Lucca as a day trip from Pisa
Lucca sits on the rail line from Pisa Centrale. A sample departure at 15:20 reaches Lucca at 15:47, which is 27 minutes, with a stop at Pisa San Rossore at 15:24. Not every train follows the same pattern, so look up the train you plan to take.
The town is known for its Renaissance walls, which carry a path for walkers and cyclists, and for towers you can climb. It fits an afternoon after the Piazza dei Miracoli, or a day of its own. This page covers the practical side. For the tower in Pisa, see the guide to climbing the tower.
Getting from Pisa to Lucca
By regional train, with a stop at San Rossore on some services.
The train
A rail timetable snapshot from 21 October 2026 shows regional train 18581 leaving Pisa Centrale at 15:20, calling at Pisa San Rossore at 15:24 and arriving in Lucca at 15:47. That is a sample. Services differ through the day, so check the current timetable and buy your ticket before you board. Look up the fare when you buy.
San Rossore is only a stop
Pisa San Rossore is a separate station on Via Giovanni Cimabue. It is not the nature park of the same name, and a stop there says nothing about access to the park.
Combine it with the tower
Do not plan the Lucca train tightly around a tower slot. The tower has a chosen time, and a late arrival can mean you lose the visit. Fix the Pisa slot first and choose the Lucca train after your visit. The page on tickets and time slots explains the rules.
Our picks: Pisa to Lucca by bike
Two ways to ride to Lucca, with your own bike or an e-bike.
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.
E-bike ride from Pisa to Lucca along the Serchio
E-bike and helmet with an app-guided route and remote support from the rental shop. Food, drinks and the return train ticket are extra.
Check availability →
Self-guided bike ride from Pisa to Lucca
Bike, app-guided route, phone holder, pump and repair kit, lock included. The train ticket back is not included.
Check availability →Lucca and Pisa tours
Day trips and tours around Pisa and Lucca, with live prices and availability. Check which stops each tour includes.
The walls and the towers
What to do once you are in Lucca.
The Renaissance walls
The fortification now serves as a path for walking and cycling. It runs for more than four kilometers around the old town. One tourism article counts 11 bastions and 4.2 km, another travel plan counts 10 bastions and 4 km, so take the figures as approximate.
Torre Guinigi
The tower is 45 m high and has a roof garden with holm oaks. You climb 230 steps. There is no lift, and the tower is not accessible for people with a mobility impairment. The city's tourism portal recommends a reservation on weekdays and requires one on weekends and public holidays.
Torre delle Ore
The clock tower stands on Via Fillungo. You climb 207 steps to see the historic clockwork from 1752. Check the current opening times and fare before you plan around it.
The two towers compared
Both involve a climb on stairs.
| Tower | Height or feature | Steps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torre Guinigi | 45 m, roof garden with holm oaks | 230 | No lift, not accessible with a mobility impairment, reservation advised on weekdays and required on weekends and holidays |
| Torre delle Ore | Clock tower on Via Fillungo, clockwork from 1752 | 207 | Check opening times and the fare before you go |
Fitting Lucca into your Pisa trip
A rough order of the day.
Morning in Pisa
Book the tower slot, drop your bag in the free cloakroom and climb. The visit takes about 30 minutes. Then see the cathedral and baptistery. Our guide to the Piazza dei Miracoli lists what to see.
Midday train
Take a regional train from Pisa Centrale after your visit. The ride is about 27 minutes in the example above. Check the return train before you leave Lucca.
Afternoon in Lucca
Walk a section of the wall, then pick one tower. If your day is short, choose the one whose steps and booking rules suit you. Reserve the Guinigi Tower in advance if you go on a weekend.
Before you go
Small points that save time.
Check the train before you leave
Timetables change with engineering works and special events. Look up the train you want on the day, and note the last convenient return to Pisa.
Wear shoes for stairs
Both towers are climbs on stairs, 230 and 207 steps. Take water and allow time for the descent as well.
Plan around your own interests
The wall path suits a relaxed walk or a bike ride. The towers suit a view over the old town. You do not need to do all of it in one afternoon.
Lucca from Pisa: frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Pisa to Lucca take?
A sample service leaves Pisa Centrale at 15:20 and arrives in Lucca at 15:47, which is 27 minutes. Not all trains follow the same pattern, so check the one you want.
Is Lucca worth a day trip from Pisa?
It suits visitors who want a walkable old town with a wall path of more than four kilometers and a choice of towers. It works as an afternoon after the Piazza dei Miracoli.
Do I need a reservation for the Guinigi Tower?
The city's tourism portal recommends one on weekdays and requires one on weekends and public holidays. Check the current opening times before you go.
How many steps do the Lucca towers have?
The Guinigi Tower has 230 steps and no lift. The Torre delle Ore has 207 steps.
Can I walk the Lucca walls?
Yes. The Renaissance walls carry a path for walkers and cyclists. They run for more than four kilometers around the old town.