Getting Around Florence at Night: New Bus Network Starts on 11 June 2026

Florence will launch its first dedicated night-time public transport network on 11 June, marking a significant expansion of mobility services across the city and surrounding municipalities.

The new system will operate daily from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. and will include 24 bus routes, 17 of which have been redesigned specifically for night service. The project, developed by the Municipality of Florence in partnership with Tuscany’s public transport operator Autolinee Toscane, will run as a pilot programme until 31 October.

The initiative represents a major change for Florence, where public transport has traditionally been concentrated during daytime hours. City officials say the new network is designed to meet growing demand from people who work late shifts, attend cultural events or social activities, and need alternatives to driving at night.

A Separate Network for Night-Time Travel

Unlike previous temporary extensions of bus schedules, the new service has been designed as a distinct network operating alongside Florence’s daytime transport system.

The routes have been planned to ensure that key destinations such as Santa Maria Novella railway station, Fortezza da Basso, Piazza della Libertà and Porta al Prato can be reached with no more than one transfer. The network will also connect with Florence’s tramway system while remaining operational during hours when trams are not running.

The city administration has allocated approximately €1.5 million for the trial period.

Municipal officials say the goals are to make public transport easier to understand and use, reduce dependence on private vehicles, improve road safety and strengthen perceptions of safety during evening hours.

Service Extends Beyond Florence

A key feature of the project is its coverage of suburban districts and neighbouring municipalities.

The network will serve Florence’s five administrative districts and extend to nearby communities including Bagno a Ripoli, Sesto Fiorentino, Campi Bisenzio, Fiesole and Impruneta.

The new routes will complement several existing bus lines that already operate after 10 p.m., significantly increasing the overall night-time transport offer across the metropolitan area.

New Routes Designed Around Different Travel Patterns

The night network is organised into three categories: diametrical routes connecting opposite sides of the city, radial routes linking peripheral areas to central hubs, and transversal routes connecting districts without requiring passengers to travel through the historic centre.

Four major routes — 6, 17, 18 and 23 — will form the backbone of the network, operating every 15 minutes and connecting densely populated neighbourhoods with key transport interchanges.

Additional radial routes will connect outer districts and neighbouring municipalities to central Florence with frequencies ranging from 20 to 30 minutes.

Transversal services will allow passengers to move between different parts of the city without passing through the centre, a feature that city officials say has long been requested by residents in peripheral neighbourhoods.

Historic Centre Shuttle Services Continue

The city’s small electric shuttle buses serving the historic centre — known locally as “bussini” — will continue operating as part of the night network.

Routes C1, C2, C3 and C4 will maintain departures every 15 minutes, matching the enhanced service introduced during the summer of 2025. These routes provide connections within the UNESCO-listed centre and link major parking facilities and public transport hubs.

Support for Summer Events

The night transport network is also intended to support Florence’s summer cultural programme and large outdoor events.

Particular attention has been given to access to the Cascine Park area, one of the city’s main venues for concerts and festivals during the summer months. In addition to tram services, dedicated bus routes will provide frequent connections between the park and several residential districts.

A Test for Florence’s Future Mobility Strategy

The pilot phase will allow the city to monitor passenger demand, route performance and service frequency before deciding whether to make the network permanent.

The project reflects a broader effort to encourage public transport use and reduce private vehicle traffic in Florence. City officials have presented the initiative as an important step toward bringing Florence closer to the mobility standards found in other European cities, where public transport services commonly operate late into the night.

For residents, students, tourists and night-shift workers, the introduction of the network could significantly expand transport options during hours when mobility has traditionally been limited.

Practical Information

Service period: 11 June – 31 October 2026

Operating hours: Daily from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Routes: 24 night-time lines, including 17 newly designed services

Coverage: Florence and neighbouring municipalities including Bagno a Ripoli, Sesto Fiorentino, Campi Bisenzio, Fiesole and Impruneta

Further information: Available through the public transport operator Autolinee Toscane.

(Cover photo by Iqbal Nuril Anwar from Pixabay)

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