We will be doing 2-3 day trips out of Florence so thought it might be convenient to stay near the train station. Is it true that most train station areas are undesirable--a little sleazy? We are looking in the $150-$200/night range. Thanks!

Sue

www.allorobb.it

Not in a sleazy neighborhood, a great location! Both near the train station and the Duomo/San Lorenzo Markets.

Prices are 85-130E.

the train station area is full of life and not bad at all. I stayed at the Tourist House Duomo http://www.touristhouseduomo.com/. It was a great location (1/2 bloc from the Duomo)and I felt safe. We were 2 women in our late 30's traveling together. We also walked to and from the train station. It's about a 10-15 minute walk.

If you're looking for luxury, look somewhere else. However, this is a very comfortable, clean, affordable, and safe place to stay in a great location. Keep in mind that it's a B&B w/o the breakfast. One of the owners, Mario, is a wonderful older gentleman that is very willing to help and has great suggestions.

I'd recommend it!

Good luck.

We've stayed at the Grand Hotel Baglioni. It was a couple of blocks from the station and very convenient to the Duomo and other central sights. Very comfortable.

Try Hotel Casci. It is not far from the train station. It has very good reviews.

Another vote for the Casci. We stayed there and loved it. Great location, and very close to the train station as well as the heart of the town.

Not sure of your dates but Hotel Aprile is 140 E in March inc. breakfast. We stayed here in Nov and walked to and from the train station which is about 5 mins away.

http://www.hotelaprile.it/rates_promotions.phtml

I would NOT recommend Hotel Botticelli. We walked there from the train station and it was in a convenient spot. But, the walls were paper thin (heard things really didn't want to hear) and the area was very noisy. I had a horrible cold when I was there and I desperately needed sleep but it didn't happen. So my sleep deprived state may color my view of the hotel.

We stayed at a B&B in Via Santa Reparata and walked to the station and everywhere in Florence. B&B Relais Grand Tour. The room was great and our host was very helpful. It was 115E a night.The nieghbourhood is fine.

Central Florence is quite small and you can easily walk to the train station from most places in this area. The train station area is not too bad in Florence.

I stayed at the Hotel Albani. Lovely hotel on a quiet street not far from the train station. Easy walking distance to all of Florence!

We'll be there in March. Is it safe to walk after dark in the train station area?

Sue

Yes! I would be careful walking through the tunnel late at night, but otherwise it's quite a nice area.

Sue,

Just one tip, if you do stay near the train station or on a main street, be sure to ask for a garden or courtyard facing room! We stayed near the station at a hotel on the main street leading to the duomo and had no sleep at all in 2 nights. Non-stop traffic and sirens all night long. Miserable!

Also, ask if your hotel has double-paned windows - they effectively shut out the noise too! A/C is then required in warm months.

Buon viaggio!

We were also there in March the last trip. If by "train station area" you mean the immediate vicinity, then I'd use your usual precautions as anywhere else. But we never felt uncomfortable walking from or back to our hotel at night which was a couple of blocks away.