Parking in Florence
 

We have rented a 9 passenger van in Italy and would like to know where would be the best place to park such a vehicle in Florence or if the parking under the train station will accept this big van.
Thanks

I don't know on that one, but given some posts on here from people who drove in Florence and got tickets because they ignored traffic signs, if you see large traffic signs with words like "zona trafico limitado", be sure to observe them. I think even if you don't know Italian, you can make that out. If it has hours listed, you need a permit to drive there during those hours -- if no hours and stil a ZTL, it is always restricted.

There's free and open parking at Piazzale Michelangelo. Take to bus into town and back...

Sometimes you can find parking around the Porta Romana on the Oltrarno (other side of the Arno river). It's about a 10 minute walk across the Ponte Vecchio to the Uffizi from there.

As for getting to the parking at the station, forget it. I would caution you to NEVER NEVER drive into the Centro Storico because not only are there restricted zones, the streets are very narrow, further narrowed with parked cars of florentines, some are one-way and getting back where you were headed is difficult at best. Also, street names may change from one block to another and the street signs are hard to see. they are usually high up on the side of a building, if there are any signs at all. Remember, the center was built in the Middle Ages and Renaissance when people walked, rode horses, or drove carts. It's not at all car-friendly!

I don't know about the train station accepting van size - I don't know why it wouldn't.
We drove pretty easily to the train station and parked there for our visit. Not sure what the price was. Get a very detailed map and study it closely.
The other solution is to locate a car park on outskirts of the historic center and take a taxi to your hotel. We've done that as well.

If you are staying at a hotel, ask them what they recommend. We made a quick overnight visit to Flornece with a car, and had our hotel park the car for us. It cost an extra $15 for this 'valet' service, but was worth it. We emailed the hotel in advance asking what they could do. We did the same when staying in a hotel in Orvieto.

TuckH

has it right (only I think that he's a yank so the minibus bit is expected)

At Piazza Michelangelo - you get

1. free parking
2. the best view of Florence full stop
3. a WALK down by the river
pass Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
4. cross Ponte Vecchio

does any decision every get any easier in Fodorsland?

ps reminder to all American friends the appendages that dangle down when your are sat behind your Hummer are also useful for walking!

This thread is over 2 years old. Is Piazzale Michelangelo still a good place to park? We will be coming from the south for a day trip to Florence. Does anyone know if there are time limits on leaving your car at PM?

ttt

mamcalice, yes, Piazzale Michelangelo is still great place to park. We have come in from southwest of Florence (Casole d'Elsa) every year for past 10 years and parked there. Have never noticed any time limit signs, but we tend to leave by 6 pm to get back home for dinner. And do walk down the hill, along the Arno, and over the Ponte Vecchio. My husband is 82 yo; if he can do it, anyone can.