Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) FLR: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Florence Peretola Airport

Find out the best way to get from Florence Peretola Airport to the city centre by doing some research in advance. Should you take a train, bus or a tram from the airport to and from the city centre? Our guide to Florence Peretola Airport and the facilities mean you can find your way around the terminal upon arriving and plan the rest of your trip—whether its for a short weekend or a little longer.

Travel from Florence city center to Florence Peretola Airport

Florence may have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but getting around this historic city is easy via a modernized public transportation system. Florence is the capital of Italy's Tuscany region, and its city center is bustling and lively with tourists and locals alike, all eager to soak up the sights in a city first settled by Romans. Luckily, alongside this rich history is a network of public buses, trams, and trains. Florence Peretola Airport is a large international airport servicing major airlines from Europe and beyond. The airport is also known as Aeroporti di Firenze-Peretola or Toscana Aeroporti Firenze, and sits just under four miles (6.4 kilometers) northwest of central Florence. The best way to reach the airport is via tram, which connects the central Unita tram stop with the airport in 23 minutes. 

What's the best way to get to Florence Peretola Airport from Florence city center?

The best way to reach Florence Peretola Airport is via tram. Travelers can take the tram to the airport from Piazza del l'Unita Italiana, or Unita, tram stop. To reach Unita tram stop from central Florence, travelers can walk for just over half a mile (0.8 kilometers) northeast, which takes ten to 12 minutes. From Unita tram stop, they can ride for 12 stops until the stop called Aeroporto. The tram ride takes 23 minutes and provides great views of major city attractions as the tram journeys northwest. Travelers can also drive to Florence Peretola Airport, but will likely encounter traffic. Outside of peak hours, driving takes an average of 20 to 30 minutes. 

How far is it from Florence city center to Florence Peretola Airport?

Travelers can expect to take a minimum of 35 minutes to reach Florence Peretola Airport from Florence city center. The airport is situated just under four miles (6.4 kilometers) northwest of central Florence. Trams are operated by Italian company RATP, and specifically a branch called GEST, and are an excellent way to avoid the congestion that is quite common in such a popular city. Cars are actually not permitted in the historic center, and for this reason trams are able to offer more straightforward, direct routes than cars. In cars the journey is closer to four and a half miles (over 7 kilometers) long.

What facilities are there at Florence Peretola Airport?

Long and short stay parking garages are located right next to the Departures Hall for passengers driving to their flight. There are many facilities at the Florence Peretola Airport for those awaiting a flight, including a VIP lounge with free WiFi and working or relaxation spaces. Shopping includes beloved Italian brands of luxury or commercial fashion and beauty products. As for food, there are a handful of Italian restaurants, some with views overlooking the runway, perfect for plane-spotters. 

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

Passengers with limited mobility are gaining more and more access to Florence every year as the city is making a concerted effort to make this historic city open to all. Still, the city itself is not very wheelchair-accessible, connected via narrow, bumpy paths. Buses and trams are designed to be accessible, however. Also, Florence Peretola Airport has excellent services for passengers with limited mobility, including reserved and free disabled parking spaces in each parking garage, terminal-issued wheelchairs and accessible amenities such as restaurants and shops. Elevators are accessible via wheelchair and there are dedicated disabled restrooms throughout the airport. 

Local tips: how to travel to the airport like a local

Locals take public transportation to this very centrally located airport, avoiding the traffic congestion in this popular city when they can. Before taking the tram from Unita tram stop, locals enjoy the historic sights of interest in the area, such as the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, a gorgeous historical landmark of the city for lovers of stunning architecture, or the Basilica di San Lorenzo, which features a Renaissance church and a library designed by Michelangelo. These are each within a few minutes walking distance of Unita tram stop. Locals take in the sights before their travel, and soak up as much of this beautiful city as they can before take-off.