How to Get from Pisa Airport to Florence – The Ultimate 2025 Guide

If you’re flying into Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) and heading to Florence, you’ll quickly realize there’s more than one way to make the trip — and each option comes with its own pros, cons, travel times, and price tags. Whether you’re looking for the fastest route, the cheapest ticket, or the most comfortable ride, this guide covers everything you need to know to get from Pisa Airport to Florence with ease.

This isn’t just another generic travel blog post. The information below comes from over 20 years of living in Tuscany and personally making this journey countless times. You’ll find real numbers, real schedules, and real-world advice to help you choose the best transportation based on your budget, luggage, travel style, and arrival time.

Overview – Transportation Options from Pisa Airport to Florence

Here’s a quick comparison of all major transportation options. Detailed explanations follow in the next sections.

Mode of Transport	Approx. Duration	Estimated Cost*	Notes / Providers
Private Transfer	2h**	€370	GetYourGuide – door-to-door
Uber	1h20	€415	Availability varies
Taxi	1h20	€206***	CoTaPi – meter + extras
Car Rental	1h20	€200****	DiscoverCars
Train	1h15	€15.80	Trenitalia / Trainline
Public Bus	3h30	€11	Autolinee Toscane
Private Shuttle Bus	1h30	from €3.99*****	Bus4Fly / FlixBus / Caronna / Flibco

* Prices are estimates as of August 2025 and may vary.
** Includes driver waiting time; actual drive is shorter.
*** Fare shown on CoTaPi’s site; meter reading + tolls + 10% VAT apply.
**** Based on daily rate with full insurance, fuel, and Florence parking.
***** Promotional fare via Bus4Fly; regular fares €13–15.

💡 Good to Know – Pisa Mover
The Pisa Mover is an automated people mover train that connects Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale railway station in about 5 minutes. It runs from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily, with just one intermediate stop at the Aurelia parking lot. A one-way ticket costs €6.50.

Cheapest Way from Pisa Airport to Florence – Buses

Surprisingly, the train is not the cheapest way to get from Pisa Airport to Florence. If you want to spend as little as possible, you’ll want to take a direct bus.

1. Bus4Fly

• Promotional fares start at €3.99 (regular price €13.99) when booked online.
• Arrives at Piazzale Montelungo in Florence — right next to Santa Maria Novella train station (near Platform 16 / Fortezza da Basso).
• Tickets purchased on the official site can be changed up to 30 minutes before departure and canceled for free up to 24 hours in advance.
• You can also purchase this ticket through FlixBus, which charges a small additional booking fee as commission.

2. Caronna Tours

• Sells tickets at their airport counter.
• €14.99 for adults, €8.99 for children (2–11 years old).

3. Flibco

• Similar fares to Caronna (€15) and also bookable via GetYourGuide with flexible cancellation.
• Drop-off point in Florence is Guidoni Tramvia T2 station, about 20 minutes from the center — you’ll need to take a tram to Santa Maria Novella.

4. Autolinee Toscane (Public Bus)

• Tickets from €11 but travel time can exceed 3 hours depending on connections.
• Sometimes useful for night travel when trains and shuttles aren’t running.
• Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it for solo female travelers at night, as personal safety could be an issue.

Taking the Train from Pisa Airport to Florence

The train is a classic choice for many travelers, especially those seeking a good balance of speed and cost.

Important: There are no direct trains from Pisa Airport to Florence anymore. The old airport station closed years ago. Instead, you’ll take the Pisa Mover from the airport to Pisa Centrale station, then transfer to a regional train bound for Florence’s Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station.

• Step 1: Ride Pisa Mover → Pisa Centrale (5 min, €6.50).
• Step 2: Change platforms and board a regional train to Florence SMN.

Total travel time: 1h–1h30, depending on train connections.
Ticket price: €15.80 (includes Pisa Mover + regional train).

Downsides:

• You’ll have to handle your luggage between platforms.
• Depending on the time of day, your train from Pisa Centrale might already be partially full, since some routes pass through Pisa after starting in other cities.
• Not ideal if you have a lot of baggage or mobility issues.

