As the central point of entry into the stunning region of Tuscany in northern Italy, Pisa Airport as you may expect gets a tad busy. Last year, around 4 million passengers drifted through its gates and the number is only expected to grow over the next few years. It received its full name Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport as a tribute to the Italian physicist, philosopher and astronomer who was born here and who´s greatest claim to fame was his assertion that the earth rotated around the sun.
It is possible to get to Galileo Galilei Airport from 8 airports in the UK including Gatwick, Edinburgh and Liverpool, and there are also flights from Dublin, provided by low cost airlines such as Thomson Flights, easyJet and Ryanair.
When considering onward transportation, bear in mind that there is a lot to see and do in the Tuscany region. This makes it worthwhile renting a car so you can map out your own adventure. The Pisa Airport car hire companies are based in the car rental terminal which is connected to the airport by a shuttle bus service. Travellers are picked up outside Pisa Airport arrivals and wooshed away to the collection desks. The firms based here are Autoeuropa, Avis, Budget, Easycar, Europcar, Hertz, Liberty, Locauto, Maggiore, Sixt, Targarent and Thrifty. If you are intending to do an extensive road trip of Italy then several of these companies allow for a different pick up and drop off location.
Those not intending to rent a car but who want to arrive at their final destination unruffled and calm, should select Pisa Airport Transfers, which entails being met in arrivals by a driver and taken straight to the waiting car. By reserving a seat on a private shuttle bus at Pisa Airport, then you can have a simillar service but for less money, although you are sharing with others so bear in mind the bus will detour for their stops. As usual, taxis are located outside arrivals but be advised that in the height of summer this can involve queueing in the heat. The average fare for Pisa Airport taxis into the city centre is between €5.70 to €8.00 (plus € 2,30 excess fare on Sundays and Bank Holidays).
Buses are a great, cost effective way to get around but of course also involve the most hanging about and are the most labour intensive option. Fortunately there is a great bus network and the Pisa Airport buses travel to major Tuscan cities such as Florence and Sienna. For those just needing to get into the city centre the buses leave every 20 minutes, cost €0.95 and have a journey time of just 10 minutes. Unlike many airports, Pisa also benefits from a train station situated outside the departures hall. Pisa Airport trains leave roughly every half an hour and go to Pisa Central Station, also reachable by bus, which has connections with destinations further afield, and Florence.
When you´re travelling by plane it helps if there are plenty of good places to eat and drink and some decent shops to pass the time in while you´re waiting. Fortunately Pisa Airport has obliged and in the La Corte Shopping Centre there is plenty to keep even the most avid shopaholic occupied. Located on the ground floor of the main hall the outlets range in wares from designer clothes to books, leather goods. sportswear, jewellery, shoes and photographic supplies and are even open on bank holidays. Once you get past security there are places to buy souvenirs, local produce, duty free items and clothes.
Whether you can´t resist a last Italian patisserie before you leave or are hungry enough for a full sit down meal, there are a number of restaurants and cafes to cater. Among them is Mascagni´s Restaurant on the first floor which has waiter service and a range of mouthwatering Tuscan dishes. While if you´re looking to grab a last quick bite before you board, there is a bar on the ground floor in departures which provides drinks, snacks and pizza and has an outside garden area.
Other points to mention are that the Information Office and and Lost & Found office are located in arrivals, while if you want to store luggage here you can do so for a daily charge of €7.00.
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