Switching Trains In Pisa

[Macdooger4]

We plan to take train to Florence, but stop in Pisa first to see the leaning tower (origin will be Livorno). If we buy our train tickets at Livorno Station, should we buy them to Florence? Can we get off at Pisa and then re-use the same ticket for the remainder of the trip?  Or is it best to buy from Livorno to Pisa and then purchase a separate ticket in Pisa once we are ready to head to Florence? 

[euro cruiser]

Technically you can use the same ticket, as long as the total journey is completed within four hours AND if this is a physical ticket.  Digital/on line tickets have different rules because you are purchasing a ticket for a specific train and the digital ticket is automatically validated for that train, while the physical ticket is only validated when you punch it in the machines at the station.  You still have the same four hours to complete the journey with the digital ticket so it should be fine, although unless you speak fairly fluent Italian I don't know how you have that conversation with a conductor if you are questioned about it.

 

The Livorno-Firenze ticket costs 10,40 euro.

 

A Livorno-Pisa ticket costs 2,70 euro and Pisa-Firenze is 8,90 euro, so there's a small increase in cost if you purchase two separate tickets.

 

Also note that you cannot get on the train at the station closest to the tower area, you must return to Pisa Centrale to get the train to Florence.

 

 

Edited February 12, 2023 by euro cruiser

[Macdooger4]

22 hours ago, euro cruiser said:

Technically you can use the same ticket, as long as the total journey is completed within four hours AND if this is a physical ticket.  Digital/on line tickets have different rules because you are purchasing a ticket for a specific train and the digital ticket is automatically validated for that train, while the physical ticket is only validated when you punch it in the machines at the station.  You still have the same four hours to complete the journey with the digital ticket so it should be fine, although unless you speak fairly fluent Italian I don't know how you have that conversation with a conductor if you are questioned about it.

 

The Livorno-Firenze ticket costs 10,40 euro.

 

A Livorno-Pisa ticket costs 2,70 euro and Pisa-Firenze is 8,90 euro, so there's a small increase in cost if you purchase two separate tickets.

 

Also note that you cannot get on the train at the station closest to the tower area, you must return to Pisa Centrale to get the train to Florence.

 

 

Thank you!

[Molokai_Traveler]

On 2/12/2023 at 4:23 AM, Macdooger4 said:

We plan to take train to Florence, but stop in Pisa first to see the leaning tower (origin will be Livorno). If we buy our train tickets at Livorno Station, should we buy them to Florence? Can we get off at Pisa and then re-use the same ticket for the remainder of the trip?  Or is it best to buy from Livorno to Pisa and then purchase a separate ticket in Pisa once we are ready to head to Florence? 

Just one ticket. Get RT 

[Macdooger4]

On 2/13/2023 at 12:16 PM, Molokai_Traveler said:

Just one ticket. Get RT 

What is RT? Regional Train?

[Molokai_Traveler]

12 minutes ago, Macdooger4 said:

What is RT? Regional Train?

Round trip 

[euro cruiser]

Just to be clear, they don't sell "round trip" tickets for trains in Italy.  You simply purchase two one way tickets, called "andato e ritorno".

[Molokai_Traveler]

Just now, euro cruiser said:

Just to be clear, they don't sell "round trip" tickets for trains in Italy.  You simply purchase two one way tickets, called "andato e ritorno".

A distinction without a difference 😎

[Macdooger4]

3 hours ago, Molokai_Traveler said:

A distinction without a difference 😎

Ah, ok. Thank you!

[euro cruiser]

At the risk of sounding like I'm dancing on the head of a pin, it does make a difference when you're standing at a ticket machine and don't find the words "round trip" anywhere on the English language pages, or when you speak to a non-English speaking ticket agent.  It likely won't be an issue for the OP, but knowing the right thing to ask for might be useful.

[Macdooger4]

1 hour ago, euro cruiser said:

At the risk of sounding like I'm dancing on the head of a pin, it does make a difference when you're standing at a ticket machine and don't find the words "round trip" anywhere on the English language pages, or when you speak to a non-English speaking ticket agent.  It likely won't be an issue for the OP, but knowing the right thing to ask for might be useful.

Thank you! We will prob just buy the one way ticket to Florence, get off at Pisa, do our thing there, then continue onto Florence. We will then purchase tickets separately for the way back. 

[euro cruiser]

The ticket machines in the stations are easy to use and have English language pages.  One thing that can trip you up is the 24 hour clock.  Your return time will likely be something like 13:53, 14:28, 15:00, etc.   It's easy to get confused in the rush.