Rome and Pisa are 164 miles (265 kilometers) apart from each other, as the crow flies. There are different modes of transport you can take to get from Rome to Pisa, each with their pros and cons – all of which depend on how long you can spare to travel, what your budget is and also how long you plan to spend in Pisa. Some modes of transportation are definitely better if you plan to spend a few days in the city and continue your journey around Italy from there. Others are definitely better if you intend to visit just for a day.
In this post, I will highlight all the available options to travel to Pisa from Rome.
Make sure to read my posts The Best Things To Do In Pisa and The Best Day Trips From Rome.
How To Get From Rome To Pisa
Take the train from Rome to Pisa
Getting the train from Rome to Pisa is literally a breeze. Like other major cities in Italy, these two are joined by a high-speed rail connection. This makes it easy to travel between the two famous destinations. Many travelers opt to take the train, as it can often be the most time efficient route – and also means you can kick back and relax on your trip (more so than in a car or bus).
There are a couple of different options for trains. Not all of them are high speed, for one thing, and some trains require a change in Florence. There are also several high speed services to choose between, often with different amenities on offer.
The direct train from Rome to Pisa leaves from Rome Termini Station, it goes through Rome Tiburtina Station (so you can also opt to take the train from there), and arrives at Pisa Centrale Station. Note that this is located around one and a half miles (2.3 kilometers) from the main sights of the city, such as the Leaning Tower.
Make sure to read my posts How Many Train Stations Are There In Rome?, How To Use Rome Metro and A Guide To Rome’s Public Transport.
How long does the train from Rome to Pisa take?
The fastest route taken by train from Rome to Pisa is two hours 17 minutes. The train travels a distance of 192 miles (308 kilometers); the top speed of this high speed service maxes out at around 300 kilometers per hour!
The Regionale Veloce (RV) trains, which is not a high speed service, takes significantly longer – because it is not a direct train and you’ll have to change at least once. This would be the cheaper option, but obviously it is not as good if you’re looking for something quicker.
In all, there are three different choices: Frecciargento, which is the fastest; then Frecciabianca and Intercity, which stop more and takes longer; and then there are the RV trains, which are the slowest option but also the cheapest. These slow options may require you to change trains, also – namely at Florence – before making their way to Pisa directly. Sometimes even the fast trains mean having to change at Florence for a slower, regional train.
If you’re doing a day trip, make sure you’re booking a direct route rather than a changing service. Usually these are the early morning options, which are often used by business commuters.
How much does it cost?
Prices for train travel between Rome and Pisa range. They start at approximately €25 but they can go upwards of €70 if you book a fast train and want to sit in first class. It’s recommended that, if you want the best price, you book as far in advance as possible. The closer you are to your departure date that you book your tickets, the more likely it is that you’ll pay a higher price.
Note that some trains actually require reservations – even if you’ve got a rail pass.
What’s the frequency?
There are approximately 31 daily trains from Rome to Pisa. The trains start at 5:35 am and continue throughout the day, with services going till late in the evening (depending on the type of train you’re opting for).
You can check the schedule and prices of the train from Rome to Pisa on the official website of Trenitalia or on the Omio app here.
Bus from Rome to Pisa
Traveling by bus is a good way if you’re looking to keep to a tight budget. Buses have the bonus of not having to book far in advance for a good deal, but you might still want to shop around as the prices do vary.
The downside is that it takes a lot longer than by train. However, the buses are comfortable, with spacious seats, plugs to charge electronic devices, and they often have free wi-fi, too. Amenities may differ between different companies though.
Each company will have a specific point they depart from, but generally speaking they depart from Rome Tiburtina Station. They arrive in Pisa at Park Pietrasantina in Via delle Fiamme Gialle.
How long does the bus take?
It takes around five hours to travel to Pisa by bus from Rome. This can vary though; sometimes the journey can be as long as six hours (FlixBus offer night bus services, too). It depends on the company, which route they take, and how many scheduled stops they make.
How much does it cost?
The cost of buses varies between the companies and types of bus you take. For example, prices can be as low as €14 for a one-way ticket using Flixbus, but they can be as high as €24 if you use MarinoBus.
If you book well in advance you can probably find a good deal, but generally it doesn’t vary too much. What is more important is when you choose to travel; peak times, such as rush hour (mornings and early evenings) will mean paying a higher price for a bus ticket.
You can check the schedule and prices of the bus to Pisa from Rome on the Omio app here.
How often do buses leave?
Buses leave Rome bound for Pisa quite regularly throughout the day, starting early in the morning and running way into the night. However, keep in mind there are only three direct buses (that don’t stop in other places or require you to change). The earliest direct bus leaves around 1:45 am, with later buses departing Rome at 3:00 pm.
Guided tour (perfect for a day trip)
For even more convenience and a total stress-free time, a guided tour is the best option. Once you arrive in Pisa, you’ll have a knowledgeable guide to show you around and give you insights into the history of the city, and show you some good places to eat.
But when it comes to getting there in the first place, it ranges from a private minibus or car, all the way to the cost of high-speed rail tickets being included in the price of the tour.
Day trips to Pisa departing from Rome typically stop at other places too – usually Florence. Prices start at €130 for a group tour and can go up to €260.
For a shared group tour to Pisa from Rome, click here.
For a small group tour to Pisa from Rome, click here.
Drive to Pisa from Rome
Another option for more adventurous travelers is to hire your own car and drive yourself all the way from Rome to Pisa. This is the most convenient way for those who want to travel at their own speed, and not have to rely on any public transport schedule. It’s also better if you are planning a road trip around Italy, and don’t want to return to Rome on the same day.
It is also a fantastic opportunity to enjoy Italy’s stunning scenery, as you’ll have the opportunity to stop off and enjoy other sights along the way. However – as I have said before – if you’re on a day trip and want to see Pisa in all its glory, taking a car is not the quickest way to go. For one thing, there’s parking to figure out once you arrive, and you don’t really need to drive around Pisa (the sights are fairly close together).
However, if you’re an experienced driver and you want an adventure, this is the option for you. Rome has a whole host of international car rental companies where you can easily hire a car to head out on the road.
How long does it take to drive to Pisa from Rome?
The distance between Rome and Pisa by road is 355 kilometers (220 miles). This takes anywhere between three hours 20 minutes and five hours 10 minutes, depending on the route you take (and how many times you feel like stopping). Needless to say, you’ll need to leave early if you want to make the most of Pisa.
How much does it cost?
The price of hiring a car in Italy in general is quite reasonable, especially if you are going to be traveling with more than one person. The cost starts around €30 per day, but can creep up to around €60; prices depend on the time of year and the type of car you hire. Again, it’s best to book ahead if you want to get the best deal.
One more thing to consider when driving are other additional costs such as tolls and parking, as well as fuel, too. Tolls between Rome and Pisa can amount to around €13, while fuel between the two is around €35.
Check out the prices of car rental in Rome here.
Private transfer
Like renting a car, private transfer offers you a hassle-free way of traveling between Rome and Pisa. But with this option, you don’t even have to worry about driving or getting lost. You just have to be out of bed on time and ready to be picked up from your accommodation.
It won’t be much quicker than self-driving, however the drivers will probably know the route better than you, and in this instance it’s not necessarily about saving time – it’s more about the luxury of being driven in private rather than public transport.
How long does it take to get to Pisa by private transfer?
As with driving, traveling between Rome and Pisa can take anywhere between three and five hours.
How much does a private transfer cost?
Not cheap. It is common for a private transfer to cost upwards of €300.
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