Florence Public Transport Guide 2026
Florence is a small city. Most visitors discover that they do not need public transport at all for the core tourist circuit, because everything is within walking distance.
But there are situations where transport is useful: reaching the airport, getting to Piazzale Michelangelo, going to Fiesole, or moving between outlying neighbourhoods when you are tired after a long day.
This guide covers the tram, the most useful bus lines for visitors, ticket prices, and the ZTL, which is the one thing you really need to understand before driving anywhere near the city.
How to get around Florence without a car
The historic centre is a ZTL (zona a traffico limitato). This means private cars are banned from large parts of it. The boundary is enforced by cameras that read number plates. Fines are automatic and can be substantial, starting at 80 euros and sometimes reaching 300 euros per violation.
If you are visiting by car, park outside the centre. The main options are:
- Piazzale Michelangelo (pay and display, 2 euros per hour, good view)
- Piazza della Libertà (covered car park)
- Villa Costanza (near the Scandicci tram stop, with tram connections to the centre, 2-3 euros per day plus transport)
From any of these points, the centre is accessible on foot or by public transport.
For airport connections, the tram is the most reliable option. Taxis are faster but more expensive.
The tram: lines and main stops
Florence currently has two active tram lines. Line T1 and Line T2 both terminate at Alameda, near Santa Maria Novella station.
Line T1 (Villa Costanza - Alameda): This line runs from Scandicci in the southwest to the city centre. It passes through residential areas and is used primarily by commuters. For visitors, it is useful if you park at Villa Costanza (cheap, covered parking nearby) and want a direct connection to the centre. Journey time from Villa Costanza to Alameda: approximately 30 minutes.
Line T2 (Aeroporto - Alameda): This line connects Florence Airport (Peretola, officially named Amerigo Vespucci Airport) to the city centre. Journey time: approximately 20-25 minutes to Alameda. Departures every 5-10 minutes during daytime hours. This is the recommended connection between the airport and the centre.
The main city-centre stop for both lines is Alameda, which is a 10-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo and 5 minutes from Santa Maria Novella station.
Tram tickets cost 1.70 euros purchased in advance (at the tram stop machines, tabacchi shops, or via the ATAF app). A single ticket is valid for 90 minutes with unlimited transfers within that window.
Useful buses for visitors
The bus network (operated by ATAF) covers the entire city and the surrounding municipality. For visitors, these are the most relevant lines:
Line 13 (Lungarno - Piazzale Michelangelo): The quickest way to reach Piazzale Michelangelo and the church of San Miniato al Monte without walking uphill for 30 minutes. Departs from Lungarno Serristori on the south bank of the Arno. Frequency varies: roughly every 30-40 minutes.
Line 7 (Santa Maria Novella - Fiesole): Connects the city centre to Fiesole, the hill town 8 km northeast of Florence. Journey time approximately 25-30 minutes. Fiesole has excellent views over Florence, a small archaeological site, and a quieter pace than the centre.
Line 17 (Santa Maria Novella - Coverciano): Useful for reaching the eastern parts of the city.
Line C1, C2, C3 (city centre shuttles): These are small electric buses that run through the narrower streets of the historic centre. They are used by residents and are a convenient option for short hops when you are carrying luggage or are otherwise not able to walk.
Tickets: where to buy them and how much they cost
A standard single ATAF bus or tram ticket costs 1.70 euros if purchased before boarding. Options for purchase:
- Tabacchi shops (tobacco shops, identified by a large T sign)
- Ticket machines at tram stops and main bus stops
- ATAF official app (downloadable for iOS and Android)
If you buy on board the bus from the driver, the ticket costs 2.50 euros. This is the only option if you cannot find a tabacchi or the app is not working, but it is worth avoiding.
A 24-hour day pass costs 5 euros and covers unlimited travel on all ATAF lines including the tram. It is worth buying if you plan to use transport more than three times in a day.
A 3-day pass costs 12 euros.
Validate the ticket when you board by stamping it in the orange validation machine on the bus or tram. Inspectors check regularly, particularly in the historic centre and on line T2.
The ZTL: what you need to know
The ZTL (zona a traffico limitato) is in effect 24 hours a day in most of the historic centre. It is not just a daytime restriction.
The boundaries are marked on street signs and on the ATAF and city maps. Cameras are positioned at the entry points and record every vehicle that enters.
If you are renting a car, your rental company may automatically handle the ZTL fine forwarding process. This typically means the fine (issued by the municipality of Florence) is forwarded to you weeks after your trip, often with an additional administrative fee.
There is no tourist exemption and no appeal process for camera-recorded violations.
The safest approach is to treat the ZTL as a no-go zone for private vehicles, use peripheral parking, and rely on public transport or walking for the centre.
Hotels inside the ZTL can sometimes arrange a temporary ZTL permit for guests. You must request this before arrival and the hotel must apply to the municipality. It is not guaranteed. If your accommodation is inside the ZTL, confirm the process directly with them.
Where to stay
The Key is at Via Cittadella 22, a 5-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station. The tram stop at Alameda is nearby, giving you a direct connection to the airport on line T2. The historic centre is walkable from the door.
