Am going to Italy in late April and will be traveling from Lucca to Volterra midway through my trip. I have researched both taking the train from Lucca to Pontedera and then bus to Volterra, and also train from Lucca to Volterra-Saline and then bus up the hill to Volterra. Wondering if anybody might have done this and would recommend one over the other. Both seem to get me there around the same time frame, just wondering if one would be easier since somebody has done it. Thanks!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
At a quick glance, the route via Pontedra seems to run more frequently, which can be a useful consideration. http://www.volterratur.it/en/come/how-reach-us/ looks like a good collection of all the options. (Myself, I only visited Volterra by car.)
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I’ve travelled between Pisa and Volterra via Pontedera, and that option worked well. The Pontedera bus station is located in the piazza a block in front of the train station. Bus tickets can be purchased at the café to the left as you enter the piazza – the café on the left side of the street, not the one on the right corner. Avoid any bus on the schedule marked SC, as it will be packed with rowdy school students and you’ll likely have to stand for several miles until students start to get off.
Posted by
OP
San Mateo, CA, USA
257 posts
Thanks very much. Was leaning toward Pontedera and how you have made it easy to find where to catch the bus there.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
If you enter Stazione FS Pontedera into Google maps, you'll get a good visual of the area. Bus station is easy to spot because of the layout - several long waiting platforms. Cafe where I bought my bus ticket is in the building that appears to have 2 skylights, but there might also be a shop in the train station that sells them.