We will be travelling from Cinque Terra at the end of June and plan to stop at Pisa to visit the Tower etc for a few hours - just wondering if there are any suggestions for parking (especially to avoid the time limited zones of the city).
We did very well using the instructions for parking lots in RS book.
In Pisa we used a big parking lot that is also used by tour busses, especially with groups coming from cruises. It's FREE (rare in Italy) and there is also quite some police presence to ensure some security. However, you will have to walk about 10-15 minutes to the Tower, possibly sharing the experience with hordes of cruise groups. But the way is very well signed. So is the parking lot itself. We just followed the signs for Parcheggio Pietrasantina. Our GPS had this parking lot marked as well. We were the at the end of June, i.e. in high season. When we arrived in the middle of the day the parking lot was half empty, when we left late afternoon it was even emptier.
I did the same thing a Beatrix. Just be sure to take the exit and route that is in the RS book. The first time I went, we got off at the wrong exit and had to wind through Pisa. However, it was before ZTL zones, so it worked out ok. Using the exit in the book (I believe it is Pisa Nord) is much easier and no zones.
Hi Beatrix and Connie,
Thanks so much for your reply. We have the Rick Steves videos of Italy but not his book. Were these details for directions to parking in his Italy book or just his Tuscany book? We will be travelling the whole of Italy over 4 weeks so sounds like it will be worth getting.
We only had his Italy book and it includes the above information
Pretty much across the street from the "main" entrance to the Field of Miracles is a parking lot, you have to pay but it's less than a 5 minute walk. It's cheap too. It's on the side of the Field away from the Tower.
Pam - Just returned from a month in my Italia and Elaine hit it spot on - Parking lot is just the right spot to leave your car - very ez
Ciao, Greg
Have to agree with Elaine. Just got back two nites ago.
Drive past the entry a little ways and you will see the paid parking lot on your left. It was an easy walk (1 or two blocks)to the sights. There was also parking available on the streets, but we did not feel safe because of all the steeet vendors trying to push watches and purses, etc.
WE parked in the pay lot just a few minutes from tower. Very easy walk to the field of miracles.