Florence Airport to City Center: Tram, Taxi and the Pisa Route, With Official Fares (2026)

Getting from Florence airport to city center takes about 20 minutes on the T2 tram. The stop is a short walk from arrivals. A taxi is the easy alternative, with a fixed fare set by the city. Some travelers land in Pisa instead, so this guide covers that route too.

Last updated: September 27, 2026

Once you have dropped your bags, a first walk with a guide is an easy way to get your bearings. Our page on a Florence walking tour with David and the Duomo compares two options for a first day.

Florence airport to city center at a glance

In short, the tram wins on price and the taxi wins on comfort. For Pisa flights, the train is the standard answer. However, the right choice depends mostly on where you sleep and how much you carry. So check your hotel address first, then pick the mode.

Which way from Florence airport to the city center suits you

Choose the T2 tram if you carry a cabin bag or one mid-size case. It also suits hotels near Santa Maria Novella station, Fortezza da Basso, Piazza della Libertà and Piazza San Marco.

Choose a taxi if you are two or more people with large suitcases. Also pick it for hotels in the Oltrarno or Santa Croce, which the tram does not reach. For example, four travelers with large bags pay €16 on the tram, with a ticket for each person and each bag. By contrast, a taxi from Florence airport to the city center costs €28 plus bag supplements, but it drops you at the door.

Choose a private transfer if you need a child seat or want a driver waiting in arrivals. Similarly, it suits groups too big for one taxi.

Choose the Pisa route if, above all, your flight lands at Pisa. The train then brings you straight to Santa Maria Novella, in the heart of Florence.

T2 tram: the cheapest way from Florence airport to the city center

The tram is the cheapest link from Florence airport to the city center. First, follow the tram signs from the terminal. According to GEST, the tram operator (checked September 2026), the stop is a two-minute walk from arrivals and departures. The ride to the center takes about 20 minutes. In addition, trams run every day from 5:00 to 0:30, and until 2:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.

However, the line changed in 2025, so older guides are out of date. According to the City of Florence (checked September 2026), the T2 no longer serves the Unità stop. Instead, it continues to Valfonda and Fortezza, and it has run on to Piazza San Marco since January 25, 2025. Then the full ride from the airport to San Marco takes about 35 minutes. The Firenze Tramvia project site also lists Novoli, Santa Maria Novella station, Fortezza and Piazza della Libertà on the route.

Which tram stop for your hotel

• Valfonda: beside Santa Maria Novella station. It also suits hotels around the station, San Lorenzo and the Mercato Centrale.
• Fortezza: by the Fortezza da Basso, for hotels north of the station.
• San Marco: the end of the line, a short walk from the Accademia Gallery. From here, the Duomo is a straight walk down Via Cavour.
• Oltrarno and Santa Croce: no tram stop nearby. So take a taxi, or ride to Valfonda and then take a taxi from the station rank.

Tickets, contactless and luggage

• Fare. A single urban ticket costs €2.00, according to Autolinee Toscane (checked September 2026). In Florence, it is valid for 90 minutes on trams and city buses.
• Where to buy. GEST says the machines at tram stops accept major debit and credit cards. You can also use the operator’s app.
• Tap on board. Alternatively, hold a contactless card to the validator. According to Autolinee Toscane, the price does not change, and each card buys only one ticket. So every traveler needs a separate card or ticket.
• Luggage. One bag up to 10 kg and 55 x 40 x 20 cm rides free, according to GEST. Larger bags, up to 80 x 45 x 25 cm and 20 kg, need one extra ticket each. Anything bigger is not allowed on board.

As a result, a large checked suitcase may not fit the tram rules at all. In that case, the taxi is the practical answer.

Taxi from Florence airport to the city center: the fixed fare

Florence sets a fixed taxi fare from the airport to hotels and private addresses in the central area. The city publishes the rates in its official taxi tariff table (checked September 2026). The fare is €28 on regular days, €30 on Sundays and public holidays and €32 at night. A supplement of €1.20 per bag may be added, up to €14.40 in total. So on a rainy night, or with a pile of cases, the taxi is the simplest way from Florence airport to the city center.

• Use the rank. Take a white licensed taxi from the official rank outside arrivals. Do not accept rides from people who approach you inside the terminal.
• Confirm the fixed fare. First, say your hotel address and ask for the fixed airport fare before you set off.
• Cards. If you want to pay by card, check with the driver before the ride starts.

Meanwhile, tipping is optional on a fixed fare. For local habits, see our guide to tipping in Italy. Before you pay for your room, also check the city tax in our guide to the Italy tourist tax.

