Train from Milan to Pisa

If you want to explore the underappreciated city of Pisa for a few days, or just want a picture of yourself holding up the leaning tower, it is an easy trip by train from Milan!

The 175-mile (281-km) train journey doesn’t look directly on a map, but there are direct trains between the two cities. The drive time is potentially shorter, but if you take into account the pollution surcharge you’ll have to pay on your rental car and the hassle of driving in these city centers, you will realize that taking the train is the easier and more relaxing option.

Frequent Trains from Milan to Pisa

The high-speed train connects Milano Centrale station to Pisa Centrale station with both direct and indirect options. There are a total of 42 trains leaving Milan bound for Pisa each day. Oddly enough, some of the indirect trips that require a train change along the way are faster than the direct trains.

The direct trains from Milan to Pisa are not high-speed Alta Velocità (AV) trains, with one exception, a Frecciabianca from Milan to Pisa that makes the trip in 3 hours and 52 minutes. The other direct trains are Regionale or InterCity, which typically take 4-5 hours. The indirect trains, which include a transfer in Florence, allow travelers to take the fastest AV trains, theFrecciarossa, from Milan to Florence, followed by a Regionale train from Florence to Pisa. Those trips can take as little as 3 hours and 6 minutes.

While changing trains can be considered a hassle, doing so on this route may save you an hour of travel time. It’s worth considering the indirect trains if you’re concerned about sightseeing time in Pisa. Ticket prices on this route range from $28-58.

Note that weekends and holidays typically mean less frequent service and sometimes longer travel times.

Direct Trains from Milan to Pisa

There are many direct trains from Milan to Pisa, including one Frecciabianca train, but in most cases it’s actually faster to take an indirect route from Milan to Florence and then from Florence to Pisa. Do not overlook the indirect options as they may allow you to have the most amount of time in Pisa!

Amenities on Trains from Milan to Pisa

The top of the line AV trains are Frecciarossa, and these train cars are all equipped with air conditioning and power outlets in your seat for your convenience. There are both 1st class and 2nd class cars. First-class passengers get a free drink and a choice of newspaper. A cafe car is available to all passengers.

Frecciabianca trains are very similar in terms of passenger experience to the top of the line AV trains, they’re just not as fast. There are both 1st class and 2nd class cars. Passengers in 1st class cars get a free drink and a newspaper. Both typically have a cafe car that all passengers can use, and power outlets are in both class cars at each seat.

Regionale and InterCity trains sometimes have 1st class and 2nd class cars. Because reservations are not required on these trains, you simply find an available seat on a car in the appropriate class for your ticket. There is no food service or cafe car on these trains, and the on-board air conditioning doesn’t always work.

Milan and Pisa Train Stations

Milan's main station, Centrale, is a local transportation hub with buses and trams stopping outside and a Metro (subway) stop in a lower level of the station itself. Porta Garibaldi station is a smaller station, although it also has a Metro stop and several bus lines stopping nearby.

Pisa Centrale station is the city's primary station, located 1.4 miles (2.3 km) from main attractions, including the leaning tower and cathedral. There is a luggage storage office at the station if you need to store your bags while you make a quick trip to see the tower. Take the number 1 bus from the station to get to the Campo dei Miracoli.