Logistical question on Piza and Florence
 

Hello, I'm traveling to italy in a few weeks for the first time and I have a question concerning what to do, in the short time I'm going to spend in florence. I arrive in florence at about noon on sept. 11th on train and leave in the morning of sept. 13. My question, is it possible to visit Piza and tour Accademia in the same day? Is this possible or am I dreaming? We are in a tight schedule. Any suggestions would greatly be apprecaited. We really want to visit Piza and Accademia while in florence, any way to squeeze both in?<BR>Thanks<BR>JC

Pisa is a 2-3 hour drive (depending on traffic). There honestly is not a lot to see in Pisa. Of course the tower and nearby church. The Accademia is small as museums go, so you should be able to do both. A suggestion...get your tickets for the Accademia in advance so you don't have to stand in line. The Uffizi is so fabulous you must try to go there too, if at all possible.

Jenny, thanks for your information and suggestion. We are going to Piza by train, is this faster than traveling by car?

With such a short time in Florence, I would spend it exploring the beauty of the city rather than traveling back and forth to Pisa. (It is spelled with an "s".)<BR><BR>However, if you insist.... Depending on which train you take, it is about an hour to an hour and a half journey time each way. You can check schedules on www.trenitalia.com

Very easy to see both Pisa and the Accademia in one day. I'd start out with Pisa first thing in the morning. If you check train schedules on www.trenitalia.com or www.fs-on-line.com you'll see there are regular runs between Florence-Pisa that generally take about 1 hour. These are the local trains and they can get delayed (that's why I suggest you begin your day on the Pisa sojourn). Or if willing to pay a few euro more, take the Eurostar leaving at 9am --- trip to Pisa is 49 minutes and the ES trains are more reliable on their routes. Once you get to Pisa Centrale, you can either walk to the Tower (distance ~ 1-mile) or take a bus (can't recall no.) from the train station.; if you plan to arrive in Pisa by 10am, I'd allot a couple hours. Give yourself time to eat lunch, return to Florence, etc. and you could schedule a visit for the Accademia at 3:30 pm. Another thing you should investigate is obtaining tickets ahead of time to go up in the Tower (if that's yet available). I saw Pisa before they'd finished the renovations and the re-opening.<BR>

a--z, thanks for your expert advise and suggestion. Sounds like it's a full day but doable.

JC,<BR>Buon Viaggio! Also, did you see a response re: obtaining tickets ahead for the Tower of Pisa? Per "Josh", there is now a website at which you can purchase tickets online.<BR>&gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt; &gt;<BR>Author: josh ([email protected])<BR>Date: 08/20/2002, 12:38 pm<BR>Message: you can reserve your tickets at the following URL.<BR><BR>http://www.opapisa.it/boxoffice/first.jsp?y=2002&m=8&g=1&Index=0<BR><BR>

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Speaking of reserving tix online to the Leaning Tower, just the other night I purchased 2 tickets for my young son and me and right after charging it to my credit card, read that "For security reasons", no one under 8 years old is allowed in the tower. <BR><BR>Just thought I'd pass it along before anyone else make s the same mistake.

Mark, thanks for the information. Did you use, www.opapisa.it, to make reservations?<BR>

JC, I agree with the other people, you should be able to make both in one day, but I would suggest you make reservation for the Accademia the day you arrive in florence. Have fun.

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We were in florence for 4 days in june/july. i was not too interested in Pisa, but my family wanted to go. I am soooo glad they insisted. Leave early on a train, even locals are around an hour trip. take the bus (buy tickets in the tabachi or tabac forget which is in france, italy which is in the train station, they will be glad to tell you the bus number), go across street and wait a few minutes for the bus. it is a 5 to 10 minute ride depending on the time, ask ahead for the correct stop. i forget the exact name so will not try to duplicate it in case some one here gets upset.<BR>I would not bother with the climb to top is time is a problem, it is impressive from the ground, and the surrounding buildings are interesting also. your choice, however on side street across from tower are several good, inexpensive eateries. <BR>Do get tickets ahead for accademia, uffizi is not to be missed either! again tickets ahead of time. phone numbers for reservations are in Rick Steves Italy through the back door, or any other travel books.

Linda, thanks for your information and first hand advise.

You shouldn't have a problem if the day is planned out in advance. Reservations are a most.

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Be prepared for "tacky, tacky, tacky" in Pisa. The buildings are lovely but the area is overrun with tourist stands and it takes away from the beauty of the area. I have been there but would not go back. I recommend Siena for a day trip if you MUST leave Florence but who would want to as there is so much to see and do and just enjoy.

I would go right to Pisa on the train the day you arrive in Florence. You can go as late as you want on that day without rushing around, since it is outdoors (if you don't want to climb on it).

I would leave the train at Pisa San Rossore, a few minutes before Pisa Centrale. This hidden local station is less than 500 metres/yards from Piazza dei Miracoli and the Torre Pendente (a.k.a. the Leaning Tower). Pisa Centrale is about 2 km/a mile from the tower. I don´t know Stazione San Rossore, because I was not aware of it when I was in Pisa, but I guess that the station has no facilities.<BR>A 2nd class local train ticket cost less than &euro; 5. Raileurope? 18 dollars.