Why go
Florence has several arrival points, and each creates a different first journey into the centre. Santa Maria Novella is central to much of the city, while flights and onward travel may involve separate connections. Checking the complete door-to-door route avoids treating an arrival time as the moment your sightseeing can begin.
The full story
Santa Maria Novella is the practical reference point for rail arrivals and departures because it sits close to the historic centre. If you arrive there, decide in advance whether your accommodation is within walking distance or whether bags make a local connection more sensible. The station is also useful for orienting yourself before crossing the centre toward the Duomo or the Arno. Florence’s airport and Pisa airport serve different journeys, so check the current operator timetable and the final connection rather than assuming an airport name tells you the total travel time. Keep the address of your accommodation available in Italian, especially for a taxi journey. Tourist information points and transport operators can confirm current services, but their locations and hours change. On departure day, allow time for the route from your accommodation as well as the train or flight check-in.