Rome to Pisa in a day trip?

You could do it as a day trip but the fastest trains still take over 2.5 hours. There's not really much to see there beside the tower and the church so you have to decide if 5 hours on the train is worth it or not. With young kids you might want to do something closer like Ostia Antica. This way they can get out and run and play a little. Donna

Donna is more than correct. Pisa is one of those places that you check off the list. There is so little there, that it is hardly worth any effort to stop by. Wait for another trip when you are passing close by. Some like Tivoli and Villa d'Este with the water fountains would be a better choice for the kids. And much easier on you.

I'll offer a different opinion. True, it's a long day trip. 3.0+hrs each way. True, there's nothing to see in Pisa aside from the tower and the adjoining church and bapistry. BUT, we have known about the leaning tower of Pisa since childhood. It was in our school books. I can't fault anybody who wants to see it. My wife and I wanted to see it. We have our pictures that look like we're holding up the tower with our hand. If you have the time and the train fares aren't too far out of your budget, here's a sample of the train schedule. http://orario.trenitalia.com/b2c/nppPriceTravelSolutions.do?car=0&stazin=rome&stazout=pisa&datag=06&datam=05&dataa=2011&timsh=06&stazin_r=Staz_DA&stazout_r=Staz_A&timsm=51&timsm_r=51&lang=en&nreq=5&channel=tcom&npag=1&lang_r=en&nreq_r=5&channel_r=tcom&npag_r=1&x=35&y=5 Note that the tower is a 30-minute walk from the train station. So that adds to the travel journey. You can take the bus or cab from the train station to shorten the trip in and out.

There is an elevator to the top of the tower. I was astonished by the top - it is tilted (of course) and the guardrails are wide enough for a person to fall through. There is no chance that this would be permitted in the US. I would not take a kid up there.

I don't know if you're planning a trip b/n Rome and Florence or that area, but you could make a stopover in Pisa...it's a pretty common thing to do. You can store your luggage at Pisa Centrale train station. Be sure your train arrives and departs at that station!

IMO, this sounds like a very stressful day to see a so-so, crowded, tourist site. Just my opinion. No offence intended. Good luck.

Thank you all for your kind responses. My 9 year old wants to definitely visit the leaning tower and take a picture at the world's wonder!! :) So, i guess I'm not left with much choices than to make the trip.

I too found Pisa just not worth it. Especially if you give up the time from seeing so many great things. He may enjoy Ostia Antica, the old port as you can really get up close to the ruins.

I have kids similar ages and been to Pisa when they were little. It's a complete armpit of a city. The few blocks of the leaning tower are all you'd want to see. Don't do it.