Rome and Florence are headline destinations for visitors to Italy. Connected by a rich vein of history and outsized influence on European culture, they are the first cities on many ‘must see’ lists.
Fast trains make the journey easy. Traveling from Rome to Florence by train takes just over 1 ½ hours on the cream of Italian rail. Comfort levels are high, and competing services keep fares low. There is no better way to travel between the ‘Eternal City’ and the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance.’
We walk through everything you need to know about booking train tickets from Rome to Florence and getting the most from this magical Tuscan escapade.
Rome to Florence by Train
If your dream European vacation features carefree train journeys between spellbinding cities, you’ll adore the train ride from Rome to Florence.
Best-in-class trains depart frequently. Fares are low and the journey is fast. Overall, there is little to separate the competing services. However, there are clear differences in train type and upgrade options.
The crucial factor is when to book, as early reservations yield sizeable savings.
Trenitalia Rome to Florence train tickets start at €50 for a single when bought on the day. Book at least 5 days ahead for ‘super economy’ tickets from €27.90. Book even earlier to find ‘Special Frecce’ fares for €14.90.
A Rome to Florence high-speed train with Italo is the better choice for last-minute bookings. On the day, fares start at €43.90. Book a week ahead, and seats go for €17.90.
Online bookings are presented on phones to the train conductors. It’s a time and money saver.
To secure a shared table or discrete 2×2 seat, reserve online for a €2 supplement with both operators.
If you want to retain flexibility in your travel itinerary, choose higher-priced fares that allow changes or cancellations. Check if they offer value, as maximum flexibility fares often match the cost of buying on the day.
Another perk of early booking is enticingly low-price upgrades. Add a few additional Euros to the overall Rome to Florence train cost to travel in style with a complimentary drink and spacious seat.
The four classes on a Frecciarossa 1000, the stylish flagbearer of Italian rail, boast the most enticing upgrades. On ‘Special Frecce’ tickets, business class can cost €6 more; Premium class, €3. Supplements at this price pay for themselves in snacks and drinks alone, but the improved legroom is always a welcome bonus.
Don’t worry if you miss the inexpensive promotional upgrades. All Rome to Florence high-speed trains are premium-class, whatever carriage you’re in.
Trenitalia operates three types of Frecce class trains. Wi-Fi and café-bars are standard on all services. There’s ample overhead storage and carriage racks for bulky luggage. Power outlets are available at most seats (use seat reservation to be sure.)
The deluxe option is the Frecciarossa 1000. The standard Frecciarossa is more frequent. The ‘Red Arrows’ are similar in most respects, albeit with an altered layout and design aesthetic.
Frecciargento trains also frequent the Rome to Florence rail line. They offer first and second classes only. Both are comfortable.
Italo is the upstart private rail company linking major cities across the country. Their fleet comprises state-of-the-art Alstom AGV (Automotrice Grande Vitesse) that arguably outmatch the top-tier Frecciarossa 1000 for comfort.
Italo trains have four classes: Smart, Prima, Executive, and the luxurious Salotto (‘Salon.’)
Smart is usually a 2×2 seating arrangement, with vending machines for snacks. There’s Wi-Fi and luggage space, and often the cheapest last-minute fares.
Prima class bags roomier seats, plus a soft drink and snack. Executive opens the liquor cabinet and the Italo Club Lounges in Roma Termini and Firenze S.M. Novella. All upgrades include fast-track lines for boarding.
If you’re not bothered about cut-price fares, you could make a spontaneous decision to visit Florence. You’ll rarely have a problem finding a convenient departure on any given day due to the high frequency of services.
The speedy Rome to Florence train time also puts day trips on the agenda. Firenze S.M. Novella is centrally located, just minutes from the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, AKA the “duomo.”
Walking shoes and an early departure make it possible to enjoy ephemeral Florentine moments. A 10-15 minute amble through atmospheric streets takes you to Michelangelo’s David or Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio museum, home to another Michelangelo masterpiece.
