Uffizi without reservations
 

Hi, Im a solo traveler that will be in Florence on May 11 and May 12 but cannot make reservation until the May 13th. Is it still possible to visit museum on these soldout days w/o a reservation? Or for should I make the reservation for thr 13th and rearrange my schedule??

On a side note, how far is florence from naples by train???

Thanks,
Ada,

We did the Uffizi without a reservation in early April of this year. We went in the afternoon at about 4pm and only had to wait about 10-15 minutes. I'm not sure if its much worse in May, but we were there during Italy's culture week, so the crowdedness may be slightly comparable. Just watch out for those Italians, they're crazy line cutters.

It is possible to visit both museums without a reservation, but you will have to wait in the regular entry lines. If it is crowded, you could be waiting a long time. My suggestion is that you call the booking office and make a reservation fro the 13 the for both museums. You do NOT have to pay for the booking at that time, you just make a reservation. If you go by the musuems on the 11th and 12th and there is only a short line, then go in at that time if that is better for you. You could then either stop by and cancel your reservations for the 13th or just not show up. They don't take a credit card umber when you make a booking, so you are never charged if you don't show up to pay for your reservations. All you will have paid for is the phone call. I prefer to have a timed reservation because then you can plan the rest of the day around it; rather than waiting in a line that you really can't tell how fast it may move.

You can reserve Uffizi and Accademia museums by calling 011 39 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. Florence is 6 hours ahead of EST. You will get an English speaking operator and she will give you a timed entry slot (15-min window) and a six-digit confirmation number. Using the same phone number, you can reserve in advance for the Accademia, Bargello, Medici Chapels, and Pitti Palace. This costs only 1.60 Euro for the service, but you only pay this when you pick up the tickets at the reservation window.

The train from Naples takes about 4 hours, you often have to change in Rome, although there are some non-change Eurostar trains.

Call your hotel and ask them to book it. The group I was with last May in Florence ran into the same problem when trying to reserve themselves, but the hotel miraculously got them a reservation.

Naples to Florence - 3 1/2-4 hours depending on which type of train.
www.trenitalia.com

wow, thanks for the input. I will likely be staying at a hostel or cheao accomidation, so I doubt that a hotel staff member will help.


If any of you know of a great and cheap place to stay,feel free to share

Hi A,

>If any of you know of a great and cheap place to stay,feel free to share<

I can highly recommend the B&B Peterson.
www.bedinflorence.it

Singles from 36E/nite. Bkfst is not included.

((I))

Thanks, I already tried to confirm w/ that bedandbreakfast a week ago and no reply from them??? I tried again, hopefully it will work.

Hi ad,

I find it much better to communicate with small European establishments by phone or Fax.

Mrs Ancillotti's English is quite good.

Phone: 39 348 8428160
Fax: 39 055 367844

From the US dial 1016868 011 and then the number.

It will cost about 10 cts/min.

((I))

ill be staying at a hostel, so im not sure that the staff will be as helpful as a hotel, but who knows.

I don't know the Uffizi's hours in May, but if it has extended hours into the evening (as if often does when we are there in October) then go at about 6/7 p.m. We found only short lines at this "between" time -- not quite day time, not quite dinner time.