Transportation Question Italy
 

I am travelling in a few weeks to Italy staying in Canalicchio (we will have a car). We would like to do a day trip to Florence and I'm wondering the best way to do this. Should we drive to a city/town on the rail line, park and take the train in, or is it more sensible to drive to the outskirts of Florence and park the car there? Thanks!

I'd drive to Perugia, leave the car there and train to Florence. Florence is a no no for driving in, due to the ZTL zones that can cause a nasty fine some months later.

Thanks Rubicund! I am aware of the ZTL zones, I wouldn't drive into the city. I was thinking of driving to a parking facility outside the city and then take public transport in.

It's a 2 hr drive to Florence, but a 2 hr train ride from Perugia after the 30 min drive there and having to find parking in Perugia, so realistically it'd be 3 to 3 1/2 hrs to get there that way.

I just wondered if anyone knew of an easy, time efficient way to do this or could recommend parking facilities near, but outside Florence.

Park at the Figline Valardo station, trains to Firenze SM Novella 30 minutes.

If wouldn't be much less time if you drive to a remote parking lot and take public transportation in. You may have to go from lot to lot looking for a space, and the public transportation into the center isn't exactly instantaneous. Either way, it's probably going to be over three hours, and a hassle, each way.

OK, I'll say it.... Florence is too far for a day trip. The drive is closer to 2.5 hours, barring any wrong turns or traffic delays, plus time to park and walk or bus into the historical center. Drive-then-train options may feel easier, but they won't be faster. And are you comfortable making your way back to your lodging in the dark? Canalicchio looks to be quite remote.

If you decide to drive to Florence, this article has a lot of good info.

https://www.visitflorence.com/floren...-florence.html

There is a local train line - Ferrovia Centrale Umbra (FCU) in that area that you could possibly take to Perugia, but I agree with Jean. Florence is a bit far for a day trip. Some of these rural trains are geared towards workers, not tourists. Return train connections might be an issue. From Perugia to Florence, quite a few trains require a change. Even the few Freccia fast trains without any stops between Florence/Perugia take 2 1/2 hours. Some of the regional trains are a tad faster.

I think the best option is drive so you can control your schedule. Park outside the ZTL.

Thank you for all of your great advice! I know it's a bit far, it's further than I would like for a day trip. However, I'm with a group and each person got to pick what they wanted to do for one day and someone chose Florence. Normally I may push back, but in this case I have learned with experience that my life (and this trip) will be much easier if I just make this day work.

It will be a long day, and I will present all of the options here in an attempt to change the heart and mind, but alas I may end up doing it anyway.

Again thank you for the replies.

Just another bit of travel knowledge to pass on....

A sightseeing group takes longer to do everything. Getting organized to leave, walking around, bathroom stops, moving through museums and sights, eating lunch... just everything. So, every time estimate along the way will probably not be enough. But I understand the need to go along to get along. Been there, done that.

If the group wants to explore the Uffizi, see the original David, view the Brancacci Chapel, whatever, make timed reservations where possible. It's one way of keeping the group moving. At a minimum, the group should have a plan and priorities for the day already figured out before you arrive. Make sure you have a map or access to GPS as well as a plan in the event you get separated (important if not everyone has a phone).

Just go to http://www.firenzeparcheggi.it and choose a convenient parking.

Coming from the south I'd probably go for Oltrarno, it's outside the ZTL, and via Romana will take you straight into Florence. Sure, you won't have more than a few hours to see Florence but to me, that's better than nothing!

Thanks so much everyone! I have made some progress with this plan. I presented the arguments against, including the advice of the experts here to add credibility to my argument, and got a maybe it's too long of a day. So perhaps we will forego for something closer...

I am willing to do it if the person still wants to, but I insisted we will leave our hotel no later than 6am and return no earlier than 10pm. We will also limit our inside visits to the Duomo and the David (with advance tickets) with some sightseeing via walking around. I'm not committing to a crazy - I want to see everything in Florence in one day - plan.

ticino - thanks for the parking suggestion, that sounds the most reasonable and as you say the worst that happens to me is I spend a busy day in Florence, which I love!

I would skip the Duomo, which really has nothing much inside that's very impressive. The outside is what's really worth seeing. The Baptistery, though, which is older than the Duomo, has beautiful gold mosaics, and I've never seen a wait to get in.

I would stay away from the Ponte Vecchio, too, except to take a picture of it from the riverbank or from the next bridge.

Two other uncrowded, but very beautiful places to visit:

The Museum of San Marco, which was formerly a convent, with beautiful frescoes in the cells of the monks, painted by the Beato Angelico (or Fra Angelico, as some call him).

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella has many Renaissance masterpieces inside, and a lovely cloister.

Each of these can be seen easily in an hour or less, and you won't have a long queue to wait in or crowds to jostle you.

Thanks bvlenci! If we end up going, there were two things on the must do list - climb the dome of the Duomo and see the David, so that's why I said then that's it for planned activities there's just not enough time to do more I don;t think. I think I've gotten the group to lean towards skipping Florence on this trip. I personally love Florence and I understand the impulse to go if you've never been and it's only a few hours away, but I think that it's better left for another trip.