Florence Airport to the City Center – What You Actually Need to Know

Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), also known as Peretola, is just 5 km northwest of Florence's historic center. The ride to Santa Maria Novella train station or your hotel near the Duomo takes 15–25 minutes by car, or about 20 minutes on the T2 tram line that connects the airport directly to the city center.

Your options: the T2 tram (EUR 1.70), a taxi on the city's fixed airport fare (EUR 28 on a weekday, EUR 30 on Sundays and holidays, EUR 32 at night), or a pre-booked private transfer, quoted per vehicle when you book. The tram is genuinely excellent and most visitors should consider it.

FLR is a small, single-terminal airport. It handles mostly European flights — Vueling, easyJet, British Airways, and some Wizz Air routes. After landing, you walk across the tarmac or through a jet bridge, collect bags from a small carousel area, and exit into a compact arrivals hall.

There is a tourist information point, ATMs, and a few shops. The whole process from landing to walking outside takes 15–30 minutes on a normal day.

The airport is small enough that you will not get lost. Signage points clearly to taxis, the tram, and the bus stop.

The T2 tram is the standout option here. Run by GEST, it goes directly from the airport to key city stops including Piazza dell'Unita d'Italia and the area around Santa Maria Novella station, continuing to San Marco. The ride is smooth, air-conditioned, and takes about 20 minutes. Trams run every 4–8 minutes at peak times, dropping to roughly every 10–11 minutes in the early morning and evening. Buy tickets from the machine at the tram stop (cash or card), from the at-bus or TABNET app, or tap a contactless card on board.

Taxis use a fixed fare set by the Comune di Firenze for trips between the airport and hotels or private addresses in the city's central area. As of the tariff table in force since 1 January 2024, that fare is EUR 28.00 on a normal weekday, EUR 30.00 on Sundays and public holidays, and EUR 32.00 at night (22:00–06:00). Luggage is EUR 1.10 per item on top, and supplements are capped at EUR 13.20 in total. The fare is posted at the taxi stand and revised periodically — check before you travel.

For destinations outside that central area — Fiesole, Piazzale Michelangelo, anywhere out of town — the fixed fare does not apply and the meter runs instead. Ask the driver for an estimate before setting off.

Pre-booked transfers are quoted per vehicle at booking and take you directly to your hotel — which in Florence often means navigating narrow streets and the ZTL. A good driver who knows the restricted zones is worth the premium if your hotel is deep in the historic center.

Florence is a compact city, so transport costs from the airport are modest compared to larger Italian cities like Rome or Milan.

Taxi figures are the municipal fixed fare — weekday / Sunday and holiday / night — for hotels and private addresses inside the city's central area, plus EUR 1.10 per bag. Beyond that area the meter decides, and out-of-town runs like Siena or Chianti are long enough that a fixed quote in advance is worth having rather than watching the meter climb.

The ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) is Florence's restricted traffic zone covering most of the historic center. Taxis and authorized transfers can enter; rental cars and Uber cannot without risking heavy fines. This is a genuine consideration if you are staying in the center.

FLR is not a 24-hour airport. Most flights arrive between 07:00 and 23:00. The last flights of the day typically land by 22:30–23:00.

The T2 tram's last departure from the airport is around 23:58 from Sunday to Thursday, extended to about 01:15 on Friday and Saturday nights, so it covers most late arrivals — but if you land at 23:15 on a Tuesday and baggage is slow, it is genuinely tight. After the last tram, taxis are your only option, and the EUR 32 night fixed fare (22:00–06:00) applies to the central area.

Pre-booked transfers work well for the last flights of the day when you do not want to gamble on catching the final tram.

The T2 tram has space for luggage and strollers, but it can get crowded during peak hours. If you have more than two large suitcases, managing them on the tram while watching children is not fun.

For families with significant luggage, a taxi or transfer is the practical choice. The taxi stand is right outside the terminal — a 1-minute walk.

Child car seats are not standard in Italian taxis. If your children are young enough to require seats, a pre-booked transfer with car seats requested in advance is the safe option.

The airport terminal is compact and flat — easy to navigate with strollers and trolleys.

T2 Tram: Exit the terminal, walk straight ahead about 100 meters to the tram stop. It is clearly signed.

Taxis: The taxi rank is directly outside the arrivals exit, immediately on your right. Taxis queue in order.

Pre-booked transfers: Drivers wait in the arrivals hall with a name sign, or just outside the exit. The airport is small enough that finding each other is easy.

Bus: The shuttle bus stop is near the taxi rank outside arrivals.

Take the T2 tram if: you are traveling light (1 bag each), your hotel is near Santa Maria Novella or the Duomo area, and you do not mind a short walk at the other end. At EUR 1.70, it is unbeatable value.

Take a taxi if: you have more luggage, prefer door-to-door service, or your hotel is further from the tram line. The fixed fare of EUR 28 on a weekday is reasonable for the convenience, and it is charged per car rather than per person.

Book a transfer if: you are heading to a hotel deep in the ZTL (where drivers who know the access rules are valuable), traveling with children needing car seats, or heading somewhere outside Florence like Chianti or Siena.

The tram is genuinely the best option for most visitors arriving with normal luggage. It is cheap, fast, frequent, and drops you right in the center of town.