Those who know Florence well:

I am unclear as to how to travel within Florence. Is it really so small that it is genuinely a walkable city? Are the buses reliable, available frequently? Are there cabs?

Also, any advice on the best way to get from the airport to a hotel by the Duomo? Will a cab cost a fortune? Are the cabs available at the airport?

Thanks.

You can easily walk to (almost) all the sights in Florence, especially if you're staying near the Duomo. The exception might be Piazzale Michelangelo which is a long up-hill walk. For that you should take a bus or a cab.

Florence has come out of the middle ages - there are cabs and buses. Also a train. I'm not sure what you mean by bus reliability. Are you asking if they break down? Florence is a small city where people live and work. Just as in other cities local people depend on public transportation to get to their jobs, shopping, and whatever else.

I've never flown into the Florence airport so I can't advise you on the cost of transportation into town. But I can assure you there will be cabs. There's probably also bus service.

You might want to consider picking up a guidebook before you go to Florence as guidebooks answer questions such as you have. Some guidebook recommendations are: Fodors, Frommers, Let's Go.

We were in Florence 2 weeks ago. Cab from the airport (Peretola) was Euro 18 including 2 heavy suitcases.

Walking is the way to do Florence. If you get tired of the touristy, heavy crowds around the Duomo and adjoning piazzas, walk over the Ponte Vecchio and toward Oltrarno - quiety neighborhood with lots of good shops an drestaurants.

Hi Kate,

The historic part of Florence is compact and walkable.

Here is a link to to a very good map and the bus routes:

http://www.ataf.net/Default_EN.asp

Hi KateDugan7,
Florence is truly a walkable city.
You can take a bus from the airport for 4 euros. It runs every 1/2 hour and goes next to the train station which is a short walk to the Duomo area. When you exit the bus station look up to the left and you'll see Brunelleschi's magnificent dome!
You'd need to take a bus to get to Fiesole (bus #7). It's worth the trip-especially for the magnificent view at sunset. Enjoy your trip!

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