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Barberino Val d'Elsa to Florence

We will be staying in an agriturismo in Barberino Val d'Elsa for several days and we plan on visiting Florence for a day during our stay. We will have a car but obviously we can't drive in Florence. If possible, we'd like to remain as flexible as possible with regard to how late into the evening we stay in Florence. Is it best/easiest to take a train from somewhere close by (i.e. Poggibonsi) or should we drive to a location closer and find transportation into the city from there?

Posted by
3648 posts

Last May, we were staying not too far from where you'll be. We drove to the train station in Certaldo, where there is a pay parking lot. I don't remember exactly what it cost, but it wasn't very much. The train took us right to the S. Maria Novella station. Couldn't have been easier. You can find the schedules on the Trenitalia website. Maybe it will tell you if the various stations have parking. I also can't remember how we knew there was parking at the Certaldo station - - maybe someone on this site had mentioned it

Posted by
16325 posts

Take a GPS. Drive to Piazzale Michelangelo. It's easy and there is no chance to get inside the ZTL. The Piazzale is a must to view the panorama of Florence. The Sam Miniato church, next to it, is the prettiest in Florence. You can park there for free all day and night. You can walk to the city center (downhill) in 20-30 min (depending on where) or you can take the 12 or 13 bus down. Taxi stand is there as well. Test the itinerary on google maps. From your Agriturismo in Barberino to Piazzale Michelangelo. It's super easy.

Posted by
110 posts

Thank you all for this info. I guess we will have to make a final decision once we get a feel for the roads and also see what the weather prediction is. If we feel (well if I feel - my husband won't admit to ay driving anxiety) that it may be too dicey to drive late on the roads leading back from Florence then we won't leave the city late anyway and might as well take the train from Poggobonsi and minimize the hassle. Otherwise, Roberto, your recommendation sounds perfect.