Rome to Florence by Train – The complete guide
Rome. Florence. Rome. Florence. Rome and Florence! Can’t decide which iconic Italian city to visit on your trip to Italy? Do both! It’s completely possible to take in Rome (including the Vatican City) AND the UNESCO world heritage old town of Florence.
Rome’s an excellent spot for those who love history and culture. It’s no surprise it is Italy’s most visited city. But why not combine it with a trip to the birthplace of the Renaissance – Florence. Here, take in art galleries and museums galore amongst its ancient streets. But, how do you do it? Read on to find out how to get from Rome to Florence.
Contents
- 1 Journey details from Rome to Florence
- 2 Don't forget to take your Free guide of Rome on your mobile!
- 3 Going from Rome to Florence by car – What you need to know
- 4 Going from Rome to Florence by bus – What you need to know
- 5 Rome to Florence – Departure and Arrival
- 6 Rome to Florence on train – options and companies
- 7 How to go to Florence from Rome with kids
- 8 How to get your train tickets from Rome to Florence
- 9 Find cheap Rome to Florence train tickets
- 10 On board train facts
- 11 A trip from Rome to Florence by train in brief
- 12 Why should you go on a trip to Florence
- 13 FAQs – Rome to Florence by Train
- 14 Conclusion
Journey details from Rome to Florence
The journey from Rome to Florence is well worth it. Tuscany’s beautiful capital will let you experience another side of Italy. A slower place, proximity to the Tuscan countryside and a compact city centre make Florence a refreshing stop after the business of Rome.
A distance of just over 270kms awaits you along the A1 if you travel from Rome. The coastal route is longer, at 330 kms, but offers stunning views over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Let’s check out the best options for getting from Rome to Florence and visa versa.
Don't forget to take your Free guide of Rome on your mobile!
Going from Rome to Florence by car – What you need to know
Let’s deal with the “should I drive from Rome to Florence” conversation right here.
You can drive to Florence from Rome – absolutely. But the route along the A1 will take you up to 3 hours. That’s before you consider getting out of the madness of Rome’s traffic.
If it’s still for you, make sure you get very decent car insurance. There’s nothing worse than worrying about a ding in a rental car door all holiday.
Route E35 (A1) | Route E80 (SS1) | |
---|---|---|
Distance | 270 km | 330km |
Drive time | 2 hrs 48 min | 3 hrs 47 min |
Cost fuel | €27 | €39.66 |
Estimated 5-day car rental mid-size* | €220 | €220 |
Full insurance | €65 | €65 |
Tolls | €18.40 | €3.40 |
Passengers | 2 | 2 |
Total cost | €330 | €328 |
Advantages | 1) Take at your own pace 2) Use daily to explore the surrounding countryside 3) Freedom to stop off along the way | |
Disadvantages | 1) Responsibility of the drive can be tiresome 2) No chance for a lunchtime vino 3) Parking! 4) Expensive |
Going from Rome to Florence by bus – What you need to know
This is the budget-friendly option for sure. There are loads of bus companies operating on this route. These include Marinobus and Flixbus. Perfect for those who are OK with bus travel and want to keep costs down, but it is the longest way to travel from Rome to Florence. Most buses will leave from the Autostazione Tiburtina in Rome and go to the Montelungo Bus Terminal in Florence.
If you can handle a long bus journey without travel sickness this is a potential option. You can snap up tickets for as little as 10 euros, but definitely a ticket in the upper ranges of 50€ – 60€ is not worth it at all. Get the train instead!
Distance | 270 km |
Time | 3.5 - 4 hrs |
Price* 1-way ticket, no changes | 10-60€ |
Companies | Marinobus, Flixbus , Buscenter |
Advantage | The cheapest option to get between Rome and Florence |
Disadvantages | 1) Long journey time 2) Comfort levels 3) travel sickness |
Passengers | 2 |
*Based on one way rental Rome – Florence airport
Rome to Florence – Departure and Arrival
Now the reason we are all here – how do you take the train from Rome to Florence?
This is the best option for those who want to save time and travel in comfort. On top of that, there is a ton of choice! Over 50 trains depart daily, on workdays it can be as many as 80- and the shortest journey time is just under 1.5 hours!
