Tuscany is a region that can be crossed completely in a few hours. The hilly areas of Tuscany are very attractive to travel by car or by train. The difficulty in moving from one place to another depends essentially on the chosen destination. It ‘easier to move to the large cities, while smaller towns, although very characteristic, they are often accessible only by car or by bus is not always convenient times.

For those who only want to visit the main cities of Tuscany, the best way, from an economic point of view of mobility, it is by train: the stations are usually located next to the historic and avoids the difficulties of parking in general rather limited in terms of available seats. The small villages are connected to major centers by bus, even if these do not allow a lot of flexibility, given the not many services available. The medium-sized towns have a range of more varied train-bus connections. So, before choosing the destination, it is advisable to consult the bus schedules, if the location is not accessible by train.

stradeBY CAR

Highways (for a fee)

A1 (Autostrada del Sole)  Bologna – Firenze – Arezzo – Roma
A11 (Firenze-Mare)  Firenze – Prato – Pistoia – Lucca – Pisa
A12 (Autostrada dei Fiori) Genova – La Spezia – Carrara – Massa – Pisa – Livorno
A15 (Autostrada della Cisa) Parma – Pontremoli – Aulla – La Spezia

Roads (4-lane fee)

SS1 (Aurelia) along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, from Carrara to the border with Lazio
FI-PI-LI  Firenze – Pisa – Livorno
Firenze-Siena

State Roads

SS2 (Cassia) Firenze – Siena – Roma (2 lanes)
SS12 (from Abetone and from Brennero) Lucca – Garfagnana – Abetone – Modena
SS67 (Tosco-Romagnola) Firenze – Empoli – Siena – San Miniato, Pontedera, Valdera, Volterra
SS206 Cecina, Castagneto Carducci, San Vincenzo

GPS(crucial)

To travel safely in Tuscany is recommended to use the GPS navigation system or any other satellite system updated spatial recognition. In fact, the warning signs, mainly in the most important cities around, is often not updated or efficient. Frequently it happens to arrive at a crossroads with no clear indications of how to proceed to the desired destination. Sometimes the maps are difficult to read and not always truly reflect the territory. So, the browser becomes a key element for a cheaper trip and without problems, even because they are aware in advance of the presence of several “safety cameras” that punish excessive speed.

Fuel (expensive)

Fuel in Italy is the most expensive of all Europe. The more economic diesel and methane. The gas stations on highways are open 24 hours a day. Off the highways, however, times are: Monday to Saturday 07:00 to 12:30am and 03:30 -07.00pm. Outside of these hours, it does this self-service in almost all gas stations.

Failure, accident or emergency

Roadside assistance: 116
Police: 113
Fire fighters: 115
Medical helè: 118

Normally, car owners insured abroad, such as AAA (United States), AA (UK) or RAC provides a service number for emergencies in Italy. Otherwise it is the ACI (Automobile Club Italy) responsible for assistance in case of breakdown or accident and towed to the nearest garage

CAR RENTALS (to book in advance)

The major car rental companies are based in major cities or airports in Tuscany.

Auto Europa  –  phone 800 33440
Avis  – phone 199 100133
E@sy Car – phone 800 939293
Europcar – phone 800 014410
Hertz – phone 199 112211
Liberty Rent International – phone 050 48088
Maggiore/National – phone 848 867067
Sixt Rent a Car – phone 800 900666
Thrifty Italy by Car – phone 800 846083

Note: Prefix 800 free call, the prefix 199 and 848 for a fee

 


treniTRAIN (efficient)

Trenitalia: www.trenitalia.it
ItaloTreno (NTV): www.italotreno.it

The train is one of the best means of transport to move around the Toscana. The main station of Santa Maria Novella, located in Florence, is located along the rail route Milan-Bologna-Roma-Napoli. In Florence are available numerous and frequent connections to major areas of Tuscany. Two lines westward: one with major stops in Empoli, Pontedera, Pisa, Livorno; the other towards Viareggio, with major stops in Prato, Pistoia and Lucca. A line between Florence and Siena with mandatory stop at Empoli, while another line crosses the Mugello and the Apennines in the direction of Faenza (Emilia Romagna Region). Along the Tuscan coast railway line runs from north to south, with major stops in Massa, Carrara, Viareggio (Versilia), Pisa, Livorno, Orbetello, Grosseto. To reach smaller towns close to the various railway stations you have to use buses, previously checking timetables and services available in the area.

In some towns that are located in the hills, such as Cortona, San Gimignano, Volterra, the station can also be relatively distant. City buses to coincide with the major arrivals and departures allow you to easily reach the reference city. The travel times between the main Tuscan cities depend on the type of train and the number of stops. Slower trains and several stops are designated Regions. These have the advantage that they also stop in the small town. The designated trains Intercity only stop in major cities. Trains designated Eurostar (AV) and those of the private company ltalo Train (NTV) only stop in Florence and in some provincial capitals.

