How to get from Rome to Florence?
A frequently asked question for those planning a trip to Italy and its major cities – how do I travel from Rome to Florence by train?
Rome to Florence by train is easy…and fast!
There are high speed trains from Rome to Florence running out of Rome’s two major train stations, Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina, every 20 minutes or so and sometimes more frequently than that. Sure, you can rent a car or take a bus to Florence, which is about a 3.5-hour ride (traffic permitting), but the absolute fastest way to get from Rome to Florence is via train.
Keep in mind, there are two train stations in Florence: Firenze S. M. Novella (Florence Santa Maria Novella) and Firenze Rifredi, S.M. Novella being the main railway station in Florence and a mere 10-minute walk to Florence’s historic city center, a World Heritage UNESCO Site.
How much does the train from Rome to Florence cost?
Not that much at all! A direct high-speed train to Florence from Rome takes about 1.5 hours with tickets starting around 40 euros, while the slower and less expensive local trains will cost you about 20 euros and take twice as long with an average ride of 3.5 hours. But obviously that depends on when you buy and if you book during high peak season versus the low season months. To find trains at lower costs, avoid booking tickets the day of your travel.
Day Trip from Rome to Florence by high-speed train with Uffizi Skip-the-Line Tickets
Embark on a swift getaway to the gem of the Renaissance – Florence, all within reach from Rome via High-speed train. In just one and a half hours, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Florence, ready to immerse yourself in this extraordinary destination at your leisure. Plus, the excursion offers Skip-the-Line Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience.
How to buy your train tickets from Rome to Florence
Train tickets from Rome to Florence and most major intercity trains within Italy can be bought in person at the train station or online. Trenitalia has the high-speed train Frecciarossa as well as the intercity local trains out of Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina while Italo trains only offer service from Roma Termini to Firenze S. M. Novella. Be sure to check out each of their websites for specific time tables and train schedules, as availability and prices may vary.
Visit two of the must-see cities of Italy, even if you’re strapped for time.
The Eternal City of Rome, one of the most ancient cities to exist in modern times and Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance and one of the most charming cities rich in history, great architecture and art – are just a short train ride away from one another. So, you can actually see Rome’s Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, the Duomo of Florence and Michelangelo’s David all on the same trip to Italy!
Other ways to get to Florence from Rome:
Flying from Rome to Florence
You can fly from Rome to Florence (and vice versa). There are two airports in Rome, Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA) and only one airport in Florence, Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR).
While there are flights from Rome to Florence that are about an hour, you have to factor in the time spent at the airport as well as the time spent getting to and from, which can take up to 5 hours total. Also, costs are not so cheap!
Bus from Rome to Florence
There are also buses from Rome to Florence at a low cost (starting at 20 euro one way) that leave from both the Tiburtina and Termini train stations in Rome and take up to 4 hours each way. The most popular providers with the most options are FlixBus, Itabus, and Marinobus but be sure to check out each website for timetables and costs.
Driving from Rome to Florence
Or you can opt to drive from Rome to Florence and rent a car at multiple well-known rental companies like Budget, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, or Europcar. However many people prefer to take the train from Rome to Florence and rent the car from there, so they can drive around and explore the Tuscany countryside by car. Keep in mind that having a car – a rental or your own – is a hassle when it comes to traffic and heavy restrictions for parking within or even anywhere near the city center in Florence and Rome. There are hefty fines and tickets for being in the oftentimes confusing restricted zones that are very much enforced. Besides the traffic and parking laws, just navigating the roads and city streets within Italy (specifically Rome and Florence) can be rather tricky. Getting lost can be fun in Italy but not when you’re short on time!
Trains are often the best way to travel within Italy and a great way to see the landscape and regions in between cities. And the train from Rome to Florence in particular is not only fast and inexpensive – it also makes for the best day trip during your Italian vacation.