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Another Reservations vs. Firenze Card question (hasn't been asked yet)

Posted by on

Hi Everyone!

I know there are a lot of questions about the Firenze Card vs. making reservations (and I promised that I read through them, but none of the posts really answered the questions that I have fully). So anyway... yet another Firenze card/ Reservation post lol:

  1. I understand that Firenze Card holders already go in the same line with the reservation holders. However, is there any more of a benefit to having an actual reserved time? For example, if I have a 12 pm reservation, and there is a line of 50 people and it's all mixed up with Firenze card holders and 12 pm ticket holders... as long as the 12 pm ticket holders are in line on time, will they make sure that all of the actual 12 pm reservations go in first before they start pulling the Firenze card holders to go inside the museum? I'm leaning towards getting a reservation instead of the card, but I'm just concerned with getting a reservation ahead of time, and then still having to wait an hour or more because there just happened to be a bunch of people with the Firenze pass who got on line at the same time.

  2. Also something to consider in my decision about reservations vs. the card: I don't know when they actually started requiring reservations to climb the dome (I think it was relatively recent), but has anyone found success in getting your Firenze card during high season and there actually being enough availability over the course of your 3-4 day stay to reserve a time to climb the dome? I'm going to be there from a Wednesday afternoon in July until that Sunday morning. Part of me is thinking that I can wait until I get into Florence, get the card,check out the weather forecast (is the view still okay in the rain?), and then make my reservation... but part of me is worried that during the high season, there might not really be any reservations left once I get there, and maybe I should just secure a reservation now so I can get the time that I want, and then take my chances with the weather (rain or shine).

Thoughts? (and I apologize for the run-on sentences- my brain is going non-stop with all of this planning lol!)

Posted by
444 posts

I don't have an answer but I am also curious about how the Firenze card works compared to timed reservations-do they pass the reservations or is it separate? I see photos of all those tourists in long lines and I wonder why they don't just get the Firenze card and move to the front? (Maybe it is too $$?) We are going next week and I went ahead and just made online reservations for Accademia/ Uffizi and Duomo...was debating the Firenze card though!

Posted by
1225 posts

In August 2016, friend and I purchased Firenze cards, but at 10:00 am at the Accademia we were directed to a LOOONNGG line "for Firenze" card holders, which was just a bit shorter than the LLLLOOOOONNNNGGGG line for people without the card and without reservations. Neither line was moving. HOWEVER, people who had made timed-entry reservations, and picked up their reservations from the little office across the street from the Accademia main door, and people in tour groups, WALKED RIGHT IN. Yes. I think that there is a bit of false advertising re. the Firenze card, at least regarding entrance to the Accademia. Clearly, people with timed-entry reservations (and people in tour groups) were granted entrance at their entry times, but Firenze card holders were directed to a non-moving line. Friend and I chose not to stand in the line that hot August morning, but came back about an hour before closing on the following day. However, at the Uffizi, we used the Firenze card as directed (go to gate "A" (I think) to get an entry ticket, then to gate "B" for actual museum entry - check Rick's book for specifics) and had no problem. After this experience, I would NOT recommend the Firenze card for people thinking that it will help with entrance to the Accademia.

Posted by
52 posts

Thank you! I was leaning towards reservations anyway just to be safe, but your experience confirms it. I will definitely get reservations for the major sights/museums instead of the Firenze Card

Posted by
8698 posts

I thought the Firenza card used a different door from the reservation line at the Uffizi. I know the Amici card has a separate door and you walk right in.

the Firenza card is hideously overpriced, so if it doesn't buy quick access it is a waste of money.

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