By train
How to travel in Tuscany? If you wish to visit the main Tuscan cities – Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo, Livorno, you can easily do that travelling by train. The main train stations (Italian: stazione centrale) are located in city centres, so just after you get off the train, you do not have to bother about the public city transport. But you should not forget that some of the smaller cities of Tuscany (Voterra, Siena, Cortona) are located on the top of hills and the train stops – at the foot.
Travelling by regional trains is relatively cheap (e.g., Florence-Pisa costs about 8 Euro per one way). You can purchase a train tickets from an automatic machine that accepts credit cards and cash. Before boarding a train, validate your ticket at one of the machines on the platform (if you forgot or failed to do that before a ticket collector came through, please write the date and the time of departure on the ticket).
By bus
Smaller Tuscan towns and villages are not always accessible by train, so those who wish to travel using public transport will have to take a bus (Italian: pullman). Buses are comfortable, although sometimes you can find really challenging schedules (Italian: orari), which results in inappropriate departure or return time. You can purchase a bus ticket from a ticket office at a bus station or from the bus driver.
By car
Tuscany is not very big and can be run through by car over a few hours; therefore going by car is one of the most convenient means of travel. The outermost corners of Tuscany, the most beautiful trails of Chianti region, overgrown with cypresses, are accessible only by car.
Tuscany is crossed by the main country highway A1 (Italian: Autostrada del Sole), connecting Milan and Naples. It bypasses Florence in Tuscany, stretches near Arezzo and Cortona towns and leads to Rome. Another major highway – A11 (Italian:Firenze Mare), going from Florence to the Mediterranean coast through Pisa and Lucca. The motorway A12 connects Genoa, Cinque Terre, Viareggio, Livorno and extends along the coast to Rome (the highway ends at Rosignano Marittimo where a free superstrada begins). Remember that motorways (Italian: autostrada) are the toll roads in Italy.
Those who wish to go to the coast free of charge can choose a so-called FI-PI-LI – it is a free four-lane road that connects Florence, Pisa and Livorno. From here a free road SS1 (Via Aurelia) stretches along the coast. Those who are moving towards Siena can also use a free four-lane road SS2. Most of the Tuscan roads, except motorways and SS-type roads go through the hilly terrain and are devious, although the quality of the paving is quite good.
By bicycle
In recent years cycling has become very popular in Tuscany; many companies that are offering bicycle rent have appeared. If you are travelling by a personal car or by a motor-home, do not forget to bring your bike. It can be used both in large cities and in the countryside. Be careful – do not forget your helmet and remember that almost all of the Tuscan area is hilly.
By plane
The local airline Silver Air Italia flies to Elba Island all year round from Florence and Pisa in Tuscany region. Thus if you would like to spend a few unforgettable days on the Island of Elba whitout wasting your time – Silver Air Italia is excactly what you are looking for. We can ensure that the ferries to Elba Island require a lot of time and patience, but the flight to Elba, on the contrary, is fast, confortable and gives even great panoramic views.