Save minutes by grabbing a snack in the vibrant subterranean Mercato Centrale. Breakfast on the go — try a delectable half-sandwich, half-calzone trapizzino — will leave more time to tuck into the singular delights of Florence.
Florence is the center of many Italian rail odysseys. Onward high-speed connections to Milan, Pisa, and Venice are frequent.
However long you spend in the Renaissance citadel, your expedition begins with an agreeable roll through the bucolic Tuscan countryside. It’s a delightful introduction to the region and an irresistible journey between two of Italy’s tourist jewels.
Rome to Florence by Train Details
- Prices: Significant savings are available on Trenitalia and Italo Rome to Florence train tickets when purchased early online, including low-cost upgrades.
- Trenitalia standard ‘super-economy’ starts at €27.90 (5 days ahead). Discount ‘Special Frecce’ can be as low as €14.90 when booked 2+ weeks ahead of travel. Expect to pay €50 with Trenitalia for same-day travel.
- Italo trains start at €17.90, rising to €43.90 for same-day travel.
- Frequency: 1-3 hourly Italo Rome to Florence trains. Trenitalia operates 2-5 hourly departures on the same route.
- Duration: The Rome to Florence train time is approximately 1 hour 37 minutes on all high-speed services.
Florence to Rome by Train
The return Florence to Rome train mirrors traveling in the opposite direction. Prices, frequency, upgrade options, and train types all match.
The speedy Florence to Rome train times make a day trip viable. You’ll have to skip a few sights, so plan ahead to maximize your sightseeing opportunity.
The last Italo train departs at 22:43, while a Trenitalia late service leaves at 22:14.
Arrive in Florence for breakfast to squeeze a full day hopping between jaw-dropping landmarks.
The centrally located Firenze S.M. Novella station makes things easier. Passengers alight from the Florence to Rome train in the heart of the historic Santa Maria Novella neighborhood. Nearly every compass point leads somewhere extraordinary.
Head north for the 16th-century Fortezza da Basso. East to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and the medieval streets beyond. South to the Arno riverbanks. Whatever direction you head, a Renaissance wonderland unfolds just minutes from the well-connected rail hub.
Florence to Rome by Train Details
- Prices:
- Tickets for a Florence to Rome high-speed train with Trenitalia start from €27.90 for ‘super-economy’ booked at least 5 days ahead. Frecce Special discount fares start from €14.90, usually up to 2 weeks before travel. On the day, Trenitalia tickets start from €50.
- An Italo fast train, Rome to Florence, costs €17.90 to €43.90. The lowest fares are available 6 days ahead of travel.
- Upgrades and ticket flexibility options are available with both operators.
- Frequency: 1-3 Italo Florence to Rome trains every hour. Trenitalia runs 2-5 hourly services on the same route.
- Duration: The Florence to Rome train time is approximately 1 hour 37 minutes on frequent high-speed services.
Rome to Florence by Train FAQ
Is there a high-speed train from Rome to Florence?
Yes. 3-5 high-speed trains from Rome to Florence depart hourly.
How long does the Rome to Florence train take?
The Rome to Florence train time is 1 hour 37 minutes on frequent high-speed services.
Can you do a Rome to Florence day trip?
Absolutely — frequent fast services connect the cities. A breakfast departure from Rome allows approximately 12 hours to explore Florence before boarding a late-evening return train.
When should I book a Rome to Florence train?
For the lowest prices and a full range of choices, aim to book ahead. Special fares are available on Trenitalia and Italo trains booked at least 5 days ahead, with discount fares often available for earlier bookings.
If you don’t want to book ahead, you can readily find a seat on a conveniently timed train, as there are many hourly departures from Rome to Florence.
Which rail operator should I choose for the Rome to Florence trains?
The competing Italo and Trenitalia services are modern, high-speed trains that match each other for journey time and comfort.
Compare prices and departure times to find the right travel option. Italo standard tickets are usually lower than Trenitalia. The more frequent Trenitalia service offers frequent unbeatable discounts.