Rome to Florence Train - Our Smooth Ride in 2025

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Over the last few years, we’ve took a Rome to Florence train more times than we can count - and every time, it’s been the easiest and most stress-free way to make the journey. 👍 Our Most Loved Activities in Florence!

Whether it was a quick weekend escape or part of a longer Italy trip, hopping on a train between these two cities has never let us down. We’d heard people rave about Italian trains, especially the high-speed ones, but it wasn’t until we were zipping through the Tuscan countryside with a coffee in hand that we really got it.

We usually take Frecciarossa trains when travelling from Rome to Florence and each time we love it!We usually take Frecciarossa trains when travelling from Rome to Florence and each time we love it!

We booked Rome to Florence train tickets on the Frecciarossa (Trenitalia), which is Trenitalia’s fastest train, and it was absolutely the right choice. The journey only took about 1.5 hours, and we were surprised by how comfortable everything was. Even in standard class, the seats were roomy, the train was clean and modern, and the ride itself was super quiet. There’s also free Wi-Fi onboard, which was great for browsing places to eat in Florence.

If you want even more comfort, you can upgrade to premium, business class or even executive, where they serve snacks and offer more space to spread out. 

Read also: 3 Days in Florence


What are the options for buying Rome to Florence train tickets?

We usually book our Rome to Florence train tickets online through the Trainline. For getting really cheap tickets, we usually book them a couple of months in advance. That gave us better prices and more choices when it came to seats. Trainline offers easy booking of European train tickets (it's really user-friendly). 

Once the ticket is bought, you got it on email. You typically need to show your ticket to the train staff when requested (just display on your phone). We usually show the attached etickets on our mobile phone, but you can print them out on A4 size paper or view in Trainline app. 👉 Get cheap Rome to Florence train tickets!

How much does Rome to Florence train ticket costs?

Tickets with Trenitalia can cost as little as €12.90, but the price vary depending on the train, the class (Standard, Premium, Business or Executive), the type of the ticket and the time of the day you travel.

We manage to grab Rome to Florence business class tickets for only €32.90. For example, try to buy in April for your travel in June or July and you'll save on tickets.

Buying your train tickets online allows you to purchase your ticket much in advance and find better prices and a wider choice of seats available.

Trainline is a great website for comparing all available Italian trains and prices as well as book them in only a few clicks.

Tickets bought online for both regional trains and high-speed trains are automatically validated (you don't need to make check-in online). In fact, the ticket is activated when the train departs the station.

  • Book early: Especially in summer, tickets can sell out. Booking online not only saves time but sometimes gets you cheaper fares.
    You can also use platforms like Trainline or Rail Europe if you want everything in English and simplified.


What is the Trenitalia train schedule from Rome to Florence?

What we love about Trenitalia Frecciarossa high-speed trains is their frequent service between Roma Termini and Firenze Santa Maria Novella. We typically opt for early evening departures since we arrive in Rome during afternoon hours (and need time to reach Termini - we usually take the Leonardo Express).

The good news is that trains start running as early as 6am and continue until around 9pm, with services every 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours.

👉  Check the latest Trenitalia timetable for Rome to Florence trains!

From where do Rome to Florence train departs?

Trains from Rome to Florence leave from Roma Termini Station, conveniently located near the Colosseum and Via Nazionale. When we stay at Sophie Terrace Hotel, walking to Termini is our preferred option, but from Eccelso Hotel in the Prati area, we typically grab a taxi. The metro is another good choice, with both lines A and B available.

Rome’s Termini Station can be a little hectic, especially during busy hours, so it’s good to get there at least 20-30 minutes early. There are plenty of places to grab a snack or coffee if you have time to spare. The platforms (binario) aren’t announced super early, so keep an eye on the departure board. Once your train shows up, it’s all pretty straightforward - just find your carriage (carrozza) number and hop on. To access the platform, you'll need to scan the ticket or show to the train station staff. 

👉 If your tickets says "Carrozza 5, Posto 12A", that means Carriage 5, Seat 12A.

What happens if your Rome to Florence train gets cancelled?

Once, when we were catching a Rome to Florence train, it was cancelled while we were waiting at Termini. We went to the Trenitalia office and easily exchanged the ticket for a later train without any hassle. Don’t be discouraged by the lines in front of the ticket office – they move quickly. Plus, the staff inside are polite and speak English well.

If your Rome to Florence train is cancelled, just head to the Trenitalia ticket office for a new one.If your Rome to Florence train is cancelled, just head to the Trenitalia ticket office for a new one.

Our take on the Frecciarossa train journey from Rome to Florence...

As we zipped through the Italian countryside, we were surprised how smooth and quiet the ride was. We passed by rolling hills, old stone farmhouses, and tiny towns I now want to go back and explore. The train hit speeds of 300 km/h, but you barely feel it. We definitely recommend grabbing a window seat if you can - it’s worth it for the views alone.

