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How to get to Florence from Rome
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- By train: There are two types of trains connecting Rome with Florence, express trains and local trains. Express trains are the preferable option for travelers, offering spacious seating, swift transfer (usually only an hour and a half), affordable rates, convenient baggage storage, and amenities like wifi, electrical outlets, a dining carriage with a café or vending machines, and restrooms (consisting of those with wheelchair access). Local trains can be a superb option for budget travelers, as tickets are sometimes (but not always) cheaper than express tickets. Local trains normally take about three to three and a half hours, but can take over seven, so be sure to check the duration of the train ride before booking. Restrooms are on all trains, and some offer wifi and in-seat power; local trains do not offer food or beverages. I recommend booking train tickets in advance.
- By Coach: Buses offer a marginally cheaper travel option than local trains, requiring somewhere between three and a half to seven hours. Flixbus provides the best bus service for this route, including onboard wi-fi, snacks, and restroom facilities.
- By traveling:Renting transportation is a great choice if your journey to Florence incorporates a few day trips to other Tuscan cities or into the wine region. But if the bulk of your travel days will be invested in Florence itself, then a car creates more issues than it solves, because of the restricted and expensive parking and the fact that most hotels in Florence are within the pedestrian-only zone. The drive takes a little over three hours via the most direct route, which includes a toll road. Taking an alternative route which dodges most tolls takes over four hours.
- By air: ITA Airways operates 4 daily flights between Rome and Florence. Tickets are affordable, with journeys taking only 55 minutes. However, the time spent arriving at and departing each airport as well as clearing security makes this both a more expensive and time-consuming option than taking an express train.
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Rome-Florence Train Schedules
Train travel between Roma Termini train station and Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN, the main train station in Florence), is nearly constant, with runs every 2 to 10 minutes generally depending on the time of day.
The paragraph indicated that Italo runs most express trains while Trenitalia runs most local trains
Train service between Rome and Florence runs from early morning until evening on weekdays, starting at 5:35 a.m. and concluding at 8:55 p.m. There are also two overnight local trains leaving just after midnight and arriving in the cities at around 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Weekend and holiday trains depart a little later in the mornings, around 5:45 or 6:00 a.m., and run until 10:35 p.m.
Rome-Florence Train Fares
Fares for tickets from Roma Termini to Firenze SMN can vary considerably, with express tickets costing between €15.90 to €61 and local trains priced from €14 to €23. Trains are the most affordable in early mornings before 6:45, and the most expensive during morning and evening rush hours, when many choose the trains for work.
While express trains provide both first and second class seating selections, local trains only offer second class. The variance between express train ticket types is minimal. Second class seats are roomy, recline, and come with complimentary wifi and power outlets. First class seats are somewhat more expansive, usually have more baggage storage space, and occasionally come with a welcoming drink and snack. For such a brief trip, it`s not worth paying for the first class upgrade, since tickets are two to three times the cost, and the amenities are generally identical.
Italo provides reductions for children, seniors, and families. Children under three years old can ride free without an assigned seat and sitting on an adult`s lap; if an adult travels with more than one infant, a second seat must be purchased. Italo`s Family program allows all members of a family to have designated seats together at a discount: a booking must be made for two to four people where at least one is over 18. In this case, all children under 14 in that group ride free (infants under three aren`t counted since they ride free anyway). Seniors receive a 40% reduction when booking three days in advance.
Children aged four to eleven on Trenitalia are charged at half the price for adults and allotted their own seating. Kids under four can ride free on an adult`s lap, though tickets can be purchased for them as well to use a car seat if needed. Trains tend to have empty seats, so younger children may sit in them if the train is moving and spots are vacant near their family. Their Bimbi Gratis program allows children under fifteen to travel free. To benefit, tickets for a group of two to five people including at least one adult must be bought two days in advance, with the youngsters` fares waived while adult costs remain unchanged.
Italo and Trenitalia tickets are purchasable at the assigned kiosks or ticket offices situated at the Roma Termini station on the day of travel. These are located in the station lobby on the Platform level. They are also able to be purchased online ( Trenitalia,Italo) 24 hours or more before the train’s scheduled departure.
Wait Times and Delays
Travel by train (and bus) in Italy sometimes involves brief delays of a few minutes. Delayed departures can transpire at any time but are most common around the major holidays of Christmas and Easter when passenger volumes are higher.
Delays can also arise from worker demonstrations, though these are never without notice. All protests must be declared two weeks in advance, cannot last more than 24 hours, and are never permitted in July, August, late December, early January, or around Easter or election times. In the case of a demonstration, trains still operate – but on a reduced schedule.
In the case that a delay is long enough that it causes a passenger to miss a connection, the purchased ticket can be redeemed on the next train departure, within an hour after the original train’s scheduled time. If the train they need to connect to is the last train of the evening, let the conductor know; they may be able to have that train wait.
Rome to Florence with Kids
In general, all children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by an adult. Young people ages twelve to sixteen may travel alone with a signed consent form from their parent or legal guardian. Contact Trenitalia directly for details on minors traveling without supervision.
Rethymno exhibits some similarities compared to Chania however on a smaller scale with less tourist development. The village possesses a rich history dating back to the Minoan era marked by monuments from mighty empires scattered throughout its historic downtown and harbor, like an imposing Venetian stronghold and domed Ottoman mosques. Rethymno Beach lies east of the marina, a pleasant stroll from the Old Town. Driving a short distance farther east results in even more soft sandy beach resorts at Spilies and Bali. Throughout summer it provides direct ferries to Santorini (twice per week) which makes it a convenient stop if visiting the Cyclades
Trenitalia offers children who are four years old or younger to ride free if they sit on an adult`s lap. Youngsters from ages 4-11 are charged at 50% discounted rates for adult fare and get their own seat. Seats can also be purchased for children under 4 at the standard kid rate too (do this if using a car seat). Trains are rarely filled, so if the train starts moving and empty seats are near, it is acceptable for younger kids to utilize them. They also have their Bimbi Gratis program, where children under 15 ride at no cost. To take advantage of this, tickets must be acquired two days in advance as part of a family group of 2-5 individuals, with at least one adult. Adult fares remain unchanged; just the kid tickets are free.
Food On Board or at the Station
Italo’s express trains to Rome have vending machines onboard supplying coffee, sodas, and snacks. Each seat comes with a table; groups of four have a larger shared table.
Station Rome Termini houses a three-floor shopping center containing restaurants, cafes, and even a grocery store inside. The three levels are Underground, Platform (ground level), and First Floor. Most of the eateries are in the northwest part – facing Piazza Cinquecento – on any of the three floors. Mercato Centrale Roma is particularly good. The market is located on the Underground Level.
Wonderful restaurants also exist just outside the station, notably Er Buchetto (wine bar) and Nerone (casual Italian dining).
Location of the Train Stations
The website Roma Termini is found downtown, near the Roman National Museum, Baths of Diocletian, and the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The University lies to the east, housing some small specialized museums like those focused on medicine, mathematics, chemistry, and more. It is within walking distance (20 to 30 minutes) of the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.
Santa Maria Novella train station is in the heart of Florence, within easy walking distance to all of Florence’s major attractions, including the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and the Accademia, though it is especially close to San Lorenzo Church, San Lorenzo Market, the Medici Chapels, and the Oficina Profumo. Several low-cost hotels surround the station with some of the city’s best restaurants and bars within five to ten minutes’ walk.
Rome to Florence by Train
• Directions for acquiring train passes within Italy
