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Florence:
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Getting in Florence by trainLocal trains from other parts of Italy and express trains from around Europe arrive in Florence. The main station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, on the edge of the historic old town. Other small stations are Firenze Campo Marte (near Florence Stadium) and Firenze Rifredi. If you take an Intercity train to Florence, you may need to change at Rifredi for another train to Firenze S.M.N. Getting in Florence by carFlorence is connected by good highways to the rest of Italy. Cars aren't allowed in the small old town center, so plan on parking your car and leaving it for a while. Parking is expensive. There's a cheap open air parking between the "Fortezza da basso" and "Santa Maria Novella" railway station. On Sundays it's free! Getting around Florence by busBus stops have clear, schematic labeling of the routes and are all named according to the street name or major landmark nearby. They do not always give an indication of bus times, however, so it is sometimes difficult to figure out how long it may take till the next bus arrives. Tickets must be bought in advance from Tobacconists or newspaper sellers, and are usually valid for one hour over the whole network, so that you can just hop on and off at will. They are valid for 60 minutes, and multiple day tickets are also available. Tickets are also available on the bus, sold by the driver, at an increased price (therefore, no more excuses in case of ticket control!). http://www.ataf.net/ is the official website. It has maps and timetables. Getting around FlorenceMost of the major tourist sights in Florence are within easy walking distance of each other. Walking is not only an easy way to get around, it also offers the chance to 'take in' much more of the city life. Much of the town center is blocked off to cars and anyway moving around in the city center by car is definitely useless and not advised. Parking is also almost impossible in the city center. A car can be useful only to reach some destinations just outside the city center, like Fiesole or Settignano, which are however also connected by bus service. Be advised that at many tourist destinations parking can be difficult and at least expensive. Firenze and surroundings were not built for cars... Motor-bikes and bicycles are common; pay attention to them since they tend to behave in an apparently disorganized but efficient way, which can put the unsuspecting car driver into trouble. Some of the hotels actually provide their guest with free bicycles as well. There is also a bike rental service organized by the city. Bikes can be hired at several points in the city (and returned to the same place), among which the most convenient for tourists is located at SMN station (other locations are at all railway stations, but often with restricted opening hours). Bike shops also rent bikes and some of them organize guided bike tours in the countryside. Taxis are available, but it's best if you have your hotel or the restaurant you are eating at call ahead. Taxis can be called by phone and the nearest is sent to you through the company's radio system. There is a waiting list, so it is difficult and uncommon to flag them down on the street.
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