it to see and photograph the Tower, but otherwise, Pisa isn't worth much time. Like others I didn't care for the place at all. Even the Field of Miracles is super-touristy. But I'm glad I saw the Tower. Pisa should feel lucky that someone built the Tower so poorly in the first place - otherwise, no one would EVER visit Pisa now!!!

The tower is pretty good in the evening, but then the photos of any surrounding building will be less good.

There is a very good Indian restuarant just up from the tower so an evening trip can be very pleasant

It's certainly worth a visit if you climb the tower. You need reservations.
http://www.opapisa.it/index.php?id=216&L=1&T=2