How to Get from Pisa to Florence Airport

The train + tram combination is the most recommended way to get from Pisa to Florence Airport for 90% of travellers. It balances speed, cost, reliability, and frequency. Here is everything you need to know.

Step 1: Pisa Centrale → Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN)

Train types & comparison:

Train Type	Duration	Price (2nd class)	Frequency	Booking Required?	Notes
Regionale (R)	1 hr 10–20 min	€8.60 (~$9.40)	Every 30 min	No – open ticket	Best value; stops at many stations
Regionale Veloce (RV)	55 min–1 hr 05 min	€9.50 (~$10.40)	Every 60 min	No – open ticket	Fewer stops; recommended
InterCity (IC)	48–55 min	€13.50 (~$14.75)	4–6 per day	Recommended (seat reservation possible)	More spacious; limited schedule
Frecciarossa (High-speed)	42–50 min	€18–28 (~$20–31)	6–8 per day	Yes – mandatory reservation	Fastest but overkill for 80 km; book early for lowest fare

Where to buy tickets: Trenitalia official site (no booking fee), Omio (comparison tool, small fee), or ticket machines at Pisa Centrale (cash/card).

Platform info: Pisa Centrale has 12 tracks. Departure boards are clear. For Firenze SMN, trains usually leave from tracks 1–6. Note: Validate your ticket in the green machines before boarding (regional tickets only – digital tickets on app are pre-validated).

Step 2: Firenze SMN → Florence Airport (FLR) via Tram T2

After arriving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella (the main station in Florence), follow signs to Tram T2 (also called the "Vespucci" line). The tram stop is located directly beneath the station – take the escalator down near platform 16.

• Line: T2 (from "Stazione SMN" to "Aeroporto")
• Duration: 20 minutes (13 stops)
• Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes (06:00–00:30)
• Price: €1.50 (~$1.64) – standard ATAF urban ticket
• Where to buy tram tickets: ATAF ticket machines at station entrance, tabacchi shops, or the ATAF app.
• Tip: Validate your tram ticket on board using the yellow machines. Fines for riding without a valid ticket are €50–100.

Total Journey Summary

Recommended combination: Regionale Veloce (€9.50) + Tram T2 (€1.50) = €11.00 (~$12.00) total, ~1 hr 25–40 min door-to-door. This is the best balance of speed and cost.

Baggage: Regional trains have overhead racks and luggage areas near doors. Tram T2 is modern and flat – easy to roll suitcases.

Accessibility: Both Pisa Centrale and Firenze SMN have lifts / ramps. Tram T2 is fully wheelchair accessible.

Buses are the cheapest option on paper, but they require more planning and usually involve a transfer. Here is a detailed breakdown.

Option A: FlixBus – Pisa to Florence (Viale Filippo Strozzi) + Tram/Bus to Airport

• Route: Pisa (Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II or Pisa Airport) → Florence (Viale Filippo Strozzi bus station)
• Duration: 1 hr 10–20 min
• Price: €4.99–10.99 (~$5.45–12.00) if booked in advance; usually €7–9 on the day
• Frequency: 4–6 departures per day (check FlixBus)
• Then: From Viale Filippo Strozzi, take bus C2 or walk 10 min to Firenze SMN station, then Tram T2 to airport (total extra ~25–35 min).
• Total time (including transfer): 1 hr 45 min – 2 hr 10 min
• Total cost: €6.50–12.50 (~$7.10–13.65)

Verdict: Can be slightly cheaper than train + tram, but takes 30–50 min longer and is less convenient. Best for travellers on a very tight budget who have time to spare.

Option B: Direct Bus from Pisa City to Florence Airport (Very Limited)

As of 2025, there is no regular direct bus from Pisa city centre to Florence Airport. Some summer tourist coaches operate seasonally – check with local operators like Autolinee Toscane. Most buses from Pisa arrive in central Florence, not at the airport.

