General
Overview
Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) is the city’s main railway station and a major hub for High Speed (AV) and regional trains in Italy.
Use the Trenitalia or Italo apps to book High Speed train tickets in advance for the best prices. Regional tickets have fixed prices and can be bought at the station or via the Trenitalia app.
Transfer Options
Luggage Storage
Located inside the station near Platform 16. Staffed service with secure storage. Lines can be long during peak hours.
Located on Via Guelfa, a short walk from the station exit. Automated lockers available for online booking.
Visitor Cards and Passes
Florence’s urban transit is managed by Autolinee Toscane. The same tickets work for both trams and city buses.
Ticket Options
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| 90-minute Ticket | €1.70 |
| 10-ride Carnet | €15.50 |
Seamless Boarding: ‘Tip Tap’
The “Tip Tap” system allows you to pay for your ride by tapping a contactless card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) or mobile device on the green sensors upon boarding. It automatically applies the best urban fare for your journey.
The FirenzeCard museum pass does not include public transportation. You must purchase transit tickets separately.
Important: If you buy a ticket via the app, you must activate it manually within the app before boarding.
Public Transit
Tram (Lines T1 & T2)
The tram is the most reliable way to get around Florence.
- Line T2: Connects Florence Airport (FLR) directly to the city center (Unità stop) in about 20 minutes.
- Line T1: Connects the station to Scandicci and Careggi.
- Validation: Paper tickets must be stamped in the yellow machines onboard immediately after boarding. “Tip Tap” users just tap their card on the green reader.
City Buses
Autolinee Toscane buses serve the wider city area. While useful for reaching the hills (like Piazzale Michelangelo), they can be subject to traffic delays in the historic center.
All Florence trams offer level boarding, making them the superior choice for travelers with heavy luggage or mobility needs.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Firenze SMN is a terminal station with all tracks on a single ground-level floor. The Sala Blu assistance office is located near Track 5. Book assistance at least 24 hours in advance.
Safety
- Pickpockets: The train station is a hotspot for pickpockets, especially near the luggage storage area and platform entrances.
- Scams: Be wary of unauthorized “porters” near the ticket machines offering help; they will demand an aggressive tip.
Once you reach the city center, the “San Pietrini” (cobblestones) are uneven and slick. If you have limited mobility, ensure walking aids have fresh rubber tips, and be careful stepping out of taxis.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
The Oggetti Smarriti (Lost Property) service for the station is handled at the collection point near Track 16 (Polfer). For long-term storage of lost items, the office is at Via Francesco Petrarca 2.
First Aid
A medical point is located near the entrance to Platform 1.
Pharmacy
The Farmacia Comunale SMN is located inside the station on the Ground Floor (main hall) and provides 24/7 service.
Arrival
Official Taxi
Station Fares (Metered)
From Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station to a central hotel, trips are metered and typically cost €15–€20.
- Location: The primary rank is outside the station exit near Track 16 (Via Valfonda side).
Instructions
Do not accept rides from solicitors inside the station hall. Official drivers will never approach you.
Rideshare
Drivers pick up at the NCC area near the taxi rank by Track 16 or slightly further out on Via Alamanni.
Choose itTaxi or AppTaxi for the best reliability in Florence, as they are the official apps used by the city’s two main taxi cooperatives.
Standard UberX does not exist in Florence. The app summons Uber Black (luxury NCC vehicles).
Freenow and Uber have fewer active drivers in Florence compared to the local dispatcher apps.
ATMs and Currency
ATMs (Bancomat) are located in the main hall. Stick to machines affiliated with major banks (e.g., Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit) and avoid “Euronet” machines.
When an ATM asks if you want the machine to perform the currency conversion, always select ‘No’ (Decline Conversion). Your home bank’s rate is almost always cheaper than the machine’s rate.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
For high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo), arrive 40 minutes before departure to clear the platform security gates. For regional trains, 20 minutes is sufficient.
- Check-in: No formal check-in is required. Go directly to the platforms.
Regional trains (especially toward Prato or Pistoia) often depart from Tracks 17 or 18. These are located far down a long walkway to the left of the main concourse (when facing the trains). If your ticket lists these tracks, add an extra 10 minutes of walking time, as there are no moving walkways.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
High-speed departures now use security gates.
Have your digital or paper ticket ready, and scan the barcode at the glass gates to enter the platform area.
There is no luggage X-ray or liquid restriction, but random ID checks may occur.
Passport Control
No passport control for domestic or high-speed trains within Italy.
VAT Refunds
No VAT validation facility exists at the station. You must validate forms at your final EU exit point (usually the airport).
Cash refunds are available at La Rinascente (Piazza della Repubblica), but these still require airport customs validation before you fly home to avoid credit card charges.