Florence in July - Fly into Pisa or Bologna

[Challo]

HI folks,

Off to Florence in July with the gf and sorted a hotel but still looking at the flights. Direct to Florence is looking expensive but apparently its also an option to fly into Pisa or Bologna.

Has anyone done it and how easy is it to then get to Florence via bus or train? It seems bologna looks to have better flight times for me from gatwick compared to pisa.

Thanks
Chris

[GT03ROB]

Done it via Pisa, was relatively quick & easy as I recall. Around an hour by train.

[Topper_Harley]

Went two weeks ago.

Flight to Pisa, there's a shuttle to Pisa Train Station then trains to Florence.
It's 81km (1hr) away, go for the faster service - only one stop, air conditioned, nicer route and still about 8 Euro for a single. Really easy.
The difference between services is not marginal although the price is the same. Having used both on our trip, I would wait around for the faster service.

Also, Florence is stunning.

[Snow Mole]

Went last year for a short break - flight to Pisa and train to Florence.

Only tip is find out where your hotel is in relationship to the station as we got a taxi which can't get down many of the roads so takes some time.

Beautiful city need to go back again. Try the little Irish pub opposite the Duomo - its interesting!!

Richard

[Challo]

Thanks all. Our hotel is round the corner from Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore so will try and check if we can walk it or taxi.

[The Leaper]

Went to Florence last year (5 days in Florence and 5 in Siena). Flew into Florence.

Easy to go via Pisa then train to Florence, time usually about an hour. Trenitalia website has all the details and you can book, pay and print train tickets if you wish. Florence train station is very central so you could walk to a hotel if it's local, otherwise it's a cab. Our hotel was very central in a pedestrianised area between the Duomo and the Ufezzi which did not deter the cab driver.

R.

[g3org3y]

We flew to Pisa and got the shuttle bus across. IIRC both EasyJet and RyanAir run their own services.

Enjoy Florence, beautiful city. We found the Firenze Card a worthwhile investment to avoid the queues.

[lucido grigio]

Challo said:

Thanks all. Our hotel is round the corner from Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore so will try and check if we can walk it or taxi.

As I'm nosy ,I looked it up ,its 800 metres walk ,"via Via Panzani", about 10 minutes.

[The Leaper]

If in Florence you plan to visit the Ufezzi I strongly urge you to book a timed entry. If not, you could queue for 1-2 hours. Timed entry can be booked on the Viator website.

R.

[cavey76]

This is relevant to my interests. Landing in bologna next week for a drive to Firenze and a weekend watching my 11yr old play rugger.

[Challo]

So booked the trip and flying into Pisa and getting the train across. Worked out cheaper and better flights for us which is handy.

Any recommendations for places to eat...managed to roughly work out what we want to see during the day but the evening meals and drinks can always be a but hit and miss.

[Du1point8]

I am going to this place in late August.

http://www.terredellagrigia.com/en/villa_capanna/

I'm trying to work out the best way to get there flying in from London, what would everyone recommend?

I don't mind hiring a car at the airport or taking a train as near as possible to the villa and I will then be picked up.

I will be flying back by myself to London, what kind of times do people think it will take to get from the villa to the airport, taking into consideration train (safer) over car (more convenient) to either airport for an early afternoon flight, as I have to pack for my flight to Sydney the next day and would prefer not to rock up at midnight and only have a few hours to repack.

[The Leaper]

Do you know that BA have flights from London City Airport to Florence? Wife and I had a two centre holiday in Siena and Florence last year (5 days in each). We flew to Florence, cab to Florence Station, train to Siena, job done.

R.

[anonymous-user]

Challo said:

So booked the trip and flying into Pisa and getting the train across. Worked out cheaper and better flights for us which is handy.

Any recommendations for places to eat...managed to roughly work out what we want to see during the day but the evening meals and drinks can always be a but hit and miss.

Haven't been there myself, but my kids rave about this place... http://www.fishinglab.it/en/

[Challo]

swiveleyedgit said:

Challo said:

So booked the trip and flying into Pisa and getting the train across. Worked out cheaper and better flights for us which is handy.

Any recommendations for places to eat...managed to roughly work out what we want to see during the day but the evening meals and drinks can always be a but hit and miss.

Haven't been there myself, but my kids rave about this place... http://www.fishinglab.it/en/

Thanks.

[g3org3y]

Hi Challo. Here are the restaurant recommendations from the Rough Guide from when we visited Florence. The Trattoria Cibreo was especially quaint.





For Florentine steak, Ristorante Buca Mario is reportedly one of the best and frequented by tourists and locals alike. You may need to book as it can get quite busy. Steaks are typically served v rare! Very tasty.

Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 22 June 21:18

[Challo]

g3org3y said:

Hi Challo. Here are the restaurant recommendations from the Rough Guide from when we visited Florence. The Trattoria Cibreo was especially quaint.





For Florentine steak, Ristorante Buca Mario is reportedly one of the best and frequented by tourists and locals alike. You may need to book as it can get quite busy. Steaks are typically served v rare! Very tasty.

Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 22 June 21:18

With pictures of that steak looks like we have 1 meal sorted