Taxi or private hire transfer Florence airport to our hotel

Posted by Ellen (Centennial, CO, USA) on 10/27/15 10:09 PM

So....many times we just catch the bus at the airport, then walk (lost mostly) in Florence with our luggage looking for our hotel.

Any idea of a cost for a taxi from the airport to Oltrarno area? Or, does Viator sound like a good deal at $15 per person with a private transfer? (they have some one waiting just for us to take us in a van to our hotel, prepaid, pre- arranged)

I know the bus is cheap, and easy, but we will have further to walk this time from the bus/train station, and we get in later - after 5:30PM. It's a taxi, or this private transfer for sure. Just wanted a little feedback.

Posted by Rich

Rick Steves Europe

10/27/15 10:21 PM

353 posts

Hi Ellen,

$15 per person sounds like a pretty good deal, especially if it's in the evening. The average taxi fare from the Airport into town during the day is about €20 per person or €23.30 for night rides.

Posted by Dave

Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA

10/27/15 10:58 PM

2261 posts

If I'm not mistaken, it's a flat rate for taxi from the airport into Florence, 20 or 25 euro. There's an official taxi rank, and that seems easier than arranging and meeting a private driver.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

10/28/15 12:08 AM

15260 posts

Taxi (taxi stand on the southern side of the terminal)
Flat fee applies from/to the historical center (incl. Oltrarno). See below:
Daytime Mon-Sat (06:00-22:00) = €20
Daytime Sundays/Holidays (06:00-22:00) = €22
Nighttime any day (22:00-06:00)=€23.30
Luggage Supplement= €1 per piece of luggage loaded inside trunk

Private Transfer
Contact companies for fares. I doubt you'll save any money over the regular taxi.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

10/28/15 03:11 AM

32912 posts

Surely the flat rate of €20 would apply (plus luggage), and that is for a car-full, so would be lower than the Viator quoted price of $15pp, wouldn't it?

And Viator is a third party who has nothing to do with the actual provision of service, and would say that your contract is with the actual provider - whoever they may be (do you know?) - if anything went awry.

I would rather pay after I was delivered safely to my destination than pay ahead and perhaps miss my driver.

Posted by Laura

Birmingham, Alabama

11/02/15 06:23 PM

2 posts

I'm traveling to Florence next week. I'm planning to take a taxi from the airport to where I'm staying. This might be a silly question but...do I need to tip the driver in addition to the 20-25 euros? I think the last time I rode a taxi was in NYC when I was 12. So I have very little experience taking taxis. Also, do you think it's basically safe for a young female tourist to take a taxi solo? I've heard of some people being nearly robbed. Thanks!

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

11/02/15 08:24 PM

15260 posts

Do I need to tip the driver in addition to the 20-25 euros?
NO! Never!! We Italians never tip anybody, especially not the taxi drivers. Taxi drivers in Italy are not employees of taxi companies. They are licensed entrepreneurs and are all (by law) owners of the taxi and license. Some of my wealthiest friends in Italy are taxi drivers. Save that tip for some poor folk in Birmingham. Tipping taxi drivers in Italy is equivalent to tipping your attorney or your dentist. They are the last people needing a tip.

Do you think it's basically safe for a young female tourist to take a taxi solo?
The taxi is actually the safest means of transport. I don't know where you heard of people being robbed by taxi drivers in Italy. That must be urban legend. There is no way a taxi driver would risk losing their taxi license. That license is worth more gold than most people think. And the Italian courts have also managed to protect them from Uber (which is illegal in Italy, except for UberBlack App). Just make sure you use a marked taxi, not a regular car which might be operated by an unlicensed person trying to make a quick buck. Those 'illegal' taxis are not common in Florence, but are present in Rome and especially Naples.
It's the crowded buses that are most dangerous places to be, with very quick pickpockets trying to steal your wallet (or the occasional pervert trying to cup a feel if you are a young female).