Florence Tram Guide: From Airport to City Centre
Cheap, reliable and traffic-free — everything you need to know about Florence's tram line between the airport and the city centre.
Tram in Florence. Image adapted from a public-domain artwork.
The tram is one of the smartest ways to travel between Florence Airport and the city centre — affordable, reliable, and entirely free of traffic. Here is everything you need to know before you board.
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Tram Stops
From the airport into the city — on exiting the terminal, turn left and follow the signs. The tram stop, called Peretola Aeroporto, is approximately a two-minute walk. From there, take the T2 line directly into the city centre.
Florence Airport Map, Florence. Florence Airport Image.
​From the city to the airport — the departure stop is called Unità, located beside Santa Maria Novella train station. See the exact location on Google Maps.
For a practical overview of the full journey, I've also filmed a short video taking the tram from the airport into the city centre — you'll find it in our Facebook community group.
Tram Schedule
The T2 line operates daily, running frequently throughout the day with departures every few minutes during peak hours and slightly less often late at night. Services begin in the early morning and run until after midnight, making it a practical option for both early arrivals and late departures.
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Schedules can vary on public holidays and are occasionally subject to temporary changes. Check the current timetable on the official GEST website before your journey.​
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Peretola Aeroporto tram stop, Florence Airport, Florence. Ana's Secret Guide Image.
Tickets
There are a number of ways to purchase your ticket:
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Via the TABNET or AT Bus app — download on Android or iOS, buy your ticket and activate it on your smartphone before boarding.
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At the vending machines located at every tram stop — these accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Vpay, including contactless payments. Cash is not accepted.
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By tapping directly on the onboard reader using a contactless bank card or phone — a convenient option that requires no advance purchase. Note that one card or device covers one passenger only.
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Ticket Validation & Fines
Always validate your ticket immediately upon boarding using the small validation machine inside the tram. Inspections do happen, and fines for unvalidated tickets are steep. The validation machines are typically yellow and easy to spot near the doors.
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If your ticket is not validated, inspectors treat it as if you have no ticket: fines start around €40 per person on the spot and increase if you pay later. Always validate as soon as you board.
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Fare inspectors board in uniform, show identification, and ask all passengers to present a valid, validated ticket. If yours is not validated, expect a formal fine — and always insist on the proper paperwork. If fined, the inspector must issue a written penalty report containing your details, the date, time, line and fine amount with payment options. This is your official notification.
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You can pay on the spot at a reduced rate of around €40–€50 and must receive a proper receipt — though paying immediately makes later appeals difficult. If you prefer to pay later, use the barcodes on the report at LIS points or online. Settling within 15 days is the cheapest option; costs rise after that and unpaid fines can eventually be passed to debt collection. If you believe the fine was issued in error, you can appeal in writing within 30 days to fines@at-bus.it — but note this does not pause payment deadlines.
Peretola Aeroporto tram stop, Florence Airport, Florence. Ana's Secret Guide Image.
Luggage
One piece of hand luggage is included in the standard ticket at no extra cost, provided it does not exceed 10 kg and measures no more than 55x40x20 cm. For larger items — up to 80x45x25 cm and 20 kg — an additional ticket is required per item, with a maximum of two pieces per person. Items exceeding these dimensions are not permitted on board.
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Pushchairs and prams are carried free of charge but must be folded and stored in a carry case. There are no dedicated luggage areas on the tram, so all bags must be kept close to you without obstructing other passengers. The tram does get busy as it approaches the city centre, though it remains perfectly manageable.
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Ticket Cost
A single tram ticket costs €1.70 and is valid for 90 minutes from validation, allowing unlimited transfers within that window. Children under six travel free.
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Safety & Scams to Be Aware Of
Florence's tram network is generally safe and well-used by locals and visitors alike — but as with any busy transit route connecting an airport to a city centre, it attracts occasional opportunists. A few things worth knowing before you travel.
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Ticket inspector scams have been reported on Florence's buses. Legitimate fare controllers are official employees who carry clearly visible identification, wear a uniform, and will always issue any fine through a formal written document. Never hand over cash without receiving an official receipt. If someone approaches you claiming to be an inspector but cannot produce proper identification, follows you, pressures you, or demands cash informally, they are almost certainly not official. Stay calm, do not hand over any cash or personal documents, and if necessary move towards other passengers or contact the driver.
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Be equally cautious if a stranger offers to help you purchase a ticket at the vending machine, particularly if they are insistent or overly familiar. This is a common distraction technique used by pickpockets at transit points around the world. Buy your ticket independently and keep your bag close while doing so.
None of this should cause alarm — the vast majority of journeys are entirely uneventful. But a little awareness goes a long way.
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Continue planning your trip
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