First-time traveler guide
Florence, Italy
The facts people look for first, pulled from this guide.
From Florence Airport (FLR)
Download the Trenitalia or Italo app before you arrive. Buying tickets online in advance is significantly cheaper and saves you from waiting in queues at the station machines.
Luggage storage (KiPoint) is typically found near platform 16. The station is designed with level access between platforms and the main concourse, making it very manageable if you have heavy bags.
Toilets are located on the lower ground floor and require a €1 payment (coins or card). If you need snacks, skip the expensive main hall kiosks and head to the supermarket in the hallway underneath the station for better prices.
Free station WiFi is available throughout the terminal, though you will need to register to use it.
Type the number from your ticket or the departure board to see what this guide says about it.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella is the city’s primary transport hub. Whether you are arriving by air or navigating from your hotel, here is how to reach the station efficiently.
From Florence Airport (FLR)
From City Center
By Taxi
Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) is a straightforward, terminal-style station, meaning all tracks end at the station building rather than passing through. With 19 platforms arranged side-by-side in a single row, it is far more manageable than larger European hubs. Think of the layout as a wide, horizontal "T" shape: you enter the main concourse, and the platforms fan out before you. Because the station operates on a single level, you will not need to navigate complex underground passages or stairs to reach your train; it is designed for level, easy access, which is a major advantage if you are traveling with luggage.
When facing the tracks from the main concourse, the platforms are numbered from left to right (west to east). While most platforms are lined up directly in front of you, there are a few exceptions to note to avoid confusion. Platforms 1, 2, and 3 are slightly set back from the main line, and platforms 4 and 5 are set back further; to reach these, you simply walk down the adjacent platform area. Similarly, platforms 17, 18, and 19 are located in an east wing and are set back from the others; you can reach them by walking along platform 16.
Regarding your destination, the station serves as the primary Tuscany hub and a major stop for Frecciarossa high-speed trains. High-speed services to major cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice typically depart from the central platforms (roughly 5–16), while regional trains connecting you to towns across Tuscany often use the outer platforms. Because the station is compact, you can walk between any two platforms in just 2–3 minutes. Even if you arrive at platform 1 and need to reach platform 19, the distance is easily covered in under 5 minutes on foot.
As a first-time visitor, the most important tip is to keep an eye on the large electronic departure boards in the concourse, which will display your platform number. Access to the platform area is separated by a gate where you may need to show your ticket, but once inside, moving between platforms is seamless. If you have extra time, luggage storage (KiPoint) is conveniently located near platform 16.
I wish someone had told me how straightforward navigating Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) can be if you’re prepared. Don’t worry, but do plan ahead to avoid unnecessary stress.
Before You Arrive
At the Station
Common Mistakes
Yes, there are two main options. The official station luggage office is located next to track 16 on the first floor. Alternatively, a self-service locker facility called "Stow Your Bags" is located at Via dell'Albero 22, just a 2-minute walk from the station, offering lockers in different sizes.
The hours differ by provider. The official station luggage office next to track 16 is open from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight). The independent "Stow Your Bags" locker facility at Via dell'Albero 22 is open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
At the station's office next to track 16, the price is €3.80 for the first 5 hours. From 6 to 12 hours, the cost is €0.60 per hour. After 13 hours, the rate drops to €0.20 per hour. The service has a luggage weight limit of 20 kg per item.
You can book online or on-site using a smartphone or touchscreen. Select your locker size and rental duration, then pay by credit card. The system assigns and opens a locker for you. You can reopen it multiple times during your rental and collect your bags using your smartphone or the touchscreen.
Benefits include lockers under constant video surveillance, €1000 insurance coverage per bag, and no lines for fast drop-off/pickup. You only pay for the time you need, from 1 hour up to 15 days. Support is available via intercom, phone, or email.
Yes, several highly-rated partner locations are within a few minutes' walk. These include spots in the Galleria Commerciale Santa Maria Novella (1 min away), a hotel 2 minutes away, and a shop on Largo Alinari (3 min away), with prices starting from €3.90 per bag per day.
Through station serving Florence, Italy. Originally opened in 1848, the current structure is an acclaimed landmark of 1930s Italian modernism, designed by the Gruppo Toscano and constructed between 1932 and 1934. As a critical hub for Tuscany, the station manages approximately 59 million passengers annually and over 400 trains daily, including high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo services, as well as national, regional, and local lines.
First-time travelers may wonder if the scale of the station is overwhelming. Despite its status as one of Italy's busiest transport hubs, the layout is straightforward and compact, with all 19 platforms accessible on a single level. The station is well-signposted with English-language displays to assist navigation. To ensure a smooth experience, remain aware that platform assignments for your train are typically confirmed on electronic boards only 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Arriving with a little extra time allows you to comfortably locate your platform and navigate the main concourse, which connects directly to city taxis, trams, and bus lines.