The majority of trains are direct, although if you want to save cash you can book slower regional trains that require a change. Trains depart from Rome Termini approximately every half hour and arrive at Santa Maria Novella. Top Tip – Florence in Italian is Firenze! So look for that as your destination.
Rome to Florence on train – options and companies
There are several different train services working the route. Frecciarossa (the high-speed train at 400 km per hr!), Frecciargento, Regionale, Regionale Veloce, and Italo are some of the big names to look out for. Oh, and of course good old Trenitalia will oversee everything.
Rome to Florence train time and schedules
Due to the sheer number of trains departing on this popular route, we can’t include them all here. We do recommend however using Trenitalia’s pretty decent train timetable search tool here.
A quick scan on the tool for departures from 7 am shows a wide range of options. The first trains leaving Rome on an average weekday in June are however all High-Speed trains. You’ll need to scroll on down through the website to find some cheaper regional train options, such as the 09:02 from Termini to Firenze on the Regionale Veloce. This takes 3hours 48 minutes!
The fast train services look more appealing and have a high frequency. Check out below:
Departure | Arrival | Duration | Train | Price |
Roma Termini - 07:10 | Firenze S. M. Novella - 08:46 | 1h 36 min | Frecciarossa 9512 | from €50 |
Roma Termini - 07:25 | Firenze S. M. Novella - 09:01 | 1h 36 min | Frecciarossa 9302 | from €50 |
Roma Termini - 07:35 | Firenze S. M. Novella - 09:11 | 1h 36 min | Frecciarossa 9406 | from €50 |
Roma Termini - 08:10 | Firenze S. M. Novella - 09:46 | 1h 36 min | Frecciarossa 9518 | from €50 |
Rome to Florence train stations – Departure and Arrival
As we mentioned, Rome Termini Station is the place to catch the train to Florence. This hub is located on Piazza dei Cinquecento, 1, 00185 Roma. You will arrive in Florence (Firenze) at the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Rome to Florence prices
Train Rome to Florence:
High-Speed train 1 way (1hr 25) | Regional train (3+ hrs) | |
---|---|---|
Adult | €50 | €22 |
Child (4+) | €25 | €10.85 |
Groups | 30% reduction for groups over 10 people | 10% reduction for groups over 10 people |
Families | Up to 5 people, 20% off and 50% off for kids | Up to 5 people, 20% off and 50% off for kids |
- 30% reduction for groups over 10 people – High-Speed train 1 way (1hr 25)
- Up to 5 people, 20% off and 50% off for kids – High-Speed train 1 way (1hr 25)
- 10% reduction for groups over 10 people – Regional train (3+ hrs)
How to go to Florence from Rome with kids
If you are anything like me, then traveling with kids needs to be quick and easy! We’d recommend the fast train here for sure. At just under 1.5 hours the time is manageable. In addition, onboard toilets mean no stops en route! The kids will also be able to spread out a little better than in the car. Hopefully, you can get/book a table seat option for the family, so there is space for games and snacks. Oh, and for older kids – there’s internet! That’s sure to be a popular choice.
How to get your train tickets from Rome to Florence
Book your tickets in advance online here!
You can also get your train tickets in any train station machine or at the kiosk. On popular routes you may be taking a gamble – the best seats won’t be available and you might miss out on some early bird offers.
Find cheap Rome to Florence train tickets
- Trenitalia often showcases early bird or book and save offers. Check online to make sure you aren’t missing some good deals over the standard fayre.
- Booking well ahead will give you the best chance of a deal
- Compare – check out the prices on TrenItalia and compare to ItalianTrain
- Avoid the high-speed train. For adults, the Frecciarossa (fast and direct) is generally double the price of the regional trains with multi stops. If saving money is more important than convenience, take this option
- Be flexible if possible. Traveling on the peak will be more expensive, so check out a couple of days either side
On board train facts
Frecciarossa trains are kitted out with the best of the best train facilities! The high-speed train from Rome to Florence is definitely the best way to travel.
