Planning a trip to Florence, Italy, and are thinking about side trips? Keep scrolling for my list of the best day trips from Florence by train worth adding to your Italy itinerary!
This list of day trips from Florence by train was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning a trip to Tuscany’s capital? Fit in some day trips from Florence by train in your itinerary!
You should! There are so many cool places to visit, under the Tuscan sun and further afield in other Italian regions and on the coast.
Because the city center is fairly central, taking train rides from Florence is super quick and easy. No stressing over rental car insurance forms or driving on dusty country roads!
But you need to know your options on the best day trip from Florence by train to suit your interests.
This guide has lots of inspiration and will give you all the logistical info you need. In the end, you can understand how easy it is to travel by train in Italy.
Whether you’re in the mood for a Rome, Pisa, and Cinque Terre day trip from Florence by train or somewhere else entirely, this will help you plan the perfect excursion.
Day Trips from Florence to Assisi
Assisi in the Umbrian region boasts a beautiful Basilica and is bathed in so much historical importance, all thanks to one man, Saint Francis of Assisi.
One of Italy’s most revered saints was born here in the 12th century and well and truly left his mark.
His sarcophagus is in Assisi as well as many artworks depicting scenes from his life.
Aside from the connections to this famous saint, it’s one of the best places to take day trips from Florence by train because this hilltop town has spectacular views across the rolling hills and beautiful countryside.
How To Get from Florence to Assisi by Train
Travel from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Assisi requires a train change, usually at Foligno. The journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
Check Trenitalia for current schedules and fares, which typically start around €15. Upon arrival in Assisi, a local bus will take you to the historical center.
Florence to Livorno Day Trips
Feel like taking easy day trips from Florence to the coast? Livorno is perfect! It’s a port town with a beautiful promenade, characteristic streets, medieval streets, city walls, and buildings dating back to the 16th century during the Renaissance.
If you’re desperate to visit a beach, the village of Calambrone is only a short bus journey north of Livorno. It’s such a hidden gem; you’ll find only Italian speakers here.
How To Get from Florence to Livorno by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, take an RV or REG Trenitalia service to Livorno Centrale station. They’re both direct, but the RV services are faster and slightly more expensive. REG services are slower (they stop at more stations) and cheaper.
Depending on which service you take, this train journey can take just over an hour to just under two hours. Ticket prices start at €10.40.
Day Trips from Florence to Siena
If you want to take an easy Florence to Tuscany train journey to somewhere like Florence but a bit smaller, you must visit Siena.
This city gained popularity after appearing in the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace, but it’s also just a charming, cute, and compact small town.
Its medieval streets and brick buildings line the Piazza del Campo from which the city’s 17 districts surround. Climb the Torre del Mangia for panoramic views across the Tuscan rolling hills.
How To Get from Florence to Siena by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, hop on a direct Trenitalia REG (regional) train to Siena FS station. It’s a 90-minute journey; around 30 trains travel this route daily. Tickets start from €9.80.
Florence to Venice Day Trips
Don’t have time in your travel itinerary to stay in Venice for a few days? Don’t worry; taking a Florence to Venice day trip by train is actually quicker than you might think with high-speed train services.
You can sail in a gondola out to the Grand Canal, sip on a coffee in St Mark’s Square, and be back in Tuscany by dinner.
Venice is definitely worth a Florence day trip! Plus, walking through its historic center and crossing iconic bridges offers some truly wonderful views.
How To Get from Florence to Venice by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, get a direct Trenitalia FR train to Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia. FR (Frecciarossa) is one of Trenitalia’s high-speed trains, so you should book your tickets in advance to guarantee seats on these types of services.
Direct trains to Venice are only two hours and 15 minutes, so a long day trip from Florence to Venice by train is definitely doable. There are 27 services a day, and ticket prices cost around €20 or more.
Both ticket price and number of services depend on the time of journey, season, and day of the week.
Day Trips from Florence to Lucca
Straddling the Serchio River in the region of Tuscany, Lucca is one of the most popular and best day trips from Florence by train.
This city is famous for its well-preserved Renaissance buildings and for being the birthplace of the great Italian opera composer Puccini.
How To Get from Florence to Lucca by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, hop on a direct Trenitalia REG service to Lucca station. This journey takes around one hour and 45 minutes, with around 45 trains per day. Ticket prices start from €8.10.
Florence to Perugia Day Trips
Perugia is the capital of the Umbria region. Taking a day trip from Florence to Perugia by train is an excellent choice if you want to explore another Italian regional capital.
Some of Perugia’s highlights include a stunning marble fountain in the central piazza and the medieval Priori Palace displaying local Umbrian art. Don’t miss the Roman ruins scattered throughout the historic center, which add layers of history to the city’s already rich heritage.
How To Get from Florence to Perugia by Train
From Firenze Campo Marte, take a direct RV Trenitalia service to Perugia Railway Station. This journey takes around two hours, and there are 17 services per day. Ticket prices start at €15.
Day Trips from Florence to Chianti
Calling all wine lovers! The best day trips from Florence to Tuscany for you will naturally have to involve a glass (or two) of the region’s best grapes.
Wine tasting in the Chianti region is a must-do experience, offering the chance to sample world-renowned wines while enjoying the rolling hills and beautiful countryside.
Castellina in Chianti is an ideal base to visit several vineyards in one day. Just remember when you need to catch your return train back to Florence!
A few people prefer hiring a tour guide and go for organized tours for a more in-depth experience, especially when learning about Chianti’s wine-making traditions. However, it’s completely doable when you DIY this day trip!
