Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport - often called Peretola (FLR) - is one of the closest airports to a major Italian city centre, just 6km from the Duomo. Since 2019, the tram link has made the journey into the city genuinely simple. For most arrivals, the choice is between the T2 tram (cheap, direct, reliable) and a taxi or private transfer (door-to-door convenience).
Tram T2 (Tramvia): Fastest Public Transport
The Tramvia T2 line connects the airport directly to Florence’s historic centre. This is the default recommendation for most arrivals.
Route: Airport terminal → Cascine → Alamanni-Stazione (Santa Maria Novella train station) and continuing into the centre.
Cost: approximately €1.70 per person as of 2026. Buy tickets from the machine at the tram stop inside the airport terminal (or via the ATAF app). Validate before boarding.
Journey time: approximately 22 minutes to Santa Maria Novella station. The tram runs on a dedicated track so it is largely immune to road traffic.
Frequency: roughly every 5–7 minutes during peak hours, every 10 minutes off-peak. Service runs approximately 05:00–00:30, which covers nearly all flight arrivals.
From Santa Maria Novella: most hotels in the historic centre are 5–20 minutes on foot from SMN. The train station also connects to local buses and the outer tram network.
The T2 is the best value option in Florence by a significant margin, and the journey is fast enough that even travellers with luggage will find it practical. The trams have low floors and decent space for bags.
Official Taxi: Door-to-Door to Your Hotel
Licensed Florence taxis are white with the city crest and operate a flat-rate tariff from the airport.
Flat rate to the historic centre: approximately €22–€25 as of 2026.
Journey time: 15–25 minutes in normal traffic. The airport is close enough that even in moderate traffic the journey is under 30 minutes.
Where to find taxis: the taxi rank is directly outside arrivals. Licensed taxis have the Comune di Firenze markings. Confirm the flat rate before boarding - the fixed tariff applies to most central destinations.
For two people sharing, the taxi is only marginally more expensive per person than two tram tickets, with the advantage of door-to-door delivery. For families or groups of 3–4, the taxi is clearly better value than multiple tram tickets.
Private Transfer: Pre-Booked Certainty
A pre-booked private transfer with a driver waiting at arrivals is the most hassle-free option - particularly useful after a long journey, for late-night arrivals, or when you have significant luggage.
Cost: approximately €30–€50 for a standard private transfer from FLR to central Florence as of 2026. Book via Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi, or GetTransfer.
What you get: driver meeting you at arrivals with a name board, fixed price, no taxi rank queue, and direct delivery to your hotel - even to hotels within the ZTL (restricted traffic zone, explained below).
ZTL access note: Florence’s historic centre operates a Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) - a restricted traffic zone that cameras enforce around the clock. Most hotels in the ZTL can register your private transfer vehicle for a one-time entry. When booking, provide your hotel name and address so the driver can arrange ZTL access if needed.
Shuttle Bus: Budget Alternative
Some companies operate shared shuttle services between the airport and the city - typically dropping at Santa Maria Novella or a few central hotels.
Cost: approximately €6–€10 per person as of 2026, cheaper than a taxi but slower and shared.
Journey time: 30–40 minutes including any route detours for multiple drop-off points.
Since the T2 tram now offers a faster and cheaper option (€1.70, 22 minutes), the shuttle bus has become less relevant for most travellers. It may still be useful for hotels not near the tram line, or for groups wanting a direct hotel drop-off at lower cost than a private taxi.
ZTL: What Visitors Need to Know
Florence’s historic centre is almost entirely within the ZTL. Cameras record all vehicles entering. If you arrive by taxi or private transfer and your hotel is inside the ZTL, the vehicle must have authorisation.
How it works: your hotel will have a procedure for registering guest vehicles. Call ahead and give the driver’s plate number, or ask your transfer provider if they handle ZTL clearance automatically. Kiwitaxi and GetTransfer both have experience with ZTL access requests for Florence hotels.
Tram passengers and those arriving on foot are obviously not affected by ZTL restrictions.
Late-Night and Early-Morning Arrivals
The T2 tram runs until approximately 00:30 from the airport - this covers most late-night arrivals.
For flights arriving after 00:30:
- Licensed taxis are available 24/7 at the rank outside arrivals
- A pre-booked private transfer via Welcome Pickups or Kiwitaxi is the most reliable option - confirm your flight number so the driver tracks delays
For very early morning departures (before 05:00), the tram does not run; book a taxi or private transfer the night before.
Getting to Key Tourist Areas
Duomo / Piazza della Signoria: From SMN station, walk east (approximately 12–15 minutes) or take bus C2. A taxi or private transfer delivers you directly.
Oltrarno / Pitti Palace: From SMN, walk across the Arno via Ponte alla Carraia or Ponte Vecchio (approximately 15–20 minutes). Bus D serves Oltrarno from SMN.
Fiesole: Take the T2 to the centre then local bus 7 from SMN. Taxis to Fiesole will be metered and higher than the standard airport flat rate.
Siena / Chianti (day trips): Depart from Santa Maria Novella coach station (SITA), adjacent to the train station. From the airport by tram, you connect directly at SMN with no additional transfer needed.
Luggage Storage
Santa Maria Novella train station has Kipoint left-luggage lockers - approximately €6 per bag per day, accessible from approximately 06:00 to 23:00. This is the most convenient storage option if you arrive before hotel check-in.
There are also independent luggage storage services near the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria for tourists who want to drop bags and explore before checking in.