I will be in Lucca for two days and want to know if it is reasonable (time-wise) to get to San Gimignano and back same day? I would be using public transportation so realize it would be a combination of train and bus. I want to go to San GIm as I have already been to Florence, Pisa, Siena, and the CT...

Not without a car or driver. It means 3 modes of transport each way---doable but why?

car yes,

The 'why' is that I want to see something different (and I have always wanted to see San Gim.)

The logistics (why I choose to stay in Lucca) is that I will be getting into Lucca afternoon, then have one free day, then fly out of Pisa the next day. Thus I wanted to stay relatively close to the airport.

If not San Gim, are there other great places near Lucca (train ride or bus)?

As mentioned above, rent a car for the day. Yes, you can get to San Gim easily by car and back the same day even with little stops in between. It's not hard driving and you can enjoy the trip and some other villages. It would be a wonderful day.

Volterra is another possibility.

well pisa by bus
Florence by train

and lucca would kill a day

Have you been to Lucca before? If not, just stay there and enjoy! It's one of my favorite cities in Italy.

It takes about 3hrs each way. Here is an example.

www.trenitalia.it
Train: Lucca - Poggibonsi
7:42-9:48 with changes at Pisa Centrale and Empoli (3 trains)

http://www.busfox.com/timetable/
Bus: Poggibonsi - San Gimignano
9:50-10:15 or 10:20-10:40 (#130 bus)

Coming back

Bus: San Gimignano - Poggibonsi
16:25-16:45 (#130 bus)

Train: Poggibonsi - Lucca
17:12-19:17 with a change at Firenze Rifredi (2 trains)

hey busfox is good

OK, you guys talked me out of it. Now I will have to find another place to go.

Yes, I have been to Lucca. And yes, I love Lucca-- one of my favorite cities in Italy as well.

We spent an afternoon in Lucca in September, 2012. Took the train from Florence, the ride was about an hour and a half. We didn't really explore but didn't see much. Actually, we were a little disappointed because we heard so much about Lucca. Planning to return to Florence in the spring and to Lucca. Want to spend more time and would like to know what to see and do there, or its outskirts. Grazie.

Montecatini Terme - just a fe3w minutes from Lucca by train is one of Europe's primo thermal resorts/spas - verdant campus-like setting and neat old thermal establishments - Collodi, high above Lucca is home of Pinnochio and the village has some Pinnochio-themed things.

Another suggestion of Montecatini Terme, but don't just explore the lower, resort town. Be sure to take the funicular to Montecatini Terme Alto. MT is about 30 minutes by train from Lucca.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8qrT7XCeY0

http://goitaly.about.com/od/montecat...ini-travel.htm

But what's to see in LUCCA????

What's to see in Lucca?

Well basically the town itself - completely ramparted - walk around the town on top of them if you wish - but the town is especially known for its bevy of ancient towers, built by rich families to literally escape the rabble and pestilence raging down below at street level - the most towers of any town in Italy I'd think or right up there.

And there is an ancient Roman theatre now uniquely built into houses.

anyway the usual bevy of old churches - to me one of the very nicest and romantic old towns in Italy. Not a hill town either but totally flat as I recall.