Rome → Florence by train
This is the single busiest tourist rail corridor in Italy, and competition between Frecciarossa and Italo keeps advance fares surprisingly low. Book 2–3 weeks out and you will rarely pay more than €25.
Who runs this route
| Operator | Type | Where to book |
|---|---|---|
| FrecciarossaTrenitalia | High speed | Trenitalia or Omio |
| ItaloNTV | High speed | Italo or Omio |
Check live times & fares
Compare Trenitalia and Italo in one search — prices rise as seats sell.
Timetable at a glance
Services run 2–4 per hour, first departure around 05:35 and last around 21:33. Exact times shift with the seasonal timetable — treat these as planning anchors and confirm the day before you travel.
Buying tickets: when and where
High-speed fares work like airline fares: the earliest bookers pay the least. Open sales start about 4 months out; booking 2–3 weeks ahead usually lands close to the lowest fare, while same-day walk-up tickets can cost two to three times more.
Tickets are digital — show the QR code from the app or a printout. On Regionale services with paper tickets, validate in the green machines before boarding. High-speed and Intercity tickets are train-specific; Regionale tickets are flexible within their validity window.
The stations
Roma Termini
Metro A/B meet under Termini; taxis use the official rank on Piazza dei Cinquecento.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella
The station is a 10-minute walk from the Duomo — you rarely need a taxi.
Alternatives, honestly compared
Bus: FlixBus and Itabus connect Rome and Florence for less money but roughly double the time — the budget backstop. Driving: around 273 km on autostrade; add tolls, fuel and city ZTL zones (limited-traffic areas with cameras), which make cars a liability in historic centres. Flying only makes sense with checked bags and airport-side hotels — city-centre to city-centre, the train wins on this route.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Rome to Florence?
The typical journey time is 1 h 32 min. Frequency: 2–4 per hour.
How much does the Rome to Florence train cost?
Advance fares start around €19.90. Buying last-minute, expect up to €55.
Which stations does the Rome–Florence train use?
Departures use Roma Termini and arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella.
Do I need to book in advance?
High-speed fares work like airline fares: the earliest bookers pay the least. Open sales start about 4 months out; booking 2–3 weeks ahead usually lands close to the lowest fare, while same-day walk-up tickets can cost two to three times more.
What is the first and last departure?
First departure around 05:35, last around 21:33 — exact times vary by day, check before travel.
Is the train the best way to get from Rome to Florence?
This is the single busiest tourist rail corridor in Italy, and competition between Frecciarossa and Italo keeps advance fares surprisingly low. Book 2–3 weeks out and you will rarely pay more than €25.