Firenze Card Dilemma

Posted by Robert (Seattle, WA, USA) on 08/28/15 01:44 AM

I will be spending nine days in Florence next spring, and I’ll probably revisit many of the museums I saw previously. Now, this Firenze Card is good for only 72 hours, which is perfect for the majority of tourists. But, I would prefer not to cram all those sites into just 3 days. So, here are two possible solutions – please comment on my rationale.
1) Start using the card at noon one day, and it will end noon the fourth day. This gives 3 nights' rest in between.
2) Buy two cards some days apart and damn the expense.

Am I missing some alternative?

Posted by Agnes

Washington DC Region, USA

08/28/15 02:04 AM

7049 posts

Figure out which museums you truly want to see (i.e. that you would pay for individually if need be) without the temptation of cramming in as much as you can just to realize the value of the card. Add up what those would cost and compare to the card cost. If having this card will lower the quality of your travel experience (as a trade-off for quantity), then the heck with it - it's not worth buying even if it saves you money overall. It doesn't sound like this product meets your wants and needs (which is a more leisurely trip) - so skip it. The reason these card make the cities so much money is that hardly anyone actually gets more value out of them than the expense. I saw the card includes 67 museums - that's quite a choice for 72 hours.

Posted by Sherry

San Jose, CA

08/28/15 03:26 AM

1994 posts

Most of the museums are relatively inexpensive, so I wouldn't buy two cards. I thought a major advantage of that card is skipping the lines, and most museums don't have lines. If you want to get it, I would suggest using it at the two museums where lines are always a problem --- Uffizi and Academia --- and then fitting in any other museums in the remaining time.

Regarding starting the card at noon, are you certain that the rule you've described applies, rather than 3 calendar days?

Finally, I've always join friends of the Uffizi instead of getting the Firenze card. However, I heard that their rules have changed so it may not be as useful. But you might want to look at that card and see if it's of use.

Posted by Robert OP

Seattle, WA, USA

08/28/15 04:02 AM

120 posts

Thank you both for your input - you've given me things to consider.

Posted by Kathy

Minnesota 🎒

08/28/15 12:38 PM

15797 posts

Sherry, the Friends of the Uffizi card was GREAT for people staying in Florence for longer than the three days covered by the Firenze Card but you're right: it only covers the Uffizi now so it's of little use to anyone but a local. Very sad!

Robert, I'd consider just pre-purchasing tickets to the Uffizi and Accademia, and buying tickets everywhere else at the door. OR just carefully arrange the three days of the Firenze card around enough attractions to break even on the thing (including Uffizi and Accademia) and then buy individual tickets/see the free stuff during your remaining 6 days.