World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Florence  - Getting Around
Getting Around

Getting Around Florence

Public Transport

The best way to get around Florence is to walk. The city centre is compact and most of the sites marked by the clusters of camera-wheeling tourists. It is worth investing in a good street map, although getting lost in the cobbled alleyways is a pleasure in itself. Visitors are unlikely to venture into Florence's faceless suburbs, but for those foot-weary travellers tired of dodging scooters, there is a comprehensive bus network run by the ATAF (web site: www.ataf.net). Tickets cost L1500 and last 60 minutes, allowing the traveller to change buses or make a return journey within the hour. Tickets must be validated by punching them in the machine on board the bus. A three-day bus pass can be bought for L11,000 and a seven-day bus pass for L19,000. Tickets can be purchased at newsagents (shop signs with a capital T for tabacchi), most coffee bars or at automatic vending machines at major bus stops. They can also be purchased on board the bus, but only between 2100 and 0600 and then at a marked-up price (L3000).

Driving in the City

With such a compact city centre, there is little point in bringing a car to Florence. Traffic in the city centre (centro storico) is severely restricted at all times, meaning it is off limits to anyone who is not a doctor, a delivery man, a taxi driver - or staying in one of the luxury hotels in the city centre. Visitors lucky enough to be staying in luxury hotels are allowed to drive their car in for the purposes of parking only. For visitors making a daytrip to Florence by car the best option is to park at the Fortezza da Basso, north of the train station. It is a brisk ten-minute walk from the city centre and costs L1500 per hour, a veritable bargain by comparison to car parks closer in. The length of stay should be calculated in advance and the attendant paid ahead. Those determined to spare their pins but not their pennies, could try the underground car parks at Piazza del Mercato Centrale or Piazza della Stazione, or park along the Arno - particularly convenient for visits to the Uffizi Gallery.

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed on the streets, but they rarely stop. It is better to hire them at taxi ranks (outside the train station and at most tourist destinations), or telephone Radio-Taxi (tel: (055) 4242 or 4390). The minimum fare is currently L7000, but with a base charge of L4300 and a charge of around L1300 per kilometre - plus supplements for luggage, night-time travel or travelling on a Sunday - taxi costs can quickly add up.

Limousines

Luxury cars, chauffeured by English-speaking drivers, are provided by International Limousine Service (tel: (041) 520 6565; fax: (041) 520 8396) or the Florence-based Mundocars (tel/fax: (055) 598 644). A Mercedes 200 costs around L600,000 for eight hours; stretch limousines should be reserved in advance.

Car Hire

At least three major companies have car hire offices in the city: Avis, Borgo Ognissanti 128r (tel: (055) 239 8826); Hertz, Via Maso Finiguerra 33r (tel: (055) 282 260) and Maggiore, Via Maso Finiguerra 31r (tel: (055) 294 578). Drivers must be at least 23 years old, depending on company policy. Despite the popularity of motoring holidays, car hire in Italy is expensive, costing around L550,000 a week.

Bicycle/Scooter Hire

To blend in with the cruising romeos, visitors can hire a scooter or moped from Alinari, Via Guelfa, 85r, just north of the market place (tel: (055) 280 500). Scooters cost from L15,000 an hour and L45,000 a day. Outdoor types, fond of scaling the Florentine hills, can rent a mountain bike from L30,000 a day. The less hardy can freewheel over the Ponte Vecchio on a more basic bike, with prices starting at L15,000 for a day.



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GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
 
GETTING THERE
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GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
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SIGHTSEEING
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Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
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