Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei, Pisa

Many of the things mentioned in the earlier negative review are indeed correct, though I’ve always found the toilets okay, but I like Pisa airport nevertheless. It’s small and easy to use, no stress. There’s nowhere to get lost and you’re not bombarded with shopping 'opportunities’. It can be busy as it seems to be increasingly popular and well used with many budget airlines and of course its location is very handy for onward travel by either car, train or bus but I always seem to end up with waiting time so just grab a seat a chill out while you wait. The snack bar set up is very annoying though, you have to chose what you want, then pay seperately at the till, then take your receipt back to the food counter to collect, its archaic nowadays and I’m sure many travellers get caught out by it.

I love Pisa airport. It feels small and cosy. I like the charming ivy covered facade and the outdoor cafe in the front.
You can walk from the airport to the center of town in about 20 minutes - a rarity among airports!
If you don’t feel like walking, there is frequent bus service.
And if you don’t feel like taking the bus, there is frequent train service!
Everything is clearly marked and many people speak English.

Flying in and out of Pisa is also a joy, with dramatic, beautiful views of the Tuscan coast and the mountains beyond.

A small airport right in the city really. It takes 10 min on the bus to get there. Excellent location!
Gateway to Tuscany, so it is very busy, all-year around, but especially in the summer.
Regular flights to New York make it even more attractive. Regular train and bus links to Florence.
There is a busy cafe with excellent food and coffee, remember to pay at the cash register first!

I agree with some of what Randolph says in his review but by no means all.

When we last went to Tuscany, Florence airport was closed, so we left from Pisa. If you are going somewhere in Tuscany like Florence, Siena, Lucca (or even Pisa) then this place has to be the most convenient gateway by far.

We arrived from Florence by rail, which is under one hour and costs about 5 quid or something daft. Speaking a bit of Italian helps, as does the ability to persuade punters trying to get onto the train that you are getting off first.

From the train station, it is under ten minutes by taxi to the airport. Sure it’s small, but in that respect alone, it does the job and you don’t have to walk far (think about Heathrow!).

There is a nice bar/restaurant outside and the nibbles bar is inside. I was embarrassed to be about € 0.75 short of a picnic at the 'cassa’, (no plastic accepted) but the amiable character just grinned and said what I understood as meaning: “No worries geeza, issa O.K. innit.”

I can’t remember about baggage carts but I think I would have done had there been none, beacuse we had a ton of luggage.

As for Italian public bogs, well consider the national standard…

We didn’t have to queue, but I am with Randolph about waiting for the last minute, because there is sod all (including little seating) beyond security.

I’ll give the place 3 stars simply for the geographical convenience factor. http://www.pisa-airport.com/sat/cda/aree/index.php?idArea=5

Control tower looks like it needs underpinning though. ;-)

One of the worst European airports it has been my misfortune to use. The bad news starts with the Car Rental depot, where the parking ranks are so constricted that you’ll do well not to damage your hire car whilst manouevreing it into place. No trollies available for your luggage. A very unconcomfortable and bumpy ride on the shuttle bus is required to get to the airport.

Get there early, because the queues are long and slow-moving. There is hardly any seating in the public areas, so you could be standing for an hour whilst waiting for check-in. The public toilets are small and disgusting, and queues are again the order of the day.

The bar in the Airport’s main hall is undermanned and chaotic. You must pay in advance at the ‘Cassa’, then take your receipt to the bar for service. Trouble is, the Cassa is 15 metres away from the bar, where the food and drinks are displayed. If you do not speak Italian, you will have to memorise or write down the description of the refreshments you require, as it is not possible to point at an item 15 metres distant. The place is awash with confused travellers.

Don’t go through Security into the Departure Lounge until the last moment. Once in, you will find very little of interest, and again a shortfall in the seating. Pisa Airport is unusual in that Passport Control is beyond the departure lounges. Once more, don’t go through until the last moment, because beyond it you will find nothing except a vending machine, and insufficient seating.

Buon Viaggio!