Private transfer or car rental

Meanwhile, a private transfer is the most comfortable option, especially for families and groups. The driver meets you in arrivals and drives you as close to the door as traffic rules allow. However, there is no official fare for this service, so agree the price, pickup time and luggage allowance in writing.

Renting a car makes sense only if you are heading straight out to the countryside. In fact, the whole historic center of Florence is a limited traffic zone, or ZTL. According to the City of Florence mobility office (checked September 2026), electronic gates read license plates. In sectors A, B and O, the zone applies Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 20:00. On Saturday, it runs from 7:30 to 16:00. Driving through without a permit can lead to a fine.

So the smart plan is simple. Spend your Florence days on foot, and then pick up the car on the day you leave. Our guides to driving in Italy and car rental in Italy explain the rest. For a road-trip plan, see our Tuscany itinerary.

From Pisa airport to Florence

Pisa airport also serves Tuscany, and some flights bound for the region land there. The trip is longer than the short hop from Florence airport to the city center, so allow more time. Here are the realistic ways to go on.

PisaMover and train: the standard route

First, take the PisaMover shuttle from the airport to Pisa Centrale station. According to the PisaMover operator (checked September 2026), the ride takes about 5 minutes with one intermediate stop. A single ticket costs €6.50. Service runs daily from 6:00 to midnight, and until 1:00 from June 1 to September 30.

Next, take a regional train from Pisa Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. According to Trenitalia (checked September 2026), the Florence to Pisa fare is €8.90 one way. Journey times vary by train, so check the timetable when you buy. In addition, PisaMover tickets can be bought at Trenitalia ticket offices together with a rail journey. Before you head straight to Florence, though, consider a few hours in Pisa itself. Our guide to things to do in Pisa shows what fits in a short stop.

Direct bus to Florence

Caronna runs a direct coach from Pisa airport to Florence. According to its official site (checked September 2026), the trip takes about 60 minutes without stops, traffic permitting. Check the current fare on the operator’s site before you travel. Also, the bus runs every day of the year, and it stops less than 50 meters from the arrivals exit. In Florence, daytime buses stop at Guidoni, on the T2 tram line. From there, you ride the tram into the center. Check the operator’s page for the stop used by late runs.

Taxi from Pisa airport

A taxi from Pisa airport to central Florence is a long highway ride with no fixed fare, so ask for a quote before you get in. As a result, it suits mainly groups who share the cost or travelers with a lot of luggage.

Flying into Rome instead? Then see our guides to Fiumicino to Rome and the Rome to Florence train.

Your first hours in Florence

Once you get from Florence airport to the city center, keep the arrival day light. For example, an evening of Tuscan food with a local guide is a gentle start. Our page on a Florence food tour compares two options. For more choices, see the best food tours in Florence. If you arrive at San Marco, you are close to the Accademia. So you could book an afternoon slot for David.

If you landed in Pisa early, you could see the Leaning Tower on the way. Our page on a Pisa tour with the Leaning Tower covers guided visits. Next, plan the rest of your stay with our 2 days in Florence or 3 days in Florence itineraries. When you move on, our Florence to Venice train guide covers the next leg.

Tours and experiences for your first days in Florence

These experience pages on our site suit a first visit, with prices and ratings read on Viator:

• Florence walking tour with David and the Duomo: the classic first-day overview.
• Uffizi Gallery guided tour: Renaissance masterpieces with a guide.
• Florence Duomo dome climb: the climb up Brunelleschi’s dome.
• Florence food tour: markets and local specialties.
• Chianti wine tour from Florence: a day in the wine country south of the city.
• Tuscany day trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa: three towns in one day.

Finally, for more choice, see our best tours in Florence for first-timers and the Florence travel guide.

Flying into Bologna instead? Our guide to Bologna airport to city center covers the monorail to the station and the train on to Florence.

Florence airport to city center: frequently asked questions

How long does it take from Florence airport to the city center?

The T2 tram takes about 20 minutes to the center, according to the operator. The ride to Piazza San Marco takes about 35 minutes (checked September 2026).

How much is a taxi from Florence airport to the city center?

The fixed fare is €28 on regular days, €30 on Sundays and public holidays and €32 at night, according to the city tariff table (checked September 2026). A supplement of €1.20 per bag may apply.

Can I take a big suitcase on the Florence tram?

One bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg rides free. Bags up to 80 x 45 x 25 cm and 20 kg need an extra ticket each. Larger items are not allowed.

Does the T2 tram still stop at Piazza dell’Unità?

No. The Unità stop is no longer served. Use Valfonda, beside Santa Maria Novella station, instead.

What is the best way from Pisa airport to Florence?

For most travelers, the PisaMover to Pisa Centrale plus a regional train to Santa Maria Novella is the simplest option. The direct Caronna bus avoids the change.