Getting to Florence: Airports & Train Stations

By Air

Three airports serve the Florence area, each with reliable connections to the city center.

Florence Airport (Peretola) — 30 minutes

The closest option by far. As soon as you exit the arrivals hall, head to the right side of the main entrance — just across from the taxi rank — and look for the Vola in Bus shuttle. It runs every 30 minutes from 5am to midnight, every day of the year, and drops you right at Santa Maria Novella, Florence's main train station.

The ticket costs €6 one way or €10 return, and you can buy it directly on board. Simple as that.

Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport — 60 to 70 minutes

Pisa is a very popular gateway to Tuscany, so connections are well-organized. You have two options:

Option 1 — Autostradale coach: A direct bus service that takes you straight to Florence without transfers. Comfortable, no-fuss, and the most relaxed way to make the journey.

Option 2 — Pisa Mover + regional train: A two-step journey that many travellers prefer for its flexibility. The Pisa Mover is a small automated shuttle that connects the airport to Pisa Centrale station in about 5 minutes. From there, regional trains to Florence Santa Maria Novella run frequently — the ride takes around 50–60 minutes depending on the service. Tickets for the Pisa Mover cost around €5 one way; the train ticket varies but is generally under €10. You can buy both at machines in the airport or at the station.

Either way, budget around 60 to 70 minutes from landing to Florence city center.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport — 1 hour 30 minutes

The furthest of the three, but well connected. Right in front of the arrivals building you'll find the Appennino Shuttle stop — look for the coaches lined up outside, they're hard to miss.

The bus makes only one intermediate stop on the way to Florence, so the journey stays efficient at around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Departures run every hour during peak times, and every two hours during quieter parts of the day.

Prices: €20 for adults, €8 for children under 10, and free for children under 4.

By Train

Florence is brilliantly connected to the Italian rail network, and for many visitors arriving by train it's the smoothest option of all.

Santa Maria Novella (SMN) — the main station

The vast majority of trains — including all high-speed Frecciarossa and Frecciargento services from Rome, Milan, Venice and Bologna — stop at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, right in the heart of the city. From here you can walk to most central neighborhoods in under 15 minutes, or hop on a bus or tram.

When looking for your stop at busy platforms, locals often refer to the Florence end of the station as "track 16" or the side near the old fortress wall, down from the Romito ramp. Useful to know if someone's meeting you and needs a precise landmark.

Firenze Campo di Marte & Firenze Rifredi

Some regional trains and a handful of intercity services stop at these secondary stations rather than SMN. They're perfectly functional — with buses and taxis available — but further from the center, so double-check your ticket before assuming you'll arrive at the main station.

A Few General Tips

• Book train tickets in advance if you're travelling on a high-speed service, especially on weekends or during busy seasons. Prices go up significantly closer to departure.

• Validate your ticket before boarding any regional train or bus — on-the-spot fines are real and inspectors do check.

• Trams are gradually expanding in Florence: the T1 line connects SMN to the Scandicci area, and the T2 line now links the airport directly to the city center — a convenient alternative to the Vola in Bus if you're landing at Peretola.

However you arrive, the city center is never far. Florence has a way of making even the journey feel like part of the experience.