How to Get Around Florence on the Cheap

Florence was the center of the Italian Renaissance and is still the home of countless art treasures, glorious Renaissance architecture, and great food and wine. Getting around Florence is easy and cheap, given that most everything is relatively central.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Athletic Shoes
• Walking Shoes
• Maps
• Eurail Passes
• Travelers' Checks

1. Walk as much as possible. Florence is compact and easy to get around on foot, and walking is definitely the best way to see the city. Just watch out for speeding cars and moped traffic, and cross all streets with extreme caution.
2. Leave the rental car in a parking lot, or get rid of it altogether until your ready to leave Florence. The city center is closed to almost all tourist car traffic, and those streets that are open are extremely busy. There are parking lots underneath the main train station at Santa Maria Novella and some free parking on the ring roads or at Piazzale Michelangelo (about a 20-minute walk from the city center).
3. Take the bus. Even for longer side trips to Siena, San Gimignano or other day-trip destinations, it can be cheaper and more direct than the train. Local buses are orange and are run by the ATAF company; you can buy tickets from the ATAF office near the train station or at most tobacconists and newsstands.
4. Get a 24-hour tourist bus ticket if you plan to use the buses frequently; otherwise, you will have to buy as many one- or two-hour tickets as you think you'll need.
5. Rent a bicycle or a moped. This is not an option for amateur riders because moped traffic is thick and fast in central Florence and motorists tend not to make way for two-wheeled vehicles.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. Many of Florence's streets and squares are very old, and walking surfaces can be uneven.
• Keep track of the Arno! As long as you know where the river is, it's hard to get lost in Florence.
• Try to spend some time walking outside the city center. Once you cross the Arno and venture into the hills, you are surrounded by a very different, country-like atmosphere.
• Don't forget to visit Fiesole and Settignano; these small towns are a quick bus ride outside Florence and offer some amazing views and walks.
• Once you get across the Arno, the terrain gets fairly steep. Take it easy if you aren't used to hill climbing, and pack some bottled water to keep from getting dehydrated. Don't worry - the view is well worth the climb!
• Taxis aren't cheap in Florence, so avoid them if you're on a tight budget.