Your plane has landed and you’re ready to devour your first gelato and marvel at Michelangelo’s statue of David. But first, you’ve got to get from the Florence airport to the city center.
Florence’s closest airport is Peretola (FLR) airport (Aeroporto di Firenze – Peretola in Italian). How close? It’s less than 6 kilometers from the terminal to the center of Florence (Santa Maria Novella, the city’s central train station).
To get from the Florence airport to the city center and your Florence hotel, you have multiple options – some affordable and some luxurious. Some are on public transport and others are private. All of them will have you in Florence faster than you can say bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Contents
The Best Ways to Travel from the Florence Airport to the City Center
| FASTEST | Tram (also called Tramvia) – 20 minutes |
| CHEAPEST | Tram – 1.50€ |
| BEST FOR FAMILIES | Private Car |
| BEST WITH A LOT OF LUGGAGE | Taxi or Private Car |
| BEST DURING TRAFFIC HOURS | Tram |
| MOST SOCIALLY-DISTANCED | Taxi or Private Car |
| BEST TO GO DIRECTLY TO HOTEL | Taxi or Private Car |
Transport Options from Florence to the City Center
In the chart, you’ll find the basics you need to make your decision on how to travel from the Florence airport to the city center. Below the chart you’ll find more detailed information on each mode of transport.
| Mode | Route Distance* | Time | Cost | Hours | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tram | 6 km | 20 min | 1.50€ per person | See website | Google map |
| Taxi | 8 km | 20 min | 22€ | 24 hrs | |
| Private Car | 8 km | 20 min | From 60€ | 24 hrs | |
| Bus | 8 km | 25 min | 6€ per person | See website | |
| Rental Car | 8 km | 20 min | Varies | Depends on rental company | Google map |
| Foot | 5.3 km | 1 hr 10 min | Free | Google map | |
| Bicycle | 7.8 km | 30 min | Free | Google map |
Traffic While Traveling from the Florence Airport to the City Center
In general, Florence has traffic during commuting times (7:00-9:00 in the morning and 17:00-19:00 in the evening).
During the school year (mid-September through mid-June), you’ll also see heavy traffic when school gets out around 16:00.
Traffic can turn a 20-minute trip into an hour-long adventure. Keep this in mind if you’ll be traveling from the Florence airport to the city center during these time periods.
More Info on Transport Options From Florence Airport to the City Center
Tram (Tramvia)
Florence’s tram began operating in 2019. It’s popular with locals and is catching on with visitors to the city.
To get to the city center, take the T2 tram. There are 12 stops along its route from the airport to the city center, but it gets you into the city very quickly.
Operating Hours: It runs from the early morning to around midnight and even longer on the Friday and Saturday. Check the website for current operating hours.
Where to Catch It: Exit the airport arrivals door, turn left, and you’ll see it ahead of you.
Buying Tickets: You can purchase tickets at the tram stops in the machines, using credit card or cash. You can also buy tickets with an app, by text message. See the tram’s website for more information.
Tickets are part of the same network as the Florence public buses, so once you validate your ticket, you have 90 minutes of travel time on the tram or Florence’s ATAF bus network.
Before getting on the tram, make sure you validate your ticket by sticking it into the machine next to the track. If you don’t validate your ticket, you’re essentially traveling without one. If you’re caught without one, you’ll be fined – not a great way to start off your trip to Florence!
Where to Get Off: The final station is Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, near the Duomo. The stop at the Santa Maria Novella station is the second to last stop.
Luggage: You are allowed two pieces of luggage per person.
Taxi
Where to Get a Taxi: Turn right out of the arrivals door and walk along the building until you get to the end of it. At the end of the building, turn right and walk 25 meters to the sign that says “PRIMO DI FILA – WAIT HERE.” There may be a long line but don’t worry – it moves quickly.
If you arrive and there are no taxis waiting (rare), call +39 055 4242 or +39 055 4390 to order a taxi. You will be told the name and number of the taxi – for example, Parigi 35 or Monaco 15.
Rates are fixed! They are posted at the taxi stand and inside the taxi. There are different fixed rates for:
- Normal Hours: 22.00€
- Holiday Hours: 24.00€
- Night Hours: 25.30€
Supplements:
- Bags: 1.00€ per bag, maximum 7 bags
- Airport Supplement: 2.70€ – Note that this supplement only applies if you are traveling from the airport somewhere outside of the city center.
How to Pay: Most taxi drivers will accept credit card payment – make sure you ask before you begin your journey.
Private Car
In Italy, a private car is called an N.C.C., or a Noleggio Con Conducente (rental with driver). This is a stress-free option because your driver can meet you at arrivals with a sign, load up your luggage, and take you directly to your hotel in Florence.
While it is a more expensive option, it can be worth it, especially if you’re just finishing up a long journey.
If you are traveling with a baby or small child, you can arrange to have a car or van with a car seat.
An N.C.C. vehicle is required to have a special decal on the back of the vehicle. Do not accept rides from drivers who are not licensed.
Remember that your private car must be reserved ahead of time.
Please see the Florence Directory for drivers and companies I recommend.
Bus
Italy’s BusItalia runs a special service from the Florence airport to the city center. The VOLAINBUS – Firenze Airlink service is an easy way to get to the center.
Buying Tickets: You can buy the tickets on board the bus, but they can only be purchased with cash. There are two other ways to buy tickets but they do not function correctly 100% of the time, so I wouldn’t rely on them. The other two ways are via the Trenitalia website or from the machine outside of the airport.
