Florence can not be called a big place, yet every minute is valuable when you have only one day to get to know.
It all is in this guide: how to walk around the centro storico, the buses system to master without even a second thought, taking the tram, riding taxis and car-sharing, riding e-bikes, and travelling to the wonders nearby by the train. This is how you will know how to explore Florence like a local.
Walking
The historic center of Florence is a walking center. The small Centro Storico is a pedestrian-friendly area with close piazzas, courtyards, and street vistas that, otherwise, would be absent on any other tour. This is all you need to know to maximize it.
The Centro Storico of Florence is extremely small. The whole historic center could be crossed on foot in 25 minutes. This implies that the greatest attractions that attract tourists are located within 1 km of one another: the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Vecchio are all walkable.
The city has put a lot of effort in establishing pedestrian-only areas in various parts of the historic center and you are not at risk of traffic and it is a great scenic walk. However, what is the true benefit of walking? You will find things that a tour bus or organized tour group cannot take you to see that are hidden courtyards, little trattorias somewhere off a side street and the heartbeat of local life that makes Florence not like a museum.
Bus
The bus system in Florence is your pass to hilltop treasures of the city and tonier quarters of the metropolis that could not be seen by most tourists.
A one way bus fare is only EUR1.70 that is good enough to last 90 minutes. You are also able to buy the tickets using the official mobile application of ATAF, or even SMS.
Best Bus Lines for Visitors
The gorgeous Piazzale Michello is accessed by bus number 12 or 13. These street paths along lead directly between the middle of the city and the most well known panorama in Florence of the sunset- come in before the sun goes down and the river Arno will turn to gold. It is one of the most compensating 20 minutes rides in the city.
To more smoothly enter the structure of Florence, grab a Bus C1 or C2.
Tram
Having spacious interiors, frequent departures and linking all major transportation centres, trams are the most popular means of transportation among the wise day tripers who will be able to spend maximum time in the city instead of wasting it in the traffic.
Florence’s Two Tram Lines
- T1 Line: This connects SMN Train Station ( Firenze Santa Maria Novella ) with Careggi Hospital, passing through the Northern areas of Florence and passing through several residential areas in the process.
- T2 Line: Passes directly between SMN Train Station and Florence Airport, Peretola line, which is why it is the most important one with arrivals and departures.
The two lines have SMN Train Station as the point of origin. The T2 line is especially worth having especially when going to and out of an airport- there is no complex interchange or any perplexing multi leg routes. You just get into the tram and never need to walk more than that, as you ride straight to the centre of Florence and see the countryside slowly change to renaissance structures, as you glide in the centre of the city.
You are at Peretola Airport and you need to get to Duomo within the shortest time possible, trams are your best friends. The T2 is the fastest way of getting to Piazza dell’Unita Italiane after leaving the airport, only 20 minutes. It is also only a short walk there to all the major sights of Florence such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Duomo. To people staying in Scandicci or other parts of the west of the city center, T1 line can offer quick transfers between Piazza dell’Unita Italiana after which you can travel to central Florence without having to make numerous transfers or spend a lot of money on taxi.
Cost and Ticket Information
EUR1.70 each single ride – This is very cheap and offers great value to the tourists. Notably, your ticket is not only valid to the tram, but also to the entire system of the public transportation in Florence, including buses and all tram lines. This implies that you can do a single purchase and use it in any way possible during the day.
Ticket Validity: The EUR1.70 ticket will be valid on 90 minutes upon validating. On this window, you may use it on any set of buses and trams and this means that connections are made easy in case you have to switch types of transportation.
Travel Times
- Airport (Peretola) – City Center: 20 minutes T2 line
- SMN Train Station- Careggi Hospital: around 15-18 minutes using T1 line.
- Frequency: Trams usually run at an interval of 10-15 minutes when there is a high demand and even longer when there is low demand.
Taxi
Official Taxis
Official taxis in Florence are not very difficult to identify, you just need to look at the white cars with a big TAXI sign on their roofs. Not like in some of the European cities where they can be flagged down in the street. Rather, go to one of the major taxi stands located all over the centre of the city: SMN Station, Piazza della Repubblica, or Piazza Santa Croce. These three are in the middle and are properly staffed throughout the day.
E-Bikes, Scooters and Rental
E-Scooter Services: Urban Urban Hops
The short urban jumps are easy thanks to the networks of e-scooters (Bit, Helbiz and Dott) that Florence has. All one has to do is download the application, locate a scooter nearby and ride.
The rentals would be ideal in making fast trips between the major attractions. Going to Boboli Gardens to take an evening walk? Grab a scooter. Got to get to San Miniato al Monte before the sun goes down? Done. You have missed your train and you need to be to the station in a hurry? E-scooters have your back.
There is only one golden rule associated with riding an e-scooter in Florence: never enter the pedestrian areas. The historical area has limited spaces where scooters can not be used or have to be walked. Use main roads and also follow established routes and keep out of the way always. Wearing a helmet is not always obligated by the law yet it is a good idea particularly when in hilly terrain.
24-Hour Bike Rentals: The Picturesque Choice
In case you need to move at a slowness pace and visit the less popular areas of Florence- the artisan quarters of Oltrarno, the silent piazzas not on the main path, you might consider renting a bike all-day. Arno side streets are post straight with beautiful sceneries that do not require one to wonder in busy streets.
