Hello Everyone. Next Wednesday we will be on our way to Italy, thank you for all your suggestions and advice.

I was wondering if half a day is enough to do a daytrip to Pisa from Florence, and what if I add Lucca to it - is half day still enough? I realized that commute from Pisa to Lucca is only about 20-30 minutes and thought might as well see both if we can in half a day, or is a full day better idea? Also, if we do decide to do only half a day of Pisa - is first half (morning-noon) of the day better or second half (afternoon-evening) of the day? Is train better or bus?

Thank you.

take the train , is better.. It is only a little over 1 hour from Florence to Pisa by train.

My wife and I just did Pisa/Lucca from Florence a week and a half ago(on a Saturday).
We took the train to Pisa in the AM and then took the train from Pisa to Lucca at 12:30. We left Lucca at 5 or 6 PM. We purchased the tickets at the American Express office in Florence the day before.
I would highly recommend seeing both of these cities on the same day with Pisa first before it is overflowing with tourists. We ate lunch at Guidos just off the main square in Lucca and were very pleased the meal. I am at work right now but I can give you exact times and costs when I get home tonight.

I think you would probably want an entire day if you are going to Lucca. I think you will need 1/2 day in Pisa. If you just want to drive through Lucca, you could probably do it.

You will need a whole day to do both Pisa and Lucca. First Pisa for an hour or so to see the tower and the duomo, then on to Lucca which is well worth spending the rest of the day.

It will be easier to take bus from Pisa to Lucca, as the bus Station in Lucca is inside the town (the train station is further away). The bus to Lucca stops right outside Dromo in Pisa.

Try to Visit Lucca on a Wednesday or Saturday morning when they have their local market...it's one of the best!

Thank you Tom, yes I would appreciate the details on time & cost.

Susanna, there is a Wednesay in our stay in Florence but to catch the market in the morning I would have to reverse the sequence and go first to Lucca then to Pisa - is there any disadvantage in doing Lucca in the morning and Pisa in the afternoon - anyone respond.

Also, if we do decide to do only Pisa in half a day (we have only 2 and half days in Florence and definitely want to do Pisa), is morning half good or afternoon half?

Thank you all, it has really helped to get your advice at points that were most difficult to resolve.

Aurora,

The cost of the Train to Pisa was only E4.85 per person. Pisa to Lucca E2 per person and Lucca to Florence around E4 per person. The train tickets do not have the times on them, but they left Florence to Pisa about every 1-1/2 hours. There was one around 8:00 AM, we took the next one at around 9:15AM. The train ride was a little over 1 hour. If you only do Pisa I would recommend the morning to avoid some of the crowds. With only 2 1/2 days in Florence I can't recommend seeing Lucca in addition to Pisa(even though I loved Lucca)because 1 1/2 days in Florence is not enough time in Florence(we had 5 days in Florence and did Pisa/Lucca one day and Siena another).
The train ticket will show Pisa as the destination, but you will actually take the train that says destination Livorno. The best thing to do when you arrive at the train station is go directly to the information booth and they will tell you the track number and destination.
When you arrive in Pisa you have a solid 20 minute walk to the Tower. We walked, but if you are adding Lucca I would recommend taking a taxi or bus to save time.

Whatever you do, try to spend some time in Lucca and be sure to stop at Puccini's home. The bus is an easy ride .

I think that is to do Luca in half a day is a disfavor to yourself, and to do both Pisa and Luca in half a day
is not a good idea.Unless you only wish to say you where there.
Of course this is my opinion.