Pisa to Riomaggiore: Leaning Tower Side Trip and Breakfast then Train

others chime in, but the pisa airport has a luggage room, not lockers. it is manned. I would say yes to all of the above. Get the treno app or the trenitalia app to check timetables, travel duration and costs for trips from PISA to Riomaggiore

From Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale train station, you'll take a shuttle bus; see p. 591 of Rick's Italy book, if you have it. Train station lockers (when present) are large enough for regular-sized luggage, even larger than the airline-carry-on size that we recommend traveling with. Luggage rooms (that can take any size of anything) are the usual format in Italy, including at Pisa Centrale. Then, you can take another bus to the Field of Miracles and tower, and the same one back later.

Buy train tickets in the station when you're ready to leave. You'll probably take regional trains and must date-stamp the regional train ticket in the validation box before boarding. If you choose a departure by InterCity train, then it needs a ticket specific to that departure. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.

Note that Italian "breakfast" is usually a coffee drink and a pastry, you can pick that up at the train station.

I was surprised at the good quality, selection, and service for food items at the airport, even fresh squeezed OJ.

Hi Elizabeth. My wife and I did something similar last month. The Pisa station has a luggage storage room; in a separate bldg next to station; on left side as facing front of station. No limit on size bag they will take. It is typical of luggage storage in Italy. If you've never used one before, you might think 'is this safe'? But we've used them many times throughout Italy with good results. They will take a copy of your passport; then return the copy to you when you retrieve your luggage. As I recall, about 4 or 5 euro per bag.

If you enjoy strolling, you might consider walking to the tower area. It's a nice stroll thru pedestrian area of town; and gives you a better feel for how the tower area fits in to the town; head straight / slight angle right out of station. There are signs, but if you get lost, just ask; anybody can point you the direction. Walk will take 30-40 minutes; you can search for a snack on the way if desired. Walking avoids the hassle of waiting / finding the right bus; and we found it good to stretch our legs after our flight. Enjoy your trip!

Hi Elizabeth,

My wife and I just did this in August. You will take a shuttle to Pisa Centrale. You can check your bags there at Bagagli Deposito. When you walk out of the train station, just walk straight ahead. This street is the way to the tower and is lined with shops, cafes etc... when you get closer the street will veer left, just follow it. It took us 30 minutes to walk there. Italians don't really eat breakfast so coffee and pastry is everywhere. FYI, If you stand (al bar) coffee is 1 euro. If you sit at a table and have somebody serve you, it costs 4 euros.

I hope you have a place to stay in Riomaggiore because dragging luggage across Cinque Terre will be a pain. The closest left luggage will be La Spezia.

Thank you all! This is great info!!! It's good to know there is an adequate place for storing our luggage. I think we might try out the casual walk from Pisa Centrale to the leaning tower and stop along the way for "un cafe" and a pastry. ;)

We do have reservations in Riomaggiore, and the nice woman who we are renting a cottage from is wondering when we might be in Cinque Terre. How long do you guys think we'll spend looking around Pisa and at the Leaning Tower? It doesn't sound like there is much there, but if you all have done it, it'd be nice to know how long you did stay. That way we can estimate when we'll be in Riomaggiore and she can meet us. Don't want to be dragging those suitcases around all those steps!

Thanks again,

Beth

I would allow 3 hours plus walking time.

if you want to go UP the tower, you should get tickets before you leave home. you could instead get tickets for the baptistery or the church. in a separate building there is a little video 10mins? on an endless loop that is quite fascinating, shows attempts thru the years to straighten the tower. be warned, the chairs are comfy and the room is darkened......

I agree that 3 hrs is sufficient in Pisa. Have a great time in Riomaggiore. My husband and I stayed there a couple of years ago. Loved it. We had a little apartment with a rooftop terrace. It was 82 steps from street to our apt door and then another 22 to rooftop. At the end of our trip I was in the best shape I've ever been. 2 weeks of walking and climbing Italy. You will love Cinque Terre.