Florence Airport: Location And Travel Tips

where is airport in florence italy

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is an international airport located in Florence, Italy. It is situated in the Peretola district, just 6 km (3.7 miles) northwest of Florence's city centre. The airport serves as a gateway to the city of Florence and the wider Tuscany region, offering both domestic and international flights. With its single runway and terminal, Florence Airport is relatively small but efficiently structured, handling around 3 million passengers annually. Its proximity to the city and user-friendly layout make it a popular choice for travellers visiting the historic and cultural destinations in and around Florence.

Characteristics Values
Name Florence Airport, Peretola
Formal Name Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola
Other Names Amerigo Vespucci Airport, Firenze-Peretola
IATA Code FLR
ICAO Code LIRQ
Runway Single runway
Location 5 miles to the northwest of Florence city center
Distance from City Center 20 minutes by car, 25 minutes by tram
Transport to City Center Tram, bus, taxi
Transport Cost Tram: €1.50, Bus: €6 one way or €10 for a round trip, Taxi: €22 with a €1 supplement for each piece of luggage
Car Rental Available
Parking Available
Airlines British Airways, KLM, Alitalia, Iberia, Air France, Vueling, Easyjet, Ryanair
Annual Passenger Traffic 3,600,000

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Florence Airport Peretola

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is the main international airport of Florence, Italy. Located in the Peretola district, just 6 km (3.7 miles) northwest of Florence's city centre, the airport acts as a gateway to the Tuscany region.

The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the addition of a departures building, enlargement of the departure area, and extension of the runway. In 1990, it was renamed after Amerigo Vespucci, a Florence native, Italian merchant, and cartographer.

The airport is well-connected to the city of Florence, with a bus line running to and from the central railway station every half hour. There is also a tram system, offering an eco-friendly way to travel to the city centre. Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals area, providing a convenient but more expensive travel option.

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Transport options to Florence city centre

The airport in Florence, Italy is located just 20 minutes by car from the city centre. Here are some transport options to get from the airport to the city centre:

Taxi

Taking a taxi is the easiest and most convenient way to get from the airport to your accommodation in Florence city centre. Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals terminal, and the flat fare to the city centre is €22, with a €1 supplement for each piece of luggage in the trunk. On holidays, the price increases slightly to €24, and between 10 pm and 6 am, it is €25.30.

Tram

The T2 tram line is the cheapest way to get to the city centre from the airport. The tram tickets cost €1.50 and are valid for 90 minutes, allowing you to transfer to another tram or bus to complete your journey if needed. The trams run every 4 to 5 minutes and take around 25 minutes to reach the city centre. The tram line terminates at Piazza dell'Unità Italiana in the city centre.

Bus

The Volainbus shuttle bus service runs from the airport to the Florence Train Station every 30 minutes. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs €6 one way or €10 for a round trip. The bus station is just a short walk from the arrivals terminal.

Train

There is a train station near the airport with trains running to the city centre. This option may be cheaper than a taxi but could be less convenient if you have a lot of luggage.

Private Transfer

If you prefer a more comfortable and private journey, you can book a private transfer service that offers air-conditioned vehicles and professional drivers. This option provides door-to-door service and can be booked in advance to accommodate your flight schedule.

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Airport facilities and services

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), formally Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is located just 6km (3.7 miles) northwest of Florence's city centre. It is the main gateway to the city of Florence and the wider Tuscany region. Although it is one of Italy's smaller airports, it is one of the busiest, serving around 3 million passengers annually.

Florence Airport has a range of facilities and services to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free experience for travellers. The airport has a single terminal, which 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.

There are several food and beverage options at the airport, including fast food and restaurants with table service. Current options include Briciole, Beercode, Crumbs, Stortellini, Pizza Flor, and Buoni & Belli. There are also various shops, including Hudson newsstands, Giunti al Punto Librerie bookstore, +39 for Italian handcrafted leather goods, and Opera Art in Flight for stationery.

The airport also offers a VIP Club Lounge, located within the Terminal, which 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.

