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Milano / Milan / Mailand to Pisa by train
How to make the rail journey from Milan to Pisa
If you want to take a direct train from Milano to Pisa there is a choice between taking the daily Frecciabianca train, or the more frequent, slower and usually cheaper Intercity trains.
Though when looking up this journey, most of the journey options will involve taking a high speed train from Milano to Firenze and then connecting there for a train on to Pisa.
Though another tick in the box for taking these direct trains, is that south of Genoa, they travel along one of Europe's most beautiful coastal railways.
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Routes
Option 1: taking the Frecciabianca train
Journey Summary
3hr 54 min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Roma
This train also calls at: La Spezia, Viareggio and Livorno
This daily Frecciabianca service usually departs from Milano at around 13:10 and arrives in Pisa at 17:06.
The tilting type of Frecciabianca trains are used on this journey.
1 x train per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; note that tickets typically won't be placed on sale until around 4 months ahead for the IC trains.
If the departure time doesn't suit, or if you want to travel at the cheapest possible price, it's worth looking at the journey options and comparing this train with the alternative Intercity trains.
Rail pass users can save €10 by avoiding this train and targeting those Intercity trains; the guide to using rail passes in Italy has all the info you'll need.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €25.90 | |
| Italia rail | from €25.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
If you have a rail pass and will be travelling from Milan to Rome, then in the summer this train is a much more scenic (but slower) alternative to taking the high speed line - though you won't save any money.
South of Genova the railway line frequently runs close to the coastline - but you need to hope that your reserved seat is on the right (when facing the direction of travel) to see the best of the views.
All of the images were taken from the right of the train.
The highlight of the journey is the stretch between Genova and Sestri Levante.
The railway line also passes through the Cinque Terre towns after Monterroso, where there are fleeting glimpses of the coast between the frequent tunnels.
Those tunnels made it tricky to film this journey when ShowMeTheJourney spent an afternoon travelling back and forth by train between Genova and La Spezia, hence the attempt at a video montage.
Also as can be seen the weather wasn't the best either, but the video does showcase that it can be worth taking in these sea views, even on a grey day!
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Option 2: taking the Intercity trains
Journey Summary
4hr 12min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Livorno or (or Grosetto)
All trains also call at: Monterosso (for Cinque Terre), La Spezia and Viareggio.
6 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: up to 4 months ahead of the travel date; though the Frecciabianca service in Option 1 can be on sale sooner.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Check that you are booking the direct train(s); on Trenitalia look for the journeys that only have a time in the Duration column.
Seats on these Intercity trains can sell out days in advance, particularly in the summer months.
If they are, the alternatives are:
(1) taking the Frecciabianca train
(2) travelling this route on Regionale trains, connecting between trains in Genova AND La Spezia
(3) taking a Frecce train from Milano to Firenze and then connecting there for a train on to Pisa - most of the journey options you will see on the ticket booking websites, involve taking this route.
Rail pass users:
Target these IC trains if you want to save up to €10 on rail pass reservation fees.
Though if you'll want the peace of mind of remaining in the same seat for the entire journey, paying the €3 fee during the time period when they are optional, is virtually essential>
Though if you wait until you are in Italy to book reservations for these trains, they may be sold out.
So this is an instance when making reservations before you arrive in Italy is the best option.
How to book these rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.
Or if the train you want to take is sold out, you can take a combination of Regionale trains; making the connections at Genova Brignole station and in La Spezia.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €14.90 | |
| Italia rail | from €14.90 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
There is usually eight hour gap between the departure of the first and second direct IC train of the day from Milano to Pisa.
A gap that is plugged by the faster Frecciabianca train, which departs from Milano at around 13:10.
South of Genova the railway line frequently runs close to the coastline - but you need to hope that your reserved seat is on the right (when facing the direction of travel) to see the best of the views.
Though you'll need to take the morning train, which departs from Milano at around 08:10, or the alternative Frecciabianca train at 13:10. in order to experience this journey at its best.
The other 3 x trains of the day don't depart from Milano until after 16:00, so will be travelling along this part of the route at dusk or in darkness.
The highlight of the journey is the stretch between Genova and Sestri Levante.
The railway line also passes through the Cinque Terre towns after Monterroso, where there are fleeting glimpses of the coast between the frequent tunnels.
Those tunnels made it tricky to film this journey when ShowMeTheJourney spent an afternoon travelling back and forth by train between Genova and La Spezia, hence the attempt at a video montage.
Also as can be seen the weather wasn't the best either, but the video does showcase that it can be worth taking in these sea views, even on a grey day!
All of the images were taken from the right of the train.
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