AirBNB/Apartments in Florence

You can try VRBO too.
See what you can see and post the options you like. Maybe someone can chime in on their experience. I have no experience of renting apartments in Florence from AirBnB or others, but if I know the address you choose, I can tell you which area may be best. Florence is safe pretty much everywhere, but some streets are noisier than others or not strategically located to visit sights efficiently.

I've rented many apartments in Florence, usually through AirBnB or VRBO.
Looking back, I can say that all were positive experiences and the owners delightful and helpful.
I've been to Florence many times, and would not stay in the immediate area around the Duomo ever again, as it's quite noisy into the night with people talking, laughing, coming home late.
A little west of the SMN train station, or over the river in the Oltrarno area, or just slightly north or east of Piazza San Marco, or near Santa Croce are my favourite areas.
Have a look on Google Streetview when you pick out a few apartments.
That way you can see what's nearby.
Or, why do you not just book two hotel rooms??

Thanks Roberto, as always. Sent listings to you in a PM

Trying to stay somewhat near the train station for day trips since we will not have a car. Don't want too far of a walk. The reason no to two hotel rooms is it is our travel friends first trip to Europe, and they are doing it on a budget. Hence an apartment for shared costs. We have been to Florence many times, so this would be a first for us to. We have always done hotels. And since this person is more of a friend of my travel companion, would personally like a bit more privacy. Oy - guess this dilemma goes with last minute plans.

Use the filters and the map. It gives you a general idea of the area, not specific location. You receive that once you book. However, the general area will allow you to use Google Street View to "walk" around the neighborhood. Always book with a SuperHost. Read the reviews. Our upcoming trip is nothing but AirBnB

I had a look at Airbnb , and there’s not too much with two bedrooms to choose from mid October near the train station.
I did find a couple around S. Croce….it’s not too far from SMN.
Perhaps look at booking.com?

I find that if you take off the filters for number of bedrooms and instead focus on number of beds, it brings up more options. As far as renting from Airbnb I think the individual experiences depend on the actual owners of the Airbnbs. The reviews are really helpful, albeit time consuming to sift through. I am renting an Airbnb in Florence in October and it’s a huge splurge. I think it will be worth it though, with views of the Arno, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, etc.

hey hey JR
don’t know if you found a place, sending you these.
cross-pollinate.com
click on florence and search. there are bnb’s and apartments for you to look at, the amenities they have and don’t, read the details about leaving luggage before/after check in/out, distance to places.

casarabatti.it
I put in dates to get pictures of the places. you can rent two for privacy but still share a backyard garden/lanai for having meals or drinks. is the area okay, taking a taxi, wait at taxi stop not waving them down. we learned real fast.

if interested check:
tasteatlas.com/ bomboloni
traditional sweet pastry, scrolling down gives you bakery/patisccerias to get them
educatedtraveller.com/ wine windows of florence
our pedicab driver showed us there, windows in the walls palaces. they have come to life as being opened to serve you and some tables to sit & people watch.
good luck, hope goes well.
aloha

We stayed in the opposite end of the historic area from the train station (at Borgo la Croce 14) and could walk to the station in 25 minutes or take the C2 electric mini-bus in 20 minutes. Lots of places to stay, many nicer neighborhoods, that are even closer to the station than that, but not right at the station. It's a pleasure to walk through Florence unless it's hot. I would recommend expanding your search and looking at a map of where the electric buses stop. Just for instance (although I've never stayed in these apartments) look at where "Apartments Florence - San Frediano" are on the map, right across the bridge from the station and a 10 minute walk. It's a great neighborhood.

Also, many Airbnb apartments are also listed on Booking.com --- usually for somewhat cheaper, and the search and the reviews are different. Sometimes more photos. We normally stick with Airbnb, though.