City Sightseeing Florence reviews: hop-on hop-off bus tickets and prices

City Sightseeing in Florence is operated by Sightseeing Experience srl, an Italian company based in Cavriglia, and is now linked to Busitalia, part of the FS (Italian State Railways) group. Phone: +39 055 290451. It is a hop-on hop-off bus service, not a museum pass, and it does not include the Duomo or the Uffizi.

Our verdict. Useful if you want an overview from two routes (city Line A, about 60 minutes and 17 stops; Line B to Fiesole, about 120 minutes), and online prices (€23.20 / €28 / €31.20) beat the full price of €29 / €35 / €39. The downsides: a Tripadvisor score of 3.5/5 from 569 reviews, the lowest among the operators we reviewed, and the restricted traffic zone (ZTL), which keeps the bus away from the historic core. Worth it for travellers with limited mobility or who want to reach Fiesole without a car; not recommended if you are staying in the walkable centre.

Fact sheet

What it sells and at what price

Hop-on hop-off tickets by validity (always compare 24, 48 and 72 hours at checkout): full price €29 / €35 / €39, often €23.20 / €28 / €31.20 online. The on-board audio commentary is usually included; museum entry is not.

Line A is a city loop of about 60 minutes with 17 stops. Line B heads up to Fiesole and takes about 120 minutes; it is running, so ignore outdated guides that say it has been suspended. The ZTL, Florence’s restricted traffic zone, limits where the bus can go, so expect stops further from the pedestrian heart of the city than on a walking tour.

The Firenzecard does not include this bus, and the city’s public buses are a separate product. Don’t buy a hop-on ticket thinking it gets you into the Uffizi or the Dome.

How booking works

1. Buy online (usually discounted) or on board at the higher full price.
2. Activate the ticket following the voucher instructions (scan the QR code).
3. Board Line A or B at the marked stops; keep the ticket to hop on and off as often as you like while it is valid.
4. If you go to Fiesole, check the time of the last bus back.
5. Support: +39 055 290451.

In Florence traffic, Line A’s “60 minutes” can stretch considerably, and the value disappears if your hotel is already inside the pedestrian zone and you walk faster than the bus.

Cancellation, refunds, support

Standard policy: free cancellation up to 24 hours before, according to the product conditions. Once the ticket is activated or used, don’t expect a refund. If you buy through Tiqets or GetYourGuide, the platform’s rules also apply.

Phone support: +39 055 290451. With a 3.5 rating, read the recent one-star reviews about delays and out-of-the-way stops before buying a multi-day ticket.

What the reviews say

Tripadvisor: 3.5/5 from 569 reviews, the lowest among the operators we reviewed. Common themes: poor value if you are staying in the centre, summer heat on the open top deck, frustration with the traffic restrictions and unfavourable comparisons with simply walking. Positive reviewers often mention Fiesole or mobility needs. It is not a scam; it is a service that suits a narrow group of travellers.

Pros and cons

Pros: online prices below the full price; Line B to Fiesole running; free cancellation up to 24 hours; audio commentary on board; a clearly identified Italian company.

Cons: 3.5 on Tripadvisor; ZTL and traffic; of little use in the pedestrian centre; no museums included; the full on-board price is high if you buy at the last minute.

Who should buy it

Florence’s geography works against the hop-on bus: the pedestrian historic centre and the restricted traffic zone cancel out its advantage exactly where visitors spend most of their time. Line A shows you the avenues and outlying viewpoints; Line B to Fiesole is often the best reason to buy, especially if you don’t have a car.

A simple test: if your hotel is in or next to the pedestrian centre and you have already booked the Uffizi and Accademia on foot, the bus rarely pays for itself. Many visitors conclude that walking, or the occasional taxi, is better value. If you are staying in Fiesole or on the outskirts, have limited mobility, need to move between a station and a hotel outside the centre, or want an overview without hours of walking, Lines A and B make sense. Look at the stop map before you buy, and cancel within the 24-hour window if you realise you don’t need it.

Verdict

Editorial score: 2.8/5 overall; 3.5/5 if you need it for Fiesole or for mobility reasons. (1) Buy online, not at the full on-board price. (2) If you are staying in the centre and like walking, consider skipping it. (3) Museums and the Duomo are not included. See also Free tours and the Firenzecard.

We are an independent guide. If you book through our Tiqets or GetYourGuide links we may earn a commission; the price you pay does not change. Timetables and online offers change, so check that Line B to Fiesole is running on the day you travel.