Does Florence have a good transportation system --Venice has the ACTV passes for bus and vaporettos, Rome has a Roma pass to use to get around...does Florence have such a thing to make bus/train use inexpensive for tourists in the city to see the sights??

What sights are you talking about? Nearly everything most tourists want to see is within easy walking distance. We even walked up to the Piazzale Michelangelo -- perhaps one of the most distant popular sights from the centrum. I've been to Florence several times and I don't think I've ever set foot on a bus or any other form of public transportation within the city.

Thanks--that is exactly what I needed to hear..didn't know eactly how big Florence is compared to little Venice and huge Rome

As NeoPatrick notes you can walk eveywhere.
If you arrive by train the station is inside the area you wish to visit. However if your hotel is not that close and you do not have luggage, you can take a bus to your hotel. We did this the last time in Florence, the hotel suggested it , the bus left us a few feet from the hotel. We only had hand luggage. The bus ticket can be bought at the tabacci- magazine stand inside the train station. Of course instead you can take a taxi or walk.In many cities you would like to visit in Italy you do not need to take any transportation, may be a taxi at night if it is too late. I am thinking Siena, Pisa,Luca, Cortona, Peruggia and many more. Sometimes they can be very steep, small but steep like Motepulciano then you can hop in a bus going up. In Florence you can also take a local street bus going to Fiesole.

We walked everywhere in Florence, except Piazzale Michaelango. To get there we took a bus from the train station (which also houses the bus station).

I know it can be walked, but, whew, it's a loooonnnnngggg way up hill! Totally worth the trp, by the way.

Legs are the best way to get around Florence... for sure.

MelJ, we walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo a number of years ago -- when I was a whole lot younger and quite a bit dumber.

The buses work just fine, and they are easy to figure out. Many operate in circular routes, with adjacent line numbers for either way - clock- or anti-clockwise.

Outside the main train station Santa Maria Novella you see the bus stops - there is a window on one of them where an agent has "the map" ATAF-La Rete Autobus - Elenco Completeo Linee ATAF e LI-NEA.
Last time I asked for one it was free. Makes for a great street map just for walking around, too.

Hi born,

The Florence bus system's website is
http://www.ataf.net/Default.aspx?LN=en-US

Neo, thanks for the update--I know my knees would never have made that trek! Maybe 15 years ago...

I have taken busses in Florence several times. A bus map is a good thing. There are also small electric busses within the inner city center. Public transport is inexpensive compared to larger cities, and taxis are also fairly priced and have a good reputation.

We walked everywhere, including Piazzale Michelangelo...with two small children.

hi, born,

another option is taxis. they are quite cheap, most journies within the centre are about €10, so if there are two or more of you, they can work out very well.

otherwise, feet and buses will get you everywhere.

regards, ann

Thank you all for your great info--looks like feet is the best option!!

As the other posters said...Florence is SO very walkable but I concur that a taxi or bus ride to the Pizzale Michelangelo is a definite must. We walked it last Spring and it was a much more difficult walk than I anticipated...wouldn't do it again! But DO go as it is glorious.

We stayed in an apartment which was about a 5 minute bus ride out of the city centre and the buses were cheap and plentiful. Once in the city we walked everywhere. Make sure you go for a stroll (I forget the Italian word) in the evening - Florence in the night time is divine!!

hi again, born,

Thank you all for your great info--looks like feet is the best option!!>>

beware the condition we named "Roman Foot" [aka florence foot, etc']. you can end up missing a lot because your feet are too sore from pounding the cobbles.

IMHO, public transport/taxis can really help you see more in cities - either bus/taxi to your furthest point of interest and make your way slowly back, or walk there, making sure that you have your transport back already sussed out.

regards, ann