Is Regionale train service reliable? do I take the risk?
 

I have to get from Florence SMN station to Pisa Airport to catch my 9:10 am flight to Munich. The earliest Regionale train departs Firenze SMN at 6:37 am and arrives at Pisa Air 8:07 am. Do you think this is too risky? I know that with frequent strikes, there are often many delays with the trains but I read somewhere that the unions and the state brokered an agreement that there would be no strikes through the Olympics. Would you do this? I can't afford a cab to Pisa...

Link to Trenitala timetable :

http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/Tim...p;channel=tcom

Hi fishee, even with the guarantee of no strikes during the Olympics please know that is no assurance or guarantee that the trains will not be running behind schedule. I have been at the Florence SMN station when the trains have been two hours late. Not a problem because I was not going to the airport to catch a plane.

I would never, and I sincerely mean never, count on taking a train in Italy at the last moment to get to an the airport to check in for a departing flight. If I had a 9:10am flight from Pisa to Munich I would spend the night in Pisa. Best wishes.

Thanks for the advice -- I'm going to try for an earlier train someone found that departs at 5:32 am and gets to Pisa C at 6:40. From there I guess I take a cab to the Pisa airport. If the train doesn't arrive in Florence by 6 am, I'll jump in a cab and cry all the way to the airport. :)

There you go fishee, LOL, but seriously, the earlier train will be better and if it is real late you can take a taxi..bring Kleenex along in case you do cry!! Seriously though, unless you want to stay the night before in Pisa your new idea is a good one and no doubt the earlier train will work out fine for you. Have a wonderful time in Italy!!

Hi f,

FYI, the Fodors computer has trouble with long URLs. You can get a short link at www.tinyurl.com.

Good idea to take the 05:32 train.

An even better idea is to spend the night in Pisa.

((I))

If you are flying on one of the budget airlines, you can ride the Terravision bus that leaves Florence at 4:50. www.terravision.it

Yes, I heard about that bus where you need to show your ticket for particular airlines. That would be great but I'm flying Lufthsana (sp) so I don't think I can use it. I'm only in Florence for 3 nights as it is so I really don't won't to cut it short by needing to pack up and then leave the second night for Pisa. Unless there's something great about spending time in pisa. thanks for the tips

Hi F,

You don't have to lose a day in Florence. Leave Florence around 17:00 and have dinner in Pisa.

Go see the Tower at night.

Take the 07:50 to the airport. It's only about 5 min.

((I))

Is check-in advance time at Pisa 1 or 2 hours if I'm flying to Munich?

Fishee, about the time you have to check in in at Pisa to take the flight to Munich, that is something I would suggest you ask the airline. That is the only way you will get an accurate answer. It is probably 2 hours ahead of time but do double check on this.