We land in Pisa at 4:10 pm on Sunday, and then we are taking the train to Monterosso. I wanted to see the leaning tower while we were there (we skipped it last year), but I checked the train schedule -trenitalia- and the only train to Monterosso after 4 pm (keep in mind we'll have to go through customs at the Pisa airport etc.) is 17:36 (5:36 pm). Or am I missing something? I don't even think we'll make it if we skip the tower. My back-up plan was to take the train to La Spezia and then catch one of the local trains to Monterosso- would that work? Is La Spezia Centrale the station I want? Does anyone have a time table for the CT trains? If I recall from my trip last year, after 8 pm there were big gaps of time between trains. Any other suggestions?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
As repeated many many times on this site, Trenitalia is late in posting many of their runs beyond June 15. Put a date like June 8 into the schedule and you will see lots of train runs to Monterosso from Pisa. Don't worry. You will not have any problems getting to Monterosso.
Next, Pisa is one of three airports in Italy that has a train station at the airport. It takes 5 minutes to get from the airport to the main Pisa train station.
Finally, it's a 30-min walk to the tower grounds. If you want make you visit quicker, buy a round-trip bus ticket. Here's a posting from Ron from Rome. "Buy bus tickets (including those needed for your return to the station) at the Tabachi shop inside the terminal, go out the front door, catch the LAM Rosso (red line bus) at the bus stop ACROSS the street from the terminal (NOT WHERE ALL THE BUSSES PARK IN FRONT OF THE TERMINAL), and it will take you to the Field of Miracles and the Tower!
On your return, go back through the gate you entered to get to the Field of Miracles, cross the street and to your left you will find the LAM Rosso bus stop to return to the Station.
Posted by
Meteghan, N.S., Canada
152 posts
Hi Amanda. Its no problem switching trains in La Spezia. As I recall there is only one station in La Spezia. It really is the gateway to Cinque Terre, and there are frequent trains to all of the Cinque Terre villages. No reservations required as they are regional trains. Direct trains from Pisa are less frequent. I really wouldn't stress out trying to catch a specific train. The schedule will be updated before you leave. You should be fine. You could even decide when you get thru customs etc by checking the train schedule at the train station at the airport. Cheers
Posted by
OP
New Brunswick, NJ, USA
59 posts
Thanks!