Public transportation seems to be much more popular and efficient in Florence as compared to private means of getting around. The city buses (easily recognizable by their ostentatious orange color) can be resorted to extremely easily, but there are certain tips newcomers should be aware of. For instance, if getting into the bus, they should notice locals and regular visitors use the first and the third doors of the bus, whereas the one on the middle is used for getting off the bus. Furthermore, they should be up to date with the rates of the tickets imposed according to the validation period of the ticket. A special stress is laid on the validation aspect. Tourists should not disregard this detail, given that no excuse is likely to work and to convince the frequent controllers. In addition, if tourists get on the bus without having previously bought the ticket, they have the possibility of purchasing one from the driver, but they should pay attention to the following drawbacks: first of all, tickets bought on the bus cost more, and, secondly, tourists should hand the exact amount (namely, 2 euros), since drivers do not return the change. Buses aside, tickets can be purchased from all the establishments (bars, tobacconist shops) marked with bus companies’ stickers, or from the ATAF booths. All in all, getting around by bus is the most advisable manner of search out Florence.
A further advantage of getting around by bus refers to the fact that the routes of these buses in Florence are conceived such as to suit perfectly the tourists’ interests. As a visitor of Florence and, in particular, as a new comer, resorting to these buses might prove to be more productive than expected, since the tourist routes tick off certain objectives most visitors are likely to overlook. These tourist circuits focus on the following routes: Florence Old Town Center (Linea A), Florence-Fiesole (Linea B), and, finally, the so-called Florence Open Tour.
Rented or otherwise, cars seem to be less advisable since the main tourist hotspots are out of the reach of such means of transport, given the ZTL restrictions enforced upon these areas. The main area affected by these restrictions is the old town center which clusters the largest amount of tourist objectives. However, under certain conditions, tourists can obtain a pass through these areas, though their stay is extremely limited. With respect to parking, one can always notice a shortage of parking spaces, and this generally commonplace facility is infinitely complicated by the fact that there are certain codes which regulate parking and that rates can increase substantially if the parking period is exceeded, not to mention the likelihood of finding out one’s car has been towed. Despite such shortcomings, there is a plethora of car rental opportunities in Florence, both in and around the city. As soon as the visitor sets foot in the Amerigo Vespucci Airport of Florence, they can resort to the services provided by the 8 car rental companies located in the airport’s terminal. Other car rental companies are located in the train stations, and the procedures are fairly simple, tourists’ possibilities being confined by the age limit (21) and by the prerequisite of holding a driving license. Finally, cars might prove to be useful if not in Florence as such, than is the homonymous province, since searching out Tuscany at one’s own pace is often thought of as a more enjoyable way of spending a vacation.
Taxis are yet another reliable means of getting around in Florence, the main numbers to ask for one being (0039) 055 4390 or (0039) 055 4499, and (0039) 055 4798 or (0039) 055 4242. Tourist should pay good attention to certain details, such as the rates (which are displayed inside the taxis) and their variations according to various circumstances, such as luggage rates, distances to be covered, the moment of the day when the taxi is resorted to, the day of the week (weekdays or weekends, public holidays). Possible discounts clients are entitled to must be asked for, since drivers do not offer them on their own initiative.
Getting around by bike is popular with both locals and visitors, and the competent authorities in Florence also encourage this means of transport. The chief advantage of biking refers to the fact there are no restrictions enforced in this respect, meaning that, for instance, the ZTL restrictions concerning driving are not valid for bikers. Thus, virtually all Florence is accessible by bike, the old town center included. Biking is, furthermore, enabled by the plethora of bike rental companies scattered around in Florence, such as, for instance, those operating in the central railway station (Santa Maria Novella), Parterre and Piazza Tasso, Piazza V. Veneto, Campo di Marte and the Rifredi railway station, Piazza Ghiberti and Piazza Cestello.
Those choosing to get around by motorbike should consider from the first place the ZTL restrictions are also enforced upon their favorite means of transport; which is why they should reconsider their options or, if they just can not let themselves say no to riding the motorbike, they might just as well resign to complying with such restrictions. However, riding the bike might prove to be, on the other hand, useful and practical should tourists want to explore further outside the city of Florence proper. Motorbike rental companies can be found in 38 Via S. Zanobi, 120-122 Via S. Zanobi, 153 Via Borgo Ognissanti, 30 Via Il Prato and 23 Via I. Stecchi. The minimum age limit is 18, and helmets are too a prerequisite. Experience in riding motorbikes, despite of not being an explicit condition, is highly advisable.
Resorting to rickshaws, hackney carriages or segways, though atypical for European cities, seems to be highly popular and practical in Florence for several reasons. First of all, the ZTL restrictions are not valid as far as these means are concerned – except for hackney carriages, which are not allowed in the pedestrian areas of the old city center, but, all in all, they can go further than cars, for instance – they are highly practical since they provide accessibility to most of the secluded regions of the city and, finally, they are environment friendly. Thus, tourists also have the opportunity of sampling in a more proper way the specific character of Florence and turn their stay into an unmatchable experience.
Rickshaws, in addition, have the merit of being highly practicable for disabled people. Indeed, it is obvious that the city of Florence has taken seriously into consideration the needs of the disabled, which is why virtually the entire tourist infrastructure is fitted with facilities enabling their access. Thus, most restaurants and buses are well endowed in view of allowing access to this category of tourists, whereas further facilities refer to free parking lots or free entrance to the main tourist objectives (museums, religious edifices) both for the disabled and for their company (though in certain cases, the accompanying person must pay for their ticket). In addition, certain tourist circuits have been conceived precisely to this end: to ease disabled people’s access to the objectives which peg out the circuit. On top of all, wheelchair rental is possible in Florence, and, depending on availability, the disabled may rent these means for free.
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