Major city · Italy
Pisa
Give Pisa one night, or a half-day between trains: the tower square takes 2–3 hours, the rest of the city another half-day.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), and the busiest midday hours year-round
- Airport
- PSA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
Pisa is a small university city of about 90,000 people, with 60,000 students, and the Campo dei Miracoli sits in its northwest corner. Most travellers see the tower in a few hours and leave; one night lets you walk the riverfront and Borgo Stretto after the day-trippers go. Trains from Florence take about an hour, so it works as a stop rather than a base.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pisa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetyPisa is a safe, small city; the real risks are summer heat, ZTL fines and pickpockets around the tower square and station.
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies · 113 police · 115 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPSA Pisa Galileo Galilei (2 km south of Pisa Centrale; Pisamover tram to the station, 5 min, €6.50 (≈ US$8)).PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei (1.2 mi south of Pisa Centrale; Pisamover tram to the station, 5 min, €6.50 (≈ US$8)).
- Getting aroundWalk in the centre: Pisa Centrale to the tower is about 2 km, 25–30 min.Walk in the centre: Pisa Centrale to the tower is about 1.2 mi, 25–30 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at the bar€1.20–1.80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideLAM bus single ticket€1.50 (≈ US$2) (€2.50 (≈ US$3) from the driver)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, 3-star or B&B, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room, 3-star or B&B, a night, per room€250 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei (2 km south of Pisa Centrale; Pisamover tram to the station, 5 min, €6.50)PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei (1.2 mi south of Pisa Centrale; Pisamover tram to the station, 5 min, €6.50)
Weather and climate
Pisa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C52°F
2°C36°F
9 rd
Feb
12°C54°F
3°C37°F
8 rd
Mar
15°C59°F
5°C41°F
8 rd
Apr
18°C64°F
8°C46°F
9 rd
May
23°C73°F
12°C54°F
7 rd
Jun
27°C81°F
15°C59°F
5 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
18°C64°F
3 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
18°C64°F
4 rd
Sep
26°C79°F
15°C59°F
7 rd
Oct
21°C70°F
12°C54°F
9 rd
Nov
15°C59°F
7°C45°F
10 rd
Dec
12°C54°F
4°C39°F
9 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk in the centre: Pisa Centrale to the tower is about 2 km, 25–30 min. LAM Rossa bus links station, riverfront and Piazza dei Miracoli; single €1.50, ten-ride pack €14, €2.50 from the driver, validate on board and it is valid 70 min. Do not drive into the centre: ZTL camera zones.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lucca
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Regional train from Pisa Centrale or Pisa San Rossore, 25–30 min
Walled city, easy half-day; trains at least hourly.
Florence
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Regional train from Pisa Centrale, about 1 h
Full day; book nothing, regional trains run often.
Volterra
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train to Pontedera then bus, or car
Bus connections are thin; check times before committing.
San Miniato
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train towards Florence, then a steep walk up
Hill town with truffle country around it.
Casciana Terme
cautionDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Car or bus via Pontedera
Spa town; awkward without a car.
Lari
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, or bus via Pontedera
Castle village; pair it with Casciana Terme.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Pisa Centrale
Best for one night with bags and early trains; 20–30 min walk to the tower.
Campo dei Miracoli / San Rossore
Closest to the tower and Pisa San Rossore station; quiet at night.
Lungarni and Borgo Stretto
Riverside centre, restaurants and student bars; 20–25 min walk to the tower.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–150 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, 3-star or B&B1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| Pisamover, airport to Pisa Centrale, one way2 × €7 | €13 |
| Tower climb, timed ticket2 × €18 | €36 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €39 |
| Trip total≈ €214 per person per day, bed included | €428≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at the bar | €1.20–1.80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Slice of pizza or a panino | €3–6 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Pasta or pizza in a trattoria | €9–16 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Aperitivo with a drink | €6–10 (≈ US$7–12) |
| LAM bus single ticket | €1.50 (≈ US$2) (€2.50 (≈ US$3) from the driver) |
| Tower climbTimed entry; book ahead. | €18 (≈ US$25) |
| Baptistery or Camposanto single ticketCombined tickets €7–8. | €5 (≈ US$6) |
| City walls walk | €3 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- ZTL camera zones cover much of the old centre; fines arrive by post weeks later.
- Tower tickets are timed and non-exchangeable; book on the official site or accept a 45 min–2 h wait.
- Children under 8 cannot climb the tower; under-18s need an adult.
- Pickpockets work the tower square and station in summer; keep bags zipped in front.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 112
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 115
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PisaPisa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Police113
- Ambulance118
Embassy
No US or UK embassy in Pisa; embassies are in Rome, with consulates in Florence and Milan. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pisamover, airport to Pisa Centrale: €6.50 (≈ US$8), 5 min, every 5–8 min from 06:00 to 00:00€6.50 (≈ US$8), 5 min, every 5–8 min from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Taxi airport to centre: €10–20 (≈ US$12–25); cheaper than the Pisamover for 3+ people
- Train Pisa Centrale to Florence: regional, about 1 h
Say or show
- Buongiorno — Hello (bwon-JOR-no)
- Grazie — Thank you (GRAT-tsyeh)
- Quanto costa? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KOS-ta)
- Il conto, per favore — The bill, please (eel KON-to per fa-VO-re)
- Posso pagare con la carta? — Can I pay by card? (POS-so pa-GA-re kon la KAR-ta)
- Dov'è il bagno? — Where is the toilet? (do-VEH eel BAN-yo)
112 works from any phone, including locked screens.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pisa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), and the busiest midday hours year-round · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PSA: Pisamover last departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters: Campo dei Miracoli, Piazza dei Cavalieri, the Lungarni and Borgo Stretto.
- Tower and cathedral ticket cutoffs verified on the official operator site.
- Eat pages with last orders for the Borgo Stretto and riverfront kitchens.