Train or bus to Lucca/Pisa from Florence, Arezzo or Fiesole

I can give you a partial answer.

I took the train to Lucca from Florence and the bus back from Lucca. The bus station is much closer to the parts of town within the wall that are most touristic and for my next trip, I'm planning to use the bus. I don't know about going from there to Pisa - I spent one day in Lucca. I've spent another day in Pisa and used the train to and from Florence to get there. The train station is a fair walk from the field of Miracles where the Leaning Tower is. I don;t know about the bus station. The train from Pisa to Florence is a good option for your return.

You don't necessarily need to think about Fiesole as a day trip. It's about 20 minutes on the public bus (I think it's line 7 and leaves from Piazza San Marco). You can go to Fiesole for an afternoon or evening without too much advance planning. I guess it depends on what you were planning to do while there. I usually just have a coffee and walk up the hill to the great view over the valley.

I have not gone to Arezzo. I do like Siena.

Thank you Shirley.

I think I will go in the direction of taking the bus to Lucca and Pisa and then the train back to Florence. I don't think I will have the opportunity to go to Fiesole other than on my last day - I arrive on a Monday afternoon and am planning to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo and visit the San Miniato Church (Gregorian Chants) that afternoon/evening, Tues-Wed-Thurs I plan to use the Firenze card to see the "sights" of Florence and go to Lucca/Pisa on Friday. I will leave on the 2:00pm bus to Siena on Sunday so have Saturday to plan in Florence. I may just wander around and go up to Fiesole in the afternoon/evening. I will still have 2 1/2 weeks left to travel so want to pace myself.

In Siena I am taking two day tours with Roberto Bechi - Torri and Elsa Valley and Val D'Orcia, (which seem absolutely fascinating to me) and spending the late afternoon and evening when I arrive and one full day in Siena before leaving for Cinque Terre.

Thanks again,
Sharon

Check out this thread on this forum

Guided day tour out of Florence to Tuscany?

One person is recommending
http://www.florencetour.com/view-arg.php?id=162

Maybe this is what you need - sounds like it's 9 people at most and is a day trip to Lucca and Pisa from Florence. I don't know the company.

But in any event, have a good trip!

I've taken both buses and trains to Arezzo from Siena and from Firenze, it's not a long trip. I prefer trains but the buses do leave you closer to the center of the city, if you prefer not walking or taking a bus from the train station.

There is a train station near the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, but not all trains stop there.

I have not been to Fiesole but I can answer (hopefully) any questions you have about Arezzo, I lived there for a bit. It is very easy to access from Florence - the RV trains will get you between the two cities in about an hour or less. The train station is adjacent to the city center, and from there you can walk to the Corso Italia (the main street), see the churches, the Piazza Grande in that area, etc. There is enough to see, but not too much I think - in a way that it could be a nice, relaxing day - it just depends on what you want to do and see. If you want to sit down at a cafe and drink wine, you can do that. If you want to see some great art, you can do that (Piero della Francesca and Cimabue). There is a park up at the top of the Corso that overlooks the Tuscan hillside - there are places there to grab a glass of wine and sit down for a while.

FIRENZE-LUCCA-PISA (or vice versa)
From Firenze to Lucca you can take either the bus or the train. The bus is operated by Lazzi Brothers (F.lli Lazzi) departing from Piazza Adua. The time of travel is about the same (1hr+15min approx.) so it's your personal preference.
From Lucca to Pisa, the best is to take the train and get off at Pisa San Rossore station, which is closer to the leaning tower. Coming from Lucca, the Pisa San Rossore station comes before Pisa Centrale.
From Pisa to Florence the train is fastest. You need to go to Pisa Centrale for that.

FIRENZE-AREZZO
Lots of trains going back and forth. Arezzo is pretty. One day trip is perfect to see everything there is to see and buy some gold too (Arezzo is the Italian capital of gold jewelry, together with Vicenza).

FIRENZE-FIESOLE
Fiesole is a quick afternoon trip from Florence. It's just a suburb on the hill where rich Florentines live. It's a short ride on the ATAF city bus no. 7. A taxi ride is not that expensive either. Wonderful views from the Basilica of San Francesco and a nice roman amphitheater. Good restaurant/pizzeria in the piazza Mino too. I think Fiesole can keep you busy for an afternoon (plus a dinner and a view watching after dinner)