Travel to and around Florence
The closest airport is Florence Peretola (formerly Amerigo Vespucci Airport) - FLR - which is situated just 4 km from the city center.
The center can be reached in about 15 minutes by taxi or in about 20 minutes with a bus shuttle operating between the airport and the central railway station of Santa Maria Novella.
Pisa Airport - PSA - is the second airport in Tuscany and it is about 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Florence.
The best airport for intercontinental flights are Roma Fiumicino - FCO - (about 4 hours drive) and Milano Malpensa - MXP - (about 4 hours and 30 minutes drive). Once landed you can rent a car directly at the airport, driving to your hotel or book a private transfer through the concierge service which is at your complete disposal.
The city's main railway station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella (abbreviated as Firenze SMN). Situated in the city center , the station area is also the principal node for buses serving the city and the surrounding area.
The second most important station is Firenze Campo di Marte which is just outside the main road ring (boulevard) that surrounds the historical city center. There are many more but smaller train stations in Florence but, in general, coming from other Italian cities, you'll want to arrive to Firenze SMN.
The Florence SMN train station is open from 4.15 a.m. to 1.30 a.m.
For timetables and tickets, visit www.trenitalia.it as well as www.italotreno.it . We strongly recommend taking trains first class if possible.
All the big companies have offices in the main cities and airports in Tuscany, including Avis, Hertz, Europcar and Maggiore/National and Sixt.
Please bear in mind that in Florence the area of greatest tourist interest coincides with the ZTL ("zona a traffico limitato"), a restricted traffic area controlled by a network of video cameras. If you need to get to pre-booked accommodation, inform the hotel in advance and they will pass on the details of your vehicle (number plate, etc.) to the local city police so that you can enter the restricted area without problems. Otherwise, you'll need to park outside of the ZTL and take a bus, taxi or walk into the restricted traffic area to reach your destination.
TAXI - What You Should Know
In Italy taxis cannot be flagged down as they pass you along the street! Taxis are instead "stationed" at special taxi parking stands in most of the major squares in any city and at the airport and they can be requested by phone.
Taxis are considerably more costly than other forms of shared public transport, and be aware that there may be surcharges for luggage, or if you are travelling late at night.
Many taxis will also accept a credit card BUT be sure to tell them right up front that you will be paying with a card and to be safe arrive with some euro to cover taxi cost.
SAMPLE FARES
TO/FROM AIRPORT AMERIGO VESPUCCI FIRENZE
Taxi journey time from the airport to Florence city center is about 15 minutes
Nightly fare (10 pm – 6 am): €25,30
Holiday fare: €24,00
From Vespucci Airport to Downtown
From the Downtown parking Taxi to Vespucci Airport
From Vespucci Airport to the hotels of the city center and viceversa
ADDITIONAL FEES
Luggage €1,00 each one
by the fourth passenger €1,00 per head
Outside the town of Florence €1,00
Departure from the airport €2,70
From Florence to the Shopping Outlets
Outlet Leccio "The Mall": € 65.00 (Roundtrip with 1 hr wait: € 120.00)
Outlet Barberino "Mc Arthur Glen": € 65.00 (Roundtrip with 1 hr wait: € 120.00)
Outlet Lavella Prada": € 110.00 (Roundtrip with 1 hr wait: € 160.00)
The amounts are just an estimate, as the actual cost will depend on the meter.
If you generally ask the cab to wait for you at your destination, the cost is € 30,00 per hour.
Florence’s major taxi company is Socota and on the website you can find out more information on fares, taxi ranks and the phone numbers to easily reach them.
So.Co.To
Via di Novoli 44/c
50127 Florence (FI)
Whatsapp or Text: +39 334.6622550
Public Transport
The small electric buses that crisscross the centro storico can be useful if you’re all walked out (timetables, routes and ticket prices at www.ataf.net).
Buy tickets beforehand from tobacconists or newsstands and always stamp them on the bus.
On Foot
Florence is a good walking city, as most of the main sights, hotels, restaurants and shops are within the tight 'centro storico' area bounded by the churches of Santa Maria Novella to the west, Santa Croce to the east, San Marco to the north and Santo Spirito just south of the river (a radius covered in no more than 25 minutes in any direction on foot).