We can not decide which is the the best plan. We are arriving at 2pm ( party of 5, carry-on only, overseas flight from west coast ). We wanted to hit the IT office first thing after arriving in a new city. We also wanted to purchase our train tickets to Rome soon after arriving in the city. Should we take the shuttle to the train station, hit the TI office there and purchase our train tickets. Or should we take a cab to our lodging in Oltrano then walk to the train station to hit the TI office and get our train tickets? Our second day in town is already full and I do not to have to squeeze that in. Is there a better option that I have missed? Does the airport have a TI booth? Can you purchase train tickets anywhere else besides the station?
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Just buy your train tickets when you're ready to leave for Rome. Don't stress about this detail. There are lots of trains every day.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
There is a TI at the airport: http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/firenze-territorio/tourist-information-offices-in-florence-pdf.html But I don't know why you would need one if you're prepared. Your hotel, if you are staying in a hotel, will almost surely provide you with maps and info. But if it makes you more comfortable to visit the TI I would do it at the airport. Going from the airport to the Oltrarno to the station is incredibly out of the way and a waste of time, and it's a very long walk (By florence standards anyway!). For the train tickets, I would get it when you are out and about. There are a million trains to Rome every day, so you should be OK a day or two before. Your hotel should be able to tell you about a travel agent office near your hotel where you can get the tickets for no extra charge (I did that in Rome once, worked out great). It sounds like your time is fairly limited and already well-planned. I wouldn't waste time going from the airport to the Oltrarno to the station especially since you'll be exhausted when you arrive. You should be able to get train tickets at any of these agencies around the city: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=17b7ee71509da110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD&let=f
Posted by
Land of La
9324 posts
Your longest trek in Florence will be the ride from the airport to your accommodation. Florence itself is easily walkable. I'd go for option two. Drop off your bags, freshen up and walk along the Arno up to Ponte Amerigo Vespucci, and head straight on up to the train station. This walk will stave off jet lag and give you a lovely POV of the city. Are you trying to use the Eurostar train? If yes you need to make reservations. If you are using regional trains you can get tickets from the automated machines. Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
We too arrived in Florence in the afternoon and we too were staying on the other side of the Arno (actually the Hilton Metropole). We took a taxi to the hotel, checked in and immediately took the free shuttle to the train station and began walking around. No big worry about train tickets. With 55 high-speed trains a day departing Florence S.M.N. each day, you're not going to miss a train. And, you can purchase train tickets at travel agencies that display the Trenitalia logo. Also, if you are planning on purchasing your tickets in advance, that indicates that you are willing to lock yourself into a specific train run on a specific date and specific departure time. If that is the case, why not go online now and purchase your tickets. You can get great mini-fares and you can print out your tickets at home on your computer.
Posted by
OP
portland, oregon, USA
148 posts
Thank you for your help. ( Sometimes I get caught up in the small details ). I did not realize we can purchase train tickets at other locations besides the train station. I now plan on picking up our tickets at a travel agent office.
Posted by
Luxembourg
16 posts
Are there really 55 trains a day?