Should we get the Firenze Card

It does allow you to skip ticket buying lines. At €72 per person for 72 hours, it's only a good value if you really try to see everything. If you are undecided, then you can easily buy it in Florence near SMN train station. However, if you want reserved tickets to the Accademia and Uffizi musuems instead of the Firenze Card, then you should book those ahead.

What about riding the bus? Is there some sort of all week pass we can get for that, or do we just carry change with us?

You don't need to buy the Firenze card if you just want to skip the lines.

You may want to read this article to help you decide if the Firenze card is worth it for you:http://www.visitflorence.com/florence-museums/is-firenze-card-worth-it.html

You may want to book your tickets in advance (to skip the lines) for the Accademia (to see "David") & the Uffizi & more on this website:

http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/default.aspx

As Laura said, the card allows you to skip the ticket line although there can be a short wait if the museums are full to capacity. You don't need to buy it online; this page from the website lists where to buy it in Florence:

http://www.firenzecard.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=119&lang=en

My suggestion is that if you decide to purchase when you arrive, to do it at one of the less-visited museums and not the busy Uffizi. The pass is only worth it if you (A) want to see the attractions it covers, and (B) can squeeze enough of those into the life of the pass to at least break even, and (C) how much you really need or want to use public transit.

I don't know about any rip-offs out there but we bought the Friends of the Uffizi (Amici Degli Uffizi) pass instead as we had five days in the city, and didn't really want to pay for the transport piece of the Firenze Card: central Florence is not that large. The Amici Degli Uffizi € 100,00 family pass covered both of us for unlimited visits to the museums on their roster for a year (although we only used it for our five days) and was a savings over the €144 euro total for two individual Firenze passes. It does not include transport and has fewer attractions than the Firenze card but we still more than broke even paying individual entry fees for the couple of places the pass didn't cover.

http://www.amicidegliuffizi.it/diventa_socio.php?pg=8&ln=en

Florence is not a very large city, besides most of the main sights are in the historic center which is compact & easily doable on foot.
Just make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes!

I don't recall taking any buses when we visited Florence in the past.

There are buses that you can take (but I don't think they are allowed in the city center) & you can easily buy tickets at tabacco shops (tabacchi-- you'll see a sign with a large 'T' posted outside these shops)
or news stands. You can buy a one-ride ticket or a 1 or 2 day pass. Make sure you validate your bus ticket in machine on the bus.

I'm sure others will chime in with more details about the buses.

Have a wonderful trip!

So, when i try to reserve a time for the Acedemia museum it says there are no 2 seats together available, Huh?
https://webshop.b-ticket.com/webshop/webticket/bestseatselectbyblock?tokenName=CSRFTOKEN&languages=it&languages=en&eventId=10887&el=true

what gives?

I suggest buying the Firenze card and buying it online in advance. Some of the best museums have a special priority entrance line for Firenze card holders. You get access to 67 museums and sights. Also, it comes with free access to the ATAF/Linea buses and tram for those 72 hours. www.firenzecard.it You skip the regular lines and you need to make no reservations.

Thanks for all the great replies!

When will you be in Florence?

I don't foresee huge lines if you will be there in early May.

Unless you plan to visit many of the museums in Florence, I don't think the Firenze card is worth it @ €72pp, but to each his own.

There are buses that go into the centro storico of Firenze but they won't get you much closer or faster than walking. If you want to go to lots of sights, the Firenze Card might be worth it, but you have to do the math. The only bus I've ever taken in Firenze is the #22 to Piazzale Michelangelo.

We will be there the first week in May.. Kinda wild to think we will be able to walk everywhere.. Soooo, excited

We found Florence to be easy (and fun) to get around on foot. You might find it a bit of a puff up to Piazzale Michelangelo/San Miniato but just take your time.