Operating Hours: The bus runs every hour, on the :30, beginning at 10:30 and the last bus leaves the airport at 20:30. Double check the current hours on the BusItalia website.
Make sure you validate your ticket by putting it into the little machine on board the bus. If you don’t you may be fined.
Where to Get Off: The bus is direct shuttle to Florence, so you don’t need to worry about where to get off. It arrives at the Florence bus station, just across the street from the Santa Maria Novella train station.
Rental Car
Major car rental companies that operate out of the Florence Airport include:
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Hertz
- National
- Sicily by Car
- Sixt
- Thrifty
Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car: The car rental pickup location is offsite, but next to the airport. You can walk the 500 meters (10 minutes) if you don’t have much luggage, or you can take the free shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes. The shuttle bus stop is in front of the arrivals door. Exit the doors and walk to the right (less than 50 meters) until you see it on your left.
From the car rental location, you can drive into Florence.
If you’re staying in Florence for a while, I wouldn’t recommend picking up a rental car at the airport. Driving in Florence isn’t fun (or necessary for tourist visits) and parking is expensive. Instead, take a different mode of transport to the Florence city center, and then rent a car in Florence when you’re ready to leave the city and begin the part of your trip that requires a car (for example, exploring the Tuscan countryside).
If you’re renting a car, check out this article with helpful tips on renting a car and driving in Italy.
Important: If your hotel is in a ZTL (zono traffico limitato – limited traffic zone), make sure you give your rental car’s license plate number to your hotel’s reception. They will contact the local authorities, so you don’t receive a fine.
On Foot
Yes, you can wheel your bag all the way from the airport to the city center. It’s about 6 kilometers, on a not particularly scenic route, but it will get you to the center of Florence. If you’re willing to lengthen the route, when you reach the Parco delle Cascine, head toward the Arno River and walk along its banks for a more scenic route to the city center.
This option is best avoided at night.
Bicycle
If you’re planning on bicycle touring in Italy, you may be arriving at the Florence airport with your bicycle and gear, ready to ride. After unpacking and assembling your bicycle at the airport, please ask a staff member where you should dispose of your bicycle box.
The best route from the airport to the Florence city center is cutting through the Peretola neighborhood to get to the Arno, and then riding along the bike path all the way into town (30 meters elevation gain). You’ll see other cyclists, joggers, and walkers, and you’ll ride by Florence’s largest green area, the Parco delle Cascine.
Need a part for your bicycle or a quick pump of your tires? Stop by Florence’s Bicisport bicycle shop. It’s on your way into town (though not on the Arno River path).
Useful Italian Phrases for Traveling from the Florence Airport to the City Center
Vorrei un biglietto per il bus/la tramvia per il centro.
I would like a bus/tram ticket to the city center.
Dove posso trovare un taxi?
Where can I find a taxi?
Dov’e’ la fermata bus per il centro?
Where is the bus stop towards the city center?
Dov’e’ la tramvia per il centro?
Where is the tram that goes to the city center?
Dov’e trovo lo shuttle per l’autonoleggio?
Where is the shuttle to the car rental offices?
Quanto costa il biglietto?
How much does the ticket cost?
Information for Families Traveling from the Florence Airport to the City Center
- Kids 2 and under travel for free on the VolaInBus shuttle bus.
- Kids under 1 meter travel for free on the tram, as long as they don’t occupy a seat (one child per adult).
- If it’s in your budget, the easiest way to get to the center with kids and luggage is to take a taxi or private car. Your driver will help with luggage and take you directly to your hotel. This will get you out exploring the city quickly – the Accademia awaits!
- Try to have euros on hand for payment. You may not have a credit card payment option available – machines break down, some drivers don’t accept cards, etc.
- Use the free bathrooms inside the airport before heading into the city.
Firenze Peretola International Airport – Information
Website: https://www.aeroporto.firenze.it/en/
Address: via del Termine, 11, Firenze 50127
Phone: +39 055 30615
FAQ
Is Florence an international airport?
Yes, Florence’s airport serves European and UK (direct flights) and other destinations (with layovers).
Are there any direct flights from the United States to Florence?
No. The only direct flights to and from Florence airport are to and from European and UK destinations.
If I fly into Pisa, which is the best way to get to the center of Florence?
The Pisa International Airport (also known as Galileo Galilei Airport) is about 80 kilometers from Florence. You have multiple options for traveling from the Pisa airport to the city center of Florence, including train, shuttle bus, taxi, and private driver.
If I fly into Rome, which is the best way to get to the center of Florence?
The Rome Fiumicino International Airport (also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport) is about 340 kilometers from Florence. You can travel from the Rome airport to downtown Florence by train, shuttle bus, taxi, or private driver.
I’m arriving on a late flight. Will I be able to get to Florence?
Yes, you have a few options. The tram runs late at night, and you can take a taxi. You can also hire a private driver, who will meet you on arrival with a sign and take you directly to your hotel.
I have a layover in Florence. Is it possible to visit the city center for a couple of hours?
Yes, you can head into the city for a quick visit, but make sure to allow enough time to get back to the airport before your flight. The best transport option is the tram because you won’t need to worry about traffic delaying you on your way back.
Is the bus to the Florence city center a direct bus?
Yes, it travels directly to the Santa Maria Novella train station, without any stops.
Can I drive into a ZTL zone with my rental car?
If you drive into an active ZTL zone with your rental car, you will be fined unless you are staying at a hotel in the zone or parking at a parking garage in the zone. In both cases, the establishments (hotel and garage) will communicate your license plate number to the authorities so you won’t receive a fine. Otherwise, expect a fine from your rental car company or in the mail upon your return home.
