In this chapter you will find out how to get around Florence by public transport, how much tickets cost and where to buy them.
On foot
The historic core of the city is relatively small, so it's worth visiting all the important sights on foot. The city is brimming with pedestrian zones and, in truth, walking around the historic centre is one of the main activities that tourists head to Florence for.
So it doesn't make much sense to get around the centre other than on foot, and many of the monuments or galleries can't be reached any other way.
A big advantage is the fact that the main station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella, through which most tourists head to Florence, is practically right in the centre and therefore you can walk everywhere within 25 minutes even from here.
If you choose a hotel within the historic centre, you won't have to use public transport once during your stay.
Book a hotel in the centre of Florence
Public transport
Public transport is divided into bus (ATAF and At-Bus) and tram (Tramvia).
Tickets in Florence
The fare system is the same as in all other cities in Tuscany and follows the integrated AT-bus system. Detailed and up-to-date information is available at at-bus.it/en/ticket.
Prices in Florence are based on category Urbano capoluogo.
A transfer ticket for 90 minutes costs 1,70 eur. Day or multi-day tickets are not sold here. Only a discounted pass of 10 tickets for 90 minutes is available for 15,50 eur.
Tickets are valid on all city buses, trams and Regionale or Regionale Veloce trains.
- 1,70 eur - 90 minutes
- 15,50 eur - 10 tickets for 90 minutes each
The city fares at the above price are valid throughout Florence and when travelling on city bus or tram lines to the following surrounding towns: Bagno and Ripoli, Calenzano, Campi Bisenzio, Fiesole, Greve in Chianti, Impruneta, Lastra and Signa, Montelupo Fiorentino, Scandici, Sesto Fiorentino, Signa and Vaglia.
When travelling by train, the above prices apply only within the city of Florence.
How to pay the fare?
You can buy a ticket in all newsagents (Tabacchi), but also in most grocery stores and supermarkets. Ticket machines are also available at 68 locations.
For a detailed list of all points of sale, visit at-bus.it/tickets-and-passes.
Tickets can also be purchased on the AT Bus mobile app (Google Play / App Store).
The easiest way to buy a ticket is with your own contactless card (mobile phone/watch). Simply attach the card to the reader after boarding the bus or tram. You can use the card to pay the fare for 1,70 eur for 90 minutes, but you will not get the 10 ticket discount when paying with the card.
For intercity and regional lines, the card is also attached to the reader when you get off the bus.
City buses
Buses are the most common form of transport you will use within the city centre.
You can only board through the front door, where you immediately mark your ticket in the validator or attach your contactless card or QR mobile app to the reader.
Timetables for all lines in Florence can be found at this address: at-bus.it/firenze.
Useful bus routes in Florence include:
- 12 + 13 - circular lines, each going in one direction, going from the S.M.N. station around the edge of the historic centre to Piazzale Michelangelo
- C2 - goes from S.M.N. station directly into the centre to Piazza della Repubblica
- C4 - goes from S.M.N. station along the south bank of the Arno River past Palazzo Pitti
Trams
There are two tram lines in Florence, T1 and T2, which cross at Santa Maria Novella station.
The trams do not go directly to the historic centre and you will use them especially if you have a hotel outside the centre somewhere near the tram line.
Use the T2 line as the fastest service to Florence FLR airport.
The same fares apply on the trams as on the buses. After boarding, insert your ticket into the validator or attach a QR from the mobile app or your own contactless card to the reader.
When you get off the tram, you don't mark the tickets.
For official information on tram services in Florence, visit gestramvia.com.
Suburban buses
Although most cities in close proximity to Florence are better accessible by train, there is a dense network of suburban regional buses.
Buses outside Florence are particularly useful when travelling south to the Chianti region.
Suburban buses are referred to as "Extraurbano" and are marked in blue or orange in the timetables on the at-bus.it/lines-and-timetables website.
On these buses, fares are based on distance travelled. You must therefore attach your own contactless card to the reader both on boarding and alighting.
Alternatively, you can buy a ticket in cash from the driver.
Taxi
Florence taxis are easy to recognise. They are all white in colour. You can stop a taxi by simply waving in the street or use one of the many stands where taxis wait.
Many taxis can be paid for by card. Ask the driver beforehand.
The UBER mobile app also works in the city, but only the more expensive Uber Black cars are usually available.
Bike
Like many European cities, Florence has a bike-sharing system run by RideMovi. Download the free RideMovie App on your smartphone or Apple Watch and explore the city on two wheels, fast and eco-friendly!
Pricing:
- 30-day pass: 10 eur (unlimited monthly use of the bike for a maximum of 1 ride not to exceed 2 hours)
- 20-minute ride: 1,50 eur
