Florence: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: 24, 48 or 72-Hour Ticket

Florence’s best broad views come from above street level, and this bus takes you to two fine vantage points: Piazzale Michelangelo and the hillside town of Fiesole. I like that you can use it both as a city overview and as a ride out to places that take more effort to reach on foot.

I also like the choice of two routes and three ticket lengths, plus the open top for clear views and photographs. The catch is that bus frequency can be thin, especially on Line B, and the audio commentary may not always line up neatly with what you are passing.

At a glance

• Piazzale Michelangelo is the headline view: Both routes serve this famous overlook above Florence.
• Line B reaches Fiesole: This longer route heads to an Etruscan hill town with broad views over the city.
• Line A is the shorter city circuit: Allow about an hour for the full loop, before adding any stops.
• A ticket lasts 24, 48 or 72 hours: Unlimited rides on both lines let you use the bus for more than one sightseeing loop.
• The audio guide is multilingual: Commentary is offered in eight languages, with free Wi-Fi and a free app.
• Winter service needs extra planning: Line B is suspended on weekdays from November 3, 2025, to March 31, 2026, except for limited daily service from December 20 to January 6.

See Florence from the Arno to the hills

Florence rewards walking, but the city’s most famous sights are not the whole story. The river, the green southern hills, and the panorama from Piazzale Michelangelo help put the compact historic center in context. This bus is a practical way to connect those different views without spending the day working out every turn or walking uphill.

The open top is a real part of the experience. You can see the Arno and the city’s changing streets from above, and you get room for photos that a window seat can limit. On a sunny day, it is an appealing ride; in rain or strong sun, it is less comfortable, so bring a layer and check the weather before choosing your seat.

This is not a substitute for walking through Florence’s historic core. The bus is best for a broad orientation, the panoramic stops, and the outer sights. You will still want to explore the pedestrian streets and major attractions on foot, and admission to attractions is not included.

Line A: a one-hour circuit around the city

Line A takes about an hour to complete without getting off. Its stops link the Santa Maria Novella train station and Piazza Indipendenza with the city’s eastern and southern edges, including Santa Croce, the Lungarno Serristori riverfront, and Piazzale Michelangelo. It is the more practical route if you want a first look at Florence or an easier ride between sightseeing areas.

The station stop, Santa Maria Novella, is a useful place to begin if you arrive by train. Largo Alinari is the listed stop, and the provider’s visitor center is in the station ticketing area if you need help. Stop locations can be easy to miss, though. Check the app and map before walking to a stop, and look carefully at which side of the road you need.

The eastern stretch passes the area around Santa Croce and the river, before turning toward Piazza Ferrucci and the climb to Piazzale Michelangelo. That overlook is a strong reason to ride: the city’s rooftops and landmarks spread out below you, making it easier to understand Florence’s layout. If you want time for photos or a proper pause at the viewpoint, get off rather than counting on a long stop while the bus waits.

Other Line A stops include Libertà, Via Bernardo Segni, Galileo, Villa Cora, Porta Romana, Piazza Tasso, Leopolda and Piazza Indipendenza. They offer options beyond the central sightseeing circuit, but the bus is not a door-to-door service for every museum or monument. Use the route as a way to reach the general area, then walk the final stretch.

Line B: a longer ride to Fiesole

Line B takes about two hours for the full circuit and adds a different side of Florence. It runs from Galileo and Piazzale Michelangelo through Lungarno Serristori and Grazie, then heads toward Lungo l’Affrico, the Museo del Calcio, San Domenico and Fiesole. The route also includes stops at Porta al Prato and Piazzale di Porta Romana.

Fiesole is the special stop. This hillside town has Etruscan roots and sits above Florence, so the ride itself offers a gradual change from city streets to a higher, more open setting. If you have time, get off and explore rather than treating Fiesole as just another bus stop. The views are a highlight, and the area also has Etruscan remains worth seeking out.

The trade-off is time. A full Line B loop is twice as long as Line A, and the service is much less frequent. In the winter schedule listed for November 3, 2025, to March 27, 2026, the first bus leaves Stop 1 at 11:15 a.m., the last at 3:15 p.m., and buses run every 120 minutes. Line B is also suspended Monday through Friday from November 3, 2025, to March 31, 2026, with limited daily service from December 20 to January 6. Check the current schedule before building a day around Fiesole.

How the two routes work together

Both lines serve Piazzale Michelangelo, and their routes overlap in places. That overlap is useful if you want a second chance to reach the viewpoint, but it also means the two circuits are not entirely separate tours. If you have limited time, Line A gives you a solid city overview; choose Line B when the Fiesole excursion is a priority.

