Florence Airport to City Center and Getting Around
Updated: Oct 25
Updated October 2026
I fly into Florence every couple of months, and getting from the runway to my first espresso has never been easier. Most of the time I land at Peretola, hop on the tram and reach Santa Maria Novella about 20 minutes later.
This guide covers the airport to city center run, the train from Pisa, and how to get around once you arrive. If you plan to drive, read my guide to driving, parking and the ZTL in Florence first, because driving into the center is a different story.
Florence airport to city center: the T2 tram
The T2 tram is the simplest way in. The stop, Peretola Aeroporto, is a short walk from the terminal exit. The ride to the center takes about 20 minutes.
Where to get off. For Santa Maria Novella station and most central hotels, get off at Alamanni, Stazione SMN. The Unità stop is now served only by the first and last runs of the day, so do not count on it.
Tickets. One urban ticket covers the tram and city buses for 90 minutes from validation, including transfers.
Tap to pay. You can tap a contactless card, phone or watch on the validator when you board. Tap again each time you board; a second tap within 90 minutes is not charged again.
Flying into Pisa instead
Pisa often has more flights. From the terminal, take the PisaMover shuttle to Pisa Centrale, a ride of about five minutes, then a direct regional train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. The fastest trains take a little under an hour; most take about an hour and a quarter. You can buy one combined airport to Florence ticket from Trenitalia.
Arriving by train
High-speed trains from Rome, Milan and Venice arrive at Santa Maria Novella (SMN), right in the center. From SMN you can walk to the Duomo in about ten minutes. A few high-speed trains stop at Campo di Marte or Rifredi instead, so check your ticket.
Getting around Florence
On foot
The historic center is compact, and walking is how I get almost everywhere. Most sights sit within a 20 to 25 minute walk of each other.
Tram and bus
The tram is great for the airport and the station area. Buses help for the hills: line 7 climbs to Fiesole from the San Marco and Libertà area in about 25 minutes. Use the same 90-minute ticket or tap to pay.
Taxis
Taxis in Florence wait at ranks (the station and main piazzas) or come by phone or app. You generally cannot flag one in the street.
Day trips by train
SMN is also your launch pad for Tuscany. My day trips from Florence guide lists the towns that are easy by rail. For the basics on the city itself, see my introduction to the city of Florence.
Where to stay for easy arrivals
If you want the shortest walk from the tram and trains, look at where to stay near Santa Maria Novella. For broader logistics, my practical tips for travelers in Florence cover tickets, museums and money.
Arriving late at night
Late arrivals are common in summer. The tram runs until late evening, but service ends around midnight, so check the timetable. After that, the taxi rank at the arrivals exit is the easiest choice. For a group or a lot of luggage, I book a private transfer ahead, with the driver waiting in arrivals.
Luggage tips
Florence is a city of cobblestones, narrow pavements and stairs. A medium suitcase with good wheels is easier than a big one. Many hotels and apartments in historic buildings have small or no elevators, so ask before you book.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Maria Novella station and at several shops in the center, useful between check-out and a late train.
Trains in Italy, simply
There are two kinds of trains: high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains, with reserved seats, and regional trains, with open seating. High-speed tickets are cheapest when booked early.
Regional tickets have a fixed fare and do not need to be booked ahead. If you have a paper regional ticket, validate it in the machine on the platform before you board. Digital tickets bought in the apps have their own rules, so read them.
Accessibility
The T2 tram is step free, with spaces for wheelchairs. Most buses kneel and have ramps. Santa Maria Novella station has elevators to the platforms. In the center, many streets are flat, but pavements are narrow and cobbled. Taxis can carry folding wheelchairs, and accessible taxis can be booked by phone.
Leaving Florence
Allow at least an hour from the center to the airport, including the tram ride and security. For an early flight, a taxi from your hotel is the easiest. For Pisa, plan an hour and a half door to door. Give yourself extra time on strike days, which are announced ahead. My practical tips have more.
Flying into Bologna or Rome
Florence's own airport, Amerigo Vespucci at Peretola, is small and has a short runway, so many long haul and budget flights land elsewhere. Bologna's Guglielmo Marconi airport is a good alternative: the Marconi Express monorail links it to Bologna Centrale, and high speed trains reach Florence in about 40 minutes.
Rome Fiumicino has the most international connections, including direct flights from the US; from there, the Leonardo Express or a regional train reaches Roma Termini, and high speed trains continue to Florence in about an hour and a half. Some fast trains run directly from Fiumicino airport station to Florence, which saves a change.
Buying train tickets
Italy has two high speed operators: Trenitalia, the state railway, with its Frecciarossa trains, and Italo, a private company. Both run frequent services to Florence Santa Maria Novella from Rome, Milan, Bologna, Venice and Naples. Book high speed tickets in advance for the best fares and a reserved seat.
Regional trains, used for Pisa, Lucca, Siena and Arezzo, have fixed fares and do not need advance booking. If you use a paper regional ticket, validate it in the machines before boarding; digital tickets bought in the app are usually activated automatically or with a check in.
Florence's other stations
Most trains arrive at Santa Maria Novella, in the center. Some high speed trains stop at Firenze Campo di Marte, east of the center, or Firenze Rifredi, to the north, so check your ticket. Both are linked to Santa Maria Novella by frequent regional trains and buses.
Strikes
Italy has transport strikes, scioperi, from time to time, usually announced in advance. Trains and buses guarantee minimum services at certain hours, but delays and cancellations are common. Check the official strike calendar and your operator's website before travel days.
Accessibility at stations
Santa Maria Novella has elevators and assistance for travelers with reduced mobility, which can be booked through the operators' assistance services in advance. Regional platforms may have steps, so ask for help if needed.
Getting from the station to your hotel
From Santa Maria Novella, most central hotels are a 10 to 20 minute walk. Taxis wait at the rank outside the main exit, and the tram stops right by the station. With heavy luggage on cobblestones, I take a taxi.
My arrival routine
I always buy a bottle of water, check the tram or taxi line and pause for a coffee before heading into the city. Florence begins the moment you step out of the station.
FAQ
How long is the tram from Florence airport to the center?
About 20 minutes to the Alamanni, Stazione SMN stop.
Can I pay for the tram with my bank card?
Yes. Tap a contactless card, phone or watch on the validator each time you board.
Is Pisa airport far from Florence?
Plan on roughly an hour and a half door to door, using the PisaMover and a direct train.
Do I need to validate train tickets in Italy?
Yes for paper regional tickets, before boarding. Digital tickets follow the rules in the app.
Is there luggage storage in Florence?
Yes, at Santa Maria Novella station and at shops in the center.
About the author
I'm Jason GaNung, and I write every guide on Florence Life. I have spent extensive time in Florence over many trips, and I have stayed in many of the hotels and villas I cover, so my picks come from my own stays, not press releases. More about me.
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