Train question. I’ve booked all my trains for my trip through Italy. The only one not booked is the train from Cinque Terre - Monterosso to Florence. I just realized Pisa is close. I was going to book trains to both Pisa, then a train to Florence in advance leaving 4 hours to explore Pisa. Or does it just make sense to just get a seat on both trains the day of travel. Our trip is mid October if that makes a difference.
Regional trains you do not need to book in advance, so yes, you can just buy at the station. Keeps you flexible regarding time spend in Pisa.
If you're visiting the Cinque Terre, you'll likely have the rail pass/hiking pass for the villages, which covers trips from Levanto to LaSpezia. Use your Cinque Terre pass to take the free train to LaSpezia. From there you can hop a regional train to Pisa. There is a station close to the Leaning Tower and one across town. We got off at the one by the tower first then explored the town and made our way to the other station to head on our way. Familiarize yourself with the train schedules so you don't get to the station right when one leaves forcing you wait too long for the next one.