Firenze Santa Maria Novella is Florence’s central terminal and a major interchange for bus and taxi routes. The Florence train station is about a 22-minute walk or a 20-minute drive from Hotel Santa Croce.
- Station: Firenze Santa Maria Novella, also called Firenze SMN
- From Santa Croce: about 22 minutes on foot or 20 minutes by car
- Station role: central terminal and major bus and taxi interchange
- Station services include luggage storage, ticket offices and passenger assistance
Which Florence station serves most visitors?
Firenze SMN is a central terminal and a major interchange for bus and taxi routes. Grandi Stazioni says the station accommodates over 400 trains per day and averages about 160,000 daily transits, with 59 million visitors annually.
The present station opened in 1935. A design competition announced in 1932 was won by the Toscano Group, led by architect Giovanni Michelucci.
If your journey starts with a flight, the Pisa International Airport to Florence route options explain the transfer into the city.
How do you get from Santa Maria Novella to Santa Croce?
Walking takes about 22 minutes from Santa Croce to Firenze SMN; travelling by car takes about 20 minutes. The station-to-hotel route is a practical walk, but the route facts do not identify specific streets, so use a map for turn-by-turn directions.
Florence’s old town includes Piazza Santa Croce, identified as a hub or major stop on the city transit map. For context on the area, use this practical guide to Florence’s old town.
What local transport and taxi options are at the station?
Firenze SMN has marked bus and taxi areas, making either an option for continuing your journey. The city transit map identifies the station and Piazza Santa Croce as hubs or major stops, and shows tram lines T1 and T2 alongside bus lines including C1, C2, C3 and C4.
Autolinee Toscane’s urban bus lines 12 and 13 serve Stazione FS SMN. Line 12 also serves Piazzale Michelangiolo and Rotonda Barbetti; line 13 serves Rotonda Barbetti and Piazzale Michelangiolo. These route details do not establish a direct bus connection to Santa Croce, so check the operator’s route information if you plan to use local transit.
What station services can help with luggage and arrival?
Firenze SMN has luggage storage, ticket offices, arrival and departure information, a pharmacy, restrooms, tourist information and assistance services. It also has parking connections and shopping.
The station has an underground level with services, commercial activities, parking connections, exits and pedestrian passages beneath the tracks. The ground floor contains the tracks, passenger services and commercial activities. Grandi Stazioni’s station plan marks entrances, lifts, escalators, toilets, assistance services, bus stops, taxi areas and the airport bus terminal.
For accessibility details, Grandi Stazioni provides station information and ground-floor and platform plans. Information is also available from its call center at 800 66 96 83 and from station information totems.
Where can you check current service information?
Check the official site before you go: Grandi Stazioni provides station plans and service information, while Autolinee Toscane provides urban line information and timetables. This is especially useful if you are relying on a particular bus connection.
FAQs
What is the main Florence train station?
Firenze Santa Maria Novella, commonly shortened to Firenze SMN, is a central terminal and a major interchange for buses and taxis.
How long does it take to walk from Santa Croce to Firenze SMN?
It takes about 22 minutes on foot. Travelling by car takes about 20 minutes.
Does Firenze SMN have luggage storage?
Yes. Luggage storage is among the station’s services.
Are buses and taxis available at Firenze SMN?
The station plan marks bus and taxi areas, and the station serves as an interchange for both.