World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Florence  - Road
Road

Italy has an excellent network of motorways (autostrada), the main north-south link being the Autostrada del Sole - or A1 - which links Milan with Reggio Calabria in the toe of Italy. Speed limits on motorways are 130kph (81mph) for cars of 1100cc or more, and 110kph (68mph) for smaller cars.

All motorways are tolled; driving from Florence to Rome will cost approximately L25,000. Those on a budget may prefer the strade statali (SS), which are toll free and are often fast, multi-lane carriageways. The speed limit on these roads is 110kph (68mph) - too slow for the speed-obsessed Italians and therefore a more leisurely drive for the rest of the world. Strade bianchi, small country roads, abound in the countryside around Florence and are well worth exploring for their picture postcard views of the Italian countryside.

By law, both driver and passenger must wear their seatbelts, if fitted, or face an on-the-spot fine of L58,000. Random breath tests can be imposed, and the penalties for drink-driving are severe - the maximum legal blood ratio is 0.8?. Speeding fines follow EU standards, and are levied between L59,000 and L587,000, depending on the speed. Driving through a red light costs L117,000. The minimum age for driving is 18. All those without an EU licence must carry an International Driving Permit. EU nationals taking their own car will need an International Insurance Certificate, also known as a Green Card (Carta Verde). Automobile Club Italiana (ACI; tel: (06) 49981 or 4477, 24-hour information) can provide further information.

Emergency breakdown service:

ACI
116

Routes to the city:
The central road artery of Italy, the A1, links Florence to Milan, Bologna, Rome and Naples. Depending on the direction of approach, take the first exit marked Firenze (Nord or Sud), then follow the signs for the city centre (centro). There are tourist offices on the A1 north and south of the city, if navigation proves tricky. The Autostrada del Mare (A11) is the main road to Pisa and the coast, linking the city to Tuscan towns such as Lucca, Prato and Siena.

Driving times to Florence: from Milan - 3 hours; Bologna - 1 hour; and Rome - 2 hours.

Coach services:
International coaches depart from Lazzi station in Piazza Adua 1, next to the train station (tel: (055) 215 155; fax: (055) 284 427). In collaboration with Eurolines the station runs an extensive service to major European cities, including Barcelona, Paris and Prague. The station shares facilities with the nearby train station, Firenze SMN (see above).

The blue SITA (tel (055) 214 721 or 478 2231 for passenger information) coaches arrive and depart from the station on Via Santa Caterina da Siena, west of the train station. The fast service to Siena is the most direct way to reach Florence's medieval neighbour. There are also services to Arezzo, the wine towns of Chianti (Castellina, Radda and Gaiole), and a service to San Gimignano, changing at Poggibonsi.



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