Florence and Pisa are remarkably close, making it one of the most popular day-trip routes in Italy. The straight-line "as the crow flies" distance between the two cities is approximately 68 kilometers (42 miles). However, when traveling by road or rail, the distance is slightly longer, typically around 80 to 85 kilometers (50 to 53 miles). The journey is incredibly efficient regardless of your mode of transport. By train, which is the most recommended method for tourists, the trip from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station to Pisa Centrale takes between 50 and 70 minutes, with tickets costing roughly €9 to €12. There are frequent "Regionale" trains departing almost every 30 minutes. If you choose to drive, the trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes via the SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno (FI-PI-LI) highway, though traffic in and out of Florence can add significant time. For those flying into the region, Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport is actually the primary international gateway for Tuscany, and many travelers land there and immediately take the "Pisa Mover" shuttle to the train station to head straight to Florence. Because the cities are so close, it is entirely feasible to see the Leaning Tower in the morning and return to Florence for a sunset dinner.