Any advice on the best public transport to get from Florence to Colle di val d'Elsa for a day trip. We want of course to end up in the old town and not at the bottom of the hill. I think we can take a train to Poggibonsi and then a bus or buses all the way. Has anyone done this? Do the buses do tap ins or do we need to obtain tickets?
Any advise on a visit there?
Buses all the way.
Several don't require changes at Poggibonsi.
Go to the www.at-bus.it website
Roberto that is very helpful. Do you know what stop I should choose at the destination? I want to be well up in the old town and there seem to be several stops.
You will take line 131 from Florence. That line goes to Siena but stops also at Colle VE. Make sure you don’t take the 131R (Rapida) which goes to Siena also but makes no intermediate stops. The 131 bus stop is on Via Bilenchi (see below), and it is the closest to the city center where streets are too narrow for buses. It’s an uphill 10+ min walk, but not too steep.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/d1vydagNktZEPLXe8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
If you don't want (or are unable) to walk those 10-15 min a bit uphill, from the main bus stop on Via Bilenchi, where the 131 from Florence drops you off, you can catch the local urban bus no. 202 which can take you right in the city center. I think you would need to buy an urban ticket for that (1.70€ for 70 min validity). Details on where to buy the urban tickets are in the AT website. It can be tap and go, or SMS text, or via App, or if you prefer also paper ticket purchased at the vendor (like the ticket office at the Florence bus station).
Edited: I had mistyped. It’s bus 202.
https://www.at-bus.it/en/travel/lines-and-timetables/siena
(Select COLLE VAL D’ELSA URBANO and then 202)
For the 131 from Florence select Altri Servizi/REGIONALI, then 131
https://www.at-bus.it/en/travel/lines-and-timetables/firenze