Booking & Practical Tips

• Book FlixBus online – prices rise as seats fill. No booking fee on the official site.
• Luggage: 1 free carry-on + 1 hold bag. Extra bags cost €5–9 each.
• Stop location in Pisa: FlixBus usually departs from Pisa Airport (PSA) or Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II – check your ticket carefully.
• Night bus: FlixBus has a 23:15 departure from Pisa to Florence – useful for late arrivals, but you will still need a taxi or night bus from Florence to the airport after arrival.

A taxi or private car is the most convenient and fastest option, but also 8–10 times more expensive than public transport. Here is when it makes sense and what you will pay.

Price Range

Service Type	Est. Price (EUR)	Est. Price (USD)	Duration
Licensed taxi (metered, Pisa rank)	€100–120	$109–131	1 hr 10–20 min
Pre-booked private transfer (sedan)	€110–130	$120–142	1 hr 05–15 min
Premium / executive car (Mercedes E-class)	€140–170	$153–186	1 hr 05–15 min
Taxi from Pisa Airport (PSA) to FLR	€90–115	$98–126	55 min–1 hr 05 min

When to Choose a Taxi / Private Transfer

• Late night / early morning – trains and trams stop running (trains from Pisa until ~23:00; tram until 00:30). After that, taxi is your only option besides a night bus.
• Group of 3–4 people – cost per person drops to €25–35, making it competitive with first-class train tickets.
• Heavy luggage (3+ large suitcases) – Italian regional trains have limited luggage space.
• Mobility issues – door-to-door service avoids stairs and platform changes.
• Business traveller / time-sensitive – saves 20–40 min vs train + tram.

How to Book

• Licensed taxi: Find official white taxis at Pisa Centrale or Pisa Airport. Always use the meter or agree on a fixed price beforehand.
• Private transfer (recommended): Use platforms like GetTransfer or Welcome Pickups for fixed prices, flight tracking, and English-speaking drivers.
• Uber / ride-hailing: Limited in Tuscany. Uber is available in Florence but not reliably in Pisa. Do not rely on it.

Warning: Avoid unlicensed drivers at the station – they often charge 2–3x the official rate. Always check the driver's ID badge.

You might wonder: "Can I fly from Pisa to Florence Airport?" The short answer is no – there are no scheduled flights between Pisa (PSA) and Florence (FLR). The distance is only 80 km (50 miles) by road. Here is a detailed explanation of why flying does not make sense and what the alternatives are.

Hypothetical Flight vs Reality

Scenario	Total Door-to-Door Time	Cost	CO₂ Emissions
🚄 Train + Tram (actual)	1 hr 35 min	€11	~2 kg
✈️ Hypothetical flight (check-in, security, fly, exit)	3 hr 00 min+	€120–250+	~25 kg
🚕 Taxi (actual)	1 hr 10 min	€110	~14 kg

Key insight: Even if a direct flight existed, the time spent getting to/from airports, checking in, and clearing security would make it twice as slow as the train + tram and 10–20x more expensive.

What About Flying from Pisa Airport (PSA) to Florence Area?

Pisa International Airport (PSA) has flights to many European cities, but none to Florence (the route is too short). If you are arriving at Pisa Airport and need to get to Florence Airport (FLR) to catch a connecting flight, your best bet is:

• Train from Pisa Airport to Florence SMN: The Pisa Airport train station is a 5-min walk from the terminal. Take a Regionale train directly to Firenze SMN (€8.60, 1 hr 10 min), then Tram T2 to FLR (€1.50, 20 min). Total: €10.10, ~1 hr 40 min.
• Taxi from Pisa Airport to Florence Airport: €90–115, 55 min–1 hr 05 min.

Bottom line: For this route, train + tram beats flying every time. Do not waste time or money looking for flights.

Use this table to compare time, cost, frequency, and convenience of every option. The best value and cheapest options are highlighted.

