Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport (FLR), also known as Peretola, is one of Europe’s most conveniently located airports. Just 5km from Santa Maria Novella station and the historic centre, it offers some of the shortest transfer times in Italy.
T2 tram: fast, cheap, and direct
The T2 tram line connects the airport terminal directly to Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, adjacent to Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station and the edge of the historic centre.
- Fare: approximately €1.70 per person as of 2026 (same as city tram fare)
- Journey time: approximately 20 minutes
- Frequency: every 4–6 minutes at peak times, every 10–15 minutes evenings
- Hours: approximately 05:00–midnight (check gest.it for current timetables)
Buy tickets at the ticket machines on the platform inside the terminal before boarding — validate immediately on the tram. The T2 is air-conditioned, smooth, and handles luggage easily with low-floor boarding.
From Piazza dell’Unità Italiana / SMN station you can walk to most city centre hotels (5–15 minutes), board a further ATAF city bus, or take a short taxi.
Taxi: convenient for groups or heavy luggage
Licensed taxis are white and queue at the rank directly outside arrivals. Florence taxi fares from the airport are metered:
- To Santa Maria Novella / Duomo area: approximately €25–30 as of 2026
- To Oltrarno / Pitti Palace area: approximately €25–30
- Journey time: approximately 10–20 minutes depending on traffic
Florence has a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) that restricts vehicle access in the historic centre. Most hotels have arrangements to receive taxis — ask the driver to call ahead or use a drop-off point at the ZTL boundary. Surcharges apply for luggage (approximately €1/bag), nights after 22:00, and Sundays.
Shuttle bus: Sita/Autolinee Toscane
An airport shuttle bus service (run by Autolinee Toscane) connects the airport to Santa Maria Novella station.
- Fare: approximately €6 per person as of 2026
- Journey time: approximately 25–30 minutes
- Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes
Less convenient than the tram given the similar journey time and higher cost, but useful if the tram is not running (early morning or late night).
Private transfer: door-to-door, fixed price
A pre-booked private transfer picks you up from arrivals and delivers you to your hotel. Given the short distance from Florence airport to the centre, prices are among the lowest in Italy — typically approximately €20–30 for a standard sedan as of 2026.
Book a private transfer from Florence
For travellers with substantial luggage, early morning or late night flights, or destinations slightly outside the central area (Fiesole, Settignano, suburban hotels), a private transfer is worth the marginal premium over a taxi.
Which option is right for you?
| Option | Fare (approx.) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| T2 tram | €1.70/person | 20 min | Almost everyone |
| Taxi | €25–30 | 10–20 min | Groups, heavy luggage |
| Private transfer | from €20 | 10–20 min | Pre-planned, door-to-door |
| Shuttle bus | €6/person | 25–30 min | If tram not running |
The T2 tram is the clear winner for almost every traveller — fast, cheap, and modern. The only case for a taxi or transfer is heavy luggage where the tram loading would be awkward, or a very late-night arrival.
Practical notes
- The T2 tram platforms are inside the airport terminal — simply follow the tram signs on arrival
- Validate tram tickets immediately on boarding — inspectors operate regularly, fine is approximately €50
- Florence airport has a single small terminal — baggage is quick and the exit to the tram is a 3-minute walk
- Pisa airport (PSA) is an alternative gateway: the PisaMover + Pisa-Florence train takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and costs approximately €14 total, but is useful only for Pisa stopovers or when FLR fares are significantly higher
ZTL: What Visitors Need to Know
Florence’s historic centre is almost entirely within the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato). Cameras record all vehicles entering restricted zones around the clock. If you arrive by taxi or private transfer and your hotel is inside the ZTL, the vehicle must have authorisation.
Most hotels 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 are 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.
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.
Plan Your Trip
Once you are in the city, our Florence city guide covers the top sights, best restaurants, and neighbourhood breakdowns to help you make the most of your time. If Florence is one stop on a wider trip, the 3-days Florence itinerary and Tuscany itinerary give you practical day-by-day frameworks for the region.
- Flights - Find the best fares to Italy
- Travel Insurance - Get covered before you go
- eSIM - Stay connected from landing
- Car Rental - Compare prices across providers
See also: Florence city guide · 3 days in Florence itinerary · Getting around Italy · Train travel in Italy