Quick answer
Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei, PSA) is remarkably close to Pisa city centre, just 2 km south. You can reach the centre in 5-10 minutes by bus, train, or taxi. However, many passengers arriving at PSA are actually heading to Florence, which is about 80 km east and takes 60-90 minutes by road or about 70 minutes by direct train. The destination you are heading to completely changes your transport calculation.
What actually happens after landing
PSA is a single-terminal airport that handles a mix of budget and scheduled carriers. It is compact and you will not spend long walking from your gate.
Schengen arrivals skip passport control and go directly to baggage claim. Non-Schengen flights go through a passport check that is typically quick at this size of airport. The baggage hall is small with a few carousels.
After customs, the arrivals area has car rental desks, a tourist information point, a cafe, and ATMs. It is modest and can feel crowded when several budget flights arrive simultaneously. The exit to transport is a short walk.
The airport station (Pisa Aeroporto) is connected to the terminal by a pedestrian walkway called the PisaMover, a short automated people mover. This takes about 5 minutes and is the gateway to the rail network.
Transport options explained honestly
LAM Rossa bus runs from outside the terminal to Pisa Centrale station. It costs around EUR 1.50 and takes about 10 minutes. A cheap alternative to the PisaMover for reaching Pisa's station and centre.
Taxis queue outside arrivals. The fare to Pisa centre is approximately EUR 10-15. To Florence, expect EUR 120-180, which is steep for a single ride.
Pre-booked transfers to Pisa centre cost EUR 15-30, which is hard to justify given the short distance and cheap alternatives. To Florence, transfers cost EUR 100-160 for a sedan, offering fixed pricing and door-to-door convenience for the longer journey.
Rental cars are available at the terminal. Useful for exploring Tuscany, but parking in both Pisa and Florence is expensive and the historic centres have restricted traffic zones (ZTL) that will result in hefty fines if you enter without authorization.
Realistic pricing expectations
To Pisa city centre:
- Bus: EUR 1.50
- PisaMover to Pisa Centrale: EUR 5
- Taxi: EUR 10-15
- Pre-booked transfer: EUR 15-30
- PisaMover + train: EUR 13-15 total (regionale class)
- Taxi: EUR 120-180
- Pre-booked transfer: EUR 100-160
- Transfer to Lucca: EUR 40-60
- Transfer to Siena: EUR 120-170
- Transfer to San Gimignano: EUR 100-150
- Transfer to Chianti area: EUR 110-160
Late night arrivals
The PisaMover runs until late evening, typically around 12:30 AM, but check the current schedule. The last trains from Pisa Centrale to Florence depart around 9-10 PM, with later options being infrequent or requiring connections.
If your flight arrives after 10 PM and you need to reach Florence, the train is unlikely to work. Taxis are available at the rank but finding one willing to drive to Florence at midnight may involve negotiation on price. A pre-booked transfer is the most practical option for late-night Florence journeys.
For Pisa itself, taxis are available into the evening and the short distance means even a late arrival is straightforward. The city centre is close enough that you will be at your hotel quickly.
Families and luggage
For families going to Pisa, the bus or PisaMover and a short taxi ride are manageable. The airport is small and the distances are minimal.
For families heading to Florence, the train involves managing luggage through the PisaMover, Pisa station, the train, and Florence station, plus onward transport to your hotel. With small children, strollers, and multiple bags, this is doable but tiring. A direct transfer from the airport to your Florence hotel avoids all of this.
Child car seats are required by Italian law. Taxis rarely have them. Pre-booked transfers can provide car seats if you request them. For the long drive to Florence, having your children properly restrained matters because the autostrada is a fast motorway.
Where you meet the driver
The taxi rank is directly outside the arrivals exit. It is a small airport, so the rank is close. During quiet periods, you may need to wait a few minutes for a taxi.
Pre-booked transfer drivers wait in the arrivals hall, typically holding a name sign near the exit. Given the terminal's small size, finding each other is not difficult.
The PisaMover boarding point is accessed through a covered walkway from the terminal. Signs direct you clearly. The bus stop for the LAM Rossa is outside the terminal to the right of the exit.
Decision helper
Going to Florence during the day: The train is efficient, affordable, and frequent. Take it unless you have a compelling reason not to (heavy luggage, children, a hotel far from the Florence station).
Going to Florence late at night or with family: A pre-booked transfer makes sense. The train options disappear in the evening and managing luggage through multiple stations with children is a lot of work.
Going to rural Tuscany: A transfer or rental car is the only practical option. Public transport to small Tuscan towns is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Pisa Airport to Florence?
The most common route is the PisaMover (5 min, EUR 5) to Pisa Centrale station, then a train to Florence SMN station (50-80 min, EUR 8-10). Trains run frequently during the day. A direct transfer by car takes 60-90 minutes and costs EUR 100-160.
How far is Pisa Airport from the city centre?
About 2 km. It is one of the closest airports to its city in Europe. A taxi takes 5-10 minutes. The bus takes about 10 minutes. You can see the Leaning Tower from the airport perimeter.
Is the train from Pisa to Florence easy?
Yes. It is a straightforward journey. Buy a ticket at Pisa Centrale (machines accept cards), validate it before boarding if it is a regionale ticket, and ride to Florence Santa Maria Novella. Trains run frequently.
What is the PisaMover?
It is a short automated people mover that connects the airport terminal to Pisa Centrale train station. The ride takes about 5 minutes. It costs EUR 5 and runs frequently throughout the day until late evening.
Should I rent a car at Pisa Airport?
For exploring rural Tuscany, yes. For visiting Pisa and Florence only, no. Both cities have restricted traffic zones (ZTL) in their centres with automatic camera enforcement. Entering without authorization means a fine for each camera you pass.
How much is a taxi from Pisa Airport to Florence?
EUR 120-180 depending on the time and specific destination. This is expensive for a single traveller but more reasonable split among a group of 3-4. A pre-booked transfer for the same route costs EUR 100-160.
Can I walk from Pisa Airport to the city?
Technically possible, as it is about 2 km to the edge of the city centre and 3 km to the Leaning Tower. The walk takes about 30-40 minutes. It is flat and safe during the day, but there is no pleasant pedestrian path for part of the route.
Are there direct buses from Pisa Airport to Florence?
Some bus services run between the airport and Florence, but they are less frequent and often slower than the train. The PisaMover plus train combination is the standard recommended route.
Is tipping expected at Pisa Airport taxis?
Not expected in Italy. Rounding up by a euro is a common gesture but not obligatory. Italian tipping culture is minimal.
What if I need to get to Lucca from Pisa Airport?
Lucca is about 25 km north. By train from Pisa Centrale, it takes about 30 minutes (EUR 3-4). By taxi or transfer from the airport, the journey costs EUR 40-60 and takes 25-35 minutes.
Pisa Airport is small, close to the city, and well connected by rail. For Pisa itself, transport is nearly trivial. For Florence and Tuscany, the main decision is whether you value the train's affordability or the convenience of a direct door-to-door transfer.