Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
By Train
Florence's main train station is called
Santa Maria Novella
(
Firenze S.M.N.
on schedules
and signs). Built in Mussolini's “Rationalism” style back between the wars, in some ways
the station seems to have changed little—notice the 1930s-era lettering and architecture.
Florence also has two suburban train stations:
Firenze Rifredi
and
Firenze Campo di
Marte.
Note that some trains don't stop at the main station—before boarding, confirm that
you're heading for S.M.N., or you may overshoot the city. (If this happens, don't panic; the
other stations are a short taxi ride from the center.)
Take advantage of the user-friendly, automated “Fast Ticket” machines that display
schedules, issue tickets, and even make reservations for railpass-holders. Some take only
credit cards; others take cards and cash. Using them is easy—it actually can be fun; just tap
“English.” Be aware there are two train companies: TrenItalia, with most connections, has
green-and-white machines (toll tel. 892-021,
www.trenitalia.it
)
; the red machines are for the
new Italo service, run by a private operator (tel. 06-0708,
www.italotreno.it
)
.
To get international tickets, you'll need to either go to a ticket window (in the main hall)
or a travel agency.
To orient yourself to Santa Maria Novella Station and nearby services, stand with your
back to the tracks. Look left to see a 24-hour pharmacy (
Farmacia,
near McDonald's) and
baggage storage halfway down track 16 (€5/5 hours, then €0.70/hour for 6-12 hours and
€0.30/hour for over 12 hours, daily 6:00-23:50, passport required, maximum 40 pounds, no
explosives—sorry).
Directly ahead of you is the main hall (
salone biglietti,
with ticket windows). Avoid the
station's fake “Tourist Information” office, funded by hotels, if it's still around. To reach the
real TI, walk away from the tracks and exit the station; it's straight across the square, 100
yards away, by the stone church. (If there's construction, circle around the torn-up square
to the left to reach it.) For cheap eats, the large cafeteria near McDonald's has various food
stands. Better yet, the handy Margherita/Conad supermarket—with sandwiches and salads
to go—is just around the corner (with your back to the tracks, leave the station to the right,
go down the steps, and it's immediately on your right on Via Luigi Alamanni; Mon-Sat
8:00-20:00, closed Sun).
Getting to the Duomo and City Center:
The Duomo and town center are to your left
(with your back to the tracks). Out the doorway to the left, you'll find city buses and the
taxi stand. Taxis cost about €8 to the Duomo, and the line moves fast, except on holidays.
To walk into town (10-15 minutes), exit the station to the left and find the stairs/escalators
down to the underground passageway/mall called Galleria S.M. Novella. Head toward the
ChurchofSantaMariaNovella.(Warning:Pickpockets—oftendressedastourists—frequent
