Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the cradle of the Renaissance, with the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio all within a short walk of Santa Maria Novella station.
Florence is the best-known day trip from Pisa and takes about an hour by regional train from Pisa Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, costing €8.50-9.60 (~$10-11). Trains leave roughly every 30 minutes and most major sights are within a 20-minute walk of the station. The Duomo complex with Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi and the Galleria dell'Accademia need timed reservations in the high season. A single day works best with a short list: the Duomo and Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and one major museum, with the Oltrarno and Piazzale Michelangelo for the afternoon. The fixed-price Regionale ticket can be bought on the day.
| Distance | 85 km east of Pisa |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1 hour by train |
| Getting there | Train (Trenitalia Regionale or Regionale Veloce from Pisa Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, 48-80 minutes) or car via the FI-PI-LI superstrada |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Piazza della Stazione, 50123 Florence FI, Italy |
How to get there
- Mode
- Train
- Duration
- 48-80 minutes
- Cost
- €8.50-9.60 (~$10-11)
- Notes
- Departures roughly every 30 minutes from Pisa Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella
- Mode
- Car
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Notes
- FI-PI-LI superstrada; the Florence centre is a ZTL, so park at a park-and-ride and use the tram
Suggested itinerary
- Take an early train, book Uffizi or Accademia tickets in advance, walk to the Duomo, cross Ponte Vecchio for lunch in the Oltrarno, climb to Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset and return by train.
Location
Piazza della Stazione, 50123 Florence FI, Italy
43.7696, 11.2558 View on map
Highlights
- Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi's dome
- Uffizi Gallery (book timed entry ahead)
- Ponte Vecchio and the Oltrarno
- Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset views
- Galleria dell'Accademia and Michelangelo's David
Tips for visiting
- Book Uffizi (uffizi.it) and Accademia timed tickets weeks ahead in high season
- The Duomo dome climb needs a pre-booked slot
- Check the last practical train back to Pisa on the Trenitalia app
When to visit
April-June and September-October; avoid midsummer heat.
Accessibility
Historic centre is flat and walkable but cobbled; major museums have lifts and wheelchair access.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Pisa to Florence?
Between 48 and 80 minutes depending on whether the train is a Regionale or a Regionale Veloce; typical journeys are about an hour.
How much is the train ticket?
Regional tickets cost about €8.50-9.60 (~$10-11) one way.
Is a day enough for Florence?
A day covers the main sights if tickets are booked ahead; two days are better for museums.