Florence Accommodation Opinions/transfer from airport - private/taxi/train-bus?

Florence is pretty compact but if I was a first time visitor, I would prefer the historic center over Oltrarno. I mean, I would rather be a couple of minutes away from the Duomo or the Piazza della Signoria than 10 or 20 minutes away.

Here's some previous answers to this question, including mine: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/florence-areas-to-stay

With four people, a taxi from the airport seems worth it.

You don't say when you will be in Florence, but on our most recent stay all of November and into December was a zoo in the center of town and we were very glad to be in San Frediano.

The Florence airport is compact and you simply go right when exiting and taking a taxi would be a simple and easy choice. Fixed fare of ~ €32 with small surcharge per suitcase and early or late hours, credit cards accepted. Don't accept ride offers from anyone inside the terminal.

Here's the apartment we stayed in: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/944898240917744376?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=5c0265c7-3f80-4312-82e9-e63a7302b2c4

It was very close to a perfect apartment for us. I would describe the block it's on as more "regular life" than "charming" --- we prefer this, but you can definitely find more charm just a couple blocks east.

You are right to choose a place well outside of the Duomo area.
I’ve been to Florence 13 times.
The Duomo area is noisy, packed with people every day and well into the night.
You wouldn’t get much sleep there, speaking from past experience!
Only once did I stay there….never again.
For four of you, take a regular city taxi to your apartment.

I guess after 13 trips to Florence, maybe seeing the Duomo or the Piazza della Signoria for the 187th time doesn’t do much for someone, but for a first time visitor that may never get back, those are wow moments, and would want as many of them as possible.

I keep reading comments in this forum from many people complaining about how jam packed with tourists Florence is, to the point of being unbearable. And yet those very same people who complain about the crowds keep going and going to Florence over and over again therefore contributing to make the situation worse. People who hate crowds should stop going to Florence and let first timers enjoy the place at least once. I go often for family reasons, but I stay away from the city center so I’m part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.

It is jam packed, but I’m not complaining.
It’s one of my favourite cities on earth.
There are plenty corners of the city where it is quieter.
And I do visit the centre every single trip!….more than once.
A favourite thing is to occasionally sit along the Loggia dei Lanzi in the shade with a gelato and people-watch.

Not talking specifically about you, but the forum is full of people who go every year to Florence, to Cinque Terre, or Amalfi, or wherever, and keep complaining about crowds in those places. There is a solution to that, and it entails visiting someplace else. Italy is full of gems that few Americans have heard of and which are not yet overrun. If one likes Florence so much that feels the need to visit so many times, just deal with the fact that international travel is within reach of many more people nowadays, people from places that decades ago could not even get out of their own country either because of political restrictions or because of lack of economic means. They also have the right to visit those places for their first time, and we from the rich first world, who have seen those famous destinations many times, should not be annoyed by their presence, but rather we should make more room for them.

I’m not complaining.

This is complaining.

I’ve been to Florence 13 times.
The Duomo area is noisy, packed with people every day and well into the night.
You wouldn’t get much sleep there, speaking from past experience!
Only once did I stay there….never again.

Thank you, Marco, for pointing out that in letting the OP know that choosing to book accommodation near the very centre of Florence will be noisy…….they asked for opinions about booking their stay …..somehow you have deduced that I am complaining about crowds.
I would not keep returning to Florence if I was at all worried about crowds, and I do and have, visited many other places in Italy.

In responding to a question, one’s own preferences and opinions somehow get called into question.

No matter where you stay, you will love Florence. It has become one of my all time favorites in Italy. I have been there many times, and have stayed in various places in the City, and never had a bad experience. Are there people? Yes, lots at any given time. But that is in no way a deterrent in making a decision where to stay or to go or not. It has never been an issue for me. Roberto is right that there are lots of unexplored places in Italy to see. @Roberto, I would love to hear some suggestions from you for different places in Italy. I will make a separate post for this and hope you hop on! BTW Roberto is a wealth of information in all things Florence and for that matter Italy. He has given me excellent advice many times. If memory serves, you are about a 15-20 minute walk from the Duomo and train station area. You mentioned August - hope your Airbnb has AC! You also didn't mention how long you are going to be in Florence. Are you planning any day trips via train from Florence?