I would like to know everyone's experience with the SITA buses. We are considering taking one from Florence into Tuscany (actually to a small town called San Filippo near Barbarino Val d'Elsa). Of course we will have our luggage, too. Do you think we are crazy to attempt this even though it would be easier to hire a taxi? The SITA site is difficult because they don't actually list San Filippo on there. Is there a guarantee that they stop at every town along a route or must they be listed? Any help would be much appreciated!!!
Posted by
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
241 posts
Kelly, I am so glad you asked this. I hope others with experience chime in. Generally we have had good experience with sita. My wife stayed on border of umbria and tuscanny and took them everywhere. How do you know that this village is on their route? Did owners of of residence/accomodation say to take the bus?
Posted by
OP
Hudsonville, MI, USA
25 posts
Randy-The B&B has indicated they will pick us up for free from the nearby town of "San Filippo." When I searched for that town on the web, I came across a listing for a villa that is in that town and it says to take the "Firenze-Poggibonsi-Siena" line. I guess that's not very concrete as to directions/location! Now that I see it written out here I think perhaps I am crazy after all! I just thought I'd save the $30-$35 (one-way) fare to and fro Florence they'd charge for a taxi! Thank you for your reply!
Posted by
Kelso, WA, USA
221 posts
for what it is worth, I always take a cab to my hotel in a new town and just eat the cab fare...and then figure out the lay of the land and public transportation later. less stress..
Posted by
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
241 posts
This is all I could find on Sita site. There may be more available than what we see online. I am betting a cab ride will be much more. A planned, negotiated ride service might provide a better price.
Posted by
Vancouver, Canada
58 posts
We took a SITA bus from Sorrento down the Amalfi coast to Amalfi. We picked it up at the train station where the sign was posted and it came on time. The schedule posted at the stop listed all the towns the bus stopped at. We asked the bus driver before we got on just to make sure. Check at the TI when you arrive in Florence and if it doesn't work then you could always hire a cab.
Anita
Posted by
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
241 posts
sorry, forgot to include link
http://www.sitabus.it/sita-toscana/Firenze-Siena07.pdf
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
135 posts
We used SITA (and another bus service for another part of Tuscany) and it was cheap, got us where we were going (san gimignano; montalcino) although at times some of the passengers had to stand, due to crowding. Only bad experience was is leaving San Gimignano to go to Volterra, "sciopero"- the bus drivers went on strike for the day... since we needed to get to Volterra (already had reservations), we sprang for a private car to take us- 50E;
Overall, no complaints about the buses/comfort/convenience- as long as you check the schedule out in advance.
Tony