Daytrip to PISA

Where are you coming from? If you are coming from Rome I would not do Pisa as a day trip, it would be an overnight.

If you are coming from Florence then it is easily done on your own as a daytrip. I would take the train as the station is very close to the tower.

As for visiting any other cities, it really depends on how much time you plan on spending in Pisa. I would say to just visit Pisa and save other cities for other days.

Donna

Thanks Neighbor! We live in Gibsonia. We're leaving here at the end of Feb-going first to Florence, Then Venice, and then Rome.

Depending how much time you will be in Florence, Pisa is an easy day trip from there (1.5 hours by train); If you are only in Florence for a couple nights, skip Pisa and spend your time there.

If doing Pisa, you can walk to the tower (hour walk, maybe more) or do what most do, take the bus or a taxi.

All said, just to see the tower and area, is at least 5 hours total from Florence, longer if you get tickets to climb the tower.

A bus stops right in front of the train station and will drop you off next to the Field of Miracles. Walking probably takes 15 - 20 minutes.

In Pisa, all you will really find there worth touring is the Tower and adjacent church, and not much more. There are so many other towns that you could visit instead of Pisa that would give you more bang for your buck. I would recommend San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, Montepulciano, Cortona, Orvieto... In any case, I would recommend taking a train, if possible, unless you feel confident in your driving (and parking) skills, and if you have a good GPS with European maps. Many heavily touristed towns/cities have limited traffic zones (ZTL) which will garner you heavy fines if you pass through them.

Per Google earth, it's about 1 mile from the train station to the Field of Miracles/Leaning Tower campus. The RS book gives you a pretty interesting walking tour along the way, if I recall correctly.

I agree with John, there are other places more worth a day trip than Pisa. There are so many cheap sourvenir stands near the tower it really decreases your enjoyment and outside of the Field of Miracles, there isn't that much to see in town.

I'm also in the group that says Pisa is NOT worth devoting an entire day to. It's worth two hours at most and only if your train is passing through.

However, if you do decide to go...just follow Rick's recommendation of the train and bus which is clearly outlined in his book (which I will assume you have already purchased). Very simple, minimal walking

Pisa and Lucca, the same day, would make a good daytrip, especially if you are driving.

We took a day tour from Florence in October which went to Siena, San Giminagno, lunch at an organic winery/olive oil farm and a one hour stop at Pisa-www.walkaboutpass.com. It was fun and the lunch was great-all day tour lasts about 12 hours.

Can you please share what tour company you used for this tour? That sounds perfect.

We drove to Pisa and Lucca from the outsirks of Florence. Not much to see in Pisa except the tower..but Lucca was lovely.

Agree! Lucca is lovely - nicer than Pisa. I managed to do Pisa & Lucca in one day, going to Pisa first by train from Florence. Walked to the Leaning Tower from the station. Lucca is only another half hour away by train, and I spent more time there. Pleasant walk on the town walls.