Hello, I will be in Pisa in late April. I want to go to Venice the next day and i will be getting a train early. I am thinking of going from Pisa to Lucca to stay the night instead of staying in Pisa. My plane arrives at 1430, and i want to go see the Tower/Bapistry and then head off to Lucca as soon as possible. What is a good way to do this, from airport to tower then to train within a few hours?
So that will only leave a later evening and morning in Lucca but i think that might be worth it.
Lucca is certainly worth some time. I have no experience with the airport in Pisa, but for the train to Lucca you can use the S. Rossore station, which is served by a half-hourly direct train to Lucca. It's less than 10 mins walk from the tower. Google Maps shows you the way.
That sounds like a good plan to me. I'd personally rather have dinner and spend the night in Lucca than Pisa. See the tower and baptistry as soon as you arrive, catch the train to Lucca, drop off your bag and enjoy the evening. I would like to recommend Hotel Rex near the train station in Lucca for your early get away to Venice the following morning. We've stayed at this hotel and it was surprising comfortable and spacious for a train station area hotel. Right now some of their April rates are a little less than $100, a pretty good value for such a nice hotel with breakfast included.
We took our luggage to see the Pisa tower and baptistery from the train station and it was no big deal. I agree that Lucca is a much nicer place for a night and a dinner. You may also want to check out Padova from Venice. It is about an hour train ride from Venice and it a great city with lots of sights and ambiance.
Just booked Hotel Rex, thanks for the recommendation! Includes bike rental and breakfast also!
How far is the tower/bapistry in Pisa from the train station? im not sure what train station i would arrive from the airport
Here's Google's map of Pisa.
As you can see, the airport itself is quite close to the city, 3-4 miles from the Leaning Tower depending on the route taken. Pisa Centrale Station is about 1.2 miles from the tower. San Rossore Station is a good bit closer, but I can't give you the distance because Google Maps is producing a wildly convoluted walking route.
Regional trains from the airport may well stop at both those stations, but I was unable to confirm that. Centrale reportedly offers luggage storage, but San Rossore does not.
I found an internet posting referring to a bus route (#1) running from Pisa Centrale to the area of the tower.
The airport is currently connected to the Centrale train station via shuttle bus (8 min). The people mover from the airport to the Central station may be open by the time you go, they are testing it now. The Centrale station offers luggage storage service. From the Centrale station to the tower/duomo/baptistery it is a 25-30 min walk, but you can also take a short bus ride (bus no.1) or taxi.
The San Rossore station would be much closer to the tower and also very convenient for you to go on your way to Lucca (trains to Lucca depart from a Centrale then stop at San Rossore on the way to Lucca), but the issue is the luggage. There is no luggage storage at San Rossore, so where would you store your luggage while you visit the sights? Unless you haul your luggage to visit the sights, you might have no choice but to back track all the way to the Centrale station to retrieve your luggage and take the train to Lucca from that station.
To spend most of your time in Lucca rather than Pisa is definitely the best choice. The walk from San Rossore station is very short. There's a long underground tunnel to and from the station. And unless you plan to climb the Pisa tower, to see it/walk around the outside will take only a couple minutes. By far, the most outstanding site on the Campo is the marvelous church, grand and beautiful. Be aware you need a timed reservation to enter, no cost. In Rick's books you can find out how and where to get the tickets, very easy. Also be aware that if you walk the wonderful ramparts in Lucca and then go directly to the Lucca train station, the Porta to get there (mentioned in Rick's books) is not marked with any signage. Look for the steps going down to an underground passageway, follow that route and you'll eventually see the Lucca station.
Bryan,
As it appears that you'll be visiting Pisa directly after a long international flight, this is what I'd suggest....
I wouldn't use the San Rossore station. Although it's closer to the Tower, it seems to have less frequent trains and there's no luggage storage. You may find that you don't have the energy to spend too long at the Tower.
That's a good idea, but me and my friend only travel with a light backpack, and the flight is from Frankfurt
Bryan
You can take the Vai bus to Lucca. It makes stops along the way. One of the stops is Pisa. I believe it stops at the tower. You could get back on the bus and continue to Lucca. The bus driver will take your bags and put them in storage under the bus. Just remember to get your bags when you exit the bus at Pisa. On the train you will have to put your bags in a bin. This bin is often not near your seat. You can buy your tickets at the information booth at the airport or at the Vai counter. The bus stop is in front of the airport to the right. I believe it is the number three. You can check their website for the schedule.
www.vaibus.it.com. You can also go to the Pisa airport site to find them. I will be arriving in Lucca the end of April. Many people have told me that Lucca is magical. Enjoy your trip!
"On the train you will have to put your bags in a bin. This bin is often not near your seat. "
On Regionale trains, you'll be able to keep your bags at your seat, unless the bags are really large. There's a rack above the seats provided for that purpose, and if the car is not full you can often keep the bag on the seat beside you or on the floor. If the rail coach has compartments, there are racks above the seats there too. As you're only travelling with a smaller bag, there will be no problem travelling by train. I'd prefer that to a bus trip.
I also travel with backpacks, and have dealt with this many times.
Ken is correct, you can put your pack on the overhead rack or perhaps under the seat, or on the A-shaped space between back-to-back seats. If the seat beside you is empty, you can put your bag on the floor (until someone needs the seat).
The "bins" referred to by the previous poster are multi-tiered luggage racks at the end (and sometimes the middle) of the rail car.
What deesal said is the best thing to do. I love Lucca..one of my favorite towns in Italy. it is indeel "magical" in my opinion. Pisa doesn't have anything once you see the tower and church so the more time you can spend in Lucca the better. I am carrying my leather purse today that I bought at my favorite leather shop in Lucca. Enjoy your trip!
YES. go to Lucca. beautiful town and good transport links. Other than the Leaning tower and piazza, Pisa is a quite unattractive city
