Train from Rome to Pisa

Getting from Rome to Pisa by train is quite simple, and only requires a change of trains in Florence. There are a few direct train options per day on weekdays, with both high-speed and slower regional trains, so if you want to avoid a train transfer, look carefully for the direct options when you're booking.

Driving the roughly 220 miles (354 km) from Rome to Pisa would take about 4 hours, not counting the time you might need for a break or to stop to look at a map, so taking the train is usually the faster option, even when including a train change in Florence. 

Frequency of Trains from Rome to Pisa

There are two types of direct trains from Rome to Pisa. One option is the high-speed train and the second option is the slower regional train. The direct high-speed trains make the trip from Roma Termini to Pisa Centrale in just over 2 hours and 10 minutes. The direct regional trains make the same journey in a little over 3 hours.

If you're changing trains midway, that means taking an AV Frecciarossa train from Rome to Florence's Santa Maria Novella train station, which is a 1.5 hour-journey, followed by a Regionale or Regionale Veloce train to Pisa. That is another 50-90 minute-trip. You can also choose an Italo train from Rome to Florence. Those trains depart from Rome's Ostiense station and arrive in Florence's S.M. Novella station about 1 hour and 45 minutes later.

There are 72 trains per day leaving from Rome to Pisa, including the ones that require a change in Florence, with the first leaving Rome at 6:15 a.m. and the last departing at 8:12 p.m. On weekdays, there are 3-4 trains leaving Roma Termini per hour for most of the day. If you're changing trains in Florence, trains bound for Pisa leave Florence 2-5 times each hour on weekdays.

Ticket prices range from $21-60 on this route.

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

Direct Trains from Rome to Pisa

As mentioned, there are a few direct trains on this route each day, but the more common option is to take a Frecciarossa train to Florence and then switch to a regional train for the remainder of the trip to Pisa.

If trains are on time and a journey is well-planned, the whole trip, including waiting for the next train in Florence, can still be just over 3 hours, roughly equivalent to a direct InterCity train on this route. In other words, you can probably choose the schedule that suits your needs rather than focus solely on direct trains, but be sure to look carefully at connection details to know whether you need to change trains or not.
 

Amenities on Trains from Rome 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.

On the Frecciabianca trains, there are also both 1st-class and 2nd-class cars. As with Frecciarossa trains, 1st-class passengers get a free drink and a newspaper. Frecciabianca trains sometimes have a cafe car which all passengers can use. Power outlets are in both class cars and at each seat.
 

Rome, Florence, and Pisa Train Stations

Rome's Termini is the city's largest train station, and also a major transportation hub within Rome. Many bus lines stop right outside the station, and there is a Metro station inside Termini, too.

Pisa Centrale station is also the city's primary station, located 1.4 miles (2.3 km) from the 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 No. 1 bus from the station to get to the Campo dei Miracoli.

In Florence, if you're changing trains, you'll stop at Santa Maria Novella station (abbreviated as S.M. Novella). It is close to much of the historic center and has easy access to many buses, so if you have some time to kill between trains and want to do a little sightseeing in the Tuscan capital, it's relatively easy to do so. The luggage storage office is located on the ground floor.