How to Get from Pisa to Peretola Airport

The train + tram combination is the most popular and practical way to reach Peretola Airport from Pisa. It balances speed, cost, and frequency. Below is a complete breakdown of every step, the different train types, and how to make the transfer seamlessly.

Step-by-Step Journey

1. Step 1: Walk or take a short local bus to Pisa Centrale — the main railway station in Pisa.
2. Step 2: Board a train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN). Trains depart from tracks 1–5. Buy your ticket from the self-service machines (red or green), the Trenitalia app, or the ticket office.
3. Step 3: Arrive at Firenze SMN (lower level). Follow signs for Tram T2 — exit the station and cross the square; the tram stop is directly in front of the station.
4. Step 4: Take Tram T2 (direction: Peretola Airport) for about 20 minutes. The tram runs every 5–8 minutes during peak times. Get off at the final stop: Peretola Airport.
5. Step 5: Walk 2 minutes into the terminal. Done.

Train Types Compared

Three types of trains run from Pisa Centrale to Firenze SMN. Choose based on your budget and schedule.

Train Type	Time	Ticket Price (one-way)	Frequency	Reservation Needed?	Best For
Regionale Veloce (RV)	~60 min	€8.30 ($8.70)	Every 30 min	No	Budget & flexibility
Intercity (IC)	~50 min	€12.00 ($12.60)	Every 1–2 hours	Recommended	Faster & more comfortable
Frecciarossa (FR)	~45 min	€18.90–€24.50 ($19.80–$25.70)	Hourly (limited)	Yes (mandatory)	Speed & premium experience

Note: Prices are dynamic — booking Frecciarossa in advance can drop the fare to ~€14.90. Regionale Veloce tickets are fixed price and valid for 4 hours after validation.

Tram T2: What You Need to Know

• Travel time: 20 minutes from Firenze SMN to Peretola Airport.
• Ticket price: €1.50 ($1.60) — buy from the automated machines at the tram stop or the AT Firenze app.
• Frequency: Every 5–8 minutes (daytime), every 12–15 minutes (evening).
• Luggage: Step-free boarding; luggage racks available. No extra charge.
• Operating hours: ~5:00 AM – 12:30 AM.

Total Time & Cost Summary (Train + Tram)

• Fastest combo: Frecciarossa + Tram T2 = ~1 hour 10 minutes / €20.40–€26.00
• Best value combo: Regionale Veloce + Tram T2 = ~1 hour 20 minutes / €9.80
• Most comfortable combo: Intercity + Tram T2 = ~1 hour 15 minutes / €13.50

For official schedules and tickets, visit Trenitalia and AT Firenze.

Taking a bus from Pisa to Florence is generally cheaper than the train, but requires a transfer from the Florence bus stop to Peretola Airport. This option appeals to travelers on a tight budget who don't mind a slightly longer door-to-door journey.

FlixBus: Pisa → Florence City Centre

• Route: Pisa (Pisa Centrale or Pisa Airport) → Florence (Viale Filippo Strozzi / Florence Bus Station).
• Time: 1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Price: €4.99–€12.00 ($5.20–$12.60), depending on advance booking.
• Frequency: 6–10 departures daily (daytime only; limited after 9 PM).
• Luggage: 1 large suitcase + 1 carry-on included; extra bags €5 each.

Getting from Florence Bus Stop to Peretola Airport

Once you arrive in Florence city centre, you need to reach the airport. Two easy options:

• Tram T2: From Viale Filippo Strozzi stop (near the bus drop-off) — walk 5 minutes to the tram stop Fortezza or Unità, then ride to Peretola Airport (15–20 min, €1.50).
• Bus 28: From Firenze SMN station — catch Bus 28 directly to the airport (25 min, €1.50).

Day Bus vs. Late Bus

Daytime buses (6:00 AM – 9:00 PM) are frequent and reliable. Late buses (after 9:00 PM) are rare — FlixBus usually has only 1–2 evening departures. For late arrivals, the train + tram combination runs until ~12:30 AM, which is often more practical.

