First trip to Italy. We will be in Rome a few days early for a cruise. Would like to do a day trip by train to Pisa (or Florence). It looks like it's about three hours by train from Rome to Pisa. Is that right? Is the train station centrally located in Pisa and would it be worth the time since we would have to be back in Rome by 8 or 9 pm. Also wondering if it is a scenic trip by train...
Thanks for any advice!

Florence would be a far superior choice. It's almost like comparing a deluxe pizza to a Ritz cracker.

...and you will spend only 95 minutes on the train getting to/from Florence. Moderately scenic, but not the part between Florence and Pisa (I don't think; I have only ever driven that part).

Of course, the real question is why leave Rome at all - - if you have a "few days" there. You have about 362 or 363 too few to enjoy Rome - - at least for any given year.

Best wishes,

Rex

Pisa is not worth the effort. Th ePiazza dei Miracoli is a good quick stop for one hour. From Rome, I must agree with the other response, Why leave Rome or just go to Firenze on a ES ( Eurostar train).

Actually, the trip from Florence to Pisa only takes about an hour.

I would agree that there is much more to see in Florence than in Pisa but there really is nothing quite like the tower whether others wish to admit it or not.

Having seen it more than once I'm not sure I would spend a whole day just to do that, however.

IMO Pisa is one of those 'been there, done that, check it off the list' things and definitely NOT worth a precious day in Italy. I'm not sure I agree that you should stay in Rome. Depends on exactly how many 'a few days' really is. I adore Firenze.

How long are you staying in Rome?
IMHO,less than 4 days=No day trips.

We just returned from a Rome/Pisa/Venice trip. We took the train from Rome to Pisa, 3 hours and 15 minutes, spent 4 hours in Pisa, and then took the train to Venice.

The four hours in Pisa was plenty. You really just want to see the one square, with the church and the tower. The church was beautiful and we had great fun taking photos with the tower.

It was a fun way to break up a long train trip, but I probably wouldn't devote a full day to it, unless you have ALWAYS wanted to see The Leaning Tower of Pisa, then do it! We had 4 days in Rome and felt it was plenty. We had our 3 young sons with us, so we couldn't do all the art museums or all the churches because they just wouldn't tolerate it very well!

For me, my top priority was Venice. I've always wanted to go. I had several friends tell me to skip it and go to Florence instead. I wouldn't listen, I went to Venice and LOVED it.

The taxi from the Pisa train station to the Leaning Tower was short,5-10 minutes, and seems like it was cheap. The guide books say you can walk it in 45 minutes, but we didn't feel we had the time and we'd already worn out our shoes in Rome!

Have a great trip!
KatyBelle

We will be in Rome for a few days and some folks traveling with us just have to see Davide and climp the Leaning Tower. It's a 10 to 12 hour day, 5 of those hours taken up with travel. I can be done.

Thanks for the great insight...I think we'll scratch Pisa. We have four days before and one day after the cruise in Rome. We were primarily just wanting to see some of the countryside and get away from the hustle and bustle of Rome for a day. Also, really want to experience something of Tuscany without having to rent a car.

"really want to experience something of Tuscany without having to rent a car."
In that case-not actually Tuscany,but an easy optioin-train to Orvieto.