Booking A Train From Rome To Florence - The Easy Way

Taking a train from Rome to Florence is worth it. The alluring city of Florence dazzles even the most seasoned travelers with its picture-perfect Renaissance buildings, scenic piazzas, and world-class museums.

Approximately 143 miles separate the two cities; high-speed train is the best way to cover this route. Aside from reaching Firenze in less than two hours, trains are comfortable, affordable, well-run, and punctual. In fact, any other method of going between Rome and Florence (airplane, car, and bus, for instance) will take nearly twice as long.

To help you enjoy a seamless journey via train from Rome to Florence, we’ve put together this thorough guide answering essential questions such as where to buy tickets, what’s the best train to take, how long the ride takes, and more.

Train From Rome to Florence: The Essential Info

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Taking the train from Rome to Florence

Traveling by train from Rome to Florence is easy and comfortable. The distance from Rome to Florence is 162 miles, and most trains travel directly between both cities, meaning you won’t be required to change trains.

Trains depart from the main train stations in Rome: the Rome Termini Station and the Rome Tiburtina Station.

The majority of the trains depart from Rome Termini Station, which is the central station of Rome, and arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station. Trains leave Rome as early as 5:35 AM and as late as 9:30 PM, and there are trains every 30 minutes. On average, there are 68 train services a day from Rome to Florence.

High-Speed Trains v/s Regional Trains

Taking the high-speed train is the fastest way to travel from Rome to Florence. They can reach speeds of up to 186 mph and will get you from Rome to Florence in only 1h30.

High-speed trains to Florence require a seat reservation in advance, and average ticket prices are €40 for the round-trip.

Intercity and Regional trains departing from Rome, on the other hand, take more time to reach Florence. Travel time can take anywhere from 3h 30min to 4h 30min. Also, these trains tend to be older. The upside is that tickets are cheaper, costing between €10-€20.

Another major difference between high-speed and regional trains is the amenities. High-speed trains are equipped with modern and luxurious amenities like air conditioning and power outlets at your seat to charge devices. There is wi-fi on most trains, and it’s possible to buy drinks and snacks from a food cart.

Train from Rome to Florence - Different Operators

The Frecciarossa, aka “Le Frecce”, is Italy’s most well-known high-speed train operated by Trenitalia. They’re known for their comfort, ultra-modern design, and reduced impact on the environment. These trains are equipped with a food carriage and free WiFi connection.

There are 4 levels of service available with The Frecciarossa –

The new Frecciarossa trains have 4 levels of service – Standard, Business, Executive, and Meeting Room – and two types of carriage: Silence Area, for those who want to travel in total tranquillity, and Allegro Area, for those who want to chat with their fellow passengers.

Alternatively, you can also opt for taking the high-speed train operated by Italo Treno, which runs services between many of the major cities across Italy. Italo trains are modern, air-conditioned, and have free WiFi available.

The Italo trains have four distinct classes –

Aside from the Frecciarossa trains, Trenitalia also operates the intercity trains, which depart out of Roma Termini and Roma Tiburtina stations. Italo Treno only offers service from Roma Termini to Firenze S. M. Novella.

How long does it take to travel by train from Rome to Florence?

Train from Rome to Florence - Ticket Information

Florence to Rome high-speed train tickets can be purchased months in advance three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. For instance, if you book in advance, it is possible to find cheap train tickets for around €15 to €20. Therefore, it’s recommended to purchase tickets for the high-speed train in advance, as fares are often lower.

Regional train tickets between Florence and Rome are valid on a range of dates and times, which means you do not have a reserved seat. They can be secured before departure at ticket stands and ticket machines inside the train station.

The train ticket can be bought in advance through one of the two train vendors, Trenitalia or Italo, or through an online train agency, TrainLine.

How much does the train from Rome to Florence cost?

Is there a direct train from Rome to Florence?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Rome to Florence without having to change trains. There are 65 direct trains from Rome to Florence each day.

Train from Rome to Florence - The Schedules

Which train station in Rome should you board from?

Most trains depart from Rome Termini Station, the main railway station of Rome. From Termini, you can also catch the Leonardo Express train to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. The station also provides daily service to all major Italian cities as well as many major European cities.

There are also high-speed and regional trains departing from Rome Tiburtina Station, which is located further east. All trains terminate at Florence Santa Maria Novella station (Station Firenze SMN).

Where is the train station in Florence located?

The Florence train station is located just at the edge of the city center. To get into the city center, where all the major attractions are located, you just have to walk straight out of the train station either directly in front of you, or just a little to your left, and cross over the big streets.

