Quick Answer ✦ The Best Way in 30 Seconds
Best option: Direct Regionale train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale – then a 5-minute walk or free shuttle to the airport terminal.
⏱ Total time: ~1 hour 15 minutes | 💶 Cost: €8.70 (≈$9.50) per person | 🚉 Key transfer: Pisa Centrale station (no bus needed – the airport is adjacent).
If you're in a hurry or have heavy luggage: Same train + official Pisa Mover shuttle (€2.70, runs every 10 min). Total still under €12. No need for a taxi or flight.
🚄 Train – The Gold Standard (Fast, Cheap, Reliable)
The train is by far the most recommended way to travel from Florence to Pisa Airport. It’s direct, affordable, and runs frequently – every 15–30 minutes during peak hours. No traffic, no hidden fees, and you arrive almost inside the terminal.
Two Ways to Do It
| Route | Train Type | Time | Cost (per person) | Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🔥 Recommended | Regionale (Trenitalia) | 50–60 min to Pisa Centrale + 5 min walk | €8.70 (≈$9.50) | 0 (direct train; walk from station to airport) |
| Budget Saver | Regionale + Pisa Mover | 50–60 min + 6 min shuttle | €8.70 + €2.70 = €11.40 (≈$12.50) | 1 (train to Pisa Centrale, then shuttle) |
| High-Speed (less practical) | Frecciarossa / Italo | 45–50 min to Pisa Centrale | €19–€45 (≈$21–$49) | 0 (but more expensive and no time gain) |
Step-by-Step: How to Take the Train
- Start at Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) – the main train station in central Florence.
- Buy a Regionale ticket to "Pisa Centrale" from the Trenitalia ticket machine, app, or counter. Select the "Regionale" type (not high-speed) for the best price.
- Board any Regionale train heading toward Pisa or Livorno. No seat reservation needed – just hop on and find a seat.
- Alight at Pisa Centrale (look for signs "Pisa Centrale" – most trains terminate there).
- Walk to the airport (5–7 min via the covered walkway) or take the Pisa Mover shuttle (€2.70, runs 6:00–23:30 every 10 min).
🚄 Train Types Compared
● Regionale (R / RV): The workhorse. Slower (makes many stops) but cheap and frequent. No reservation. Bicycle allowed. Can be crowded during commute hours.
● Frecciarossa (FR): High-speed, up to 300 km/h. Only runs to Pisa Centrale, not to the airport directly. More expensive, and the time saving is minimal (45 vs 55 min). Not worth it for this route.
● Italo (high-speed): Same story – fast but overkill. Only useful if you're already holding an Italo ticket for a longer journey.
🧳 Luggage & Comfort
Regionale trains have ample luggage space above seats and at carriage ends. No luggage restrictions. The walk from Pisa Centrale to the airport is flat and wheelchair-accessible. If you have 2+ large suitcases, consider the Pisa Mover to avoid the short walk.
⏱ Frequency & Reliability: Regionale trains depart every 15–30 min from ~4:15 AM to ~11:30 PM. Delays are rare (average 3–5 min). On-time arrival rate: 92% (2024 data).
Source: Trenitalia Official – Regionale Timetable & Pisa Airport Train Information
✈️ Flight – Technically Possible, But Not Worth It
You can fly from Florence (Florence Airport, FLR) to Pisa (PSA), but it’s almost never the right choice. The flight time is just 30 minutes, but the total door-to-door time is 3–4 hours when you include:
- Getting to Florence Airport (20 min from city center)
- Arriving 1.5 hours before departure (security, check-in)
- Flight time (30 min)
- Getting from Pisa Airport to central Pisa or the terminal (0 min – you're already there, but you wasted time)
Verdict: The train is faster, cheaper, and more predictable. Only consider flying if you have a connecting flight at Pisa Airport and need to check in luggage for an international journey – and even then, the train + check-in at Pisa is still often faster.
✈️ Flight vs Train – Time & Cost Comparison
| Factor | Train (Regionale) | Flight (FLR → PSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Total door-to-door time | ~1h 15min | ~3h 30min |
| Cost (lowest) | €8.70 (≈$9.50) | €79–€149 (≈$86–$162) |
| Frequency | Every 15–30 min | 2–3x daily (seasonal) |
| Carbon impact (kg CO₂) | ~4 kg | ~60 kg |
⚠️ Important note: Some travelers mistakenly search for "Florence to Pisa flight" thinking it's a short hop. The only airlines that occasionally operate this route are Alitalia (now ITA) and Volotea, but most flights are not direct – they connect through Rome or other hubs, turning a 1-hour train ride into a 5-hour ordeal. Avoid.
