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There is a comprehensive bus network run by Azienda Trasporti Area Fiorentina (ATAF) (tel: 800 424 500; website: www.ataf.net). The bus network operates 0600-2325. Tickets are valid for 70 minutes, allowing the holder to change buses or make a return journey within the hour. Tickets are available for purchase at newsagents (shop signs with a capital T for tabacchi), most coffee bars at Box Ataf in Piazza Stazione and at automatic ticket dispensers. They are also available on board the bus but only between 2100 and 0600 and even then at a marked-up price.
Travellers must validate their tickets by punching them in the machine on board the bus. A number of bus passes are available, including a 24-hour pass and a three-day pass. These are also available at newsagents, coffee bars and automatic ticket dispensers.
However, the best way to get around Florence is to walk. The city centre is compact and most of the sights are marked by the clusters of camera-wielding tourists. Visitors should invest in a good street map, although getting lost in the cobbled alleyways is a pleasure in itself. |
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| Taxis can be hailed on the streets, although they rarely stop. It is better for tourists to hire them at taxi ranks (located outside the train station and at most tourist destinations) or telephone for one in advance. Taxis are operated by Radio-Taxi (tel: (055) 4242 or 4390 or 4499 or 4798; website: www.comune.firenze.it). There are additional supplements charged for luggage (there is a maximum of four pieces), calling a taxi, night-time travel or travelling on a Sunday. A tip of 10-15% of the fare is customary. |
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With such a compact city centre, there is little point in bringing a car to Florence. Traffic in the historical centre (centro storico) is severely restricted at all times, meaning that it is off limits to anyone who is not a doctor, a delivery man, a taxi driver, or anyone staying in one of the luxury hotels in the city centre. (Visitors staying in such luxury hotels are allowed to drive their car in for the purposes of parking only.)
For visitors making a day trip to Florence by car, the best option is to park in the guarded parking spaces. Blue parking zones have a maximum stay of two hours, while yellow parking spaces allow longer. Sightseers determined to spare their pins but not their pennies, could try the underground car park at Piazza della Stazione. Otherwise, visitors should park at Parterre, near the Piazza della Calza, or Oltrana near Porta Romana. Scratch and Park cards can also be purchased at outlets such as some tabacchi and pasticcerie (addresses given on website) which can be convenient if you have no small change. Information on parking in the city is available from Firenze Parcheggi (tel: (055) 500 1994 or 503 021; website: www.firenzeparcheggi.it). |
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To blend in with the cruising Romeos, visitors can hire a scooter or moped from Alinari, Via San Zanobi 38r (tel: (055) 280 500; website: www.alinarirental.com), just north of the market place. The minimum age for renting a scooter or motorbike is 18 years. Outdoor types, fond of scaling the Florentine hills, can hire a mountain bike from Alinari. The less hardy visitors can freewheel over the Ponte Vecchio on a more basic bike.
There is also a ‘mille e una bici’ (tel: (055) 783 882) bicycle rental scheme run by the local council (website: www.comune.firenze.it). Bikes can be hired at various points in the city centre, including the main train station, Santa Maria Novella. Hire times range from one hour to a full day.
Electric cars can also be rented in the city centre from SoloGiallo, Via Borgo Ognissanti 96 (tel: (055) 283 914; website: www.sologiallo.it). |
