My daughters and I are flying into Pisa and will be staying in Levanto to visit the Cinque Terre area. We have a night between landing in Pisa and our reservations in Levanto. Would it be worth it to take a train and overnight in Florence and spend a day there and take a train that evening to Levanto? Or should we just stay around Pisa and spend the day there? I've been to Florence and I think my girls would enjoy the Markets there, but haven't been to the Pisa area.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
756 posts
How old are your girls? personally, i would want them to see the statue of David and the Bapistry so I would vote for Florence. Also if you are not staying in any other city, another reason to see Florence.
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
Personally Yes I would.
I think your girls would rather a full day in Florence than a full day in Pisa which is your basic question and the time to travel there is not bad.
I did not take the train from Pisa Airport to Florence (hired a driver) but here are some options:
https://www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/how-to-reach-florence-from-pisa-airport/
The private driver cost us more than public transit obviously but there were 3 of us so per person wasn't that bad and we made advance arrangements with the driver to stop at the Pisa Tower / Piazza area for 40 minutes for us to walk around and take pictures there before we headed to Florence. Obviously 40 minutes doesn't allow for much but at least we got to see the main attraction in the town we flew into and the entire piazza grounds are beautiful, not just the leaning tower.
Posted by
Tampa, FL
641 posts
I suggest spending the day and night Florence, if you don't think you'll be too jet-lagged. See the David if you can and try Santa Croce church along with the markets if you can. I couldn't be that close to Florence and not go!
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
16 posts
My girls are 14, 15 & 23.
Thanks for the reassurance, I was thinking it could be a good idea :)
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
Our driver was based out of Pisa. if you want her email, let me know.
Great value for a professional service.
Since I imagine you are not flying directly into Pisa you probably have a very long flight plan so will be tired upon reaching Pisa. Much easier to get picked up at the airport by someone waiting for you and whisk you right to your hotel in Florence than navigate buses/trains, etc.... and the usually waiting times and walking with luggage involved.
If you can work the cost into your budget ; I think your girls will appreciate it
Posted by
OP
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
16 posts
Mrreynolds, if you can give me her email I would appreciate. And if you have an approximate cost that would be great, too. We will just be coming from 4 nights in Scotland, so the flight won't be too bad ;)
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
Sent you a PM with the contact info, cost not including the extra stop is less than a taxi likely would cost but in the message I gave you the cost info I had.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
For comparison to a private transfer, the total cost for 4 people to take the people mover to Pisa Centrale and train to Firenze SMN is €44.40. The entire trip takes under an hour and a half.