Florence, Italy train stations?

Question

How far apart is the Firenze Rifredi station and the Santa Maria station? I cannot find the first on a map anywhere, but it is where I am supposed to be arriving. I am trying to book accommodations that are close by, but all the hostels are saying they are close to the Santa Maria and give NO directions on how to find them from the Firenze Rifredi.

Answer 1

The distance between the 2 stations is not too long (abt. 2 miles -)

http://www.florence.net/en/arrive-in-flo...

with very frequent and easy connections (5 minutes train trip).

However if you're looking for an hotel in the Rifredi's station area here's a link

http://www.travelitalia.com/en/hotel/Rif...

Answer 2

The Santa Maria Novella station is the main one near the old town. Rifredi is the station just before Santa Maria Novella in the direction of Bologna. It's 5 - 6 minutes by train. Your train may stop at both stations, but some of the long distance trains bypass Santa Maria Novella. In this case,, there are several trains an hour that stop at Rifredi and then go to S M Novella for 1.10 euro or there's a bus.

You can use the Italian train website to check the options: http://www.trenitalia.com/en/orari_bigli...  Just enter Rifredi as the departure station and S M Novella as the arrival.

Answer 3

As others have said, the two stations are not that far from one another. There are both train and easy bus connections between them that will get you there in about 15-20 minutes. (For sure the number 28 bus will take you between them). Rifredi is a largely commuter train station that is used by folks heading west of Florence.

However, unless you have a reason to be staying near Rifredi -- friends nearby or something -- there is no reason to look for a hotel in the area. For one, there aren't many. It is a residential area of Florence and not a popular tourist area. Even you if find a hotel, you'll spend a lot of time on the bus back and forth between the historic center. It would be better for you to just get a hotel in the historic part of town and grab a taxi or bus from Rifredi to get there.

Good luck.