Florence to Pisa at a glance
Most visitors take the regional train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale. Direct regular services run on this line, and the trip takes roughly 50 to 80 minutes depending on the train. Pisa Centrale is the main station. From there you still need to cover the last stretch to the Piazza dei Miracoli, by city bus or on foot.
This page covers Florence only as the place you start from. For the tower itself, read the guides to tickets and time slots and to climbing the tower before you pick a train.
By train: Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale
The simplest option, and the one most day trips are built on.
Which trains
Regional trains link Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Pisa Centrale. It is the standard choice for a day trip. Buy the ticket before you board and check whether your ticket type has to be validated.
A timetable example
The summer and autumn timetable valid from 14 June to 12 December 2026 shows regional train 4019 leaving Florence Santa Maria Novella at 09:28. The same timetable lists a return from Pisa Centrale at 10:32 on train 4026, reaching Florence at 11:33. Treat these as examples of the order of magnitude. Times change with engineering works, so check the current timetable before you go.
The fare
Check the current price when you buy the ticket. Children under 4 travel without their own seat at no charge when accompanied by an adult, and children from 4 to under 12 pay half. Special offers and other train categories follow their own rules.
Pisa San Rossore is a different station
Pisa San Rossore is a separate station on Via Giovanni Cimabue. It is not the nature park of the same name, and not the main stop for a visit to the tower. Most trips from Florence end at Pisa Centrale.
Our picks: from Florence
A half day by coach to Pisa, or a full day with Siena and San Gimignano.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano day trip
Transport, a tour in your language, free time in Pisa and San Gimignano and a winery visit with tasting. Siena extras depend on the option.
Check availability →Half-day coach trip from Florence to Pisa
Return trip in an air-conditioned coach with a multilingual escort and free time in Pisa. A guided Pisa visit and tower entry come only with the matching option.
Check availability →Pisa day trips from Florence
Guided day trips and tours that include Pisa, with live prices and availability. Check the departure point and what each tour includes.
From Pisa Centrale to the tower
The last stretch needs its own planning.
City bus 1+
The bus from the station to the tower is line 1+. It runs from Ospedale Cisanello through the station and the tower stop to the Park Pietrasantina car park. An older name, LAM Rossa, may still appear in guides, but the line is now called 1+. A ticket costs €1.70 and is valid for 70 minutes. Bought on board it costs €3.
On foot
You can also walk from the station. Allow time for it, because the walk depends on your pace and your route, and the train time is not the walking time. Do not plan a tight connection between your train and a tower slot.
Seasonal line 25
From 1 April to 31 October, line 25 runs daily from 10:00 to 19:15 about every 15 minutes between the Park Pietrasantina car park and the museums on the Lungarni. The fare is €1.70 for 70 minutes.
Train, bus or guided day trip
What each option means for your day.
| Option | Goes to | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional train | Pisa Centrale | About 50 to 80 minutes | Independent day trips with a fixed tower slot |
| Airport bus from Florence | Pisa airport, not the Piazza | About 60 minutes in good traffic | Travelers flying out of Pisa |
| Guided day trip | Depends on the product | – | Visitors who want transport and a guide in one booking |
The bus from Florence to Pisa airport does not go to the Piazza dei Miracoli. By day it leaves from Florence Guidoni/T2. At night the departure point depends on the season and can be Santa Maria Novella. For departures from Florence, tickets are described as online sales only.
Planning a day trip with a tower slot
Work backwards from the time you book.
Book the slot first
The tower has a chosen time, and the operator recommends arriving 15 minutes before it. Late arrival can mean you lose the visit without a replacement. Do not rely on buying a ticket on the day. Individual visitors can book online up to 90 days ahead, and counters at the square sell tickets from 15 days before the visit.
Leave time for the bag drop
Bags, including handbags, must be left before the climb. The cloakroom is reserved for tower visitors and is free, so add a few minutes for it.
Plan the return
The tower visit takes about 30 minutes for the 251 steps. Choose a return train after the square, the cathedral and a meal, and check it before you sit down to eat.
Compare guided options
A tour published for the Florence to Pisa route describes return train tickets and about one hour of guiding, with tower entry as an optional extra. Compare the departure point, transfer, local guide, interiors included, tower slot, language, free time and return point. The tower entry fee itself already includes a short introduction by staff, which is not a guided tour to the top.
Florence to Pisa: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Florence to Pisa?
Roughly 50 to 80 minutes by regional train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale, depending on the train. Add the last stretch from the station to the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Is the Leaning Tower near Pisa Centrale?
You need the last stretch by city bus line 1+ or on foot. Plan it separately from the train, and do not count the train minutes as walking time.
Does the bus from Florence go to the Leaning Tower?
No. The airport bus connects Florence with Pisa airport, not with the Piazza dei Miracoli. For the tower, the train is the usual choice.
Can I visit Pisa from Florence in one day?
Yes, as a day trip. Book the tower slot first, then pick trains around it. Allow time for the bag drop, the climb and the square.
Do children pay for the regional train?
Under the regional rules, children under 4 travel free without their own seat, and children from 4 to under 12 pay 50 percent. Check the rules for your ticket type.