Compact and efficient Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR), is a small airport. The distance between the historic center and the airport is barely 8 km (5 miles). As soon as you get out of the terminal, there is clear signage pointing towards ground transportation.
The Pro Tip: Have off line maps of Florence central before landing. Even the most straightforward of transfers are more confident knowing where they are going to go.
By Tram
Route Details
Directly serving the airport in Florence, T2 tram line connects picking up at the Peretola Aeroporto station and dropping at the Alamanni-Stazione (Santa Maria Novella Station) in the central part of the city. The tram service runs between 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM daily and the frequency of the service is very high that is every 5-10 minutes in the peak hours.
How to Buy Tickets
There are three convenient ways that you can buy your EUR1.70 ticket. The simplest way is by utilizing the automatic machines in the tram station which can take coins as well as cards. You can also go to any Tabacchi store in the airport. To make the process the most convenient one, you may also download the Tabnet app before you travel and buy your ticket directly on your phone.
Validation & Boarding
You can just tap using your ticket on the validation machine inside the tram before you get on. The ticket is a one-way ticket that is valid, 90 minutes on any number of tram and bus rides around Florence ideal when you have to make a connection. Never leave your ticket behind because there are times when an inspector will request to check your ticket and in this case, you would have your ticket.
Pro Tip: When the queues are long, App can be used to save time.
By Taxi
Best in: Solo travelers, families or anybody who considers speed and door to door service important. No shuttle schedules or changes of location. In a taxi, the shortest time taken to get to the airport to your hotel in Florence would be 15-20 minutes all in all.
Official Florence Taxis
One may be accosted with unofficial drivers or private operators loitering around the baggage claim area or outside the terminal usually with their offers to give you a ride at prices that seem to be competitive. Avoid them. It is a good idea to ride only those white cabs which have an official sign on the roof: Comune di Firenze (City of Florence).
By Private Transfer
There was no standing in the long taxi lines in the hot sun. No negotiating with the driver or fussing about your Italian language. All you do is walk out of the door, locate your driver and have a hassle free 15 to 20 minutes ride straight to your hotel or accommodation- a splendid welcome to the Italian lifestyle of getting around.
By Bus
BusItalia (Vola in Bus) runs a steady shuttle service, linking Florence Airport with the city center and as such, it is one of the cheapest means of getting to your hotel or accommodation.
The bus is running between the airport of Florence and Santa Maria Novella Bus Station which is the primary transit station of Florence. The trip is usually an average of 25-30 minutes, according to the traffic. It is a little bit longer than the tram but the fact that it is much cheaper compensates the additional time, particularly when you are alone or traveling with someone.
Budget travelers can not beat pricing. One way ticket is as low as EUR6 or you can get a return ticket as low as EUR10. The buses are also every 30 minutes between 5:30 AM and 8.30 PM to provide you with ample time to arrive early in the morning or early in the evening.
It is so easy to buy your ticket. There are three easy ways to do it: purchase tickets ahead of time on the Internet, pick up a ticket in the airport kiosk, or just give the driver a direct payment in cash.
Pro Tip
Coming after 8.30 PM where the bus service is no longer running? Use the tram in place of the bus, which ensures timing and longer evening time.
