Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On all two-wheeled transport, helmets are required. The speed limit for scooters is 40km/h. Headlights
are compulsory day and night for all vehicles on the autostradas, and advisable for motorcycles even on
smaller roads.
Many Tuscan towns and cities have a ZTL in their historic centre. This means that only local vehicles
with parking permits can enter - all other vehicles must stay outside the ZTL or be hit with a hefty fine. Be-
ing in a hire car will not exempt you from this rule - we receive regular reports from travellers who have
unknowingly breached a ZTL and have ended up with a hefty charge (fine plus administrative fee) on their
credit card.
Local Transport
Taxi
You can usually find taxi ranks at train and bus stations, or you can telephone for taxis. It's best to go to a
designated taxi stand, as it's illegal for taxis to stop in the street if hailed. If you phone a taxi, bear in mind
that the meter starts running from the moment of your call rather than when the taxi picks you up.
Tram
Florence has a new tram network, but it services residential areas rather than tourist hotspots.
Train
The train network throughout Tuscany is limited. Local regionale trains are slow and stop at nearly all sta-
tions; regionale veloce (fast regional) trains stop at fewer stations. Next fastest are Intercity (IC) services.
High-speed services include the high-speed frecce (arrow) trains that link major towns and cities. These
include the Frecciabianca , Frecciargento and - fastest of all - Frecciarossa trains.
Trenitalia ( Italian speaking 800 892021; www.trenitalia.com ) is the partially privatised state train
system, which runs most of the services in Italy.
Advance reservations are not really necessary unless you are travelling on a freccia . Tickets can be pur-
chased from the ticket office or automated ticket machines when you get to the station.
Almost all train journeys require you to validate your ticket before boarding - just punch it in the yellow
convalida machines installed at the entrance to all train platforms. On many buses, you'll need to validate
your ticket on the bus itself. Getting caught freeloading or with a ticket that hasn't been validated risks a
fine of at least €50. It's paid on the spot to an inspector who will be kind enough to escort you to an ATM if
you don't have the cash on you. Don't even think about trying the ' Ma sono turista!' line; it won't wash.
Train timetables at stations generally display arrivi (arrivals) on a white background and partenze (depar-
tures) on a yellow one.
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