Siena shuttle bus (train station to Piazza del Sale)

I don't know why Mr Steves describes the vehicle instead of giving the line number, but you can check the bus lines in Siena here: https://www.at-bus.it/en/lines-and-timetables/travel-planner
In Siena the 70 minutes urban ticket costs € 1.5 when purchased prior to getting on, on board it's € 2.5. It can be used for 70 minutes on all vehicles with Autolinee Toscane's logo & colors: https://www.clickmobility.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Nuovi-bus-extraurbani_Siena-1024x768.jpg

@Gail I'm coming from Florence. Flight scheduled to arrived at 9:15am on a Monday (in the fall).
Just thought might easier to walk to Tram T2 stop (close to the airport) which brings me to Florence SNM main station, then take the train (source: https://www.discovertuscany.com/siena/tourist-info/getting-to-siena-without-a-car.html)

The same link provide the instructions for bus 131R but it sounds hard to find. Have you or anyone else travelled this way? (Tram from Florence airport to Florence SNM station, then get to the bus station for bus to Siena.)
https://www.at-bus.it/en/linee-e-orari/regionali-131r

Is it easy to locate the ticket machines at the Siena bus station for ticket buying? Also where are the machines that validate the tickets? At the bus platforms?

Hmm I will have to see if there's a bus around 11 am onward for me to take. If not then it'll have to be the train.

Also I will have to take the bus from the Piazza del Sale to Siena train station when I have to travel to Lucca next.

Thanks

We travel often between Florence and Siena and always use the bus (131R). If you are arriving at the airport, the tram 2 is right outside (and a ticket kiosk is right there). Depart the tram at the Train Station, and switch to Tram 1 exiting at the Porta al Prato stop the first one after the train station. The bus station is just next to the tram stop and you can buy your bus ticket at the bus stop. The bus goes to Piazza Gramsci and arrives in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Alternatively, if you prefer to travel by train, stay on the tram 2 to the Santa Novela station. When you arrive in Siena, the ticket office can tell you which bus to take to Piazza Sale or to Piazza Gramsci. Your choice is based on where you are staying. If we are arriving after an overnight flight, we always opt for a taxi instead so that we will be delivered right to our doorstep with luggage (about 7 euros).
The walk from the train station (through the shopping plaza across the street) is not difficult if you are not loaded with luggage. After a few escalator rides you arrive at the top, turn left an enter the old center through Porto Camollia.

@charylm

We travel often between Florence and Siena and always use the bus (131R). If you are arriving at the airport, the tram 2 is right outside (and a ticket kiosk is right there). Depart the tram at the Train Station, and switch to Tram 1 exiting at the Porta al Prato stop the first one after the train station.

Hmm I'm a bit lost. You mentioned Tram 1.
I thought I just walk from the airport to Tram 2 stop around the airport, heading to Florence SMN train station, get off at T2 stop Alamanni Stazione . Then walk to the bus station.

Hello Lugubres and Gail. We were on the bus just two weeks ago and this was my post on the forum about the change.

The bus stop location for this route (131R) has changed in Florence. It no longer arrives/departs Florence from the Autostazione near the Florence (Firenze) SM Novella train station. It now departs Florence from the Vittoria Veneto Bus Stop. The easiest way to get there from the train station is to take Tram 1 to the Porta al Prato Leaopolda stop. It is the first tram stop after the train station. From there, you can see the bus stop; it is just a one-minute walk. Tickets may be purchased at the stop. If you are coming from Siena the bus drops you off at the Porta al Prato Leaopolda tram stop. The ticket for the bus is good for the Tram. The website/app for the bus is "at-bus.it". Once on the site go to "lines and timetables" and type in route 131R. Unfortunately, it still shows Autostazione for arrival and departure, but the times are correct.
We will be travelling from Siena to Florence on Friday and will let you know if anything has changed.

Thank you @Gail

Thank you @charylm for the updated information. I only need the bus from Florence to Siena as afterwards I'm travelling to Lucca.

Let me see if I got it correctly (Florence airport to Florence bus station). Please correct if needed.

1. from Florence airport get to Tram 2 stop (heading to Florence SMN train station)
2. Get off Tram 2 at the Train Station
3. Take Tram 1, exit at Porta al Prato stop (first stop after the train station). Bus staion is next to the tram stop.
4. Take 131R bus to Siena, get off at Piazza Gramsci (main bus station in Siena)

Thank you

Today I travelled from Siena to Florence. The bus went the bus station across from the train station!! Completely different than two weeks ago. I am sorry if I am causing anyone confusion (including myself).

So, I think the best advice is to go the bus station across from the train station to catch the bus. If you need to change locations, they will let you know.

Thank you @charylm for the update.

For sure if I go the bus route, I'll be sure to double check at the bus station.