Airports In Florence, Italy: A Comprehensive Guide

Florence, Italy, is a city steeped in rich history and culture, attracting millions of tourists each year. The city is served by Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), which is located just 6-10 km away from the city centre. The airport, formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is the second-busiest airport in Tuscany, after Pisa International Airport. In this article, we will explore the history of Florence Airport, its facilities, and the different ways to travel to and from the airport.

Florence Airport Peretola, formally Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is 10km from Florence

Florence Airport, Peretola, formally Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is located just 10km from Florence. It is the main gateway to the enchanting city of Florence and the wider Tuscany region. The airport is situated in the Peretola district, 6km (3.7 miles) northwest of Florence's city centre. This compact yet efficient airport serves as a convenient entry point for travellers exploring the art, history, and culture of one of Italy's most iconic destinations.

Florence Airport Peretola first opened in 1931 on a plain of grassland where planes took off and landed with no formal direction. It has since been remodelled and enlarged several times, becoming the second most important airport in Tuscany, after Pisa International Airport. In 1990, the airport was renamed after Florence native Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian merchant and cartographer.

The airport may be small, but it offers a range of facilities and services to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience for travellers. The airport's single terminal makes navigation straightforward, with clear signage in both Italian and English. Check-in desks are located on the ground floor, and security checks are typically efficient, although it is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before your flight during peak times.

The airport is well-connected to the city of Florence by various transportation options. A bus line, operated by Volainbus, runs to and from the central railway station every half hour, with tickets costing €6 one way and €10 for a round trip. Taxis are also available, with a fixed rate of €22 to the city centre, increasing to €24 on weekends and holidays, and €25.30 for travel after 10 pm. There is an additional €1 luggage supplement per piece.

Additionally, Florence's light-rail network has a terminal at the airport, with trams running every 4 to 5 minutes and taking approximately 25 minutes to reach the city centre. This eco-friendly option costs €1.50 per person each way, making it an affordable and convenient choice.

It is the second-busiest Tuscan airport, after Pisa International

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR), also known as Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola, is the international airport of Florence, the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany. It is located just 6-10 km away from Florence's city centre in the Peretola district. The airport is small but modern, offering a range of facilities and services to ensure a comfortable and straightforward experience for travellers.

Florence Airport is the second-busiest Tuscan airport, after Pisa International Airport. Every year, 5 million passengers pass through Pisa International Airport's terminals. In comparison, Florence Airport serves an average of 300,000 passengers a month. Despite its smaller size, Florence Airport has been remodelled and enlarged several times since its inauguration in the early 1930s. The airport has a single terminal, making navigation easy for travellers.

The airport is well-connected to the city of Florence. A bus line, operated by Volainbus, runs to and from the central railway station every half hour. Taxis are also available outside the airport, with a fixed rate for trips to the city centre. Additionally, the airport is accessible by tram, which runs from 5 am to 12:30 am every day, providing a direct and affordable link to the city.

For those planning to explore other areas of Tuscany, Florence Airport is a convenient option. It serves as a gateway to nearby towns and villages, such as Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti, Pisa, Lucca, and Monterosso. Car rental services are available at the airport, making it easy for travellers to embark on their Tuscan adventures.

In summary, Florence Airport, Peretola is a modern and efficient airport serving the city of Florence and its surrounding areas in Tuscany. While it is the second-busiest airport in the region after Pisa International, it offers a range of facilities and convenient transportation options, making it a popular choice for those visiting Italy.

The airport offers a range of facilities and services, including a VIP lounge

The main airport serving Florence, Italy, is Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport. It is located just 6-10 km (3.7-6.2 miles) from Florence's city centre in the Peretola district. Although it is a small airport, it offers a range of facilities and services to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience for travellers.

The airport’s single terminal makes navigation straightforward, with clear signage in both Italian and English. Check-in desks are located on the ground floor, and security checks are typically efficient, although it is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before your flight during peak times.

Florence Airport offers a VIP Club Lounge & VIP Club Service, located within the Terminal. This exclusive area offers a quiet space to relax, complimentary snacks and drinks, and free Wi-Fi. Access is available to business-class passengers or through lounge membership programs like Priority Pass.

