In this chapter, you’ll find out the best way to get around Florence by public transport, how much tickets cost and where to buy them.

On foot

From Firenze Santa Maria Novella main station, it takes 15 minutes to walk to Piazza del Duomoand 20 minutes to Ponte Vecchio.

It’s often better to walk between the sights in the city centre than to wait for a bus or tram: some streets are pedestrianised, and trams run around the historic centre rather than directly through it.

If you’re staying in the city centre or near the station, you won’t need public transport at all whilst exploring the city.

Compare hotels within walking distance of the sights

Public transport

Public transport is divided into buses (ATAF and At-Bus) and trams (Tramvia).

Tickets in Florence

The fare system is the same as in all other cities in Tuscany and operates under the integrated AT-bus system. Detailed and up-to-date information is available on the websiteat-bus.it/en/ticket.

Fares in Florence are based on the following categories Urbano capoluogo.

A 90-minute transfer ticket costs 2 eur. Day or multi-day tickets are not sold here. Only a discounted book of 10 tickets, each valid for 90 minutes, is available for 18,20 eur.

If you buy a ticket from the bus driver, you will pay 3 eur and the fare will be valid for a single journey only.

Tickets are valid on all city buses, trams and ‘Regionale’ or ‘Regionale Veloce’ trains.

• 2 eur – 90 minutes
• 18,20 eur – 10 tickets, each valid for 90 minutes

The city fare at the price listed above is valid throughout Florence and when travelling on city bus or tram routes to the following neighbouring towns: Bagno a Ripoli, Calenzano, Campi Bisenzio, Fiesole, Greve in Chianti, Impruneta, Lastra a Signa, Montelupo Fiorentino, Scandici, Sesto Fiorentino, Signa and Vaglia.

When travelling by train, the fares listed above apply only within the city of Florence.

How do I pay the fare?

The easiest way is to buy a ticket using your own contactless card (mobile phone or smartwatch).

Simply tap your card on theTip Tapreaderafterboarding the bus or tram. You can use your card to pay for a 1,70 eur r 90-minute ticket, but you will not receive the discount on a 10-trip ticket when paying by card.

On intercity and regional routes, you must also tap your card against the reader when alighting.

Paper tickets can be purchased at all tobacconists (Tabacchi), as well as in most grocery shops and supermarkets. Ticket machines are also available at 68 locations.

A detailed list of all sales points can be found on the websiteat-bus.it/tickets-and-passes.

Tickets can also be purchased via the AT Bus mobile app (Google Play / App Store).

City buses

Buses are the most common form of transport you’ll use within the city centre.

You can only board via the front door, where you must immediately validate your ticket in the validator or tap your contactless card or the QR code from the mobile app against the reader.

You can find timetables for all routes in Florence at this address:at-bus.it/firenze.

Useful bus routes in Florence include the following:

• 12 + 13 – circular routes, each running in one direction; they run from S.M.N. station around the edge of the historic centre to the Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint
• C2 – runs from S.M.N. station directly to the centre at Piazza della Repubblica
• C4 – runs from S.M.N. railway station along the south bank of the River Arno, past the Palazzo Pitti

Trams

There are two tram lines operating in Florence, T1 and T2, which intersect at Santa Maria Novella station.

Trams do not go directly to the historic centre, so you’ll mainly use them if your hotel is outside the centre but somewhere near the tram route.

Line T2 is the fastest way to get to Florence Airport ( FLR).

The fare on trams is the same as on buses. After boarding, insert your ticket into the validator or hold the QR code from the mobile app or your own contactless card up to the reader.

You do not need to validate your ticket when you alight.

Official information about tram services in Florence can be found on the gestramvia.com website.

Suburban buses

Although most towns in the immediate vicinity of Florence are more easily accessible by train, there is a dense network of suburban regional buses.

You’ll find these buses particularly useful when travelling south to the Chianti region.

Suburban buses are known as “Extraurbano” and are marked in blue or orange on the timetables at at-bus.it/lines-and-timetables.

Fares on these buses are calculated based on the distance travelled. You must therefore tap your contactless card on the reader both when boarding and alighting.

Alternatively, you can buy a ticket in cash from the driver.

Taxis and Uber

Florentine taxis are easy to spot. They are all white. You can hail a taxi simply by waving on the street or use one of the many taxi ranks where taxis are waiting.

Many taxis accept card payments. It’s best to ask the driver in advance.

The Uber mobile app also works in the city, although only the more expensive Uber Black cars are usually available.

Travelling to Florence by car: ZTL and parking

The historic centre lies within a restricted access zone ( ZTL). Entrances are monitored by cameras; if travelling by car, check in advance whether your hotel or car park can provide a valid permit, and do not let your sat-nav guide you through a restricted gate.

For a day trip from the A1 motorway, the Villa Costanza car park is a convenient option.

It has its own motorway exit, is open 24 hours a day, and the T1 tram will take you to the railway station in around 22 minutes. Parking costs 2 eur for 1–4 hours, 5 eur for 4–10 hours or 7 eurfor 10–24 hours; you’ll need to pay for the tram ticket separately.

Cycling

Just like in many European cities, Florence has a bike-sharing scheme operated by RideMovi. Download the free RideMovi App to your smartphone or Apple Watch and explore the city on two wheels – quickly and eco-friendly!

• Google Play
• App Store

Prices:

• 30-day pass: 10 eur (unlimited monthly use of the bike, with a maximum ride duration of 2 hours per journey)
• 20-minute ride: 1,50 eur