Photo: Darren Quigley.
Florence hardly needs an introduction. A trip to the Tuscan capital has been a travel rite of passage ever since the days of the Grand Tour in the 18th century. And with such a long history of tourism, Florence is a seasoned pro at welcoming visitors… but that doesn’t always mean it’s a cake walk for said visitors.
Tuscany’s cultural heart is packed with things to see and do, genuine and less than authentic experiences, tourist traps and local hideaways all wrapped up in a beautiful and chaotic city that is buzzing with thousands of visitors (and Florentines) pretty much all year round.
Cards on the table, it’s pretty difficult to have a bad time in Florence. The city is too enchanting and spectacular, not matter how long you spend in that museum line or how much confusion there is over how to navigate the Florentine steak and saltless bread. But a little forward planning never hurt right? Especially when I’ve got the answers to your top FAQs right here! Florentine Summer 2022 anyone?
Photo: A Different Perspective.
How do I arrive in Florence from the airport?
Florence is accessible from a couple of airports.
From Rome
Rome’s Fiumicino airport is the largest and most popular, but it’s also the farthest away. If you’re flying into Fiumicino, you can catch the train from the airport to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, but you will need to change trains at Roma Termini. The whole trip takes a little over two hours and you can book tickets on the Trenitalia website. Or you can buy tickets at the station. There are more than 50 trips between the two cities every day, so you don’t really need to book ahead unless you have a super tight timeline.
From Pisa
Pisa airport is a great choice if you’re flying internally. From Pisa airport, you can take the shuttle monorail to Pisa Central station. The so-called People Mover runs every five to eight minutes. From there, the train trip to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station takes about an hour. You can buy a ticket from Trenitalia.
You can also make the entire journey to Florence by bus. It takes about an hour with buses running 10 times a day, dropping you off at the Guidoni tram stop and at night at Santa Maria Novella.
From Bologna
There are two public transport options to get from Bologna airport to Florence. You can catch the train, but you will need to change at Bologna Centrale. From there, Trenitalia operates a train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N. every 30 minutes.
Alternatively, Appennino Shuttle operates a bus from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport to Florence Piazzale Montelungo every 3 hours. The journey takes 1h 25m. You can book online, purchase a ticket in Bologna airport or directly from the driver for an extra fee.
From Florence airport
Florence actually has its own airport called Amerigo Vespucci. From here, you can easily get to the city by tram. Dubbed the T2, it runs from the airport to the Unita stop close to the central station every five to 10 minutes. A ticket costs €1.50 per person.
You can also choose to take the bus from Volainbus to the center or you can grab a taxi. A taxi costs between €22 (day) and €25 (evening) per person and €1 extra for each piece of luggage. If you want to book a reliable taxi without stress, book it before your trip, just ask your hotel to organise it for you.
Photo: Elisabeth 283.
Can I drive and park in Florence?
Driving in Florence might seem like a crazy idea, but in comparison to Italy’s other capital cities, Florence is actually one of the better places to navigate from behind the wheel. There are a few things to keep in mind though:
Tuscans drive on the right
Well, all Italians do, but it’s good to note. In order to rent a car in Italy, drivers are required to have an international drivers license. It’s also a VERY good idea to invest in a GPS or Google Maps or at the very least, have your trip planned out well in advance because it’s easy to get lost in Florence and accidentally drift into one of the limited traffic access zones below.
The Limited Traffic Access Zone (ZTL)
Florence’s city centre is littered with ZTL areas. These are restricted areas that are only accessible if you have a permit. Be aware of them. ZTL areas are equipped with video surveillance cameras that automatically detect and photograph license plates of all vehicles passing through. They’re clearly marked with signs in English, so you can’t miss them. The ZTL areas are only "active" during certain hours, which are indicated with a red or green light. The red light means do not cross!
If your hotel is inside a ZTL area, you can arrange for a temporary permit, but this must be organised by your hotel before you arrive in Florence.