The airport also offers a variety of dining options, including cafes, bars, and a restaurant. Popular spots include Briciole for coffee and pastries and Beercode for light meals. In addition, there are several high-end boutique stores where travellers can purchase goods.

For travellers looking to rent a car, the car rental desks are conveniently located just outside the airport terminal at Via Palagio degli Spini. A free shuttle bus is provided every 20 minutes from the Peretola arrivals area to this location. Taxis are also readily available at the airport, with a fixed rate for travel to the city centre.

There are several transport options to get from the airport to Florence, including taxi, tram, bus, and train

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), is located just 6-10 km away from Florence's city centre. It is the second-busiest airport in Tuscany, with Pisa International Airport being the busiest.

Taxi

If you opt for a taxi, it is advisable to book one in advance. The taxi driver will then pick you up at the terminal with a name sign and take you from the airport to your hotel in Florence. There are two companies that provide taxi services at the airport: Taxi4242 and Taxi4390. The ride between the airport and the central area of Florence has a pre-established fare of €22 (plus extras: luggage, night/holiday fares).

Tram

The T2 tram line connects the airport with downtown Florence. The journey usually takes about 20 minutes and provides a direct link to the city without the need for making any transfers. A single ticket costs €1.50-1.70, making this a very affordable option, although space for luggage and seats might be limited during busy times. The tram runs from 5 am until 30 minutes after midnight from Sunday to Thursday, until 2 am on Friday and Saturday, and until 2:30 am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bus

There are bus charter companies that offer direct service from the airport to the SMN train station in Florence. The Volainbus bus company has a route from the airport to the Piazza Stazione (Train Station Santa Maria Novella) every 30 minutes from 5:30 am until 8:30 pm and every 60 minutes from 8:30 am to 12:30 am (midnight). The bus doesn't stop on the way, so it only takes 30 minutes to get into the historic centre. A single ticket costs €1.50 each way, but if you have large suitcases, you will need to buy a ticket for them too (max. 2 pieces of luggage per person allowed).

Train

If you go by public transport, you can take the shuttle monorail from the airport to Pisa central and then catch a direct train to Florence. The shuttle runs every five to eight minutes, and a one-way ticket costs five euros to Pisa central. After that, you will need to buy a train ticket from Trenitalia for about nine euros one way.

The airport has a single runway and a single terminal, making navigation easy

The main airport serving Florence, Italy, is Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR), formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport. It is located just 6-10 km away from Florence's city centre in the Peretola district. This small yet efficient airport acts as a gateway to the city of Florence and the wider Tuscany region.

Florence Airport has a single runway and a single terminal, making navigation easy. The main taxiway is situated at the end of Runway 5, with an overshoot/holding area at the end of Runway 23. Due to its proximity to Monte Morello, planes typically take off from Runway 23, requiring them to taxi down the runway again for departure. The airport's compact design ensures straightforward navigation, with clear signage in both Italian and English. Check-in desks are conveniently located on the ground floor, and security checks are generally efficient. However, it is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours in advance during peak times.

The single terminal features various amenities, including cafes, bars, and a restaurant. Popular choices include Briciole for coffee and pastries and Beercode for light meals. The airport also boasts a VIP Club Lounge, offering a quiet space to relax, complimentary snacks and drinks, and free Wi-Fi. Access to the lounge is available to business-class passengers or through lounge membership programs.

Florence Airport's single runway and terminal building contribute to a seamless travel experience. The airport's manageable size and efficient layout make it easy for passengers to navigate their way through the airport, enhancing their overall travel journey.

In addition to its user-friendly design, Florence Airport provides convenient transportation options to the city centre. The airport is connected to Florence by a bus line, with buses departing to the central railway station every half hour. A tram service, operated by GEST, also offers an eco-friendly travel option, running from the airport to downtown Florence every day from 5 am to 12:30 am. Taxis are readily available at the airport, providing another convenient travel alternative.

Frequently asked questions