NY area to Florence
 

Formerly there were direct flights to Pisa, but no longer. So we have to change somewhere, or fly into Rome (non-stop) and then fly or train to Florence. What would you do? What's the easiest after travelling overnight?

I would suggest comparing both time and costs:

1) flying (Air Berlin w/ a stop over in Dusseldorf looks best), then taxi or bus to hotel

verses

2) non-stop to Rome, then train to Rome Termini, then train to Florence and walk or taxi to hotel.

Compare <b>both</b> A) total door to door (home to hotel) times and B) overall costs (door to door).

I'd fly to Rome. I always prefer non-stop flights. For me, it's not so much about the overall time as keeping the opportunity for problems to a minimum. A missed connection (either human or luggage) at the beginning of a trip can have a ripple effect for a couple of days.

The train ride from Fiumicino to Florence is less than 2.5 hours, and you arrive in the city center. If you flew Rome-Florence, it would probably take longer overall, considering the wait time, flight time and travel time into the city.

What do the flights into Venice look like?

You could fly there, if Rome doesn't look good, then train to Florence.

We flew to Milan (good city for United) and then took the train (via Milano Central Station) to Florence.

nvl325, how long was the train trip from Milan to Florence? Joannyc, isn't Venice way further away than we need to be? We won't be visiting Venice this trip. Bardo1, I shall review your recommendations!

Also, do people have a preferred travel insurance company?

There should still be flights Delta JFK to Pisa. Departing Tues,Th,Fri,Sun.

From the states, non-stop flights are to Milan, Rome, Pisa, Venice. Any other cities, you have to connect somewhere in Europe.

From Milan, you have to train or bus into Milan (will take at least an hour) and then to Florence (about 1:45). Ditto for Rome.

kybourbon, I downloaded Delta's entire schedule for for dates beginning May 2013 and did not find any nonstop JFK-Pisa flights. The nonstops JFK-Venice are still on the schedule, but I would prefer Milan or Rome if I were headed to Florence.

I think the JFK-PISA flight on Delta might be a June-August flight only. I haven't checked yet, but we used to fly it all the time out of New York.

Formerly there were direct, non-stop flights NY to Pisa, but no longer. Bummer! Kybourbon, thanks for the time info. Gotta consider all alternatives.

Ita still lists those flights, but they are seasonal (always have been). You can book them on Delta (just checked) and they are listed on the Delta website (check the route planner map).

Actually, it's only 2 hours from Venice to Florence by train (so probably almost as fast as from Rome and faster than from Milan), so that could be a possibility. I'd choose based on what flight seems easiest to get and cheapest.

But in terms of logistics, while I understand your interest in a nonstop flight (I prefer those too), if you have to connect to trains or even change airports, isn't it just as easy to take another nonstop flight to Europe and simply connect on a shorter flight to Florence or Pisa?

I'd price the options and make a choice based on schedule and price, but the nonstop may not be your best bet when you consider the cost of a train and the hassle in having to make a connection. And going back it would be to your advantage to leave from Pisa or Florence if you are spending all your time in Tuscany.

I would go into Rome and then train to Florence. It is easy to travel to Termini on the Leonardo
Express or by shuttle after getting to FCO. Make sure that your train goes directly to the
Station in downtown Florence not the station outside. Don't forget that your room
Will not be ready until 2:00 pm so getting there the quickest way may not save any time.
the hotel will probably hold your bags, though.

Pat

>>>NativeNewYorker on Jun 5, 13 at 8:56am
Formerly there were direct, non-stop flights NY to Pisa, but no longer. Bummer! Kybourbon, thanks for the time info. Gotta consider all alternatives.<<<

The non-stop flight from JFK to PSA is DL flight 136 departing at 4:25pm and arriving PSA at 7:00am - Boeing 767 travel time 8:35

From PSA to JFK DL flight 137 departing PSA at 9:50am and arriving JFK 1:25 pm - Boeing 767 travel time 9:35..

Kybourbon, what airline are you finding those flights on????

Kybourbon, I see now you have Delta....but it's not non stop in October. Maybe it is other times, but not in October. It stops in Paris.

Hi NativeNewYorker: My flight wouldn't help you, as
I flew NS, from Miami to Milan, and trained to Florence,last
summer. The hi speed trains take you every place. Thankfully, Milan and Florence and Rome train stations
have lifts and escalators when one has to carry luggage.
Day trips to Venice, Bologna, and so many cities are wonderful by train. Have a great trip. Johanna
PS; I used to take the NS on Delta from JFK to Pisa too. If
I had a choice of NS, even JFK to Venice is good as the
train ride is only 2 hrs and takes you into the center of
Florence where you can walk to your hotel (beats waiting
at another airport for another flight, to me.).

Once we flew to Milan and then took the train.
The only problem was that our luggage didn't make it to Milan and it took several days to catch up to us. That is a risk when you fly into one city and then immediately move on to another.
Can you do carry-on only?

Booked Alitialia to Florence with a stopover in Rome. Decided on Premium Economy seating, so that further limited our airline choice. We're pleased!