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Rome to Florence by Train

Updated: November 29, 2023

If you’re planning to take one of our free Florence walking tours and you’re visiting by train, this guide will help you figure out how to get from Rome to the very spot where your tour will begin!

We include tips on ticket prices, the duration of the journey, the departure points for these trains, and more.

In addition to those details, we’ll also include several suggestions from locals and travelers who use our Facebook Group.


Plan Your Trip

Florence is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy, and it’s a great place to see on a day trip. 

Thankfully, there are frequent trains between Rome and Florence, so it’s pretty easy to get there!

There are currently 2 train companies offering service between these cities: Trenitalia and Italo

Although you could drive there or take a bus, the trains of Italy are very reliable and one of the quickest ways to get from one city to another.

Depending on which service you choose, the journey could range from 2-4 hours on average, with some faster trains making the trip in just 90 minutes!

The section below will include step-by-step directions to help you through the entire process of traveling from Rome to Florence by train.

We’ll include information about how to get from the train station in Florence to Piazza dell'Unità Italiana, one of the locations where a popular free Florence walking tour begins.


How to Get From Rome to Florence by Train

Trenitalia is the most common train service you’ll find in Italy, and Italo Train is a newer competitor.

Although both companies have fast intercity trains, you’ll find that Trenitalia has more options for slower trains from Rome to Florence.

These regional trains typically take 3-4 hours to reach their destination, but sometimes they can be more affordable.

Even so, chances are you’ll be able to get a faster train for about the same price as a slow train depending on when you get your ticket. 

When taking the Italo Train, you can expect the journey from Rome to Florence to take approximately 90-120 minutes, which is much shorter than most alternatives.


Step 1 - Choose a Departure Time

Trains from Rome to Florence typically run all day from around 5:00 am and 24:00 (12 am).

You can expect to find service once every 15-20 minutes on average, so you can literally just head to the station spontaneously whenever you want and make the trip!

That said, this is a case where planning out your trip can definitely help save time and money. When you get tickets in advance, you can pick the best option for your needs at the lowest possible cost.

The departure sign at Roma Termini Station. Image source: Wikimedia user Mattes under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
The departure sign at Roma Termini Station. Image source: Wikimedia user Mattes under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

If you just buy the first ticket available, it might end up being a bit more costly, and it could be one of the slower trains, impacting how long you can spend in Florence.

Another factor to consider is that Trenitalia does offer a sleeper train overnight which will take you from Rome to Florence between 24:00 (12 am) and 5:30 am.

If you want to enjoy an entire day in Florence, that might be the best option.


Step 2 - Head to the Train Station

For the sake of these instructions, we will assume you are going to depart from Termini Station, which is the main location offering service from Rome to Florence.

You’ll find Termini Station at Via Giovanni Giolitti, 40, 00185 Rome, RM, Italy.

There is a Metro station which connects with Termini, so it should be fairly easy to get here using public transportation. 

If you’re coming from the area of Vatican City, consider heading just north to the Ottaviano Metro Station and taking the subway to Termini Metro Station.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling from the area of the Colosseum, you might want to consider going to the Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) Metro Station and taking the subway from there to Termini.

If you're staying/living northeast of the city centre, you might find that Tiburtina Station is actually closer than Termini.


Step 3 - Purchase Tickets

If you book early enough, you should be able to get economy or super economy tickets, which are usually the least expensive options.

Alternatively, you can also get first class tickets, and these are a great choice for anyone who wants a quieter, more roomy experience.

If you’re ready to get reservations for a train from Rome to Florence, you can expect the following prices for each seat option:

Although you can get tickets online ahead of travel times by using the link above, you can also purchase tickets at the train station. 

Termini has several ticket kiosks, so you shouldn’t have to worry about waiting in a line for too long or missing the schedule. 

The kiosks have language settings, so even if you don’t speak Italian, you should be able to get tickets with relative ease.

The languages included are English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.

While it’s nice to have the option of being more spontaneous, we still recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as seating can be limited (and sometimes more expensive) if you get them on the day of departure.

Booking ahead of time also allows you to look for the best price. 

You’ll also have time to plan out your trip to Florence, and the more time you have for that, the more likely you’ll be able to save some money on fun activities in the historic city.


Step 4 - Enjoy the Journey!

The train ride from Rome to Florence is quite scenic. As the train travels through Tuscany, you'll get to enjoy the Italian countryside and numerous charming towns.

The train is often the fastest way from Rome to Florence, especially when you factor in time spent at airports.

The high-speed trains, like the Italo or Frecciarossa trains, provide a comfortable and efficient journey.

Most Trenitalia and Italo trains include basic amenities such as power outlets for your smartphones and other devices, vending machines with snacks, and even free wifi!

Needless to say, going first class ensures a much more comfortable trip in a bigger, more luxurious seat. However, most visitors find that the economy seats are more than sufficient!


Step 5 - Arrival

Once you get to Florence, you will likely arrive at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station. Believe it or not, most tours begin just a few short blocks from here!

The Beauties of Florence tour offered by Another Florence begins at the Santa Maria Novella Piazza, which is just across the street from this train station.

The Medici, Renaissance, and Gastronomy tour from Original Florence begins at Piazza dell'Unità Italiana, which is right across the street from Santa Maria Novella Piazza!

In other words, no matter which tour you want to take in Florence, you can pretty much just hop off the train and potentially begin your outing – at least if you plan in advance well enough!

If you’re looking for where to store your luggage, Kipoint is the only company offering storage inside the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station. 

You’ll find Kipoint near Platform 16, past the McDonald’s. Prices start at €6 for the first 5 hours and another €1 for each additional hour.


Tips From Locals and Travelers

Every now and then, tourists will ask for help with traveling from Rome to Florence by train on our Rome Travel Tips group on Facebook.

The members of Facebook Groups like these often have very helpful tips for visitors who want to plan a day trip in Italy.

Here are a few excellent examples of useful suggestions we found that you might want to consider before making the trip to Florence.

Locals often recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time, indicating it makes the whole process much easier and less stressful.

Samantha notes another useful aspect of buying tickets before arriving at Termini Station: you can simply scan the barcode from your smartphone, and no validation of a paper ticket is required.

Another great aspect of these travel tip groups is that locals will often point out some excellent ways to save money on tickets.

Rebecca notes that if you sign up for emails from Italo, they might send you coupon codes to save money on admission!

The commenter below recommends checking the departure board at Termini Station rather than just relying on your ticket, as sometimes these details can change at the last second.

While it's simple advice, it is worth noting that even locals and travelers recommend buying tickets well ahead of time, as you'll typically pay a higher price for admission if you buy it on the day of travel.

If you're looking for even more helpful recommendations, or you haven't found an answer to your question, make sure to check either the Rome & Italy Travel group or our very own Rome Travel Tips group for any tips you may need!


About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: November 29th, 2023
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