We sometimes enjoy booking a seat in the "silent carriage" - it’s ideal for reading, getting some work done, or just travelling in peace without overhearing phone calls or conversations.

The train pulled into Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, right in the heart of Florence, just a short walk from the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio.

Where does trains from Rome to Florence arrive to?

The Rome to Florence trains arrive to Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station (Stazione di Santa Maria Novella). That station puts you right in the heart of Florence, just a short walk from the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio.

The station itself is clean, modern, and easy to navigate. Even when it’s busy, it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Everything’s well signposted (in English too), so we never had trouble figuring out where to go. There are plenty of ticket machines, a few helpful info desks, and a bunch of shops and cafés if you need a quick espresso or snack.

If you need a ride, there’s a taxi stand right outside (use left exit to reach it), and local buses are easy to catch too. But honestly, most of the time we just walked. Florence is that kind of city - small enough to explore on foot, but packed with things to see.

A couple of quick tips from our visits:

  • Keep your ticket with you—they sometimes check it when you exit the platform.
  • Like any busy station, watch your stuff, especially around the entrances.
  • If you’re catching a train back to Rome or heading somewhere else, give yourself a bit of extra time. It can get crowded during peak hours.

All in all, Santa Maria Novella has made arriving in Florence super easy for us every single time. It's one of those places that just works well, and it always feels like the perfect first step into the magic of Florence.

Our thoughts on Firenze Santa Maria Novella...

So, we’ve spent a good bit of time at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, and we’ve got a few thoughts to share. It’s not just a train station; it’s kind of an experience in itself. The mix of history, bustle, and that perfect pre-train energy makes it feel unique.

The first time we arrived, we were surprised by how central it is. You step out and you're basically already in the city - just a 10-minute walk from the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. That alone makes the whole train experience feel worth it. No long taxi rides or confusing transfers—just grab your bags and start exploring.

Every time we’re catching a train from Florence, we make a point to stop at La Feltrinelli bookstore in the station. It’s become a little ritual — a quiet moment before the journey.

Wandering through the shelves, flipping through books we didn’t plan to find, there’s a calmness in the midst of travel buzz. And of course, there's coffee. Whether it's an espresso, a croissant, or a quick sandwich, it's the perfect way to slow down before boarding.

Just a simple pause — pages, coffee, and the feeling that something new is about to begin.

We found a little gem not far from SMN train station!

Arriving at Florence's Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station, the Globus Urban Hotel is conveniently located just a short walk away. Here's how to reach it:​

  1. Exit the Station: From SMN, use the main exit facing Piazza della Stazione.​
  2. Turn onto Via Nazionale: Upon exiting, turn right onto Via Nazionale.​
  3. Continue to Via S. Antonino: Walk along Via Nazionale for approximately 200 meters. The hotel will be on your left at Via S. Antonino 38/R.​

Final Thoughts:

Honestly, taking the Trenitalia train from Rome to Florence was one of the easiest parts of our Italian trip - and one of the most relaxing. No airport stress, no traffic, just a smooth glide through beautiful Italian landscapes. If you're planning your itinerary, we 100% recommend making this train journey part of it. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Rome to Florence train - other options:

We didn't travel from Rome to Florence by Italo, but they seems the same comfortable and reliable as Trenitalia. They are just slightly cheaper! Italo offers 4 seat classes:  Smart, Comfort, Prima and Club Executive, equipped with reclining seats with tables, footrests and power sockets, free Wi-Fi and generous luggage space.

Drinks and snacks can be purchased from onboard vending machines. Passengers travelling in the cinema coach can enjoy entertaining multimedia.

Besides Frecciarossa trains, Trenitalia also offers Intercity trains, which are slower and stops many times along the way, making travel between Rome and Florence longer (from 2h 30 minutes to almost 4 hours).

Which Rome to Florence train to choose

In Italy there are two companies that run trains between Rome and Florence trains - Trenitalia and Italo. Mostly, Trentitalia's trains from Rome to Florence are either Frecciarossa or Frecciargento. Sometimes, you can also find and Intercity or a combination of two regional trains with a change in another city (the travel time in this case is from 3.5 hours to 5 hours). 

We recommend taking Frecciarossa high-speed train (the fastest one), with journey time of only 1 hour and 36 minutes. The trains are comfortable, air-conditioned and have electrical outlets and free wi-fi. Trains also have cafe/restaurant as well as food cart that brings snacks/drinks to your seat. At the end of each car you'll find a restroom.

They even have "silent carriage" for those who want to work or travel in silence.

Both Trenitalia and Italo trains have room for your luggage, either in the space above your head, which is safe as it closes, between seats if you carry a small trolley, or at the ends of your carriages if you have larger suitcases. These are unsupervised, so you might not want to pack your valuables even though it’s pretty safe. I myself left my luggage there more than once and never lost anything.

This being said, the ride is very short, and if you are going to arrive around lunchtime, you should better try one of the traditional restaurants in Florence easy to reach from Santa Maria Novella train station.

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