Mode	Duration	Cost (EUR)	Cost (USD)	Transfers	Best For
✅ Regional Train + Tram (Best Value)	1 hr 30–50 min	€10.10–11.00	$11.00–12.00	1 transfer (SMN)	Most travellers – cheap, fast, reliable
InterCity Train + Tram	1 hr 15–30 min	€15.00	$16.40	1 transfer (SMN)	Travellers wanting more comfort
Frecciarossa + Tram	1 hr 05–20 min	€19.50–29.50	$21.30–32.20	1 transfer (SMN)	Speed lovers – but expensive for 80 km
💰 FlixBus + Tram/Bus (Cheapest)	1 hr 45 min–2 hr 10 min	€6.50–12.50	$7.10–13.65	1–2 transfers	Budget travellers with time to spare
🚕 Taxi / Private Transfer	1 hr 05–20 min	€100–130	$109–142	0 (door-to-door)	Groups (3–4 pax), late night, heavy luggage
✈️ Flight (hypothetical)	3 hr+ (not viable)	€120–250+	$131–273+	2+ (airport security, etc.)	Not recommended for this route

Summary: The Regional train + Tram T2 is the undisputed best option for 90% of travellers. The FlixBus can save you ~€3–4 but costs you 30–50 extra minutes. A taxi is only worth it for groups, late hours, or special needs.

Where to Buy Tickets – Quick Links

• Trenitalia – all trains (free ticket validation on app)
• Omio – compares trains & buses (small booking fee)
• FlixBus – budget coach bookings
• ATAF – Florence tram & bus tickets (app or machines)

Based on hundreds of traveler reports and local knowledge, here are practical tips to make your trip smoother.

1. Luggage Strategy – Use "Spedire Mio" or Similar Courier Services

If you have heavy or bulky luggage (surfboards, ski bags, multiple large suitcases), consider using a luggage courier service like Spedire Mio or LuggageHero. They can pick up your bags from your hotel in Pisa and deliver them to Florence Airport (or your Florence hotel) for €20–35 per bag. This frees you to travel light on the train.

2. Navigating Firenze SMN – Don't Get Lost

Firenze Santa Maria Novella is a busy station with two levels. The Tram T2 platforms are underground, near track 16. Follow the blue "Tramvia" signs – it takes about 5–8 minutes to walk from your arrival track to the tram platform. Avoid rush hour (07:30–09:00 and 17:00–19:00) if possible – the station gets crowded.

3. Validate Your Tickets – Fines Are Real

Italian train conductors and tram inspectors are strict. Regional train tickets must be validated in the green machines on the platform before boarding. Tram tickets must be validated on board. Digital tickets on the Trenitalia app are automatically validated. Fine for forgetting: €50–100.

4. Book in Advance for Peak Seasons

During Easter week, August (ferragosto), Christmas, and major events (Florence's Pitti Uomo, art exhibitions), trains can fill up. While regional trains never sell out (no seat reservation), Frecciarossa and InterCity can sell out 2–3 days in advance. Book at least 3–7 days ahead for high-speed options.

5. Check the Tram Schedule for Late Flights

The Tram T2 runs until approximately 00:30 (last departure from SMN). If your flight departs early (before 06:30) or arrives late (after 23:00), the tram may not be running. In that case, take a night bus from SMN to the airport (line N1, runs hourly 00:30–05:30) or a taxi (~€20–25 from SMN to FLR).

6. Avoid Unnecessary Taxi Scams

At Pisa Centrale, only use official white taxis with a "Taxi" sign on the roof. The starting meter rate is ~€3.50 for urban trips, but for airport transfers, drivers often quote a flat price. For a Pisa–FLR transfer, the fair price is €100–130. If a driver quotes €150+, negotiate or walk away. Pre-booking via a platform eliminates this risk.

7. When to Allow Extra Time

Add 20–30 minutes to your planned journey if: you are travelling during a strike (sciopero – common in Italy, check Trenitalia strike calendar), it is your first time navigating SMN station, or you have more than 2 bags.