going to florence need advice

Taking a train to ct is advised there is very limited parking and for the most part almost all 5 villages are car free. It is meant to be walked use train or by bot village to village. If however u decide to get a car You could rent a car at florence airport somthat u do not get in the traffic congestion and camera traps.
U cn easily ueva car to pisa.

Most of the popular areas are in pedestrian zones with few vehicles. Florence seemed very compact to us. Using a bus never entered our minds. It seemed like it took a half hour or less to walk anywhere we wanted to go, including the grocery store.

We stayed in a VRBO apartment directly across the street from Santa Croce and the leather school. If we'd stayed outside the historic center far enough, I guess we would have used a bus to get to it. Having done that before, I wanted to be closer to the center.

I was thrilled to be so close to Santa Croce. There is something about that church that makes me feel at home. Make sure you see it while you are in Florence.

We stayed in a VRBO across the river in the Oltrarno and really enjoyed being away from the primary tourist hordes.

In March we stayed at a VRBO apartment right on the Piazza Santa Maria Novella square for 5 nights, a block away from the train & bus station. Not crazy busy, but take into account it was off-season. Spent probably half what a hotel room would cost. Would do it again in a minute.

I have used Cross-Pollinate.com twice in Florence, the last time last October and were very happy with our lodging. We stayed in Oltrarno just across the River which is a quieter neighborhood but a quick walk to everything. We did not take transportation anywhere in Florence (5 nights) and were able to get around fine on foot. PM me if you want specific accommodations. We loved the place we stayed.

I recommend http://www.signoriaapartments.com/. It is a VRBO but run like a hotel. Right in the middle of everything.