Last Updated on September 8, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: February 8, 2022
When it comes to how to get to Florence, you’ve got plenty of different options, like planes or cars. Or, you might have to use trains or buses–but these are the best way to make new friends and enjoy a taste of Italian culture. No matter how you want to travel, here’s how to get to Florence by plane, train, car, and bus so you can have a smooth trip all way to Tuscany’s capital!
Table of Contents
At a Glance: How to Get to Florence
- ✈️ By Plane: Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) is closest, but it has a limited number of connections. Pisa International Airport (PSA) is a better alternative, plus it has a shuttle to take you to Florence in about an hour.
- 🚄 By High-Speed Train: If you’re arriving from another Italian city, the train is the easiest and most convenient option. High-speed services connect Florence with Rome, Naples, Bologna, Milan, Venice, and Turin, with Trenitalia and Italo both serving the city.
- 🎒 Arriving by Train? Florence’s main station, Santa Maria Novella (SMN), is conveniently located near the historic center. If you arrive before check-in or have a late departure, consider luggage storage near the station so you can explore hands-free.
- 🚌 By Bus: Long-distance buses such as FlixBus connect Florence with cities including Rome, Bologna, and Genoa and can be one of the cheapest ways to travel.
- 🚗 By Car: Driving gives you flexibility for exploring Tuscany, but it is not recommended for exploring Florence itself, as the historic center is a restricted traffic zone.
- 🚙 By Ride Sharing: Services such as Uber and BlaBlaCar can be a great alternative to a rental car. Check the driver’s departure and arrival points carefully, as rides may not begin or end in the city center.
- ✅ Local Tip: Have limited time in the city and want to drop off your bags? Check out our picks for luggage storage in Florence.
By Plane
Florence has a tiny little airport, Amerigo Vespucci Airport. But don’t rely on being able to fly into it, as the flights are mostly domestic. There’s even a movement of popular resistance against the expansion of the airport, as it could destroy a natural reserve and make airplanes land too close to a university campus.
If you need to fly to Florence, choose another way—one that’s more ethical and ecological: try flying into nearby Pisa instead. Galileo Galilei Airport has way more flights per day and a greater variety of connections with other cities. From Pisa Airport, you can get to Florence via shuttle bus in just one hour.
By Train
Trains are great and we love them—you just hop on and enjoy the fast trip!
There are high speed lines that connect to Naples, Rome, Florence, and Bologna, as well as all the major cities in the north such as Milan, Venice, and Turin. You can choose between the national railway company, Trenitalia, or its rival, Italo. There are no big differences; just find the best offer.
Insider’s Tip: The high-speed Trenitalia trains are called Frecce (“arrows”), but they stop only in the big cities. If you’re travelling from a smaller city like Livorno or Pisa, you may find our beloved Regionali. These are regional trains that stop in each little town forgotten by the world (and the Internet). Onboard, you’ll be cheered up by every kind of traveler you can imagine, from grumpy teenagers to chatty old men.
By Bus
Why not travel by bus to Florence? It’s cheap, it’s easy, and it’s fun.
Flixbus is a great option. You can find buses from Bologna, Genoa, Rome—basically everywhere. If you’re still unsure how to get to Florence, the bus is a super flexible choice.
There are three main bus stations in Florence:
- The bus station near the Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station is super convenient and right in the city center.
- Firenze-Piazzale Montelungo is a little far out, but served by the tram.
- Firenze Villa Costanza Tram T1, near the Florence airport, is also served by tram (one every 15 minutes, from 5 a.m. to midnight).
By Car
You want to get to Florence by car? Please re-think it. Okay, maybe it’s your best option—we get it. But don’t say we didn’t warn you!
You can’t drive in the historical center of Florence due to the implementation of the ZTL, or Zona a Traffico Limitato. These are specific areas that cars can only enter at specific times, depending on the month and the alignment of the planets.
The City Council attempts to explain the regulation of the ZTL, but trust us when we say that it’s easier to decipher a Mayan calendar. We’ve seen Florentines look at a ZTL gate with absolute panic in their eyes.
