Written by: TravelingProfessor
Saturday, December 04, 2010 

The pleasant one hour train ride from Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station to Pisa Centrale station costs 5,80 euros.   From there, go to the main level of the train station and for 1 euro each, purchase a bus ticket to the Leaning Tower.   Directly across the street from the train station, look for the red LAM Rossa bus.   Don’t do what I did and ask the driver “is this the bus to the Eiffel Tower?” (he said “si”) but ask if it indeed goes to the Leaning Tower.  The bus may be crowded but the ride is about 10 minutes.  Alternately, you may take a cab for about 10 euros.

Upon getting off the bus follow the crowds through the stone archway to the Leaning Tower, cathedral and baptistery located at the Field of Miracles.  There are 296 steps to the top of the 183 foot tower.  It will cost about 15 euros to climb to the top.  During peak season, a wait of several hours may be required but in off-season, climbers go up every half hour or so without a wait.   The cathedral and baptistery at the Field of Miracles is also worth a visit.  A visit of 90 minutes to 2 hours (depending upon crowds) is probably sufficient. Other than the Field of Miracles, Pisa is usually of little interest to tourists.

Outside the archway, near the LAM Rossa bus drop off and slightly to the right, is the bus stop for the VAI bus (a blue sign) to Lucca.  Tickets are 3 euro if you buy them from the nearby tabac stand.  However, take the gamble and board the bus without a ticket.  If the bus driver demands payment, it is 3,50 euros or if you are lucky, the ride will be free.  Here is the bus schedule to Lucca:  http://bit.ly/eqyQwl

The bus ride to Lucca goes through hills, valleys and old Tuscan towns and arrives in Lucca 45 minutes later.   Lucca is a walled Tuscan town.  My favorite activity is to rent a bicycle (at about 2,50 euro per hour) and ride along the ramparts two or three times and through the city.  Bikes are equipped with baskets and locks.   Lucca is the home of Puccini, a botanical garden, beautiful St. Martin’s Cathedral and tower, and some of the best food in all of Tuscany.   Also, make sure to visit Piazza San Michele and Buccellato Taddeucci.  Although Mr. Taddeucci speaks little English, he will charm you.  See http://nyti.ms/fLxety

The best way back to Florence from Lucca is by train.  They run at least every hour and cost 5,80 and it takes about 1.5 hours.   The train station is a short 5 or 10 minute walk outside the walls.

A day trip to Pisa/Lucca is long, but it is punctuated with restful train and bus rides to make it a completely satisfying day in Tuscany.

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