Total Time & Cost (Bus + Tram/Bus to Airport)

• Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours.
• Total cost: €6.50–€14.00 ($6.80–$14.70).
• Booking: Strongly recommended via FlixBus — prices rise sharply close to departure.

Tip: If you book FlixBus at least 2 weeks in advance, you can often get tickets for €5–€7.

A taxi or private transfer is the most convenient but most expensive way to get from Pisa to Peretola Airport. It’s best suited for groups, families with heavy luggage, late-night arrivals, or travelers with limited mobility.

Taxi from Pisa City Centre / Pisa Centrale

• Journey time: 50–60 minutes (via A11 motorway).
• Price range: €100–€130 ($105–$137).
• Metered vs fixed: Most taxis use a meter; expect €100–€110 under normal traffic. Fixed rates to the airport are sometimes offered — confirm before departing.
• Pick-up points: Taxi ranks at Pisa Centrale (Piazza della Stazione) and Pisa Airport (PSA).

Private Transfer (Pre-Booked)

• Price: €90–€150 ($95–$158), depending on vehicle type (sedan, minivan, executive).
• Advantages: Fixed price (no surge), meet & greet service, child seats available, free waiting time (usually 15–30 minutes).
• Providers: Welcome Pickups, GetYourGuide Transfers, local operators like NCC Florence.
• Booking: Recommended 24+ hours in advance via Welcome Pickups or similar.

When to Choose a Taxi / Private Transfer

• ✅ You're traveling with 3+ people (cost per person becomes comparable to train).
• ✅ You have heavy or bulky luggage (ski gear, multiple suitcases).
• ✅ Your flight departs before 6:00 AM or arrives after 11:00 PM (when trains/trams are limited).
• ✅ You have mobility issues or need wheelchair assistance.
• ✅ You value time and convenience over budget.

Warning: Avoid unlicensed taxis (no official roof sign or meter). Always use the official taxi queue or a pre-booked service.

Why flying is not an option: Pisa and Florence are only ~80 km apart, and there are no commercial flights between Pisa Airport (PSA) and Florence Peretola Airport (FLR). The quickest flight would require connecting through Rome or Milan — turning a 1-hour drive into a 5-hour ordeal. Driving or renting a car is the only "private" alternative to taxis.

Driving from Pisa to Peretola Airport

• Route: Take the A11 motorway (Firenze-Mare) from Pisa towards Florence. Exit at Firenze Ovest and follow signs for Peretola Airport.
• Distance: ~80 km (50 miles).
• Time: 50–60 minutes in normal traffic; up to 1 hour 30 minutes during peak (7:30–9:30 AM, 5:00–7:00 PM).
• Tolls: A11 toll ~€6.20 ($6.50) each way.

Car Rental: Costs & Practicalities

• Rental price: €35–€65 per day ($37–$68) for a compact car (e.g., Fiat 500 or similar).
• Pick-up locations: Pisa Centrale, Pisa Airport (PSA), or city centre agencies (Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Sixt).
• Drop-off: Peretola Airport has all major rental desks in the arrivals hall.
• Fuel: ~€12–€15 for the one-way trip (petrol).

Parking at Peretola Airport

• Short-stay (P1): €2.00 per 30 min, max €25 per day.
• Long-stay (P2/P3): €12–€18 per day (pre-book online for discounts).
• Kiss & Ride: Free for 10 minutes — ideal for drop-offs.

Total Cost Estimate (One-Way Rental + Fuel + Toll)

• Budget: €53–€86 ($56–$90) — competitive with taxi for 2+ people.
• Best for: Travelers who plan to explore Tuscany by car and need the airport as a drop-off point.

Book rental cars via Rentalcars.com or directly with Europcar.

Use the table below to compare every transport mode from Pisa to Peretola Airport. The best value and fastest options are highlighted.

