Where is Florence?

Florence is one of the most visited tourist destinations of the world. At least once in a life time, you’d like to take a close look at the David of Michelangelo, or the Venere of Botticelli, or visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens, the Brunelleschi’s Dome, etc. etc. As a matter of fact, there are few places in the world that have such a huge concentration of monuments and masterpieces in such a small space. But even if Florence is a small town, you still may need some “instructions for use” specially if it’s your first time…

Some of you asked me how close is Florence from Tuscany... or is Florence on the tuscan coast?

Traveling to Florence
Florence is the main town of Tuscany, and it is just at the center of Italy: 300 km south from Milan and 280 north from Rome. That’s way Florence offers easy access: a couple of hours are enough to reach Florence international Airport from all major European hubs, which may also provide comfortable connections from all over the world as well. Florence, owing to its position, has also fast and efficient rail and motorway connections with the rest of the country.

Florence Airport
Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci) is served by many domestic and international flights with daily flights. The airport is just 4km north-west of Florence. Public Bus companies SITA ("aerobus") and ATAF run a bus service between the airport and Santa Maria Novella Station.

Traveling by plane to Florence from some of the main European towns:
Amsterdam: 1.50 h.
Barcelona: 1.35 h.
Bruxelles: 1.55 h.
Budapest: 1.30 h.
Frankfurt: 1.30 h.
Geneve: 1.30 h.
Goteborg: 2.25 h.
London: 2.00 h.
Madrid: 2.10 h.
Munich: 1.20 h.
Oslo: 2.50 h.
Paris: 1.55 h.
Praga: 1.30 h.
Stoccarda: 1.20 h.
Tirana: 1.30 h.
Vienna: 2.35 h.

And Italian towns:
Cagliari: 1.05 h.
Catania: 1.35 h.
Milan: 1.00 h.
Palermo: 1.15 h.
Rome: 1.00 h.

Distances by car:
Bologna: km.105
Genova: km.225
Milan: km.300
Naples: km.490
Pisa: km.95
Rome: km.280
Siena: km.70
Torino: km.395
Venice: km. 255

Pisa Airport
Pisa Airport (named Galileo Galilei), has more connections to long distance destinations and it’s not very far from Florence. Pisa Airport (on average) is at a 1.00 hour –1.30 hours by train and even less by car (on the “Strada a Grande Comunicazione Firenze-Pisa-Livorno” toll free) from Florence. There are also shuttle coach services run by private companies (you can buy tickets directly in the Pisa airport). Pisa may be interesting for budget travelers because is served by a great number of budget airlines (such as Ryanair, Easyjet and Thomsonfly).

Railways
Thanks to its central position Florence is connected to the main north-south Italian railway. Frequent services run from Florence's principal station, Stazione Santa Maria Novella, to the other major Italian cities (Rome is less than two hours away and Milan less than three). Next to the Church of Santa Maria Novella, the station puts you directly in the centre of Florence and within walking distance of many hotels. A few services (mostly night-time ones) stop at Campo di Marte, a secondary station to the east of Florence city centre (close to it anyway).
Traveling times by train from main Italian towns:
Bologna: 0.55 h.
Genova: 3.00 h.
Milan: 2.46 h.
Naples: 3.36 h.
Pisa: 0.50 h.
Rome: 1.30 h.
Torino: 4.00 h.
Venice: 3.00 h.

Bus and Coach
Bus and coach services connect Florence to the rest of Tuscany and Italy. Buses stop in various locations close to Stazione Santa Maria Novella. SITA, who run many regional services, have their own bus station (the Autostazione Sita) on Via Santa Caterina da Siena, a few yards from the railway station. Another good company, LAZZI, is just on the other side of the station square and offers several connections to rest of Tuscany (specially western part) and also main Italian and European towns.

Moving in Florence
The city centre is relatively small, and great part of the attractions are in the very center or in nearby areas, thus you can visit great part of the town by foot. But be careful! Don’t forget to watch out for speeding cars and moped traffic, and cross all streets with extreme caution.
Pubblic transportation system is based on ATAF orange buses, they are not very expensive and almost reliable if not comfortable (in rush hours they may be overcrowded). You can buy bus tickets in many shops along the streets (news papers stands, tabaconists, etc.), but after 7.30 pm it may be difficult to find them, while getting the ticket on the bus is more expensive and drivers usually don’t have change!
Taxis (white cabs) are quite expensive but offer a good service and late at night are the only transport service easily available: there is a radio-taxi service that permits you to get a cab whereever you are.

Moving safely
Florence isn’t a dangerous town. Generally speaking the town center is safe also late at night. A couple of suggestions may prove useful: late at night (after midnight) the Santa Maria Novella Station area may be a little dangerous specially for women walking alone. Best suggestions for women alone late at night is not to answer to anybody bothering and keep on moving. If you’ve been drinking to much be sure to have a taxi bringing you home. It’s easy – bar tenders are used to help tourist in difficulty - and less expensive than a lost (or picked) wallet! Be careful on busses specially when they are crowded: there are lots of pickpockets and they are really clever in identifying tourists. Keep purses and wallets under strict surveillance! Don’t be ashamed to ask for help (aiuto in Italian and you pronounce it something like: i-you-to!) if you feel in any danger or difficulty. Italians usually love to be helpful!