If you do have a car, our suggestion is to park somewhere and don’t move the car until the end of your stay.
Parking Lots & Garages in Florence
Luckily, if you do have a car, parking is easy if you’re willing to pay. All the following options are outside the ZTL, so you can park there with a reasonable amount of trust in Florentine traffic regulations.
- Parterre (via del Ponte Rosso, 4), at €5 per day.
- Santa Maria Novella Garage (Piazza della Stazione, 13) at €3.80 per hour.
- Sant’Ambrogio Garage (Piazza Annigoni, 9) at €2 per hour.
Are there free parking spots? Please don’t even try! Even Florentines who drive spend their time either stuck in traffic or cursing everything sacred in the attempt to find a free parking spot.
What if your car gets towed? If this unfortunate event occurs, call the car depository at +39 055 422 4142.
How to Get to Florence with Car Sharing Services
Don’t want to travel with the populace? Try BlaBlaCar instead! It’s a car sharing service that’s usually the cheapest and most fun option for how to get to Florence.
It’s easy to use: just enter the city where you are and the city you want to go to. The app will show you the drivers traveling in the same direction, and you can book a ride directly with them.
Local Tip: Uber is also available in Florence, but be aware that due to the city’s ZTL restrictions, your driver will be restricted in where you can be dropped off.
See the Tuscan Countryside on Tour With Us!
Let us handle your transportation! Book your spot on a day trip to the scenic, gourmet paradise of the Tuscan countryside. Our Tuscany Day Trip from Florence is a small-group tour where you can wander the storybook streets of the UNESCO-listed village San Gimignano.
Indulge your taste buds with a seasonal lunch and wine tastings at a family-run farm in the Chianti region, and visit the remarkably well-preserved medieval town of Siena, home to a magnificent cathedral and the famous Palio horse race. No worries about parking or rental cars!
Featured Review: Tuscany Day Trip from Florence
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My boyfriend and I just completed a full day tour with Devour Tours – to Il Colombaio winery in Chianti, San Gimignano, Siena. The whole experience was five star! The comfort level, the attention to detail, and the professional courtesy of the drivers as well as Maria Cristina (our tour guide) was unsurpassed…I would highly recommend this tour! The beautiful family-run winery charming, friendly and educational. We had a lovely day!”
– Rima
How to Get to Florence FAQs
Which airport do you fly to for Florence?
The main airport for Florence is Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR), also called Amerigo Vespucci Airport. It is the city’s closest airport, but it is small and has a limited selection of international flights. We recommend flying into Pisa International Airport (PSA), as it offers more international flights. Florence is easily accessible from Pisa by shuttle buses.
What’s the best way to get to Florence?
For most travelers, the best way to get to Florence is by high-speed train, particularly when arriving from another major Italian city such as Rome, Bologna, Milan, Naples, or Venice. Trenitalia and Italo both operate high-speed services, and Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station is centrally located, making it especially convenient for travelers staying in the historic center.
How much is a bullet train from Rome to Florence?
High-speed train tickets from Rome to Florence can start at around €15 one way when booked in advance, although prices vary depending on the train, travel time, fare type, and how far ahead you book. Italo currently advertises Rome–Florence fares from €14.90, with a journey time of about 1 hour 25 minutes. Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa trains also run the route.
Is Florence a walkable city from the train station?
Yes, Florence is very walkable from the Santa Maria Novella train station. The station sits close to the historic center, with many major attractions, hotels, restaurants, and landmarks nearby.
Do you need a car to visit Florence?
No, you generally do not need a car to visit Florence. In fact, driving can be more trouble than it’s worth in the historic center! Much of central Florence is pedestrianized or subject to the city’s ZTL (limited-traffic zone), and parking can be expensive or inconvenient. Public transportation, walking, and trains are better options for most visitors. If you want to rent a car, use it for excursions around Tuscany rather than sightseeing within Florence itself.
