Pisa Mover

Pisa Mover is a fully automated people mover system in Pisa. It connects Pisa Centrale railway station with Pisa Airport, using a short dedicated route with one intermediate stop at San Giusto/Aurelia. The system is designed for airport passengers, commuters, visitors, and drivers using the park-and-ride facilities.

The line has 3 stations: Pisa Centrale, San Giusto/Aurelia, and Airport. The route is 1.78 kilometers long and follows the alignment of the former Pisa Centrale–Pisa Airport railway. That railway was closed in 2013, before the construction of the automated shuttle system that replaced it.

The service links one of Tuscany’s most important railway hubs with Pisa International Airport in about 5 minutes, including the intermediate stop. For travelers arriving by train, it provides a direct transfer to the airport terminal. For passengers landing in Pisa, it gives quick access to regional and national rail connections.

The Pisa Centrale station of the system is located near platform 14 of the main railway station. It can be reached directly from the station area or through Via Quarantola. This position is useful for passengers continuing toward Florence, Lucca, La Spezia, Livorno, or other destinations in Tuscany.

The Airport station is located outside Galileo Galilei Airport, close to Gate B – City Gate. The short distance between the terminal and the shuttle stop makes the system practical for passengers with luggage. The station is part of the airport’s public transport connection network.

The San Giusto/Aurelia station is the intermediate stop on the route. It serves the Aurelia and Goletta parking areas, located near Via Aurelia and Via di Goletta. These car parks are intended for travelers, commuters, tourists, and drivers who want to avoid entering the city center by car.
 

Short History of the Pisa Mover

Before the current automated system, Pisa Centrale and Pisa Airport were connected by a railway branch opened in 1983. That earlier railway allowed direct rail services between the airport and other Tuscan destinations. It was dismantled in 2013 to make way for the new people mover infrastructure.

Construction work on the new system began on June 3, 2014. The project was developed by Pisamover S.p.A., with the participation of companies including Leitner, Condotte d’Acqua, Inso, and Agudio. The works were substantially completed on September 30, 2016, after about 600 days.

The system was inaugurated on March 18, 2017. Its opening marked the official replacement of the former railway airport link with a cable-driven, fully automated shuttle. The new infrastructure was conceived as a compact urban mobility system serving the airport, the central railway station, and parking areas.

The project cost was reported at 77.7 million euros. Of this amount, 21 million euros came from public funding, while the remaining 56.7 million euros was assigned to the private consortium involved in building and operating the system under a long-term management arrangement.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger numbers fell sharply. In November 2020, the service was suspended for several months and replaced by buses. The suspension was later extended, but the system returned to operation during the summer of 2021, after the most difficult period for transport demand.
 

Route, Stations and Technical Features

The line is a short automated urban transport system with a cable-driven MiniMetro technology. Its total length is 1.78 kilometers, and it has three operational stops. The route runs between Pisa Centrale and the airport, with San Giusto/Aurelia placed between them.

The rolling stock consists of two MiniMetro trainsets. Each trainset is made of three vehicles, with a reported passenger capacity of up to 107 passengers per trainset. The system is automated, meaning it operates without a driver on board.

The maximum operating speed is reported at 40 kilometers per hour, while the average speed over the short route is about 21.4 kilometers per hour. Because the distance is short and there is only one intermediate stop, the complete journey remains very quick.

The system capacity is reported at 1,210 passengers per hour. This is suitable for an airport shuttle serving short-distance transfers rather than long urban journeys.

The shuttle is also connected with parking infrastructure. The Aurelia and Goletta car parks are placed at the San Giusto/Aurelia intermediate station. They can be reached from Via di Goletta and from the roundabout near Via Aurelia, making them accessible from the main road network entering Pisa.

Pisa Mover Timetables

The Pisa Mover runs every day from 6:00 am to midnight. From June 1 to September 30, the service is extended until 1:00 am. These hours are designed to cover most airport arrivals, early departures, rail connections, and parking users.

The official average travel time between Pisa Airport and Pisa Centrale is about 5 minutes, including the intermediate stop at San Giusto/Aurelia. This short transfer time is the main advantage of the system, especially for passengers moving between train and plane.

Frequencies vary depending on passenger demand. The system is designed as a continuous airport shuttle rather than a traditional train service with long intervals.

The service is available 365 days per year. The parking areas remain accessible 24 hours a day, while the shuttle itself follows the passenger service timetable. This distinction is important for drivers leaving their cars at the park-and-ride facilities.
 

Pisa Mover Fares

A standard single ticket between Pisa Airport and Pisa Centrale costs 6.50 €. A return ticket costs 13.00 €. These fares also apply to passengers starting or ending their trip at the intermediate San Giusto/Aurelia station.

Tickets are valid for 30 days from the date of issue, except for tickets purchased through Trenitalia-authorized ticket offices in combination with rail journeys. Occasional travelers can buy tickets at authorized ticket offices or from automatic ticket machines at the stations.

Automatic ticket machines are available at all three stations. There are 4 machines at the Airport station, 4 machines at the FS/Pisa Centrale station, and 4 machines at the San Giusto/Aurelia station.

For passengers using the shuttle together with parking, separate park-and-shuttle rates apply. These packages usually include parking for one car and a return shuttle ticket. Other passengers in the same car can buy reduced shuttle tickets by using the parking ticket at the machines.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Pisa Mover

What is the Pisa Mover?

The Pisa Mover is a fully automated shuttle system connecting Pisa Centrale railway station, San Giusto/Aurelia parking area, and Pisa International Airport. It is mainly used for quick airport and rail transfers.

How long does the Pisa Mover journey take?

The full journey between Pisa Centrale and Pisa Airport takes about 5 minutes, including the intermediate stop at San Giusto/Aurelia. It is one of the fastest transfer options in Pisa.

How many stations does the Pisa Mover have?

The system has 3 stations: Pisa Centrale, San Giusto/Aurelia, and Airport. The intermediate station serves the Aurelia and Goletta park-and-ride areas.

How much does a Pisa Mover ticket cost?

A single ticket costs 6.50 €, while a return ticket costs 13.00 €. The same fares apply when traveling from or to the intermediate San Giusto/Aurelia station.

Where is the Pisa Mover station at Pisa Centrale?

The Pisa Centrale stop is located close to platform 14. It can be reached from inside the railway station area or through Via Quarantola.

What are the Pisa Mover operating hours?

The shuttle usually runs from 6:00 am to midnight. Between June 1 and September 30, service is extended until 1:00 am.
 
Sources:

• AI-generated illustration (Nano Banana Pro / Google AI Studio)
• Pisa-Mover.it
• Wikipedia.it