Where should I fly into?

There is no single “best” airport. We strongly recommend comparing a few options, as pricing and travel time can vary significantly.

Start your search:

Google Flights https://www.google.com/travel/flights

Use it to:

Compare multiple airports at once

Track pricing changes

Compare travel times and connections

Airports to Compare

We recommend searching all of these:

› Florence (FLR) – closest, often most expensive

› Bologna (BLQ) – best balance of price + convenience

› Pisa (PSA) – often cheapest, ~1 hour to Florence

› Rome (FCO) – best international flight options

› Venice (VCE) – ideal if visiting Venice

› Milan (MXP) – great for northern Italy trips

👉 Many guests save significantly by flying into Rome, Pisa, or Bologna and taking a train to Florence.

Arrival Tips

› U.S. travelers must pass immigration at first EU entry point

› Allow 2.5–3 hours for European connections

› Book flights on one itinerary when possible

› Compare round-trip vs open-jaw (fly into one city, out of another)

Italy’s train system is one of the easiest ways to travel between cities.

Main apps:

› Trenitalia (official rail system)

› Italo (high-speed competitor)

› ItaliaRail (English-friendly booking site) https://www.italiarail.com

Train Types

High-Speed Trains

Between major cities: Florence • Rome • Milan • Venice

› Assigned seats

› Fast + comfortable

› Luggage storage

› No validation needed

Operators:

› Trenitalia (Frecciarossa trains = fastest option)

› Italo

Regional Trains

Used for Tuscany day trips: Florence ↔ Pisa • Lucca • Siena

› Slower, cheaper

› No assigned seats

› Great for short distances

⚠️ Paper tickets must be validated before boarding.

Popular Routes

Florence ↔ Rome ~1.5 hrs

Florence ↔ Venice ~2 hrs

Florence ↔ Milan ~2 hrs

Florence ↔ Bologna ~40 min

Florence ↔ Pisa ~1 hr

Florence is very walkable, and most guests will not need transportation once in the city center.

TAXIS & LOCAL TRANSPORT

Recommended app:

itTaxi — https://www.ittaxi.it/en/

Use it to:

Request taxis

Track arrivals

View pricing & ETAs

Pay in-app (where available)

Good to know:

› Uber is very limited in Florence

› Taxis are more reliable than rideshare

› Taxis are usually found at stands or via app (not street hail)

RENTING A CAR (NOT RECOMMENDED)

We do not recommend renting a car in Florence.

Why:

› City is highly walkable

› Trains are easier for travel between cities

› Parking is expensive and limited

› Restricted traffic zones (ZTL) can result in fines

👉 A car only makes sense if you plan to spend significant time in the Tuscan countryside.

IMPORTANT: ZTL ZONES

Many Italian city centers restrict car access.

Unauthorized entry = fines

OUR RECOMMENDATION

For most guests:

› Fly into Rome, Bologna, or Pisa for best value

› Use trains for travel between cities

› Walk everywhere in Florence

› Use taxis only when needed

› Download itTaxi before arriving