Getting around by bus
Public transportation in Florence is widely used. City buses (orange buses) are run by ATAF and LI-NEA. Ordinary and mutiple-ride tickets can be purchased from authorized sales points (bars, tobacconists, newsagents) and from the ATAF booth in Piazza Stazione. Tickets must be validated in the machines on the bus, either at the front or back. You really should validate the tickets, even if they are on an "honor" system, controllers are continuosly getting on buses and checking tickets and it would be a pain to pay a heavy fine for such a small cost. Tickets (valid for 70 minutes) also can now be purchased directly from the driver for € 2,00 although no change is given (an ordinary ticket costs €1,20 if you buy it beforehand).
For more information: You can call the "ProntoAtaf" hotline toll-free within Italy (800 424500) or obtain more information online at www.ataf.net. The ATAF booth, located in Piazza Stazione under the bus shelter (on the left as you exit the station) sells tickets, gives out information and provides maps of the bus routes.
Sightseeing Tours within Florence
They've only been in Florence for a few years, but the open top buses of Firenze Citysightseeing offer an interesting way to view the city. The buses follow a route to take you by all of the main sights as well as passing by more panoramic points that you might not visit if you're going through Florence quickly. For more information, go to www.firenze.city-sightseeing.it.
Visiting Areas Outside Florence
Tourists interested in seeing areas outside of Florence by bus will find all of the bus companies in the area surrounding the Santa Maria Novella train station. The main lines offering services are: CAP, FlorentiaBus, Lazzi and Sita.