Transport Mode	Total Time	Total Cost (1 person)	Total Cost (2 people)	Total Cost (4 people)	Frequency	Best For
🚆 Regionale Veloce + Tram T2	~1h20m	€9.80 ($10.30)	€19.60 ($20.60)	€39.20 ($41.20)	Every 30 min	Best value overall
🚄 Frecciarossa + Tram T2	~1h10m	€20.40–€26.00 ($21.40–$27.30)	€40.80–€52.00	€81.60–€104.00	Hourly	Fastest train combo
🚌 FlixBus + Tram T2	~1h40m–2h	€6.50–€14.00 ($6.80–$14.70)	€13.00–€28.00	€26.00–€56.00	6–10 daily	Cheapest option
🚕 Taxi	~55min	€100–€130 ($105–$137)	€100–€130	€100–€130	On demand	Door-to-door comfort
🚗 Car Rental (one-way)	~55min	€53–€86 ($56–$90)	€53–€86	€53–€86	Self-service	Flexibility & group travel

Where to Buy Tickets

• Trenitalia trains: Official app or trenitalia.com — no booking fee.
• Tram T2: AT Firenze app, ticket machines at every stop, or tabaccherie (tobacco shops).
• FlixBus: flixbus.com or app — prices increase as departure approaches.
• Private transfer: Pre-book via Welcome Pickups or local providers.
• Car rental: Compare on Rentalcars.com.

💰 Money-saving tip: If you're travelling with 2 or more people, a Regionale Veloce + Tram T2 combo costs less than €10 per person and is nearly as fast as a taxi. For groups of 4, a taxi becomes cost-competitive (€25–€33 per person).

Real-world advice from frequent travelers to help you avoid common pitfalls and make your journey smoother.

1. Luggage: Keep It Simple

• Train + tram: Both Pisa Centrale and Firenze SMN have elevators (sometimes out of order — check signs). Tram T2 is step-free. If you have more than 2 large suitcases, consider a taxi.
• Luggage storage: If you want to explore Florence before your flight, use Left Luggage at Firenze SMN (€6–€8 per bag for 24 hours).
• Takkyubin-style service: In Italy, Spediamo and Pony Express offer luggage delivery, but for tourists it's easier to use station luggage storage or a porter service at the airport.

2. Navigating Firenze SMN (The Tricky Part)

• The tram stop is outside the station, directly across Piazza della Stazione. Follow the green "T2" signs.
• Buy your tram ticket before boarding — the machines accept coins and cards. Validate it on the platform.
• If you miss the tram, the next one arrives within 8 minutes. Don't worry.

3. Peak Season & Booking

• Golden Week / Holidays: Around Easter, Christmas, and August (Ferragosto), trains can be crowded. Book Frecciarossa or Intercity in advance. Regionale Veloce always has standing room.
• Strikes (Sciopero): Italian transport strikes are common — check Trenitalia or local news before travel. During strikes, buses and taxis are the backup.

4. Buying Train Tickets: Common Mistakes

• Validate your ticket: For Regionale trains, you MUST validate the ticket in the yellow machines before boarding — or you risk a €50 fine.
• Digital tickets: If you buy on the Trenitalia app, the ticket is automatically validated for the selected train. No need to stamp.
• Frecciarossa check-in: Mandatory online check-in for Frecciarossa — you'll get a QR code. Have it ready for the conductor.

5. Time Buffer for Flights

• Peretola Airport is small (one terminal). Arriving 1 hour before a Schengen flight and 1.5 hours before a non-Schengen flight is sufficient.
• Add 30 minutes to your train + tram journey for unexpected delays (late train, queue at tram ticket machine).

6. Connectivity & Amenities

• Free Wi-Fi at Peretola Airport (unlimited, no registration).
• Power outlets at every seat in the departure lounge and on Frecciarossa trains.
• Water fountains at Firenze SMN and Peretola Airport — refill your bottle.

Pro tip: If you have a long layover at Peretola, the tram into Florence city centre takes only 20 minutes — you can easily visit the Duomo and be back in 2 hours.