Average time traveling by train between major cities in Tuscany:

Firenze – Arezzo: 50 minutes
Firenze – Grosseto: 80 minutes
Firenze – Livorno: 70 minutes
Firenze – Lucca: 80 minutes
Firenze – Carrara: 110 minutes
Firenze – Pisa: 65 minutes
Firenze – Pistoia: 35 minutes
Firenze – Prato: 20 minutes
Firenze – Siena: 90 minuti

 


autobusBUS LINE

(Frequently between medium and large places- scarce for small locations)

BUSITALIA – SITA  NORD (Valdisieve, Mugello, Chianti, Valdarno, Siena, Casentino, Chianti, Arezzo)
Viale dei Cadorna, 105 – FLorence (FI) – Phone +39 055 4782 – Call Center: 892081
cliente.firenze@fsbusitalia.it
www.fsbusitalia.it

TUSCAN BUS LINE ( Valdisieve, Mugello, Valdarno Superiore, Arezzo, Pontassieve, Montevarchi, Vicchio, Barberino di Mugello)
Via del Progresso, 6 – Borgo San Lorenzo (FI) – Phone. +39 055 8490505 info@autolineetoscane.it
www.autolineetoscane.it

CTT COMPANY – Italian Transport
Via Bellatalla, 1 – Pisa (PI)
info@cttcompany.it
www.cttcompany.it

ALA BUS (Valdarno Superiore)  (buses and minivan rental)
Viale A. di Gasperi, 38 – Pian di Scò (AR) – Phone +39 055 960480
info@alabus.it
www.allabus.it

ETRURIA MOBILITA (Casentino, Valdarno, Valdichiana, Valtiberina, Arezzo, Anghiari, Sansepolcro)
Via Guido Monaco, 37 – Arezzo (FI)  Phone +39 0575 39881
info@etruriamobilita.it
www.etruriamobilita.it

C.A.T. (Massa,  Carrara, Lunigiana)
Via G. Pietro, 2 – Avenza (Carrara – MS)- Phone +39 0585 85211
info@catspa.it
www.catspa.it

RAMA (Grosseto)
Via Topazio, 12 – Grosseto (GR) – Phone +39 0564 475111
segreteria@griforama.it
www.griforama.it

TRAIN (Siena, Arezzo, Grosseto, Piombino, Certaldo, San Gimignano)
Strada Statale, 73 Levante 23 – locality Due Ponti – Siena (SI) – Phone +39 0577 20411
www.trainspa.it

VAI BUS (Lucca, Viareggio, Pisa, Massa Carrara, Petrasanta, Ripafratta)
Viale Luporini, 895 – Lucca (LU) – Numero Verde Phone 800570530
www.lucca.cttnord.it

LAZZI (Pistoia, Montecatini, Pescia, Valdarno, Lucca)
Via Guiseppe Severino Mercadante, 2 – FLorence (FI) – Phone +39 0573 1937900
www.lazzi.it

CAP (Prato, Carmignano, Poggio a Caiano,  Mugello, Siena, Chianti)
Piazza Duomo, 18 – Prato (PO) – Phone +39 0574 6081
info@capautolinee.it
www.capautolinee.it

COPIT (Pistoia and surroundings)
Via Filippo Pacini, 47 – Pistoia (PT) – phone +39 0573 3630 – numero verde phone 848800730
www.copitspa.it

FLORENTIA BUS (shuttle  Shopping Outlet to Barberino, buses and minivan rental, connections FLorence, Slovenia, Croazia)
Via Il Prato, 71 – Florence (FI) – Phone +39 055 967024 – +39 055 842161 (outlet Barberino)
info@florentiabus.it  /  noleggio@florentiabus.it
www.florentiabus.it

CAF-TOURS Tours to artistic places – FLorence, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Lucca, Chianti)
Via degli Alfani, 151 – Florence (FI) – phone +39 055 283200
tours@carftours.com     skype: caftour-booking
phone 055 210612  info@caftours.com
www.cartours.com

EUROLINES (connections from Florence to European countries)
Via G. S. Mercadante, 2 – Florence (FI) – phone +39 055 331755
www.eurilines.it

There are about ten major bus companies that serve Florence and Tuscany. Most main lines depart or arrive in the vicinity of main station Florence (Santa Maria Novella Station). For more information about routes, ticket prices and timetables that connect most cities in the region, visit the websites of the individual companies or tourist information offices of each province or city chosen as the destination. The CAF-Tours offers the possibility of custom tours around Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Chianti, Lucca.

 


ciclismo1BICICLETTA

In recent times, the use of bicycles to visit Tuscany has become increasingly widespread. In addition there are numerous centers for the bike rental as well as agencies that organize bike tour. In Tuscany, the bike can also be transported by train (Regional and Intercity). The wagons intended for the transport of bike are marked with the symbol of a bicycle. The Eurostar fast trains do not allow bikes. It is a supplement to pay for the bike, of about € 3.50 and is valid for 24 hours from the time of validation.