Most Comfortable Option – Private Transfers

If budget isn’t your main concern and you want a stress-free, door-to-door experience, a private transfer from Pisa Airport to Florence is an excellent choice. A professional driver will meet you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name, then escort you to a clean, air-conditioned vehicle. From there, you’ll head straight to your hotel or final destination in Florence — no train changes, no tram rides, and no navigating platforms with your luggage.

Cost: Around €370 for 1–2 passengers when booked through GetYourGuide.
Travel time: ~1h20 drive (slightly more if there’s traffic).
Extras: Night surcharges may apply between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM. You can also request a child seat when booking.

💡 Tip: Always provide your flight number and destination address when booking so the driver can track delays and plan the route.

Taking a Taxi from Pisa Airport to Florence

Taxis are available at the official taxi rank outside the terminal, operated by CoTaPi (Cooperativa Tassisti Pisani).

The cooperative’s website lists €206 as an estimated cost for a journey from Pisa Airport to Florence. The final fare is determined by the meter at the end of the trip, with tolls and any applicable surcharges added. For rides over 50 km — such as this one — a 10% VAT (tax) is also applied.

No advance booking is necessary; simply join the queue at the taxi stand. However, if several flights land around the same time, you may have to wait for an available vehicle.

Taxi quality in Italy can vary: you might get a modern, spacious sedan or a smaller, older car with limited luggage capacity.

While drivers are legally required to accept credit card payments, some may claim their card machine is “broken” or “out of battery” and request cash instead. To avoid inconvenience, always confirm payment options before starting your ride.

Uber in Tuscany – Is It an Option?

Uber does operate in Tuscany, but with limitations.

• Availability can be inconsistent — you might open the app and find no drivers nearby.
• Prices are often higher than pre-booked transfers, especially during peak hours.
• In my experience, booking a transfer in advance is more reliable for airport trips.

Example: On August 20, 2025, a check for a Pisa Airport → Florence ride showed Uber fares higher than private transfer rates.

Read also: Holafly eSIM: The Smartest Way to Stay Connected in Tuscany

Renting a Car at Pisa Airport

Renting a car can be a fantastic choice if you plan to explore beyond Florence — especially Tuscan countryside, small hill towns, and coastal areas.

Why it works well:

• Flexibility to stop in towns like San Miniato or even detour to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before heading to Florence.
• Easy to continue your road trip around Tuscany after arriving in the city.

Things to keep in mind:

• Theft risk: Never leave luggage visible in the car. Use secure, attended parking lots whenever possible.
• Main route: The Fi-Pi-Li highway (Firenze–Pisa–Livorno) is toll-free but has a lower speed limit and frequent speed cameras.
• Alternative: The A11 motorway (via Lucca and Pistoia) is faster (up to 130 km/h) but longer and has tolls.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): Required for U.S. and non-EU license holders — bring the physical card, not a digital version.
• Credit card: The main driver’s name must match the credit card used for the booking.
• Insurance: I recommend full coverage to avoid disputes over minor damages. Always take photos/videos of the car at pickup.

For competitive rates and easy comparison of rental companies, I personally recommend DiscoverCars.com, which works well for international travelers.

Which Option Is Best for You?

It depends on who you’re traveling with, how much luggage you have, and your budget:

• Money is no object → Private transfer
• Cheapest possible option → Bus (look for Bus4Fly promo fares under €5)
• Best balance of cost & comfort → Train
• Hotel outside Florence’s center / planning Tuscan day trips → Rental car
• Need a ride right away, no reservation → Taxi (but confirm card payment first)

Choosing how to get from Pisa Airport to Florence isn’t just about cost — it’s about making your arrival in Tuscany as smooth as possible. Whether you prioritize price, speed, or convenience, there’s an option here that fits your trip.

📍 Next step: If you haven’t booked your Florence hotel yet, check out our guide to Where to Stay in Florence to match your transportation choice with the perfect neighborhood.