How To Get from Florence to Chianti by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, hop on a direct Trenitalia REG train to Siena FS station. It’s a 90-minute journey with around 30 trains traveling this route daily. Tickets start from €9.80.
When you arrive in Siena, take the 125 bus from Siena – Ferrovia right outside the station. It’s heading towards La Villa Inversione, but you’ll alight the bus after around 30 minutes at Castellina Paese Consorzi. This is exactly where you need to be!
Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trips
Taking a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre by train will be a long journey, but totally worth it. These five Ligurian towns on the Italian Riviera are just as colorful and magical in real life as they are on Instagram.
Riomaggoire, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare all have their own unique personalities. My top Cinque Terre tip is to do a little research before seeing which one(s) to visit.
But whether you manage to see all five or just one, you’ll love exploring these characteristic streets and coastal views. Don’t forget to visit the famous sights like Via dell’Amore in Riomaggiore and the charming harbor in Vernazza.
How To Get from Florence to Cinque Terre by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, take a Trenitalia RV or REG service to La Spezia Centrale. Take an RV service if you can to cut down the two hours and 30 minutes travel time.
There are only five direct services a day, so it might be faster to change at Pisa. Tickets start from €9.90. At La Spezia Centrale, you can pick up a Cinque Terre rail day pass and a timetable to travel to the five villages by train. The day passes cost around €8.
Day Trips from Florence to Pisa
Visiting Pisa is one of the top crowd-pleasing day trips near Florence, Italy. You can’t visit Tuscany without seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa in real life!
After you’ve taken the obligatory funny photos, you can stroll along the River Arno and check out the historic piazzas and churches.
How To Get from Florence to Pisa by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, hop on a direct Trenitalia RV or REG service to Pisa Centrale station, which takes around an hour. About 47 trains run between these stations every da,y and ticket prices start at €8.90.
Florence to Rome Day Trips
Rome wasn’t built in a day and you definitely can’t explore all of Rome’s highlights in quick train trips from Florence. But if a day is what you have, then you can still make the most of your time in the Italian capital!
Check out the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Piazza Navona. Or, stick to exploring Vatican City by seeing the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica.
The historic center of Rome is teeming with famous sights and Roman ruins, making it one of the most enriching day trips from Florence.
How To Get from Florence to Rome by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, take a direct FR Trenitalia service to Roma Tiburtina station. These services run every 15 minutes and take less than 90 minutes. Tickets for this journey start at €9.90.
Day Trips from Florence to San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a beautiful Tuscan hilltop village. The magnificent medieval towers penetrating its skyline make it one of the more unique day trips by train from Florence.
Check out the Piazza della Cisterna, which is San Gimignano’s triangular-shaped main square, and Duomo di San Gimignano, which is a church dating back to the 12th century.
How To Get from Florence to San Gimignano by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, take a direct Trenitalia REG service to Poggibonsi – San Gimignano station, which takes around an hour. There are 30 services a day, and tickets start at €8.10.
From Poggibonsi – San Gimignano, take the 130 bus heading towards Porta San Giovanni from the bus stop outside the station to Piazzale Montemaggio. This journey should only take 20 minutes, and you’ll have arrived at your destination.
Florence to Milan Day Trips
Italy’s financial and fashion capital, there are plenty of things you can see in Milan on a day trip from Florence.
As the capital of Italy’s Lombardy region, Milan is home to Italy’s largest church (St Peter’s Basilica is bigger, but it’s in the Vatican, not Italy!) and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper painting.
How To Get from Florence to Milan by Train
From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, take a direct Trenitalia FR service to Milano Centrale Railway Station. There are more services where you can change at Bologna but this service leaves every 30 minutes anyway. It takes two hours, and ticket prices are more or less €18.90.
Florence Day Trips FAQs
Train tickets in Florence, Italy, can be purchased online or at train stations. You can purchase tickets online through the official Trenitalia website or third-party websites such as Italo. Alternatively, you can buy tickets at the train station at one of the ticket counters or self-service kiosks.
First-class train tickets in Italy offer more spacious seating and extra amenities like free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and complimentary snacks, but they cost more. Second-class tickets are more affordable, with comfortable seating, air conditioning, and luggage storage, though with fewer perks.
Yes, you can typically use a credit card to buy train tickets in Florence, Italy. Most train stations and ticket machines accept major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. However, it’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand in case a machine or station does not accept credit cards or if you encounter any issues with your card.
Train schedules in Florence, Italy, are generally reliable, but delays can occur for various reasons, such as maintenance work, strikes, or weather conditions. It is always a good idea to check the train schedule and any potential disruptions before departing, either by checking online or inquiring at the train station.
In Florence, train platforms are listed on departure boards showing the train number, time, destination, and platform. Follow station signs to your platform and check for last-minute changes. Station staff or maps (available at info desks or online) can assist if needed.
Arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure, or earlier during peak times, to buy tickets, validate passes, and find your platform. It’s better to be early than risk missing your train.
Day Trips from Florence by Train Wrap-Up
These day trips from Florence, Italy, by train will allow you to get out into the beautiful countryside, visit vineyards for wine tasting, and explore historic centers and famous sights in other regions of Italy.
It could not be easier to take Florence day trips by train, and getting out of the city center will give you a richer and more memorable vacation.
Looking for more Italy travel resources? Find out the most Instagrammable spots in Rome, my top Rome travel tips, Venice travel tips, how to spend 2 days in Florence with kids, whether it’s worth visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, best family hotels in Florence, what Italy is known for, hidden gems in Venice, Florence travel tips, things to do in Florence with kids, Rome day trips, how to spend 10 days in Italy with kids, tips for visiting Italy with kids, and secret spots in Rome Italy!