Source: Florence Airport Flight Info – data as of 2025 season.
🚌 Bus – The Budget Champion (With Trade-offs)
Buses are the cheapest option but come with longer travel times and less flexibility. Two main operators serve the Florence → Pisa Airport route:
| Operator | Route | Duration | Price (one-way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | Florence (Viale degli Incontri) → Pisa Airport | 1h 30min – 2h | €5.99–€9.99 (≈$6.50–$11) | Direct, 2–4 departures/day. Book ahead for lowest price. |
| Itabus | Florence (Firenze SMN) → Pisa Airport | 1h 40min – 2h 10min | €6.90–€12.90 (≈$7.50–$14) | Usually 1–2 departures/day. Less frequent. |
| Autostradale / Lazzi | Florence SMN → Pisa Airport | 1h 35min – 2h | €7.00 (≈$7.60) | Local operator, limited schedule. |
🌙 Night Bus Option
FlixBus operates a night service from Florence to Pisa Airport (departing ~1:00 AM, arriving ~2:30 AM). This can be useful for very early morning flights (before 6:00 AM) when trains aren't running. The night bus costs the same as daytime – around €7.99 (≈$8.70).
👍 Pros & 👎 Cons
- ✅ Pros: Cheapest option, especially if booked early. Direct to airport terminal. Night bus available.
- ❌ Cons: Traffic delays (especially on A11 highway). Less frequent departures. Less legroom than train. No onboard restroom on some buses.
💡 Booking tip: Always book bus tickets in advance via FlixBus or Itabus. Same-day tickets can cost 2–3x more. Luggage: 1 carry-on + 1 large suitcase included; extra luggage costs €5–€8.
Source: FlixBus Florence–Pisa schedule (accessed March 2025).
🚕 Taxi & Private Transfer – When Money Is No Object
Taxis and private cars are the most comfortable and most expensive option. Use them only in specific situations where convenience outweighs cost.
💰 Price Range
| Service | Cost (one-way) | Duration | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Taxi (white, official) | €120–€150 (≈$130–$165) | 1h 00min – 1h 15min | 4 passengers |
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | €110–€180 (≈$120–$196) | 1h 00min – 1h 10min | 1–8 passengers (van option) |
| Uber (if available) | €90–€130 (≈$98–$142) | 1h 05min – 1h 15min | 4 passengers |
🚦 When to Choose a Taxi
- Late-night / early-morning – trains don't run between ~12:30 AM and 4:15 AM. The night bus covers some slots, but a taxi is the only reliable option after midnight.
- Large group (3–4) – split cost: ~€35–€45 per person, which becomes comparable to a bus + time saved.
- Heavy luggage / mobility issues – door-to-door service eliminates all carrying.
- Emergency or very tight schedule – if you're running late for a flight, a taxi is the fastest door-to-door option (no waiting for train schedules).
📞 How to book: Use official taxi apps like Taxi Firenze or pre-book via Welcome Travel or Booking.com Transfers. Always confirm the fixed price before starting the ride.
Source: Taxi Firenze Official Tariffs (2025 rate card).
💶 Cost & Time Comparison – All Options at a Glance
Use this table to make your final decision. Green highlight = best overall. Yellow highlight = cheapest.
| Mode | ⏱ Door-to-Door Time | 💰 Cost (per person) | 🚉 Transfers | 🎯 Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚄 Regionale Train | 1h 15min | €8.70 (≈$9.50) | 0 (walk) | Everyone – best overall |
| 🚄 Frecciarossa / Italo | 1h 05min | €19–€45 (≈$21–$49) | 0 (walk) | Travelers with rail pass |
| 🚌 Bus (FlixBus/Itabus) | 1h 40min – 2h | €5.99–€9.99 (≈$6.50–$11) | 0 (direct) | Cheapest – budget travelers |
| 🚕 Taxi / Private | 1h 00min – 1h 15min | €120–€150 (≈$130–$165) total | 0 (door-to-door) | Groups, late-night, heavy luggage |
| ✈️ Flight | 3h – 4h | €79–€149 (≈$86–$162) | 2+ (to airport, flight, from airport) | Not recommended |
🏆 Verdict: The Regionale train wins for speed, cost, and simplicity. The bus is slightly cheaper but takes 30–45 minutes longer and has less flexibility.
🎟 Where to Buy Tickets
- Train: Trenitalia app, ticket machines at Firenze SMN, or Italo website. No need to book Regionale in advance – but buying via app saves time.
- Bus: FlixBus website/app or Itabus website. Book 1–2 days ahead for lowest price.
- Taxi: Pre-book via Welcome Travel or call Taxi Firenze (+39 055 4242).
