How does Florence's tramway and bus network work?

Uncover how Florence’s transport system really works: tramway, bus schedules, ticket costs, student discounts, and why there’s no metro. Perfect for newcomers!

Yordan

9 minute read

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Updated on 16 Sep 2026

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Living

Florence gets around on a network of ATAF-legacy buses (now run by Autolinee Toscane) and two tram lines, T1 and T2, but there's no metro, and a standard ticket costs €2.00 for 90 minutes of travel.

As with the rest of the best cities to live in in Italy, Florence has a well-functioning transportation system. If you're relocating, make sure to check out your checklist for moving to Florence for all the essentials beyond transport.

Autolinee Toscane, branded at bus (the company that took over from ATAF & LI-NEA and now manages the transportation network across Florence and Tuscany), is doing a splendid job in keeping the vehicles in check, always clean and running on time.

• No metro exists in Florence, so getting around means combining buses, the T1 and T2 tramway, walking, or one of the ride-sharing options below.
• For students: a yearly pass costs just €278.70 with the student discount, instead of the full €342.80 price.
• For young professionals and expats: the T2 tram is the fastest and cheapest way from the airport to the city centre, and the same ticket works on every bus and tram.
• Tickets now cost €2.00 in advance (app, machine, or retailer) or €3.00 if you buy on board from the driver, following the August 2026 fare increase.
• Florence's night bus network now runs every night of the week from 22:00 to 02:00 across 24 lines, a major upgrade from the old weekends-only service.
• Always validate your ticket before boarding. Controllers hand out on-the-spot €50 fines, and the amount increases if you don't pay within 5 days.

Florence's humble size of 102 square kilometers entails that the need for public transportation is lower than that in cities like Milan or Rome. This is why there's a network of buses and tramways in Florence, but no metro.

Which areas do the tramway and buses cover?

Florence didn't have any tramways until 2010, when the work on Tramvia's T1 tramway, running from Scandicci to SMN train station, was completed. The tram network got an extension in 2019 with the addition of the T2 tramway that connects the airport to the city centre.

The number of tramways in Florence is limited due to the medieval layout of the city.

A third line, T3, is under construction to reach Bagno a Ripoli, but it won't carry passengers before late 2026 at the earliest, so for now the network is just T1 and T2. Since the trams are not dependent on the amount of traffic, you can be certain that they are always on schedule.

Buses fill in everywhere the trams don't reach. Getting around by bus is the most popular way of getting around Florence if you don't have a car, since the at bus network covers streets across the whole city, while the tramway sticks to its two fixed corridors. Prioritise the tram when your route runs along T1 or T2, and prioritise the bus for everywhere else. For a bigger picture on how your home location influences your commute, explore Florence’s neighbourhoods to choose a neighbourhood that fits your commute and lifestyle.

A single ticket now costs €2.00 if you buy it in advance, following the fare increase that Autolinee Toscane introduced on 1 August 2026. Find the current prices in the table below:

Bus drivers often don't have any tickets left to sell, so it's best to buy them from other designated locations.

The tickets you buy for the bus are the same for the trams. There's a ticket machine at each tram stop, so you can be sure that you can get one when you need it. Besides machines, you can buy or activate tickets through the at bus app, the TABNET, URBI, TELEPASS, or DropTicket apps, by tapping a contactless card straight on board (Tip Tap), or at company ticket offices and retailers around the city.

Looking to budget your monthly expenses? Here’s your cost of living in Florence breakdown, including a detailed look at typical transport spending.

Are there discounts or passes for students and young professionals?

As with almost everything else, students get a discount of around 19% on the yearly public transport subscription in Florence. This means that you'll only have to pay €278.70 for a yearly card if you're a student, instead of the full €342.80. Young professionals and interns don't get a specific discount, but the monthly (€42.20) or three-month pass (€104.50) is worth it the moment you're commuting daily.

Getting on and off the bus is a bit of a science itself. Each bus has three doors, at the front, middle and rear parts. It's an unspoken rule that the front and rear doors are for getting off while the middle one is for getting on.

You can find the ticket validating machines either right next to the door or right behind the corner. Always make sure that your ticket is validated! It is common for controllers to get on the bus at random stops and make sure that everyone has a ticket. The fines are €50 and the amount increases if you don't pay the fine within 5 days of its issuing.

Always make sure to buy your tickets before getting on the bus. You'll save some money and will not depend on the driver to sell them to you.

The most common mistake newcomers make is assuming they can pay in cash to the driver like in some other countries. Buy or activate your ticket before you board wherever possible, validate it the second you get on, and keep it until your 90 minutes are up in case a controller asks for it.

