First time at Florence Train Station: rules and information

Florence Train Station Bag Policy

Florence Train Station Lockers

Florence Train Station has an official staffed left-luggage service operated by KiPoint. It is a luggage-deposit service rather than a bank of ordinary self-service lockers.

KiPoint lists Firenze Santa Maria Novella among the major Italian stations where it operates official luggage storage. Its Classic luggage-storage service can be booked online or purchased directly at the KiPoint store, and the service is available throughout the year.

Florence Santa Maria Novella also offers KiPoint’s porter service and Express luggage-storage service. The Express option requires advance booking and can include luggage collection or delivery to the train.

Opening hours and prices can change, so check the current KiPoint/KiBag booking information before your visit rather than relying on older published station tariffs. Nearby third-party storage services are also available if the official service does not suit your schedule.

Florence Train Station Transportation

There are several convenient ways to reach Florence Train Station, making it easy to get there from different parts of the city.

If you prefer walking, the station’s central location means that many of Florence’s best-known attractions, including the Duomo and the historic center, can be reached on foot. The Uffizi Gallery and other central sights are also within walking distance, although they are farther from the station than the Duomo.

Florence also has an extensive public transport system of buses and trams. The T1 Leonardo tram line runs between Villa Costanza, Firenze S.M.N., and Careggi. The T2 Vespucci line also passes Firenze Santa Maria Novella and currently connects Florence Airport at Peretola with Piazza San Marco, following the extension that opened in 2025. Stops serving the station include Alamanni - Stazione SMN and Valfonda - Stazione SMN.

Numerous Autolinee Toscane buses also stop at or close to Santa Maria Novella, including services using Stazione Piazza Adua and Stazione Scalette. Routes can be temporarily diverted because of roadworks or other changes, so check current schedules before travelling.

For a more direct route, taxis are readily available at the station. App-based private-hire options may also be available in Florence, but service and vehicle availability can differ from the standard Uber service found in some other cities. If you travel by road, allow extra time because traffic restrictions and congestion in central Florence can affect journey times.

Florence Train Station Camera Policy

Firenze Santa Maria Novella does not publish a blanket ban on ordinary personal photography in its publicly accessible passenger areas. However, visitors must follow railway safety rules, respect other passengers, and comply with instructions from RFI staff or the Railway Police.

The platform area is not freely accessible to all visitors. Firenze Santa Maria Novella uses controlled access gates, and the protected railway area is generally reserved for passengers with a valid travel document and authorized persons.

Organized professional photography, film shoots, television shoots, advertising, music videos, and similar productions require prior coordination with RFI so passenger flows and railway operations can be managed safely.

There is no published station-wide rule stating that all personal use of flash photography or tripods is automatically prohibited. However, equipment must never obstruct passenger movement, interfere with railway operations, or create a safety hazard, and staff instructions must always be followed.

Florence Train Station Food Policy

Passengers can generally bring their own ordinary food and drinks into the station. Firenze Santa Maria Novella does not publish a blanket ban on outside food for passengers.

Food and drink rules on board the train may depend on the railway operator and service. Whatever you bring should not inconvenience other passengers or create a safety or cleanliness problem.

The station itself also has bars, cafés, restaurants, snack and drink vending machines, and other food services, so travelers can buy food before departure or while waiting for a train.

Other Florence Train Station Rules & Information

Several important rules are in place to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe experience at Florence Train Station.

Smoking is prohibited inside enclosed station areas. Follow all posted smoking restrictions and staff instructions in other parts of the station.

Firenze Santa Maria Novella has a specific controlled-access system for the platforms. The commercial station area is freely accessible, but the protected railway area near the platforms is generally reserved for passengers with a valid travel document. Under the current RFI rules, access to this area is normally permitted within 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

At stations where automated turnstiles are operating, after using a ticket to enter the protected area, passengers cannot simply use the same ticket again to re-enter through the turnstile after leaving. If you need to leave the protected area temporarily, you should speak to the staff at the access gates before exiting. Staff may authorize another entry in cases of necessity or urgency.

Firenze Santa Maria Novella also provides assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility through RFI’s Sala Blu, which is located at the station. Accessible restrooms, reserved parking, visual and audible passenger-information systems, and other accessibility facilities are available.

Assistance dogs are accommodated under the relevant railway operator rules. On Trenitalia services, trained assistance dogs may travel free of charge on all train categories, classes, and service levels, subject to the applicable documentation requirements.

Passengers should also keep an eye on their personal belongings. Trenitalia states that luggage remains under the passenger’s own supervision during the journey.

Tips for Visitors

Before you visit Florence Train Station, it’s a good idea to check the official station website for the most up-to-date information on train schedules, station services, accessibility, and temporary changes or announcements. The station-specific RFI page also provides live arrivals and departures and information about available facilities.

There is no airport-style clear-bag policy at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, so carrying a transparent or unusually small bag is not required simply to enter the station. Instead, make sure your luggage complies with the rules of the railway company operating your train and does not obstruct other passengers. Keep your ticket easily accessible because access to the platform area is controlled.

If you’re traveling with large or bulky bags, you can use the official KiPoint left-luggage service at Firenze Santa Maria Novella or make use of nearby luggage storage services. Qeepl allows you to book storage for luggage before exploring Florence or continuing your journey. Qeepl storage costs €4.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of €1,000.