Uk To Florence: Which Airport To Choose?

which airport for florence from uk

Florence's city centre is largely pedestrianised, so it is a great city to visit by public transport. The city has its own airport, Amerigo Vespucci Airport, which is located just 4km from the city centre. If you are travelling from the UK, you can fly directly to Florence Airport with airlines such as CityJet and Vueling. Alternatively, you can fly to Pisa, Bologna, Milan, or Rome and take a train or shuttle bus to Florence.

Characteristics Values
Airport Name Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), also called Florence Airport or Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola
Location Florence, Italy
Distance from Florence City Centre 4 km
Transport Options to City Centre Taxi (approx. 15 minutes), Tram T2 (approx. 15-20 minutes), Bus
Airlines with Direct Flights from the UK Cityjet.com, Vueling.com
Alternative Airports Pisa, Bologna, Rome, Milan
Transport Options from Alternative Airports Train from Pisa (approx. 1.5 hours), Direct bus from Bologna, Train from Rome or Milan

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Direct flights from the UK to Florence

Airlines that offer direct flights include British Airways, BA Cityflyer, Vueling Airlines, Iberia, and Qatar Airways. Cityjet and Vueling also offer direct flights from the UK to Florence.

When flying into Florence Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola), it's important to note that the airport is relatively small and can only handle smaller aircraft like the Boeing 737. The runway is short, and arrivals and departures can be affected by seasonal weather.

Some travellers prefer to fly into larger airports, such as Pisa or Bologna, which often have cheaper flight options and offer shuttle services to Florence city centre. However, this adds time to your journey.

If you prefer to fly directly to Florence, it is recommended to book during the autumn or winter to find cheaper flights while still enjoying mild weather. Spring and summer are the most popular times to visit Florence, so prices tend to be higher.

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Alternative airports in Italy

When travelling to Florence from the UK, the most convenient option is to fly directly to Florence Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola). However, there are several alternative airports in Italy that you can consider, depending on your preferences and budget.

Pisa International Airport

Pisa International Airport, also known as "Galileo Galilei", is the main airport for Tuscany. It is located in Pisa, a nearby city to Florence. Pisa is served by multiple airlines and offers a wider range of flight options compared to Florence. From Pisa Airport, you can take a shuttle to Pisa Centrale (train station) and then travel to Florence's main train station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella. This journey will take approximately one and a half hours, excluding waiting times.

Bologna Airport

Bologna Airport is another alternative, offering cheaper flight options for travel to Florence. There is a direct bus service from Bologna Airport to Florence city centre, as well as train connections. However, keep in mind that choosing Bologna as your arrival airport will add some travel time to your journey.

Rome and Milan Airports

If you don't mind adding a train journey to your trip, Rome and Milan are also viable alternatives. Both cities have large international airports: Rome's "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport (Fiumicino) and Milan's Malpensa Airport. From these airports, you can easily take a train to Florence's high-speed railway station, Santa Maria Novella. Rome's secondary airport, Rome–Ciampino International Airport, is another option to consider.

When deciding which airport to choose, it is recommended to check the schedules and prices for the connecting trains to Florence. Additionally, consider your plans for transportation within Florence itself. If you plan to drive within the city, renting a car from Pisa or Bologna might be a good option, as Florence has restricted driving zones for non-residents.

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Transport from Florence airport to the city centre

Florence Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola), also known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), is located just 4-8 km from the city centre. The airport is connected to several European cities, including London Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Vienna.

Tram

The T2 tram line connects the airport to the central Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station in about 15-20 minutes for just €1.50. This is the cheapest and easiest way to reach the city centre. However, if you have large suitcases, you may prefer a different option as the tram allows a maximum of two pieces of luggage per person.

Taxi

A taxi from the airport to the city centre will take around 15 minutes and cost a fixed fee of €22, plus a €1 supplement per suitcase. This option is ideal if you are travelling with large suitcases or if you want a quick and direct journey to your accommodation. You can use the TaxiMove Firenze app to call an English-speaking taxi that accepts credit cards.

Train

If you want to use 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 5-8 minutes and costs €5 one way. The train ticket from Pisa to Florence will cost around €9 one way. This option is more time-consuming but may be preferable if you want to avoid traffic.

