The car, Pisa

It was much easier to find a parking space and a much lesser cost across the River Arno. It was pretty obvious that to look for a place to park closer to the tower area would require a lot of driving and luck, as well as I am sure the cost is substantial. It also keeps yo uout of the path of tour busses, many are always there crowding the road

If you travel by car into Pisa then beware. I want to warn motorist that when traveling around Pisa there are areas of traffic restriction that you may, like us and others, have unknowingly entered. This seems to affect many people who use hire cars which are probably mainly tourist. When you pick up your hire car you will not be warned about these restricted areas. Several months after you get home you will be billed by the hire car company for charges incurred by them for giving your details to the police. Then many months after that you will receive a fine of around 110 Euros . The fine will be for 'circulating in a restricted area'. Judging by the numbers of people I have found on the net and there are many, who have been affected in the same way. most agree that the entrance to this area can not be very well signposted or signposted in such a way for people who do not speak Italian to understand as all have said they have committed this offence without knowing that they have done anything wrong. What I can't understand is if these areas are restricted to cut out large amounts of unwanted traffic in tourist areas, which we would all agree, can be a nuisance, then why isn't it signposted in such a way as to make tourist have absolutely no doubt that they should not drive in this area. I am sure that the majority of drivers would respect this, instead, people have mistakenly driven in a restricted area, had their number plate photographed and then months after they have returned home they are fined a large amount of money. I am sure that this just has a negative effect on the tourist industry as many say that they will not return. So I urge motorist to be very careful where you are driving and don't end up with a fine.

If you travel by car into Pisa then beware. I want to warn motorist that when traveling around Pisa there are areas of traffic restriction that you may, like us and others, have unknowingly entered. This seems to affect many people who use hire cars which are probably mainly tourist. When you pick up your hire car you will not be warned about these restricted areas. Several months after you get home you will be billed by the hire car company for charges incurred by them for giving your details to the police. Then many months after that you will receive a fine of around 110 Euros . The fine will be for 'circulating in a restricted area'. Judging by the numbers of people I have found on the net and there are many, who have been affected in the same way. most agree that the entrance to this area can not be very well signposted or signposted in such a way for people who do not speak Italian to understand as all have said they have committed this offence without knowing that they have done anything wrong. What I can't understand is if these areas are restricted to cut out large amounts of unwanted traffic in tourist areas, which we would all agree, can be a nuisance, then why isn't it signposted in such a way as to make tourist have absolutely no doubt that they should not drive in this area. I am sure that the majority of drivers would respect this, instead, people have mistakenly driven in a restricted area, had their number plate photographed and then months after they have returned home they are fined a large amount of money. I am sure that this just has a negative effect on the tourist industry as many say that they will not return. So I urge motorist to be very careful where you are driving and don't end up with a fine.

Upon arrival to Pisa and you wish to see the Leaning Tower, do not attempt to walk as it is quite far a distance from the station. But of course, if you have time to spare, you can walk... Negotiate with a taxi (abundant at the train station) and the fare is usually 7euro... only 4 people can fit in the taxi as they are compact cars. The ride is about 7-20 mins.

we were able to go up the tower (8 years old and younger cannot go up)... shop, have lunch at a nearby seafood resto, visit the Duomo, Camposanto and a museum across...

We boarded a train from Florence to Pisa at 1030am - and headed back to Florence at 3pm... in time for our siesta...

The driving situation is not any better in Pisa, than the other major cities. Once in town, the signs kept sending us around and around the round about. It was very frustrating. I have read about a public parking area outside Porta Santa Maria, but we missed it. We eventually found a tiny spot on the street, and managed to cram the rental into it. After a 20 minute walk (ask directions), you will see the beautiful Field of Miracles and the Leaning Tower. Definitely worth the trip!

Leave your car outside the city.
Pisa is a rather small place, but most of the italians use their car and trafic is horrible during the day untill around 09.00 p.m.

Afterwards it is easy to go to the very centre and even find a great parking in walking distance to the leaning tower.( free of charge at night untill 08.00 a.m.)
NObody cares , when you sleep in your motorhome, as I did - BUT of course I always obey the regulations and have a rather small motorhome.

Well, this tip is not much about how getting to Pisa, but more about this car I've seen once near Piazza dei Miracoli (the main square). This old TOPOLINO was so clean and shiny that I had to take a picture of it! It's beautiful, isn't it?

If travelling by car I would reccomend the parking lot I parked at. It is located just west of the the main tourist area of Pisa (Campo dei Miracoli). They didn't charge much per hour, it is secure, and there was enough space for even my station wagon. If coming from the north then the parking lot will be on your right side.
It's a very small area that really should only be done on foot.