Europe Nook
Reviewed October 2026, the florence to pisa train remains the simplest car-free way to reach the Leaning Tower from central Tuscany. Direct services cover the 69 km route in as little as 46 to 51 minutes on the fastest trains, with the standard Regionale fare listed at €8.90 one-way. This guide covers which train class and Florence station to pick, current frequency and disruption caveats, and how to time a Pisa day trip around the schedule.
Featured image: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and converted to WebP.
Florence to Pisa Train at a Glance
Here is the short version before the logistics. A direct rail link connects Florence and Pisa in under an hour on the fastest services, with several dozen trains running on most days. Slower trains take longer but usually cost the same base fare.
- Distance: 69 km between Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Pisa Centrale.
- Fastest journey time: about 46 to 51 minutes on direct Regionale Veloce and Frecciargento services, per current timetable data.
- Typical journey time: roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes on slower, stopping Regionale trains.
- Starting fare: €8.90 one-way on standard Regionale trains, per Trenitalia's Tuscany Line route information.
- Frequency: approximately 45 to 53 direct trains a day, though the exact count varies by day of the week.
Fastest vs. Slower Trains: Which to Book
Compare the arrival times of direct regional trains from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale. Faster regional services skip some stops; other services take longer. If the planner offers a reserved train from Campo di Marte, include the journey to that different Florence station before deciding it is quicker.
| Train type | Journey time | Florence station | Fare band | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regionale (stopping) | 1h–1h 20 | Firenze Santa Maria Novella | €8.90 one-way, per Trenitalia's Tuscany Line fare | Budget travelers with flexible time |
| Regionale Veloce | ~46–51 min | Firenze Santa Maria Novella | Regional fare; confirm at booking | Day-trippers wanting speed without a big fare jump |
| Frecciargento / Frecciabianca | ~46–53 min | Firenze Campo di Marte (on published schedules) | Priced above Regionale; check Trenitalia for the current fare | Travelers who want reserved, assigned seating |
Which Florence Station: Santa Maria Novella or Campo di Marte
Most Regionale and Regionale Veloce trains to Pisa depart from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the central station within walking distance of most Florence hotels. Some faster Frecciargento and Frecciabianca services instead depart from Firenze Campo di Marte, a separate station east of the historic center. Trains from Campo di Marte can make the trip in about the same 46 to 51 minutes as the fastest Santa Maria Novella departures. Since the split isn't consistent across every train, always confirm the departure station shown on your specific ticket before you head out. Check Trenitalia's journey planner to see which station your chosen train uses.
Train Times, Frequency, and Possible Disruptions
There are multiple direct regional departures between Florence and Pisa. Check Trenitalia for your travel date and return train. Bus-operator strike banners do not establish whether a railway service is affected; use railway service notices for the train and AT alerts for any local bus connection.
Ticket Prices and Where to Book
Trenitalia’s Tuscany Line page lists Florence–Pisa at €8.90 and Pisa–Lucca at €3.70 one way. Check the booking flow for the current quote. Regionale Veloce is a regional train, so its faster journey does not itself imply a premium fare. Reserved long-distance services have separate fares and conditions.
Arriving in Pisa: Station to the Leaning Tower
Trains arrive at Pisa Centrale, the city's main station. Widely cited estimates put the walk from Pisa Centrale to the Leaning Tower at roughly 30–40 minutes, though allow extra time with luggage or a stop for photos. Pisa is compact enough that most visitors manage the whole route on foot. If you'd rather ride, Autolinee Toscane's Urbano capoluogo ticket covers local city buses within Pisa and stays valid for 70 minutes from validation. Confirm current walking routes and any diversions through Pisa's own visitor information before you set off.
Whether you take the fastest 46-minute train or a slower 1-hour-20-minute service, the walk from Pisa Centrale to the Leaning Tower takes roughly 30–40 minutes—factor this into your day planning.
