We're getting closer to our 19+ hour flight to Florence. Never been to Italy and we're staying close to the Piazza San Marco there in Florence. Understanding that we'll be exhausted and anxious to get to our hotel, what is the best way to get there from the Florence airport? Do we trust the cab drivers won't fleece us on the $$ or should I email our hotel to arrange for transportation? Any advice would be helpful...

In Florence, the taxi drivers are trustworthy and honest. They have meters, and they don't cheat their fares. The have an excellent reputation.

I wouldn't consider any way from the airport, other than taxi. If I were really broke, I suppose I would ride the bus.

Surely a private car service, if there is such a thing, would cost more than a taxi. The airport is close to the city. If there are car services, and there might be, they aren't a common or popular way to get to and from the airport.

Take a taxi; unless the world has turned upside down, Florence taxi drivers are still dependable.

BUT: do you have a 19+ hour flight directly into Florence's tiny airport? Or are you flying into to Pisa? I wrote assuming your airport is Peretola.

Thanks for your reply. We are indeed flying into Peretola. Based on what you say, I'll go ahead and assume universal rules apply on taxi rides there so I won't worry about it.

Yep, it won't be a problem.

I am curious: are you flying direct to Peretola? We always have had to transfer from somewhere...

The San Marco museum is not to be missed.

Hi Y,

Cab fare from FLR to your hotel should be about 12E + surcharge for luggage.

The taxi fare should cost arount E15. The taxis in Florence are great and inexpensive. Never hesitate to take a cab, for instance, if you'd like to have dinner not in walking distance. I taken quite a few cab rides there and came away pretty impressed!

Hi ymmy ~

Agree with above.

Most certainly take a cab.

We cab'd it ourselves, good decision.

Just hail one at the airport, easy.

Have fun! We love it there.

Make sure to ask what the fare is before you take the taxi. We had a wonderful taxi driver from the airport and a schmuck back to the airport.
It was Sunday so no traffic but he went the round about way, didn'speak English well and charged us about 5 euro more than our trip into Florence. no tip for him, guess he figured it in

Excellent tip (no pun intended) Lauricelli which I neglected to mention.

When traveling I do my best to research in advance (or ask the concierge if it is last minute travel) what to expect to pay for the fare. Then when I get into the taxi, I give them the ole "Approx 15E, right?" so they know NOT to mess with me.

Thanks for all the insight. Again, it seems to me that there's no real need to be any more concerned in Florence than I would in, say, NYC....