Any experience about the Terravision bus from Pisa to Florence?

I think you can expect the same or better than in the states. Luggage goes in the luggage hold under the bus. The driver will probably even load it for you. They are a reputable outfit that operates airport connector buses throughout Europe. Worse comes to worse, you can always go on the train. Shuttle buses every 10 minutes to Pisa Centrale, which is just 8 minutes away.

Sam,
Thanks for letting me know about the under bus storage of bags. That's better than trying to lug it onboard and trying to get it into a rack. That said, one of my carryons is a camera bag with a lot of expensive camera and computer gear. Do you know if a bag that would go in the overhead of an airplane be allowed to be brought into the bus? I'd prefer to move that particular bag around by myself.

Guy,

You might also consider travel by train on that route, as it's an easy one hour trip. Many of the trains on that route are Regionale so will be very inexpensive. Current fares from Pisa Centrale to Firenze SMN listed at €8 PP. However, one important point to mention - DON'T forget to validate (time & date stamp) the ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or you may face hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! The same is true with Bus tickets.

When you arrive in Pisa, you'd first have to take the Shuttle from PSA to Pisa Centrale, which is only a short trip.

Ken,
Thanks for mentioning the train. The main reason I don't want to take it is to minimize the jockeying of luggage. It's a good reminder about validating the ticket. We've made six trips to Italy in the last seven years and are familiar with the trains. Sometimes they're crowded and luggage is a nuisance. We've not been to Florence before so the transfer from Pisa to Florence is going to be a new experience and hearing about options from people who have done it is greatly appreciated.

You can take your camera bag on the bus, store it overhead, under the seat, or even keep it on your lap, depending on how much storage space you find inside.

Yes by all means bring the camera equipment on board. The bus overhead racks are not a spacious as an airplane's, probably a fat briefcase or thin backpack is all they could handle, but if it will fit in your lap, its only an hour ride. If the bus is not full, you can put it in the seat next to you.

The camera bag is a 22" sized carryon. If necessary I can keep it on my lap. I do hesitate to have it tossed about considering all that's inside it. I'm glad to know that at least they'll allow it onboard. It seems that transferring by one bus ride and a cab in Florence will be efficient and, as a bonus, cheap!

I prefer the bus to the train. Fewer transfers of luggage. There are two companies operating buses from PSA to Florence: Terravision and Autostradale. Same service and price so just take the one that is most convenient for your time of arrival. Two years ago I picked up at Florence a friend of mine who lives in Florence and had arrived to PSA from Sardinia. He correctly boarded the Autostradale but accidentally put the luggage under the belly of the Terravision, so we had to wait for the bag that arrived a few minutes later on the other bus. So try to make sure you don't make the same mistake and put the bag on the correct bus.

We've done one of those buses but in reverse from Florence to Pisa: saved our skins during a train strike. Very nice, and yes, large luggage is stored underneath. We took our carryons with us and just put them on our laps or underneath the seat in front of us. Not sure your 22" bag can stuff under the seat if it's hard-sided so just hold it or see if it'll fit in the rack above.

Kathy,

Thanks for the description. The bag is soft sided with no outer pockets and has surprised me how easily it fits into places I didn't think could hold it. An endorsement here for any other photographers....the ThinkTank Roller Derby is a great bag...makes hauling photo equipment very easy. It wouldn't be a problem holding it on my lap if necessary. For the 100+ euro difference in cost between a car service and the bus I could hold it a good long while! Thank you everyone for giving me an idea of what to expect. It a big help.

Roberto,

Limiting the transfer of luggage is a big plus, so the bus to Florence station and cab to apartment will be easier than chasing down shuttles and trains. I didn't know there were two choices so we'll keep our eye out for whichever one runs the soonest once we're ready to go.

http://www.pisa-airport.com/aeroporto_di_pisa_270.html