We will be dropping our rental car off in Pisa, hope to visit Pisa for a while (checking our bag at Pisa Centrale), then off by train to Vernazza. We have a choice: we can return the car at the airport (seems easy to find but I'm told also very busy and then take the train to Pisa Centrale) or at Hertz in Pisa. Anyone know how difficult it might be to find the city car rental return, and then get to the train station to check bags etc? I'm looking for a "keep it simple" solution. Thanks
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Here are the two Hertz drop off’s in Pisa. I have never used the downtown location. They are:
Pisa Airport/Galileo Galilei Airport
Hours of Op: Mo-Su 0800-2400
Via Cisanello, 168,
Hours of Op: Mo-Fr 0800-1300 1500-1900, SA 0800-1300, Su closed
The Airport location is 1.1 miles from the Pisa Centrale Train Station. Both are on the same side of the Arno River.
The Via Cisanello location is located in the city, more to the NW & on the other side of the Arno. Because of the one-way streets it’s about 2.7 miles by car from this drop off to Pisa Centrale.
With the close proximity to the Airport, and the higher likelihood of taxis/busses at the airport, I would just drop off the rental car at the Airport, drop off my bags at the train station, & then catch a bus to the Tower & Baptistery. The best bus is the LAM Rossa bus, which picks you up on the OPPOSITE SIDE of the street from DO NOT jump on the LAM Rossa busses parked directly in front of the station. Good Luck!
Posted by
Pisa
2 posts
One thing you need to find out about: I've been told you cannot check bags at any Italian Railway stations. So you may be stuck with your bags. I am not able to confirm this right now but will be in the Pisa area next week and will try and remember to check it out and post something here.
As for dropping off the car, the airport is easy to find and the car rental area is right inside the entrance to the airport, then hop a bus to downtown, one afternoon is sufficient to see the tower etc.
Another Ron
Posted by
OP
Meteghan, N.S., Canada
152 posts
Ron, thanks so much for all the info you post on this site! Re bag check, Rick Steve's Florence & Tuscany guide indicates that there is a baggage check at Pisa Centrale. If you find that has changed it would be great to know. We'll just have one small wheeled carry own bag each, but it would be much nicer if we could check them. We leave for Rome on May 4th. Just can't wait! Again many thanks....
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Tim,
Check out this trenitalia site... it says that Pisa centrale DOES have a "deposit baggage" desk... Hope this helps!
http://www.trenitalia.com/it/d7fbe2a3ded1b010VgnVCM10000045a2e90aRCRD-servizistazione_p.shtml
Ciao,
Ron in Rome!
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Unless there's been a recent security issue, yes you can check bags to be held at a train station. I'd drop the car at the airport and take the train in. Pisa is reasonably easy to drive in but the signs are confusing - at least they were to me.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Tim, I agree with Doug. Signage in Pisa is terrible. I got one of those "infamous" tickets for driving in an inappropriate place - and I thought we stayed on main roads!
The last few times we've been to Pisa we RODE IN ON THE TRAIN to Pisa Centrale and then took the busses. No fuss, no mess, no confusion - and NO TICKETS!
Drop your stuff at the train station and enjoy!
For an excellent "after the climb" lunch, head beyond the tower to "Osteria dei Cavalieri," a restaurant with great pasta (Via San Frediano 16, 011-39/050-58-08-58).
To avoid getting shut out during the high season, you can also book your Tower tickets online at:
http://www.opapisa.it/index.php?id=217&L=1&T=2
Have fun!