Florence to Pisa by Train and Bus: Cheapest Tickets & Guide (2026)

Florence to Pisa by train and bus one of the cheapest way to travel. The journey from Florence to Pisa by Train and Bus is one of the easiest and most popular day trips in Tuscany — and it’s remarkably affordable. Pisa is just 80 kilometres west of Florence, and the train takes just 1 hour with regular services throughout the day.

Whether you’re going for the famous Leaning Tower, the extraordinary Piazza dei Miracoli or a quick half-day excursion from your Florence base, getting from Florence to Pisa is simple, cheap and completely worth the trip.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know about travelling from Florence to Pisa by Train and Bus in 2026.

Florence to Pisa by Train and Bus— Quick Comparison

Option	Journey Time	Price	Best For
Direct train	1h	From €9	✅ Best overall
Regional train	1h 15m	From €9	✅ Most frequent
Bus	1h 30m	From €5	✅ Budget option
Car	1h	€15+ fuel + parking	⚠️ Parking difficult

The verdict:The train is the best way to travel from Florence to Pisa by Train and Bus— fast, cheap, frequent and drops you right in the city centre. A car creates parking problems in Pisa and isn’t worth the hassle.

Florence to Pisa by Train

The train from Florence to Pisa is fast, affordable and runs very frequently throughout the day. Services depart from Florence Santa Maria Novella station — Florence’s main central station.

From Firenze Santa Maria Novella:Trains to Pisa depart regularly throughout the day — approximately every 30 minutes.

To Pisa Centrale:The main Pisa train station is Pisa Centrale — about 1.5 kilometres from the Piazza dei Miracoli. Walk (20 minutes) or take a local bus (10 minutes, €1.50).

Journey time:1 hour on the fastest direct services. Regional trains with stops take 1 hour 15 minutes.

Frequency:Trains run every 30 minutes throughout the day. First train from Florence at around 6am, last around 10pm.

Florence to Pisa by Train Prices

Train type	Prices	Journey time
Intercity (direct)	€15-20	1h
Regional (direct)	€9-12	1h
Regional (with stops)	€9	1h 15m

Regional trains are the best value — they cost the same regardless of when you book (no advance booking required) and the 15-minute difference in journey time is barely noticeable.

Book your Florence to Pisa train tickets on ourcheap train tickets page.

Florence to Pisa by Bus

Buses from Florence to Pisa are slightly cheaper than regional trains but take longer and are less convenient.

Departure:Buses depart from Autostazione SITA on Via Santa Caterina da Siena near Florence Santa Maria Novella station.

Journey time:1 hour 30 minutes.Price: From €5-8.

Verdict:The small saving over the train is not worth the extra 30 minutes — take the train.

What to Do in Pisa

Pisa is more than just the Leaning Tower — though the tower is genuinely extraordinary and worth the trip alone. The Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) is one of the finest collections of Romanesque architecture in the world.

Leaning Tower of Pisa:Climbing the tower is one of the most memorable experiences in Tuscany — 294 steps wind up the tilting cylinder to a view of the surrounding countryside. Book tickets well in advance — slots sell out. From €18.

Pisa Cathedral (Duomo):The magnificent cathedral that gave Brunelleschi the inspiration for Florence’s dome. Entry included with tower ticket.

Pisa Baptistery:The largest baptistery in Italy — its extraordinary acoustics mean guides regularly demonstrate the echo. Included in combined ticket.

Camposanto:The monumental cemetery adjacent to the cathedral — containing important medieval frescoes. Included in combined ticket.

Piazza dei Cavalieri:Florence’s main square — beautiful and completely free to explore.

Arno River:Walk along the river back from the Piazza dei Miracoli to the station — the view of the city from the bridges is lovely.

How Much Time Do You Need in Pisa?

Pisa is a half-day destination — 3-4 hours is enough to see the Piazza dei Miracoli, climb the tower and walk back to the station. You don’t need a full day in Pisa.

Suggested itinerary:

9:30 — Arrive Pisa Centrale.
9:50 — Walk to Piazza dei Miracoli (20 minutes).
10:00 — Piazza dei Miracoli, Cathedral, Baptistery (1 hour).
11:00 — Climb the Leaning Tower (45 minutes).
12:00 — Lunch near the piazza (1 hour).
13:15 — Walk back to station via Arno River.
13:45 — Train back to Florence.

This gives you a full morning in Pisa and an afternoon back in Florence.

Tips for Florence to Pisa by Train and Bus

Book the Leaning Tower in advance:Tower climbing slots sell out days or weeks ahead in summer — book as soon as you confirm your Pisa visit.
Go early:Pisa gets very busy with coach tours from 10am onwards. Arriving early gives you the Piazza dei Miracoli at its most peaceful.
Don’t pay for a taxi from the station:It’s an easy 20-minute walk or cheap bus ride from Pisa Centrale to the Piazza dei Miracoli — not worth a taxi.
Combine with Lucca:Lucca is just 30 minutes from Pisa by train — combine both cities in one day trip from Florence. See ourbest day trips from Florence guide.
Eat away from the tower:Restaurants immediately around the 4 dei Miracoli are expensive tourist traps. Walk 5 minutes towards the city centre for much better value.