Pisa layover.... to see the Leaning Tower or not

Hmm, somebody asked similar recently. Consensus was it was possible....but what is the required check in time for an international flight from that airport? 120 or 90 minutes? Surely you need to be there more than 50 minutes prior?

Some people sneer at the idea of going to Pisa to see the tower. Not I. After seeing countless photos, I was still awestruck by the real thing. We were there a very long time ago, and with our own car, so different circumstances. However, I can’t believe that your plan isn’t doable. Maybe someone lika Roberto, with more local knowledge, can chime in. If you do it, and time allows, check out the baptistery and duomo, at least the exteriors.

Planning to arrive at the airport just one hour before your flight leaves? Way too risky for my tastes, no thank you.

Is your flight out of Pisa your long international flight home (or part of it), or just an intra-Europe flight to another destination on your trip? What would the consequences be if you missed that flight?

I'm a "get there 3 hours before the flight" kinda guy for long international itineraries (I plan for 3 hours, and sometimes actually get there 2 hours before). For a flight intra-Europe (where the consequences of missing the flight may not be quite so dire), I shoot for 2 hours before departure. I'd much rather have an hour to kill in an airport than be sweating over whether I'm going to make the flight (or actually missing it).

I'll never forget that day when I walked into the airport in Bangkok (a huge, vast, busy place) and heard my name being called on the PA system, because the door to my flight home was about to close...

Myra, did you see Dario's response to this question in your previous post?

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/travel-from-florence-to-rome-fco-airport

The flight out of Pisa is to Palermo, in case anyone is wondering.

The drive time to the Piazza dei Miracoli from Centrale Stazione is less than 15 minutes. So if the driver is willing and affordable, there's no reason why not. I would get to the airport with more time, however, even assuming you don't have to check in. Normally it's quick, but I've seen it badly backed up at security on occasion and you are traveling on the Saturday before a holiday (June 2 Festa della Repubblica).

Thanks for the responses. It seems that maybe we should push our time too much. Just thought since we would be there, we could try to just see the Leaning Tower. But we definitely don’t want to miss our flight to Palermo.

These answers lead me to another question....
we’ll be flying from Pisa to Palermo. How early do we need to be at the airport since it isn’t an international flight?

Recommend time is 1.5. Check with your airline to see when you HAVE to be there before the gate is closed...

No. The tower is better seen when climbed and as part of the whole Field of Miracles. A look with a waiting taxi will not do it justice. Save it for another trip. I’d also consider traffic issues. Pisan taxi drivers are fast and furious, and also fun, but traffic could make you frantic.

I went when you couldn’t climb the tower and it was still,worth it. Do it if even for ten minutes. I still look at my B&W framed photo daily.

I think it is worth it if you aren't going too far out of your way! You don't need long to see it and pose holding up the tower! We have some great pictures and we were only there a short time … and we can say we saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

We found the Tower absolutely worth our time, even though it was a short visit.

Thanks so much for all of your replies!! I appreciate it!