When you arrive in Florence for your Fall or Spring semester, you’ll need to know how to get to Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) from the airport or the train station, depending on where you land and if you have already been traveling. Also, you’ll need to know how to get around every day and when you want to travel during your long weekends or semester breaks.
Below is a quick guide to getting around Florence.
Pro tip: Via means street; RED numbers are for business buildings; BLUE numbers are for homes.
Tram
Getting to the city center from the airport will be easy and affordable by tram. Once you leave the airport, you will see the tramway on the left-hand side. Tramway 2 (T2) will get you to Santa Maria Novella train station and is an 8-minute walk to SRISA’s main campus, located on Via San Gallo 53 RED.
You can get your ticket at the kiosk or buy one from the Autolinee Toscana app. Tickets are available at every tram station and are valid for both the tram and the buses in the city.
Tram System:
Linea 2 Lavagnini – Libertà – San Marco V.A.C.S.
Linea 2.2 Aeroporto – Sesto Fiorentino
Linea 3.2.1 Libertà – Bagno a Ripoli
Linea 3.2.2 Libertà – Rovezzano
Linea 4.2 Piagge – Campi Bisenzi
Bus
The bus line runs from 6 am to 10 pm every day. You will use this form of transport to get to hillside regions, such as the Fiesole or if your feet need a rest from all the walking.
At the bus stop, when you see the bus you need (the number appears on the front of the vehicle), simply wave your hand to let the bus driver know they need to pick you up.
Pro tip: Autolinee Toscane bus and tram tickets are synonymous; you do not need to purchase different tickets for the two. Prices for 90 minutes cost €1.70; monthly tickets for use anytime are €40 a month. Make sure to validate your ticket as soon as you enter the bus or tram: the machines are located at the front and back entrances of the vehicles. Place your ticket in the date machine, and it will make a sound. If you do not validate your ticket, you could get fined.
Pro tip: Tabacchi shops will have a bus or tram ticket kiosk inside.
Walking
Your best friend in Florence is a good pair of walking shoes. You can get to any major monument or site in under an hour from the Piazza del Duomo. At first, I was worried that walking 30 minutes would be too much, but with my eagerness to explore, I found the longer walks were more enjoyable than I anticipated. Like me, you will get used to it.
Taxi
Taxis aren’t necessary, but they come in handy if it is late at night. In Florence, you cannot flag down taxis on the street but can call one easily. Florence Taxis are licensed and registered. Florence has Uber as of December 19m 2024. They originally only had Black Uber available, but now they offer “taxi” service (compare prices on the apps before booking). When abroad, go local, though it may be more comforting to stick to what you know, you will gain more by doing this.
Apps: AppTaxi, Uber
Numbers: +39 055 4390, +39 055 4242 (operators speak English)
Pro tip: Do not try to flag down a cab; you must always order one or wait at a taxi rank. There are taxi ranks at Santa Maria Novella Train Station, the Duomo, Florence Airport, Piazza della Repubblica, and Santa Croce Church. Taxis accept debit and credit cards as well as cash.
Pro tip: Ask any hotel, bar, or club if you need help to ring a taxi. Also, for women traveling alone after 10pm, there is the Taxi Rossa +39 055 439000
Train
The application Trenìtalia lists all available trains for your desired trip. Using OMIO provides all available flights, buses, and trains. FlixBus or BusItalia are bus services that will take longer to get to your destinations but are more affordable compared to train or flight prices. Always plan the trip in advance for best prices. Florence is not only in the heart of Tuscany but also in the center of Italy, making it a great base to discover new places. For instance, Rome, Milan, and Venice are just two hours away by fast train. Have fun and explore!
Written by Spring 2024 Student Tymberline Mauthe