Public transport of Tuscany

Public transport of Tuscany

The system of public buses in Tuscany is especially well developed in large cities. There are 35 bus routes in Florence, for instance.

Tickets can be bought for a certain time, or you can get a pass for a day or a week. They are sold at many places like bus stops, terminals, newspaper and tobacco kiosks (“Edicola”, “Tabacci”), and bars. You should buy tickets in advance, because it is impossible to buy them in buses and trams. Don't forget to punch a ticket after boarding, as the fine for an unpunched ticket is 50 euro. All stops are request stops, you should press a button at the doors before getting out.

The historical center of the majority of large cities is closed for public and private transport to save cultural monuments. That is why there are only 4 routes in the center of Florence for small (12-15 seats) eco-buses. River trams is another means of safe and pleasant transport in Florence. You can take one from the beginning of spring to the middle of autumn. River trams not only transport you to a certain destination, but also make the trip unforgettable.

If you decide to take a taxi, it is important to remember that there are special taxi tariffs for nights, week-ends and holidays. On a regular day taxi fee for pick up and first three kilometers is 2.30 euro, every next kilometer costs about 0.6 euro. Special tariff also is applied if you cross the city border. Each luggage place is paid additionally.

Drivers of unlicensed taxis have their own prices, usually higher. You can tell whether a taxi is licensed by its color (yellow or white), a fluorescent sign “taxi” on top, a number plate on a fender, and a taximeter inside.

In small towns it is possible to order a taxi only by phone. You can ask help at a bar, at a restaurant, at a hotel, or at a store. You can catch a taxi in the street in a large city, but it may become a problem as drivers are not supposed to pick up customers in the streets without an order. So it is better to take a taxi at a special taxi parking place or use the phone, which is more expensive.

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