Tuscany is one of the most beloved regions in Italy. Rolling hills, cities of art, medieval villages, an extraordinary cuisine and a great wine tradition make it a dream destination for many American travellers. Whether you are organising a wedding, a vacation, a cultural tour, a food and wine stay or maybe an elopement, it’s very likely that one of the first questions you will ask yourself is: how do you get to Tuscany from the United States?
We try to answer with useful information to plan the trip, choose the most
convenient airport, understand how to move having landing and find out which is the best time to visit this wonderful region.
Where is Tuscany and why it’s easy to reach
Tuscany is located in the centre-north of Italy. It borders with Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, the Marche, Umbria and Lazio, and it’s washed by the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its main cities are Florence, Pisa, Siena, Arezzo, Lucca, Pistoia, Grosseto and Livorno. But Tuscany is also known for its rural landscapes, small historic villages and hilly areas famous all over the world like the Chianti and the Val d’Orcia.
Although it does not have an international airport with direct flights from the United States, Tuscany is easily reachable thanks to the proximity to large and well-connected European and Italian airports, and to a transport system that allows you to move easily.
The main airports to get to Tuscany
Tuscany has two international airports:
- Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci – FLR)
- Pisa Airport (Galileo Galilei – PSA)
Both receive dozens of flights every day from important European hubs, such as Paris, Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Madrid. Most American travellers therefore choose to fly to one of these European airports and then take a connecting flight to Tuscany.
The most used European airports to get to Tuscany
Here are some commonly used routes to travel from the USA to Tuscany:
- New York – Rome Fiumicino (FCO) → Direct flight and then train or domestic flight to Florence or Pisa
- New York – Milan Malpensa (MXP) → Direct flight and then train or domestic flight to Tuscany
- New York – Paris (CDG) / London (LHR) / Amsterdam (AMS) → Connection with flight to Florence or Pisa
- Los Angeles, Miami, Boston – Rome → And then internal transfer
- Chicago – Rome or Milan → And then internal transfer
The main airlines that operate flights between the United States and Europe are Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, KLM and ITA Airways.
Flying over Rome or Milan: a convenient solution
A very common choice is to fly directly to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) or Milan Malpensa (MXP). These two airports offer many direct flights to and from American cities, and from there it’s easy to reach Tuscany by other means of transport.
From Rome to Florence or Pisa
- By high-speed train: Frecciarossa or Italo trains from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- By car: the trip lasts about 3 hours. Italian motorways are well signposted and easy to follow with a GPS navigator.
From Milan to Florence or Pisa
- By train: from Milano Centrale to Florence Santa Maria Novella the high-speed ride lasts about 2 hours.
- By car: it takes about 3 and a half hours.
If you want to visit more Italian regions on your trip, starting from Rome or Milan allows you to easily combine multiple stages.
Which airport to choose based on the final destination
If you have already chosen where to stay or which areas to visit, you can orient yourself to the most convenient airport.
Here is an indicative guidelines:
- Florence, Chianti, Val d’Orcia, Arezzo → Florence Airport (FLR)
- Lucca, Pisa, Livorno, Versilia → Pisa Airport (PSA)
- Siena, Montepulciano, Montalcino, San Gimignano → Both airports are suitable
If you land in Rome or Milan you could also consider renting a car and calmly enjoy the trip to Tuscany, maybe stopping at other interesting places along the way.
How to get around Tuscany once you arrive
Once you arrive in Tuscany there are several options for getting around.
- Rental car: it is the most convenient solution if you want to explore the countryside, the villages and the wine areas. The roads are well signposted and the traffic, outside the big cities, is generally smooth.
- Train: Main cities are connected by regional and high-speed trains. It’s ideal if you move between Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Livorno or Arezzo.
- Taxi and NCC (car with driver): perfect for punctual transfers, especially if you don’t want to drive and if you have company (this allows you to share the total expense on more passengers).
- Buses: especially useful for connecting cities to smaller towns, but they can be less frequent in some rural areas.
Many travellers combine train and car: they arrive in the city by train, and then rent a car to explore the surrounding areas.
When to visit Tuscany: the best time of the year
Obviously Tuscany can be visited all year round, but there are times that offer ideal conditions in terms of climate, colours and liveliness of the activities.
Spring (April – June)
It’s one of the most beautiful times to visit Tuscany. The temperatures are mild, nature is luxuriant and the days get longer. In this period you can go around without the summer heat and enjoy the lush green and flowery landscapes.
Summer (July – August)
Summer is hot, with temperatures that exceed 30°C, but it is also the most vibrant time for events, exhibitions, festivals and popular parties. Seaside resorts and art cities are crowded, so it’s better to book in advance.
Autumn (September – October)
Another ideal time to visit the region. The temperatures are still pleasant, the vineyards change colour, and it’s harvest time. Great for those who love wine and gastronomy.
Winter (November – March)
It’s the quietest season, ideal for those looking for peace, uncrowded museums and lower prices. Cities of art such as Florence or Siena remain beautiful even in winter, while the countryside can be less lively.
Useful tips for organising the trip
To make your trip to Tuscany easy and enjoyable, here are some things to consider:
- Book flights well in advance, especially if you are travelling in spring or summer.
- Check travel documents: American citizens can enter Italy with the valid passport and stay up to 90 days without a visa. However, it’s recommended to view well in advance the regulations on the official websites of your state.
- Travel insurance: it’s always a good idea to have it to cover any cancellations or medical expenses.
- Time zone: Tuscany is 6 hours ahead of New York (Eastern Time).
- Electrical adaptors: in Italy the current is 220V and the sockets are different than in the USA. Bring an adaptor with you.
- Cash and cards: credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
What to do before leaving
Before the trip, it’s useful:
- find out about the area you will visit, to know how to get around and what to see.
- book accommodation in advance, especially in very popular locations such as Florence, Pisa, Siena, Chianti or on the coast.
- Download useful apps: Google Maps, Trenitalia, Italo Treno, translators and taxi apps can be very helpful.
Tuscany is waiting for you
Visiting Tuscany is an experience that remains in the heart. Whether you’re organising a vacation, a wedding, a food and wine tour or simply a relaxing stay, arrive in this region is simpler than you can imagine. Just a little planning, some practical information and a great desire to discover a unique territory for history, art, nature and tradition.
If you need advice on how to organise your stay in Tuscany you could count on the experience of those who live and work in this land every day, relying on a travel agency specialised and certified based in the area. It won’t be difficult to identify it with a search on the web.
If instead you wish to get married, we at Emozioni are specialised in weddings, we know every corner of Tuscany and we can become your trusted wedding planner in Italy.
