Getting around Florence

How to get around Florence by bus, taxi, bike, and scooter

Florence's centro storico (historic center) is much smaller than that of most of the famous cities in Europe, and the bulk of it is pedestrian-only, so it's supremely easy to get about on foot.

Don't hop on the bus, gus

Bus info: tel. +39-055-565-0222, www.ataf.net

You'll rarely need to use Florence's efficient bus system since the city is so wonderfully compact. Many visitors accustomed to big cities like Rome step off their arriving train and onto a city bus out of habit, thinking to reach the center; within 5 minutes they find themselves in the suburbs.

The cathedral is a mere 5- to 7-minute walk from the train station. In fact, it only takes about a half an hour's stroll to traverse the city from one end to the other. However, to get your bags from the station to your hotel, or to visit the most outlying attractions, the bus system can prove useful.

Almost all buses begin, end, or stop at the train station, and many also pass through Piazza San Marco (near the Accademia and its David). The historic center itself is not very well serviced. Just remember, after three or four stops, you're already out of Florence on your way to the hills. You can get bus tickets at newsstands and tabacchi (tobacconists).

Florence Taxis

Florence is small, and taxis are most useful to get you and your bags between the train station and your hotel in the virtually busless centro storico. There is a cab rank outside the station; otherwise you have to call for a Radio Taxi at 4242, 4798, or 4390.

Renting a bike or scooter

Despite the relatively traffic-free historic center, biking has not really caught on here, but local authorities are trying to change that with cheap rental bikes. Rates are a mere €1.50 per hour/€8 per day (or €0.50 per hour/€1 per day if you've parked in a public garage—Firenze Parcheggi, tel. +39-055-500-0453, www.firenzeparcheggi.it).

Map of bike paths and rental locations: www.comune.firenze.it

These cheap city bikes are available from stands scattered around town—at Santa Maria Novella rail station (as well as at suburban stations Campo di Marte and

Rifredi)

, Parterre the parking lot, Piazza Tasso, Piazza V. Veneto,

Piazza Ghiberti, and Piazza Cestello.

If no cheap city bikes are left, you'll have to pay a bit more for them at a noleggio bici shop like Alinari, Via Guelfa 85r (tel. +39-055-280-500; www.alinarirental.com) or Florence by Bike, Via San Zanobi, 120–122R (tel. +39-055-488-992; www.florencebybike.it).

These are also where you'll need to go if you're interesting in renting a motorino (motorscooters).