Rental Car

You can rent a car at the airport from various companies, including Auto Europa, Avis, Budget, and Hertz. Driving to the city centre will take around 20 minutes. However, driving in Florence is not recommended due to the challenging navigation and expensive parking fees. If you do choose to rent a car, it may be better to do so when leaving the city to explore the surrounding areas.

Shuttle Bus

If you are flying into Pisa Airport, you can take the Pisa Mover shuttle to Pisa Centrale and then take the train to Florence's SMN train station. This option will take around one hour. There are also bus charter companies that offer direct service from Pisa Airport to SMN in Florence.

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Transport from Pisa airport to Florence

There are several options for getting from Pisa Airport to Florence. The airport of Pisa and Pisa Centrale, the city's main train station, are connected by the PisaMover, a high-speed shuttle service that runs every day from 6 am to midnight, every 5 to 8 minutes. The average travel time between the airport and the station is about 5 minutes. Once in Pisa Centrale, you can hop on a train to Florence, with an average of one train per hour, with a travel time ranging from 50 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased online or at any train ticket office, including one inside the airport.

Another option is to take a shuttle bus from the airport to Florence. The journey takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic, and there are several companies that offer this service, including Sky Bus Lines Caronna and Flibco. During the day, the bus stops near the Tramway line T2 stop "Guidoni", and at night, it stops in front of the central train station of Santa Maria Novella. Tickets can be purchased online or at the dedicated ticket office at the airport.

If you prefer a more direct route, you can take a taxi from Pisa Airport to the centre of Florence, which will cost around €170.00 plus any supplements. Alternatively, you can rent a car at the airport and drive to Florence in about an hour, or opt for a chauffeured car service.

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Transport from Bologna airport to Florence

There are several ways to get to Florence from the UK. You can fly directly to Florence Airport with airlines such as Cityjet and Vueling. However, some sources suggest that the Florence airport is small and can only handle smaller aircraft, so you may need to change flights in Europe.

Another option is to fly into a larger airport, such as Pisa, Bologna, Rome, or Milan, and then take a train or shuttle bus to Florence. Bologna Airport is located about 60-62 miles (or 106 kilometers) from Florence, and there are four main ways to travel between the two: taxi, bus, train, or private transfer.

Taxi

Taking a taxi from Bologna Airport to Florence is the most direct option, and taxis are readily available 24/7 at the airport. The trip takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes under normal traffic conditions and costs between €160 and €180 for up to four passengers. Prices are determined by a taximeter and may vary depending on factors such as toll roads, extra luggage, and time of travel. You can pre-book a taxi online to secure a fixed price and avoid the hassle of finding an available cab at the airport.

Bus

Taking the bus from Bologna Airport to Florence is a more affordable option, with tickets starting as low as $7 (€6) if booked in advance. The Appennino Shuttle offers direct bus services, departing every two to three hours and arriving at Florence Piazzale Montelungo station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic and the number of stops. The shuttle bus ticket includes one carry-on item and one standard piece of luggage, with an additional fee for each extra piece of luggage.

Train

Taking the train from Bologna Airport to Florence is the fastest option, with a journey time of approximately 53 minutes, including transfers. The train involves a transfer at Bologna Centrale station and arrives at Firenze S.M.N. station. Train tickets typically cost between $15 and $75, depending on the train operator and time of travel. Trenitalia Frecce operates trains every 30 minutes, with tickets ranging from $12 to $50.

Private Transfer

A private transfer from Bologna Airport to Florence offers convenience and comfort, similar to a taxi but with added benefits such as a local English-speaking driver, guaranteed on-time pickup, and 24/7 customer support. This option can be especially useful if you are travelling as a large group, as standard taxis only accommodate up to four passengers.

Frequently asked questions

The airport in Florence is called Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), or Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola. It is located just 4km from the city centre.

You can reach the city centre in about 15 minutes by taxi, or 20 minutes by tram (T2) to the central train station of Santa Maria Novella.

Yes, other nearby airports include Pisa, Bologna, Milan, and Rome.

From Pisa, you can take a train to Florence's main train station, Santa Maria Novella, which takes about an hour. From Bologna, you can take a shuttle bus and then a train, which will take about two hours. From Milan and Rome, you can take a train directly to Florence.

Yes, you can fly direct to Florence from the UK with Cityjet.com and Vueling.com.

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