Parking in Florence
Outside of the ZTL, paid street parking is marked in blue. You need pay for the hours you intend to park ahead of time at the "P" parking ticket machines located nearby. You need to leave this ticket stub inside your car's dashboard where it can be seen.
White lines mean this space is for residents. Yellow is for disabled parking. If you park overnight, check local signs to see when street cleaning is done or risk being towed away.
At the Santa Maria Novella, Parterre (Piazza Libertà), Porta al Prato and Piazza Alberti parking lots you'll find discounted daily rates, but these parking spots are unsecured, so don’t leave any valuables behind.
Private garages offer maximum security with guards on constant surveillance and CCTV. A lot of these are accessed by entering the ZTL, but they immediately register your car plate with the authorities to exempt you from the fine. Prices vary according to the size of car. It’s a good idea in high season to book in advance.
Photo: Martino Phuc.
What day trips can I take from Florence?
The day trip options from Florence are #travelgoals. Near the city lies a maze of picturesque medieval hilltop towns surrounded by green rolling hills and pristine meadows dotted with fortresses. Or the Val d’Orcia valley will mesmerize you with its neat country roads lined with cypress trees, premium vineyards, and unexpected silence.
If pressed, these are our favorite five day trips from Florence:
Siena
When you’re coming from the Piazza del Campo, the palio or simply a walk through the cobblestone streets of what is Italy’s most beautiful medieval city, Siena is an easy and super satisfying day trip from Florence.
The easiest and fastest way to reach the city is by bus. Buses depart from the Via Santa Caterina da Siena auto-stazione (bus station) three times an hour during weekdays and slightly less frequently on weekends. The trip takes a little over an hour.
Lucca
Lovely Lucca is made for aimless wandering and strolling. The city is known for its Renaissance architecture and its fortified old walls. With its well-preserved centuries-old buildings and churches, a visit to Lucca is a step back in time.
The train is your best bet to Lucca with a direct trip from Santa Maria Novella taking about 1 hour and a half.
Pistoia
In 2017, Pistoia was voted Italy’s Capital of Culture. Why? It is a hidden gem which offers visitors plenty of delightful experiences, beautiful architecture, medieval churches, futuristic libraries and great gastronomy.
A direct train to Pistoia take about 40 minutes.
Arezzo
Elegant yet unhurried, the city of Arezzo brings together the best of old and new Tuscany with an easy-going lifestyle and fewer tourists than you’d expect in a culturally-rich and attractive city. It’s often called mini Florence… without the crowds.
A direct train to Arezzo takes about 50 minutes.
Volterra
Ah Volterra, forever immortalised in those Twilight books. But don’t let Bella and Edward turn you off this city… especially since they shot the movie elsewhere. Volterra is famous for its peculiar urban layout that harks back to its Etruscan origins.
The trip to Volterra is a little more complex and requires either train to Pontedera - Casciana Terme then the bus to Volterra or two buses. Either way, the trip takes about 2 hours and a half oneway.
Photo: Coral Sisk.
Can I eat in Florence on a budget?
Of course! Eating well in Florence doesn’t always mean emptying your wallet! There are plenty of excellent cheap eats in Florence enjoyable for every kind of traveler. If you do want to splurge and try a variety of restaurants in one evening- consider our Progressive Dining Crawl!
Sit down at the red-checked table of an ancient trattoria, grab a place at a fiaschetteria (wine bar) or even stand up at a traditional trippaio (tripe stand), and you can feast off a style of cuisine using local products that hasn't changed in centuries. Check out our guide to the best places to eat on the cheap.
Photo: Neil Morrell.
How do I skip the museum lines in Florence?
Florence attracts millions of visitors a year and you know they’ll all be making a beeline for the Uffizi sometime during their stay. So how do you avoid the crowds and make sure you don’t miss out?
Our top tip is a no brainer: The official state Florentine museums’ website lets you buy your tickets anywhere from a day to years in advance for the city’s top museums. Want a few more workarounds if you’re short on time or your chosen date is booked out? Check out our guide to reserving a museum ticket in Florence.