Where To Stay In Florence

✦ Hotel Leonardo Da Vinci
✦ Palazzo Vecchietti
✦ Eco Urban B&B
✦ Villa Cora
✦ Palazzo Tolomei - Residenza d'Epoca
✦ Residence Hilda
✦ The St. Regis Florence
✦ The Place Firenze

Is Florence Worth a Day Trip from Rome?

Yes. Florence is the strongest day trip from Rome in Italy. Here is why it works and how to do it properly.

The logistics are straightforward. The high-speed Frecciarossa train from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella takes 1 hour 33 minutes. It runs roughly every 30 minutes from 6am. A return trip leaves you with 6-8 hours in Florence depending on when you depart and return. That is enough time for the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi (with pre-booked tickets), and lunch.

The case for doing it as a day trip. Florence is compact. The historic center is walkable: the Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio are all within 10 minutes of each other on foot. Unlike Venice, you will not spend 2 hours lost in alleys. You can cover the highlights in a single focused day if you leave Rome by 8am.

The case for staying overnight. Florence after 7pm is quieter, less touristy, and cheaper. The city empties of day-trippers, restaurants have less pressure on tables, and you can see the Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset without sharing the viewpoint with a hundred tour buses. If you have an extra day, Siena and San Gimignano are both 90 minutes from Florence by bus and are worth an overnight base in Tuscany. Florence hotels on CuddlyNest from €75/night.

What to prioritize. Uffizi Gallery must be pre-booked at uffizi.it, typically 2-3 weeks ahead in peak season. Entry is €20. Climbing the Duomo dome (Brunelleschi's) also requires advance booking and takes about 45 minutes. The Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's David) needs booking too. If you have not pre-booked any of these, you can still have a good day: the Baptistery, Santa Croce church, the Mercato Centrale food market, and Ponte Vecchio all require no tickets.

Florence in One Day: A Practical Route

If you leave Rome at 8am, you arrive Florence by 9:45am. Here is how to use the time.

Morning (10am-1pm): Duomo area. Walk from Santa Maria Novella station to the Duomo (15 minutes). The exterior of the cathedral is free to view. Climbing the dome takes 45 minutes if pre-booked. The Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) are both worth 20-30 minutes. The area around the Duomo is the visual center of Florence. Spend your morning here.

Midday (1pm-2:30pm): Lunch at Mercato Centrale. The covered food market on Via dell'Ariento is two floors: ground floor has stalls selling fresh meat, cheese, and produce; upper floor has prepared food stands at fixed prices. Lunch costs €8-14 per person. It is authentic, not a tourist trap, and avoids the long waits at sit-down restaurants near the Duomo.

Afternoon (2:30pm-6pm): Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. The Uffizi is a 2-hour gallery minimum if pre-booked. Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera are the main draws, in Room 10-14. After the Uffizi, walk to Ponte Vecchio (5 minutes) — the medieval bridge lined with goldsmiths' shops. The original occupants were butchers; the Medici family had them replaced with jewellers in the 16th century because the smell was too strong. End at Piazza della Signoria for a coffee before heading to the station.

Return: Trains run frequently until 10pm. A 6pm or 7pm departure gets you back in Rome by 8:30pm. Rome hotels on CuddlyNest from €69/night.

Frequently Asked Questions: Rome to Florence Train

How much does the bullet train from Rome to Florence cost?

The Frecciarossa (Italy's fastest train, operated by Trenitalia) costs €25-65 one-way from Rome to Florence depending on how far ahead you book and the fare class. Standard class ("Executive" is the highest) runs €25-45 in economy if booked 4-8 weeks ahead. Tickets bought the day before or day-of cost €50-75. Italo, the private rail competitor, runs the same route at similar prices and is worth comparing. Both can be booked at trenitalia.com or italotreno.it. There is no price difference between booking directly or through third-party sites.

How long is the bullet train from Rome to Florence?

The Frecciarossa takes 1 hour 33 minutes from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Regional trains take 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes and cost €10-15 but are not recommended for a day trip, as the time loss is significant. The high-speed train is the only practical option if you want to spend a full day in Florence. First departure from Rome Termini is around 6am; last return from Florence is around 10pm.

Which is the best train from Rome to Florence?

The Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) is generally the best option: more frequent departures, comfortable seating, reliable punctuality. The Italo trains are a direct competitor on the same route at similar prices, with newer rolling stock and a slightly different station platform. Either is a good choice. The key difference is frequency: Trenitalia runs more trains at more times, which gives more flexibility if your plans change. Avoid regional trains (marked "REG" or "IC") for this route: they are slower, stop at more stations, and do not save significant money.