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Getting around Florence by car
If you decide to come to Florence by car, the following information may prove useful. Given its historic nature, the city center is clearly not designed for modern traffic needs and vehicles. Because of this, getting around by car may cause some difficulties. The area of greatest tourist interest coincides with the ZTL ("Zona a Traffico Limitato" or Limited Traffic Zone), a restricted traffic area controlled by a network of video cameras. Since Florence's historic center is a UNESCO Heritage Site, it makes sense to protect it in this way.
So all vehicles without a ZTL permit are banned from the city center from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. During the summer, generally from June to August, the centre is also closed from midnight to 4am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. If you need to get to pre-booked accommodation within this area within these hours, inform your hotel, B&:B or apartment in advance that you will be arriving with a car so that they can pass on the details of your vehicle (number plate, etc.) to the local city police. In this way, visitors may enter the center in their vehicle to unload or load the car but must then move on to park outside the center.
Another option to get around by car is to hire one with a driver, one that can take you around Florence and outside of the city as well without the hassle of parking and navigating through the streets of Florence.
Limited Traffic Access Zone (ZTL)
The "ZTL" area has several entrance or "access" points which are clearly marked with EU regulation traffic signs and equipped with video surveillance cameras that automatically detect and photograph license plates of all vehicles passing through. Transit through a few of these access points are prohibited at all times, 24/7 so pay attention to the signs. Anyone entering without a ZTL permit will eventually get a fine back home, months later, assisted through car rental records to find you. So enter the ZTL with care. Your hotel or accommodation will give you the best directions to reach them, follow them closely.
Temporary permits allow tourists in card to reach their accommodation (hotels, b&bs, etc.) or commercial parking areas (such as garages). Communicate your license plate to your accommodation or garage and they are the ones that will obtain the permit for you to enter the ZTL. The permit will be issued for a maximum of 2 hours for baggage transport services on the day of arrival and day of departure. Garages can obtain temporary permits to transit from the access point to their location as well if you use your car on other days. Otherwise, you are expected to park outside the ZTL.
Disabled permit holders who need to enter the restricted traffic zone (ZTL) with their vehicle should call the toll-free number 800 339891 to get a permit for their use.
Parking Areas
To find the car park that is most convenient and suitable for your needs, look at our map of parking lots in Florence. It also includes parking areas where you can park for free, all outside the center.
Outside of the ZTL, the city is divided into controlled parking zones. Non-residents, therefore visitors, should always park in the blue marked spaces and pay for the hours you intend to park ahead of time at the "P" blue parking machines located nearby. You need to leave this ticket stub inside your car's dashboard where it can be seen. White lines are spots reserved for residents only.
The "Parterre" (Piazza Libertà), "Oltrarno" (Porta Romana), "Beccaria" and "Fortezza Fiera" (Fortezza da Basso) car parking lots, you'll find discounted daily and night-time rates so these are the best if you're intending to park for longer periods of time or throughout the night.
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