The Pisa Centrale Train Station is a historic landmark in not only Pisa but all of Tuscany. It’s located on the southern outskirts of the city, not directly near many of the iconic landmarks you’ll want to see but close enough for a brisk walk or quick taxi ride. However, it’s only a short ride away from the major attractions of the area—the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral, the Baptistry, and several more local and breathtaking sights to see.
If you’re ready to plan your trip to Pisa, and plan on passing through the Pisa Central Train Station, there are a few things to know before going. Here are seven things to learn.
It’s a major gateway
Tuscany is a major region in Italy and the Pisa Centrale Train Station is one of the main ways to enter and exit the city as a major rail station. It has 16 platforms that connect the station to one of three key train lines— the Pisa-Livorno-Rome line, the Pisa-Florence line, and the Pisa-La Spezia-Genoa line. On these lines are the major cities of Rome, Livorno, Napls, Florence, La Spezia, Turin, Lucca, and Genoa. On these lines run a few types of different trains— high-speed Alta Velocita trains (AV trains) of the Frecciargento and the Frecciabiana, along with the local trains of the InterCity trains that move at a slower speed due to the frequency of stops within the city itself— such as to Florence, Reggio Calabria, Cecina, and Collesalvetti. Due to all of these different railways and train types, approximately 15 million people pass through the Pisa Centrale Train Station each year.
It’s historic
Although the Pisa Centrale Train Station was built to replace an older train station in Pisa, it still dates back over 100 years. It was opened in 1871 but saw tremendous damage during the Second World War. As a result, it was rebuilt.
There are countless arches
The ground-level entranceway of the Pisa Centrale Train Station is immediately recognizable by several grand arches that welcome travelers through its doors. Directly above these welcoming archways are smaller arched windows that line across the upper level.
You can catch a bus or ride to the airport
There are a few bus routes that are right outside of the Pisa Centrale Train Station that make it more convenient to get around the area, rather than walk or rent a car, like the bus line 1 that runs to the Piazza die Miracoli (the location of the Leaning Tower of Pisa). Recently, in addition to the fairly new renovations of the train station itself, there is an expedited train service that connects the train station to the regional airport. It is opposite the main entrance, underneath the platforms, and only takes five minutes.
Everything you need is on the main level
There are certain train stations throughout Europe, and the world at large, that can be very confusing. There are oftentimes numerous levels to navigate through for a variety of different needs—where to get your ticket, restrooms, places to dine, currency exchange, etc. Fortunately, the Pisa Centrale Train Station gets rid of that uncertainty of where to go. It directs all passengers to the platform level for everything you need—the main ticketing hall, bathrooms, shops to explore, fast-food restaurants to grab a bite on the go, business lounges, waiting rooms, wi-fi, lost and found, currency exchange, ATM and phone cabins, and newsstands to entertain yourself. Plus, it is easily accessible to anyone with disabilities with step-free entranceways.
The tourist office isn’t inside the station
If you’re a tourist in the city, you might be surprised to learn that the main tourist information office isn’t located inside the Pisa Centrale Train Station. Instead, it’s directly outside of it at the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
There’s luggage storage to drop off your belongings
It’s easy to find luggage storage Pisa Centrale. You can drop it off at Piazza dei Cavalieri, at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, North Pisa storage, Lucca, the Piazza Napoleone, the Porta Elisa, the Scoglio della Regina, and the Viareggio. Each one of these locations makes getting around the city more convenient. Rather than carry your luggage around with you as you explore this marvelous city, you have the ability to leave behind your belongings for as long as you’d like and won’t be weighed down by whatever it is you’re traveling with. This way, when you want to explore the sights and, of course, take photos with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you’ll be able to do it completely hands-free and worry-free (after all, no one likes accidentally having their things stolen because they weren’t keeping an eye on it).
Once you’ve arrived, enjoy all that the area has to offer—which is so much.