A sensible plan is to ride Line A first without getting off, using the hour to note the stops that interest you. Then choose a few places to revisit on foot or by bus. Add Line B when its timetable works for you, and allow enough time to get off in Fiesole. Don’t assume you can hop on the next bus straight away, particularly on a low-frequency service.

The bus can also be a welcome break in a full sightseeing day. If your feet need a rest, stay aboard for a section and let the commentary provide some context as the city passes by. Just keep the route map handy. Audio commentary is available in Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Portuguese, but some passengers find that it can drift out of sync with the view or pause for stretches.

Choosing a ticket and getting good value

Tickets are offered for 24, 48 or 72 hours, and the advertised price is $24 per person. The right length depends less on how many days you are in Florence than on how you plan to use the bus. A 24-hour ticket can work if you want one full overview and a trip to a viewpoint. A longer ticket makes more sense if you expect to hop on and off over several days or use the bus to reach more distant stops.

Unlimited rides have value when you actually use them. If you take one loop and spend the rest of your visit walking in the center, the ticket may feel like an expensive way to get an overview. If you ride both lines, stop in Fiesole, and return to the bus at several points, it can be a convenient way to save effort and simplify your plans.

Attractions are not included, so budget separately for any museums, gardens or archaeological sites you want to enter. Children under five ride free. The buses are wheelchair accessible, and the Sightseeing Experience app offers bus information and free Wi-Fi is available onboard.

Timing, stop-finding and comfort

The winter timetable supplied for Line A runs from November 3, 2025, to March 27, 2026. The first departure is at 9:20 a.m. from Stop 6, Piazza Indipendenza, and the last is at 4:40 p.m. Frequency is listed as every 40 minutes on weekends and every 75 minutes on weekdays. Those waits can make a missed bus more than a minor nuisance, so check the app before leaving a stop.

The visitor center at Santa Maria Novella train station can help with questions. The suggested alternatives for boarding are Line A’s Blue Stop 1 and Line B’s Red Stop 4. Stop markings may not be obvious from across the street, so use the app to confirm the exact location and side of the road. A little checking at the start can save a frustrating wait at the wrong curb.

Open-top seating brings the best views, but it also means exposure to weather. The bus is useful for people who find Florence’s hills or long walks difficult, and the accessible buses widen its appeal. If you are sensitive to sun, cold or rain, plan accordingly and keep the option of an indoor seat in mind.

Who should take this bus

I’d consider this tour if you are new to Florence and want to get your bearings before choosing which areas deserve more time. It also suits families, visitors with limited mobility, and anyone who wants to reach Piazzale Michelangelo or Fiesole without making the whole outing a long walk. The bus’s broad route and audio commentary provide a low-pressure introduction.

It is less useful if you expect a detailed guided walk through the historic center. The commentary is recorded, not a live guide, and it may not always match the sights perfectly. Stop information can take attention, too, so keep the app or route map close if you want to hop off at a particular point.

Should you book it?

Book this bus if the views from Piazzale Michelangelo and a ride to Fiesole are high on your list, or if you value an easy way to see the city’s outer areas. The 48- or 72-hour option can pay off when you plan several rides, but a single circuit is not enough to make the most of the flexible ticket.

Before booking, match your dates to the timetable, especially in winter. If Line B is running and you have time for the full two-hour route, it adds a worthwhile hillside perspective. If you are focused on Florence’s central monuments and prefer to explore on foot, use the bus as an orientation tool rather than expecting it to replace the city itself.

FAQ

How long does each route take?

Line A takes about one hour for the full route. Line B takes about two hours.

What ticket lengths are available?

You can choose a 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour ticket. Each allows unlimited travel on both lines during its validity.

Does the tour go to Fiesole?

Yes. Line B stops in Fiesole, an Etruscan hillside town above Florence.

Does the bus stop at Piazzale Michelangelo?

Yes. Both Line A and Line B include a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo.

What languages are available for the audio commentary?

The audio commentary is available in Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Portuguese.

Is Wi-Fi included?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus, and the Sightseeing Experience mobile app is free.

Are attraction entrance tickets included?

No. Attraction tickets are not included in the bus tour.

Can children under five ride for free?

Yes. Children under five can participate for free.

Are the buses wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The buses are wheelchair accessible.

Does Line B run every day in winter?

Not throughout the listed winter period. From November 3, 2025, to March 31, 2026, Line B is suspended Monday through Friday, except for limited daily service from December 20 to January 6.