Getting Around Tuscany: Know Before You Go
While planning your upcoming trip to Tuscany, the first thing you might want to look into is ‘How to get around”. We understand that before booking your hotel or picking an area to base from, transportation to the major cities in Italy might be an important factor.
Generally public transportation around this medium-sized region is very well served. There are many regional trains, along with fast ones that connect Italy’s bigger cities with smaller towns located all around the boot. In addition, bus service runs just about anywhere and is fairly easy to use. One thing to keep in mind is that if you are looking for a remote country experience, public transportation might be sparse and bus stops a lot less frequent than large towns.
Trains
Absolutely the best way to get around Tuscany are Italy’s train system. Near us you can find borgo san lorenzo as a convenient starting point to head to the city of Florence and then beyond and with the exception of the occasional strike, you will find this way the easiest to travel. Another advantage of Italy’s train system is that they are very affordable, from Pisa to Florence is less than 10 euros, one way and you can often find deals on trenitalia if you book in advance or on weekends.
*Just make sure to validate your ticket at one of the machines near the tracks, this is very important as you can get fined for not having a validated ticket on the train.
Bus
The next option if you want to stick to public transportation is the public bus system. Around the Mugello Valley where we are located the SITA is what you see most often with other companies around the region including Lazzi, CAP, COPIT, and Florentia Bus. The buses tend to run daily, with less frequent service on weekends, and taking the bus is very affordable. We tend to not trust the online system and prefer to go directly to the bus depot and ask for the current timetable. in Florence this is next to the train station, just ask for the bus station.
Car
The last option (besides vespa, bicycle or on foot 😉 is of course renting a car. We personally think if you are looking to discover more of Tuscany, this might be the best way to go and isn’t as expensive as you might think. Most rental cars use a manual transmission so you pay more for an automatic. Highway’s are called ‘autostrade’ and you can look for the green ‘A1- A11…’ signs around the region, expect toll booths along your journey. Gas isn’t cheap which is why picking an efficient rental car is key, one tip is to pick the smallest you are comfortable with as many roads are quite small and you’ll find parking much easier with a compact.
When driving to larger towns, Florence, Siena etc. you’ll want to find a public parking lot and leave the car there, opting to discover the town on foot. Many towns have restricted access to the center and you can get quite a hefty fine for driving when it’s not allowed. Don’t risk it and just park outside the center. You can read more about how to rent a car and rules you need to know here. You also want to read this about specific traffic fines and violations for Italy’s historical centers aka the ZTL.
In addition to this article, we highly recommend stopping by Discover Tuscany which has a very thorough list of articles about how to travel all over Tuscany.
Quick Booking snippet
Extra virgin olive oil is a natural product that continues to evolve after pressing. Heat, light and oxygen accelerate this process and gradually affect both flavour and quality. At Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, this is something we know well. Our family has been producing extra virgin olive oil for generations, using olives grown in […]
Mugello is best known for its charming villages, ancient woodlands, historic villas and quintessential Tuscan landscapes. What many people don’t realise is that, after sunset, its clear skies and low levels of light pollution create ideal conditions for observing constellations, planets and, at the right time of year, even the Milky Way stretching across the […]
Villa Campestri, the world’s first Olive Oil Resort, transforms extra virgin olive oil into an experience that brings together nature, gastronomy, wellbeing and a deep connection to the land.
Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling as tired as when you went to bed? Or found yourself exhausted at night, only to lie awake for hours? Perhaps you’ve experienced that familiar afternoon slump, when your energy suddenly disappears for no obvious reason. Most of us blame stress, a busy schedule or lack […]
One of the most meaningful experiences during a trip to Tuscany, beyond visiting art cities or iconic landscapes, is connecting with everyday local life. That connection often happens in village markets, artisan workshops, and small food shops where products are made for the people who live there year-round, not just for visitors. In this guide, […]
How to get to Mugello from Florence and how to travel around Tuscany with or without a car. Distances, trains, buses and transfers.
Romantic weekend in Tuscany between Mugello and Florence: scenic rooms, candlelight dinners, and olive oil tastings. Discover Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort.
Anyone visiting Florence for the first time imagines a stay right in the historic center, surrounded by museums, piazzas, and narrow cobblestone streets. It takes only a day, however, to realize that Florence is wonderful to explore yet challenging to inhabit. Between ZTL restrictions, scarce and expensive parking, constant noise, and high prices for even […]