Benefits include:
- Air conditioning
- Power
- Wifi
- Toilets
- Onboard cafe
If you are lucky enough to get on the newer Frecciarossa100 you’ll notice how quiet it is!
Regional trains vary in their kit out. Any train scheduled as an Interregionale, Diretto, and Espresso is likely to be a slower train when compared to the Freccia. They may or may not have air conditioning and are unlikely to have wifi. However, there’ll at least be a toilet.
Tip – If you're keen on expanding your knowledge about Italian railways, delve into our comprehensive guide on trains in Italy and discover what awaits you during your travels.
A trip from Rome to Florence by train in brief
Here’s our recommended option!
Train type | Frecciarossa |
Operator | TrenItalia |
Max Speed | 400 km per hour |
Journey Time | 1.25h |
Departs | Rome Termini Station |
Arrives | Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station |
Distance | 232 km |
Price | €50 adult, €22 child |
Number of stops | none |
Number of trains daily | 28 |
Is there a direct train from Rome Airport to Florence?
There is no direct train from either Rome FCO or Rome CIA. If you want to take a train from Rome's airports to Florence you will need to change in Termini.
How to get from Florence train station to city center
Florence is a much more compact city than Rome and easily navigated on foot. On arrival at Santa Maria station, you are just a 15-minute stroll to the cathedral. Unless you have huge luggage with you, you should be able to easily get from the train station to your accommodation on foot.
Other options to travel to Florence
We’ve already covered how to drive from Rome to Florence, and how to take the bus. But are there any other options?
Flight from Rome to Florence
Alitalia offers one daily flight between Rome and Florence. Flight time is 55 minutes and generally cost under 100€. For all the time you have to sit around in the airport though, we’d still recommend the train and all the more so for ecological reasons!
Organised/combo tour from Rome to Florence
If you prefer to not do this trip yourself, you could take an organized tour between Rome and Florence. Some official day trips offer the full package and can include:
- transfer to Rome with a guide (by train or car)
- traditional Italian lunch
- guided walking tour of Florence main tourist spots
- free time to explore cultural activities at your own pace
- Expect to pay over €180 for this sort of trip.
Book your organized tour from Rome to Florence here.
Why should you go on a trip to Florence
Florence is a history and culture dream! Check out the highlights below:
- UNESCO World Heritage City Centre
- The ancient Ponte Vecchio
- The stunning 15th-century Cathedral – the Duomo
- 14th Century Vecchio Palace
- Uffizi Palace and Gallery – for a spot of art in stunning surroundings
FAQs – Rome to Florence by Train
Check out some of the most asked questions we’ve received about train travel between Rome and Florence.
How far is Rome to Florence - train?
By train, Rome is 232 km from Florence.
How far is Rome from Florence - car ?
On the A1, it’s 272 km.
How long is the train from Rome to Florence?
It depends on the type of train chosen: the journey can take between 1h30 and 3 hours. Between 3 and 4 hours if you go by car or bus.
How much is a train ticket from Rome to Florence?
For adults, expect to pay around €50 on the high-speed train. Slower regional trains are about half that price.
Is there a high speed train from Rome to Florence?
Of course! The Frecciarossa train will take you to Florence in 1 hour 36 minutes only!
Is wifi available on the train from Rome to Florence?
If you opt for the high-speed train yes, you will be able to log on to wifi. Regional trains usually don’t have this option.
Will there be air conditioning on my train from Rome to Florence?
On the high-speed train yes, you can expect the cabin to be quite comfortable. For slower regional trains, this is not guaranteed. Better crank open the window!
Can you fly from Rome to Florence?
You can - Air Italia offers a daily flight from Rome to Florence, but the flight time is 55 minutes. Add to this sitting on the plane waiting to take off, security, and having to check-in up to one hour before, it’s really not worth your time.
Conclusion
We hope there’s enough information here to help you decide how to best plan your trip. Let us know how you got from Rome to Florence by train! Or, if you chose a different way to travel we’re interested to know how it worked out! You can check out some of our other hints and tips about Rome – including hotels and transport – here.
Fanny is a music and travel lover who has been visiting Rome since 2012. She is the founder and main editor of the Roma Pass blog and she like to share the best things to do in Rome.