Hello Rick, We are planning a week trip to Italy from London and have just a few cities in mind for now. Heard a lot about 5T and its scenic marvel and hence super tempted to be there. So my question is - we have a day and half (or say 5pm next day) in Florence. We would like to do a day trip to Pisa (leaning tower and the cathedral alongside) and then push off to 5T,say afternoon, to spend the rest of the day and then reach Florence by night(say 8 or9pm same day). - Is it feasible to do this day trip (all by trains)? - How much time ideally at Pisa and 5T to have a decent visit,if not elaborate?
-What would be ideal path / trail? Thanks !
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16232 posts
Yes, it's doable if you start early. Train schedules are here: www.trenitalia.com
choose a date within a week from now (using the same day of the week you are actually traveling). Train schedules for regional trains are loaded weekly but they hardly change. You could also go to the Cinque Terre first thing in the morning, then do Pisa on the way back to Florence. The Cinque Terre must be done during full daylight, whereas Pisa can be enjoyed in the evening too. The bell tower is open until 11pm in summer. The cathedral closes at 8pm. Last Regionale train from Pisa to Florence departs from Pisa at 10:30pm.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
Souz, As Roberto mentioned, it is possible in a day trip, but it won't allow much time to see either location well. It will for sure be a LONG DAY! It would probably be a more pleasant trip if you focused on either Pisa or the Cinque Terre (although it's probably still going to a full day). My suggestion would be the Cinque Terre, unless you're really intent on seeing La Famosa Torre. One of the reasons I figure this might be a better idea is that the visit to Pisa will involve one location. Time getting to and from the Tower and train waiting times will reduce your already limited time. There will be five locations to see in the Cinque Terre which will require more time. There will also be waiting times for the local trains or boats there, so having more time will be an advantage. As mentioned, use the Trenitalia website to plan your journeys. Cheers!
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I did both locations in one day and it was perfect for enjoying a bit of each locations. I have been to CT numerous times and you can always spend more time, but this particular trip was for my grandson and he wanted to see both. We did, he loved it, and giving up on one or the other would have been a disappointment to him. Go for it and have a great time.
Posted by
OP
London
5 posts
Thanks for the info everyone. I am now relieved that I can actually finish both places in a day. We thought we would start off from Florence to Pisa and wind that up and spend the rest of the day at CT and get back to Florence by night. But, I think I would go with Robertos suggestion of reaching CT first and then visiting Pisa on the way back. Cheers !
Posted by
Slidell, LA
571 posts
As others have said, it is doable, but in reality you have not allowed enough time in any of these places. If this is all the time you have I would leave out Pisa and go straight to the CTfrom Florence. If you're only going there to "see" it, don't go. The beauty of the CT is in the people, hiking the trails, relaxing with no pressure to be anywhere else. When we were in Florence we did a very long day trip to the CT and five hours of it was on a train. If you live in London you are close enough to go back. If you've never been to Florence I would recommend that you spend the entire time there and possibly find a guide to help you see all the sights, then go back to Italy another time and spend three days and two nights in the CT, adding in a side trip to Pisa if you like.