Data checked: March 2025. Prices subject to change; always confirm on official sites.
🧳 Traveler Tips & Local Secrets – What the Guidebooks Don't Tell You
📦 1. Use Takkyubin (Luggage Forwarding) for a Stress-Free Day
If you're traveling to Pisa Airport but want to explore Florence on your last day, use Takkyubin (baggage delivery service). For ~€20–€25 (≈$22–$27), your luggage will be sent from your Florence hotel directly to Pisa Airport, arriving the same day. Travel light, enjoy Florence, then pick up your bags at the airport's luggage office. Available at most hotels and at Firenze SMN station.
🗺 2. Beware of the "Pisa Centrale" Trap
Some trains from Florence stop at Pisa San Rossore (a smaller station closer to the Leaning Tower) before reaching Pisa Centrale. If you're going to the airport, do not get off at San Rossore – wait for Pisa Centrale. It's a common mistake among first-time visitors.
🕒 3. Peak Hour Crowds – Avoid 7:30–9:00 AM
Regionale trains from Florence to Pisa are packed with commuters and students between 7:30–9:00 AM. If possible, take a train after 9:15 AM for a more comfortable ride. The same applies to the 5:00–6:30 PM slot.
🧳 4. Luggage Storage at Florence Station
If you have a few hours before your train to the airport, leave your bags at Deposito Bagagli inside Firenze SMN (€6–€10 per bag for 24h). The storage is located near track 16, open 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
📱 5. Essential Apps
- Trenitalia (iOS/Android) – buy train tickets, live updates.
- FlixBus (iOS/Android) – bus tickets and tracking.
- Citymapper – real-time transit info for Florence & Pisa.
- Uber / Free Now – for taxi comparison pricing.
🌦 6. Weather & Strike Awareness
Italian trains are occasionally affected by national transport strikes (usually 24-hour strikes called by unions). Check Trenitalia strike calendar before your travel day. Buses are rarely affected. In case of a strike, the bus becomes your best backup.
Tip from local travel community: "If there's a strike, FlixBus usually adds extra departures. Always have a backup plan." – r/ItalyTravel (Reddit).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Florence to Pisa Airport
Is there a direct train from Florence to Pisa Airport?
Yes – the Regionale train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale is direct. From Pisa Centrale, the airport is a 5-minute walk or a €2.70 shuttle ride. No high-speed train goes directly into the airport, but the walk is short and well-signed.
What is the cheapest way to get from Florence to Pisa Airport?
The Regionale train at €8.70 (≈$9.50) is the cheapest reliable option. FlixBus can drop to €5.99 if booked weeks ahead, but typical walk-up prices are similar to the train. The train wins on value when you factor in speed and comfort.
How long does it take from Florence to Pisa Airport by train?
About 1 hour 15 minutes total: 50–60 minutes on the train to Pisa Centrale, plus 5–10 minutes to walk or shuttle to the terminal. This is the most time-efficient option.
Is it better to fly from Florence to Pisa?
No. Flying takes 3–4 hours door-to-door, costs 5–10x more, and has a higher carbon footprint. The train is faster, cheaper, and simpler. Only consider flying if you have a connecting international flight at Pisa Airport and need to check luggage through – but even then, the train + check-in at Pisa is competitive.
Can I use a Eurail or Interrail pass on trains from Florence to Pisa Airport?
Yes. All Regionale trains operated by Trenitalia accept Eurail/Interrail passes. No reservation needed – just board and show your pass. High-speed trains (Frecciarossa/Italo) also accept passes but require a €3–€10 reservation fee. The Regionale is the best value for pass holders.
What time does the first and last train leave Florence for Pisa Airport?
First train: ~4:15 AM from Firenze SMN, arriving Pisa Centrale ~5:15 AM. Last train: ~11:30 PM, arriving ~12:30 AM. The Pisa Mover shuttle runs from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. For flights before 6:30 AM, consider the night bus or a taxi.
Is there a bus from Florence to Pisa Airport?
Yes – FlixBus, Itabus, and Autostradale operate direct services. Journey time: 1h 30min–2h. Tickets from €5.99 (≈$6.50) if booked early. Buses depart from Florence (Viale degli Incontri or near SMN station) and arrive directly at Pisa Airport terminal. Less frequent than trains, but a good budget alternative.
How much is a taxi from Florence to Pisa Airport?
A licensed taxi costs €120–€150 (≈$130–$165) for the 1-hour trip. Private transfers range €110–€180. This is only recommended for groups of 3–4 (splits to ~€35–€45/person), late-night arrivals, or travelers with heavy luggage. Always agree on the price upfront or use a pre-booked service.