How to Get to Fiesole. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Major Airports & Airlines

Your journey to Fiesole will use one of Tuscany's two main airports.

Closest & Larger Hubs

Florence Airport (FLR): Amerigo Vespucci Airport, 10-12 km (6-7.5 miles) from Fiesole. Primarily domestic and European flights.
Pisa Airport (PSA): Galileo Galilei Airport, 80 km (50 miles) west. Larger international airport with more budget airline connections.
Airlines: FLR hosts ITA Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, France's National airline, British Airways. PSA has Ryanair, easyJet, A Low-cost european airline, Volotea, and some seasonal Delta flights.

Flight Availability & Airport Facilities

Flight prices vary by season. Airports offer standard traveler services.

Seasonal Pricing & Services

Price Fluctuations: Highest prices in summer (June-August) around main holidays (Easter, Christmas). Shoulder seasons (April-May, Sept-Oct) present better value. Low season (Nov-March) generally has the lowest fares.
Airport Facilities: Both FLR and PSA offer car rental, currency exchange, ATMs, duty-free shops, cafes, and restaurants. FLR is smaller and easier to navigate.
Direct Flights: Direct flights to FLR from major global hubs are limited, often which requires a European connection. PSA offers some seasonal direct flights from North America (e.g., Delta from JFK).

FLR Transfers

From Florence Airport (FLR): Take "Volainbus" shuttle or T2 tram to Florence SMN train station, then ATAF bus #7 to Fiesole. Taxis (€40-€50) are direct.

PSA Transfers

From Pisa Airport (PSA): Use PisaMover to Pisa Centrale, then train to Florence SMN. Or take Sky Bus Lines Caronna direct bus to Florence SMN. Then, ATAF bus #7 to Fiesole.

Bus Connections

The ATAF bus #7 from Florence's Piazza San Marco (or from SMN via another bus/tram) is the main public transport link to Fiesole.

Land Transportation

Train & Bus Connections

Border Crossing: As Italy is part of Schengen, no routine border checks occur when traveling overland from another Schengen country.
Train: Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) is the main train station, connecting Florence to major Italian cities via high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, ItaloTreno) and regional routes. Fiesole does not have its own train station; connect via Florence's public bus #7.
Long-distance Bus: Florence has a bus station near SMN for routes within Italy and Europe (FlixBus, MarinoBus). Local ATAF buses connect Florence and Fiesole frequently.
Route Planning: Consult Google Maps or Rome2rio for public transport planning.

Self-Driving & Road Conditions

Self-Driving: An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory for non-EU license holders. Obtain it before departure.
Driving Laws: Drive on the right. Seatbelts are mandatory. Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited without hands-free. Speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 kilometers per hour secondary, 130 km/h highways.
ZTLs (Limited Traffic Zones): Florence city center has strict ZTLs with camera enforcement. Fines are automatic for unauthorized entry. Fiesole does not have extensive ZTLs, but parking can be limited.
Roads & Safety: Streets to Fiesole are well-maintained but winding/steep. Driving in central Florence is not recommended due to ZTLs and traffic. Watch for speed cameras.

Sea/River Arrivals

Inland Location

Fiesole is an inland hilltop town. Direct sea or river arrivals are not applicable for access. No ferry services or cruise ship ports serve Fiesole itself.

River Navigation

The Arno River, flowing through Florence, is not navigable for large vessels. Tourist boat tours on the Arno do not extend to Fiesole.

Coastal Port Access

If you arrive by cruise ship or ferry to a port in Tuscany (e.g., Livorno, ~100 km west), you will use land transportation (train/bus) to reach Florence, then the ATAF bus #7 to Fiesole. Immigration procedures happen at the port of entry.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Procedures

Prepare for a smooth departure by understanding exit formalities and timing your arrival at the airport.

Departure Essentials

Exit Fees: Airline tickets include all departure taxes and fees. No additional exit fees are collected at the airport when you leave Italy.
Timing: For international (non-Schengen) flights, arrive at FLR or PSA at least 2-3 hours before departure. For Schengen flights, 1.5-2 hours is generally sufficient.
Transfers: Allow ample time for transfers from Fiesole to Florence SMN train station, then to the airport. Consider traffic and public transport schedules.

Airport & Station Facilities

Both Florence and Pisa airports provide various services for departing travelers, as does Florence's main train station.

Services for Travelers

Airport Facilities: Check-in counters, security screening, duty-free shops for souvenirs.
Cafes and restaurants for a meal or drink before your flight. Airport lounges are available for eligible passengers.
Florence SMN Train Station: Shops, cafes, waiting areas, and luggage storage facilities. Purchase food or gifts before continuing your journey.

Pre-Departure Checks

Check in online if your airline offers it. Confirm baggage drop-off procedures. Have all travel documents ready.

Smooth Exit

Arrive at the airport with sufficient time to navigate check-in and security, especially for global flights.

Last-Minute Comfort

Utilize airport cafes and shops for snacks or souvenirs before heading to your gate.

Sea/River Departures

No Direct Sea/River Departures from Fiesole

Fiesole's inland location means there are no direct sea or river departure options. If your onward journey involves sea travel, you will need to travel from Fiesole to Florence, and then to a major coastal port like Livorno.

How to Get to Fiesole