The buses and tramways in Florence run on different schedules, but trams generally run later into the night than they used to and buses now have proper night coverage every day of the week.

Does Florence have night buses?

Yes, and the service just got a major upgrade. Since 11 June 2026, Florence runs a proper night bus network instead of the old weekends-only "Nottetempo" service. The new network covers 24 routes (3 brand-new lines, 8 modified lines, and 13 that were already running enhanced night service), operating every night from 22:00 to 02:00, not just Friday through Sunday like before.

The same ticket you use during the day works on the night network, so there's no separate premium night fare anymore. Check the current night line map on the at bus website before you head out, since exact routes still shift from time to time.

Staying savvy on public transport: Night buses and late travel are safe, but Florence is still a city—always keep an eye on your belongings, especially on crowded lines. For area-specific tips, read the safety guide for Florence.

The T2 tram: the fastest way from the airport

The T2 tramway is the cheapest and fastest way for getting from the airport to the city centre. Keep that in mind when you get to Florence for the first time.

T2 connects Florence Airport (Peretola) directly to the city centre, and T1 connects Scandicci to SMN train station, so if you're arriving by train, you're already close to a tram stop. Skip the taxi queue outside arrivals and follow signs for the tram platform instead; you'll save both time and money.

Mobile apps for planning your trip

Download the at bus app before you land. It lets you plan routes, check live line status, save your regular stops, and buy or activate tickets and passes in one place. Google Maps also pulls in live Florence bus and tram data if you'd rather stick to one app for everything.

Taxis

Getting around by taxi is the best option for when you're in a rush and don't mind spending extra to do so. The good news is that there is always going to be available taxis when you need them simply because this is the least preferred option for getting around in the city.

Locals avoid using taxis since the prices are some of the highest in Europe. With a minimum charge of €3.50 - €5.30, you should be prepared to pay at least €7.00 - €8.00 for a short trip. Book through appTaxi or TaxiMove, the two apps most Florence taxi companies actually use, so you know the fare before you get in.

Car-sharing and bike-sharing

Following the trend that is taking over Europe, Florence has several ride-sharing options that you can make use of. All you need to do before being able to use them is to be registered with the respective provider.

The most popular car-sharing services available in Florence are "Enjoy" and "Adduma Car". Adduma Car's fleet is made up of 100% electric vehicles and Enjoy has standard cars on offer. The vehicles can be parked almost anywhere in the city, except the limited traffic zones, making them a perfect way of getting around in comfort without breaking the bank.

For bikes, RideMovi, BIT Mobility, Bird Rides Italy, and TiMove now run Florence's bike-sharing fleets via app and QR code, covering the gap left by Mobike and Gobee.bike, which no longer operate in the city. Note that shared e-scooters stopped running in Florence on 1 April 2026, after the city chose not to renew scooter permits, so bikes are currently your only shared two-wheel option.

Once you know how to move around Florence, the next move is picking a home that puts you close to the tram or a reliable bus line, since that's what actually saves you time every single day. Check each listing's map and location details before you apply, so you know exactly which T1, T2, or bus stop is around the corner.

Booking through HousingAnywhere means you can lock in a place near your university or new job before you even land in Florence, with photos and walkthrough videos standing in for an in-person viewing. Now that you're aware of all the public transport options in Florence, it's time to find the best nightlife spots for when you want to plan a night out in Florence.

If you’re moving for work, be sure to check out your guide to jobs in Florence for tips on landing your dream job.

Is there a metro system in Florence, or just trams and buses? Florence has no metro. Getting around means combining the at bus network with the T1 and T2 tramway, plus taxis or ride-sharing when needed.

What's the best way to get around Florence as a student or expat? Use the bus for daily budget trips, and take the tram whenever your route runs along T1 or T2, since it's unaffected by traffic. Buy a monthly or yearly pass once you know your regular route, and get the student discount if you're enrolled at a university.

Are Florence's buses and trams accessible for wheelchair users and non-Italian speakers? Trams and most modern at bus vehicles are low-floor and wheelchair accessible, with audio and visual stop announcements. Signage on ticket machines and the at bus app is available in English, though drivers and controllers mostly speak Italian.

Is public transportation in Florence safe for foreigners and solo travelers? Yes, buses and trams are generally safe day and night, especially now that the night bus network runs every day of the week instead of just weekends. As in any city, keep an eye on your belongings on crowded lines, since pickpocketing is the main risk rather than any transport-specific danger.

What happens if I'm caught without a validated ticket? Controllers can board at any stop and check tickets. Riding without a validated ticket gets you a €50 fine, which increases if you don't pay within 5 days, so always validate the moment you board.