We will be a group of 5 adults in Florence in early September. We are considering the Uffizi/Pitti Palace/Gardens Combo tickets and Duomo Complex tickets along with specific site passes. The Brunelleschi pass mentions a timed entry but I’m unclear about the rest. And with these tickets do we “skip the line”? Or are we better off getting timed-entry tickets? Any input and recommendations are welcome.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1563 posts
Just to be clear timed entry tickets are "skip the line" tickets. With any ticket you'll need to line up or show up at the appropriate time and nearly all venues have airport style security lines that no one gets to skip. The only like you get to "skip" is the standing in the "buy tickets" line which timed tickets already grant you.
The Brunelleschi pass is a timed ticket for climbing the dome only. All passes for the Duomo complex are good for three days but none come with timed entry or "skip the line" for the Duomo, Baptistry or the (excellent) museum. All Uffizi tickets are timed and you will choose your time when you buy the pass. The Pitti Palace and Gardens can be done anytime after your Uffizi vist within the time limit.
All the sites handle loads of tourists everyday and the line handling and signage are generally good and things move efficiently. Get timed entry for the big sites where you can and the plan the rest loosely and go with the flow. Don't forget the Accademia if you want to see David. Early September will still be warm so allow for some time off in the shade/cool in the middle of the day and don't over plan.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
Ohio
21 posts
Depending on your time in Florence, the Firenzecard https://www.firenzecard.it/en
Could be a great deal. Includes entrance to many museums including Uffizi, Pitti palace/Boboli gardens, Accademia, Bargello, Pallazzo Vecchio museum, Medici Chapels, and others. You would still need to book a time for Uffizi and Accademia by calling the phone number on the website and making a reservation (both places can be done with the same call). Reservations aren’t needed for other sites. Sometimes the Firenzecard works as your ticket, and you skip the ticket line altogether. Other sites you still have to get a ticket at the normal ticket window. My strategy was to show my card ASAP to the 1st official person I saw, and they would direct me on where to go. Very easy to use, and in mid June I had no issue with lines at all (Accademia and Uffizi had lines - but that timed entry works!)
The Duomo complex is NOT on the Firenzecard, so you would need a separate ticket for that. Depending on what card you get, there is an activity that you do first that is a timed entry. After that you can do other activities anytime (within the expiration of the ticket - 2 or 3 days?). Lines are variable for the church and Campinelle. Sometimes also for baptistery. (Climbing the dome is the most ‘deluxe’ ticket - so everyone has a timed entry. Other area are a mix of people).
BTW - be careful if you search Firenzecard on the internet - usually a different pass shows up 1st (sounds similar but not the same - just creates confusion).