Train vs. Bus vs. Car vs. Organized Tour
The train is the most straightforward option for most travelers on this route: no traffic, no parking search, and a direct ride under the fastest schedules. A regional coach service also runs between Florence and Pisa, though the coach stop sits outside central Florence and journey times can run similar to or longer than the train. Driving takes about 1 hour 15 minutes without traffic, but Pisa's historic center is a ZTL, a limited traffic zone that blocks ordinary cars, so drivers must find paid or free parking outside the walls and walk in. Organized day tours bundle the transfer with a guided visit for a fixed per-person price set by the tour operator. Multi-stop tours sometimes pair Pisa with a bus trip to Siena's medieval core. Similar itineraries add San Gimignano's towers or a stop in Chianti's wine country.
| Mode | Approx. time | Cost consideration | Hassle factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Regionale / Regionale Veloce) | 46 min–1h 20 | From €8.90 one-way | Low: direct, no parking to manage |
| Regional coach | Similar to or longer than the train | Check the operator's current fare | Moderate: coach stop sits outside central Florence |
| Car | About 1h 15 without traffic | Fuel and tolls plus parking outside the ZTL | Higher: no driving inside Pisa's historic center |
| Organized day tour | Full day, fixed schedule | Set per-person price from the tour operator | Low effort, least flexible timing |
Planning a Florence to Pisa Day Trip
With roughly 46 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes of travel each way, plus roughly 30–40 minutes on foot at each end, a single day trip to Pisa leaves a workable few hours to see the main sights. An early departure gives the most flexibility; a mid-morning train still allows a comfortable half-day visit. Pisa also connects onward to Lucca by regional train, at a fare of €3.70 per Trenitalia's Tuscany Line information, which makes a combined day feasible for early risers. Pair this trip with the Florence to Lucca train route for a two-town day. For a longer, slower-paced alternative, compare journey times with the Florence to Cinque Terre train route, which runs considerably longer than the Pisa hop. Florence's train network reaches other Tuscan towns with similar ease. A direct regional train also connects Florence to Arezzo's historic center. Similar direct services run to Pistoia's compact old town and to Prato's textile quarter. For the full lineup of car-free day trips from Florence, see the day trips from Florence by train guide.
Take the fastest 46-minute train to Pisa, then add a €3.70 extension to Lucca—early risers can squeeze both towns into a single day.
Mistakes to Avoid
A few recurring errors catch first-time visitors on this route.
- Searching only for "Florence" instead of "Firenze" in ticket search tools, which can return no results or the wrong station.
- Boarding without validating a paper ticket before departure, which can lead to a fine even if you already paid for the ticket.
- Assuming every train uses the same Florence station — confirm Santa Maria Novella versus Campo di Marte for your specific train.
- Ignoring the possibility of a strike day — check current service status rather than assuming your booked train will run as scheduled.
Regional tickets: paper and digital are different
Paper regional tickets must be stamped at the station before boarding. Trenitalia Digital Regional Tickets activate automatically at the booked departure time; change the departure before that time if your plans change. Electronic Regional Tickets follow their own printed validity. Trenitalia explains these ticket formats. Regional trains have no assigned seats: buying early does not reserve one.
Connect this journey with your Florence stay
Use the Florence public transport guide to plan the bus or tram between your accommodation and the departure station.
Official planning sources
Sources reviewed 6 October 2026: Trenitalia, Trenitalia, Trenitalia. Check the dated timetable and current notices before travelling. Journey allowances are planning estimates, not a guarantee for a particular departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the train from Florence to Pisa?
The fastest direct trains cover the route in about 46 to 51 minutes. Slower Regionale services that stop more often take closer to 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes. Actual travel time depends on the specific train class you book.
How much does the train from Florence to Pisa cost?
The standard Regionale fare is listed at €8.90 one-way on Trenitalia's Tuscany Line route information. Regionale Veloce does not automatically cost more than Regionale; reserved services use separate fares. Check Trenitalia's current fares before booking, since prices shift by travel date and how far ahead you book.
Is there a direct train from Florence to Pisa?
Yes. Most services run directly between a Florence station and Pisa Centrale, with no change of trains required. A handful of connections do involve a transfer, so check the specific train before you book.
Which Florence station do Pisa trains leave from?
Most Regionale and Regionale Veloce trains to Pisa depart from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the central station. Some faster Frecciargento and Frecciabianca services instead depart from Firenze Campo di Marte. Always confirm the departure station listed on your specific ticket.
Can you do Florence to Pisa as a day trip by train?
Yes, Pisa works well as a single-day trip from Florence. With roughly 46 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes of travel each way and roughly 30–40 minutes to walk from Pisa Centrale to the Leaning Tower, an early train leaves a full afternoon to explore before heading back.
Is it cheaper to book Florence to Pisa tickets in advance?
Ordinary regional fares generally do not become cheaper by buying several days ahead, and there is no assigned seat. Advance purchase mainly saves time at the station. Reserved long-distance fares work differently.