In terms of transportation, the airport is well-connected to the city of Florence. The 'Volainbus' shuttle service runs from the airport to the Florence Train Station and back approximately every 30 minutes, taking about 20 minutes and costing €6 one way or €10 for a round trip. Taxis are also available outside the arrivals area, with a flat fare to the city centre of €22. The airport also has a car park, and car rental services are available just outside the terminal.

Florence Airport has a single runway, and the main taxiway is situated at the end of Runway 5, with an overshoot/holding area at the end of Runway 23. The Polizia di Stato stations police helicopters at the airport.

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History of the airport

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ) is located in the Italian region of Tuscany, just 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) northwest of Florence's city centre. The airport is also known as Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola and Amerigo Vespucci Airport, the latter being a prominent local 15th-century explorer.

The history of the airport dates back to the early 20th century. Here is a detailed account of its evolution:

The Early Years:

The first airfield in Florence, Campo di Marte, was established in 1910 when military authorities allowed a field to be used for "experiments in air navigation". This airfield served as Florence's first airport throughout the 1920s. However, as aviation technology advanced, the field became inadequate for the new aircraft.

The Move to Peretola:

In 1928, a more suitable location was chosen on the plain between Florence and the neighbouring town of Sesto Fiorentino. Peretola Airport opened at this site on June 4, 1931. Initially, it was just a large field without formal direction for aircraft movement. Over time, the Ministry of Aeronautics took charge and developed the airport further.

World War II and Commercial Flights:

During World War II, Peretola was utilised by the Royal Italian Air Force and the Luftwaffe, and later by the Allied air forces from 1944. In the late 1940s, the airport welcomed its first passenger flights operated by Aerea Teseo, using Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Unfortunately, Aerea Teseo ceased operations in 1948.

Expansion and Renovation:

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Alitalia offered flights to Milan, Rome, and Venice. ATI also provided several domestic routes with the Fokker F27. The airport underwent significant renovations in the mid-1980s, including alterations to the terminal building. In 1986, regular flights resumed, and the number of passengers and aircraft steadily increased.

Modern Era:

In 1990, the airport was officially renamed Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR). The departures building was completed two years later, enhancing the airport's functionality. Various expansions and improvements have been made since, including runway extensions, terminal upgrades, and the addition of modern facilities.

Today, Florence Airport continues to serve as a gateway to the city of Florence and the Tuscany region, offering a range of modern amenities and efficient transportation options for travellers.

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Other airports in Tuscany

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is the main international airport of Florence, the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany. It is located just 5 miles from the city centre, which can be reached in around 20 minutes by car or taxi.

Pisa International Airport

Pisa International Airport (IATA: PSA, ICAO: LIRP), also known as Galileo Galilei International Airport, is Tuscany's busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers. It is located 85km from Florence and is accessible via the Pisa Mover tram, which connects to Pisa Centrale train station. Pisa airport offers a wider range of European flights and carriers compared to Florence, so it may be a more convenient option for travellers looking for cheap flights to Tuscany.

Marina di Campo Airport

Located on Elba Island, this airport is 161km from Tuscany.

Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi - Umbria International Airport

Perugia Airport (IATA: PEG, ICAO: LIRZ) is situated 161km from Tuscany and can be useful for accessing areas such as Valdorcia.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport

This airport is 163km from Tuscany.

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport

Located 212km from Tuscany, Genoa Airport is the furthest airport from Florence on this list.

Frequently asked questions

The airport in Florence, Italy is called Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), and is located just 20 minutes by car from the city centre.

You can get to the airport from the city centre by taxi, bus, or tram. Taxis are stationed right outside arrivals and cost a flat fare of €22 to the city centre. The Volainbus shuttle service runs approximately every 30 minutes and costs €6 one way. The tram (line T2) runs daily from 5 am to 12.30 am, every 4 to 5 minutes, and costs €1.50 per person each way.

Florence Airport has several bars and restaurants, a VIP lounge, and high-end boutique stores. There are also car rental services located just outside the airport terminal.

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