How far is rome from florence? Easy distances, times & travel tips
The quick answer you came for
You’re asking “how far is Rome from Florence?” because you want a simple plan that just works. Here it is:
- Straight-line (“as the crow flies”): about 231–232 km (≈144 mi).
- By road (A1 motorway): roughly 270–280 km (≈167–174 mi) depending on your exact route and city traffic.
- By high-speed train: about 1h25–1h35 between Rome Termini and Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN), with multiple departures every hour. Official operators publish typical journey times around 1h25–1h30 and list the route length around 261 km. See: Italo – Rome–Florence route (distance/time) and Trenitalia – Frecciarossa (high-speed up to 300 km/h).
For most travelers, the train to Florence is fastest, easiest, and the most stress-free door-to-door choice.
See it on an Italy map (so it clicks in your head)
If you look at an Italy map, Rome sits in the Lazio region; Florence is in Tuscany, to the north-northwest of Rome. Draw a line north from Rome Termini Station and you’ll meet Firenze SMN after roughly 1.5 hours on a high-speed service. The route follows the backbone of Italy, crossing valleys and rolling hills—so the map line is almost straight.
On the map, Florence is “up” from Rome. In practice, you’ll feel it’s just one clean hop away.
Distances & conversions you can quote (miles + km)
- City center to city center (train route length): about 261 km (Italo’s Rome–Florence route page). Italo Treno
- Driving distance (A1 “Autostrada del Sole”): typically ~270–280 km, 3–3.5 hours depending on traffic, tolls, and ZTL rules at each end.
- Straight-line distance: ~231–232 km (≈144 mi)—good for quick comparisons but not a travel time.
Tip: When locals talk time, they usually mean train time, not road time.
Train: the fastest way (and why it wins most days)
High-speed services connect Rome Termini and Firenze SMN many times per hour. You’ll see Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) and Italo (NTV) trains. On paper, the fastest trips are around 1h20–1h30. Italo’s route page lists 261 km and a typical 1h25 run; Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa page notes service at up to 300 km/h on the high-speed network.
What this means for you
- Door-to-door speed: With stations in the center (Termini and SMN), you skip airport transfers and highway stress.
- Frequency: Trains run very often, especially in the daytime.
- Comfort: Assigned seats, luggage racks, Wi-Fi portals, and café bars on many trains.
- Flexibility: Miss one? Another usually follows within minutes.
Pro move: Book an early train, do a full day in Florence, and return after dinner. That’s the classic Rome ↔ Florence day trip.
How to read the schedule like a pro (without overthinking)
- Choose your direction: Rome Termini → Firenze SMN or the reverse.
- Sort by duration: Pick trips around 1h25–1h35.
- Seat class: Standard is fine; Business/Premium add space and sometimes drinks/snacks.
- Arrival station: In Florence, you want Santa Maria Novella (SMN)—it’s the central hub.
Time saver: When searching, add a 10–15 minute buffer before your museum time (e.g., Uffizi or Accademia) for a relaxed walk.
Is driving worth it? (car vs train, the honest take)
Driving gives you pure freedom and scenic layovers. The trade-offs:
- Pros: Stop in Orvieto, Pienza, Montepulciano, or the Val d’Orcia; flexible schedule.
- Cons: Tolls, fuel, parking, and ZTLs (limited-traffic zones) in both cities. Actual road time often ends up longer than train time.
- Bottom line: If your goal is simply Rome ↔ Florence in one day, train wins. If you’re building a Tuscany road trip, the car makes sense.
From Rome Termini to Firenze SMN: a step-by-step game plan
1) Leave early. Aim for a departure between 07:00–09:00 if you’re doing a full Florence day.
2) Sit smart. If you like scenery, choose a window; if you’ll work, pick aisle for easier movement.
3) Snacks or café car. Grab a water and panino or visit the onboard bar.
4) Arrival at SMN. You’re 5–10 minutes on foot from the Duomo; 15–20 minutes from the Uffizi.
5) Return flexibly. Book a return after dinner (19:00–21:00) or late (22:00+ on some days) to stretch your evening.
Distances on the ground: what “close” feels like
Numbers are helpful, but feel matters. Rome ↔ Florence feels like a commute between major hubs, not a long-haul. You’ll sit down, scroll a few photos, sip coffee, and boom—you’re at SMN. That’s why the question “how far is Rome from Florence” often turns into “why didn’t we do this sooner?”
If you must drive: simple route notes
- Motorway: Follow the A1 (Autostrada del Sole) northbound from Rome.
- Time & distance: Plan on ~270–280 km and 3–3.5 hours depending on traffic and stops.
- Parking: In Florence, target garages outside the ZTL and walk in, or confirm that your hotel handles guest access.
- Stress-buster: For a one-way scenic day, train up, rent a car in Florence, then roam Tuscany.
Costs (ballpark, to set the right expectations)
- High-speed train: Prices vary by date and advance purchase; promos exist year-round.
- Driving: Add tolls + fuel + parking; city ZTL fines are real if you enter the wrong lane.
- Time is money: The train’s center-to-center speed usually beats any “cheap” road plan once you count parking and transfers.
Example itineraries you can copy
1) The classic day trip (train)
- 07:35 Train from Rome Termini
- ~09:05 Arrive Firenze SMN → coffee near the Duomo
- 10:30 Accademia or Uffizi (book ahead)
- 13:30 Lunch in Sant’Ambrogio or Oltrarno
- 16:00 Ponte Vecchio + Boboli Gardens
- 19:30–21:00 Train back to Rome
2) The scenic overnighter (car + train mix)
- Morning: Train to Florence; afternoon and dinner there
- Day 2: Pick up a car and drive south into Tuscany; sleep in Montepulciano or Pienza
- Day 3: Continue to Orvieto, then return the car in Rome
Train speed, comfort, and what “1h25” really means
On high-speed lines, Italian trains can run up to 300 km/h. That doesn’t mean you’ll see that number the whole way—it’s a blend of station exits, line speeds, and signals. Still, the headline time (around 1h25–1h35) is realistic in normal conditions and is exactly why the train dominates this route.
Map cues you can remember without a map
- On an Italy map, trace a line north-northwest from Rome to Florence.
- Rome Termini and Firenze SMN sit in the city center, so the map line is also your walking-friendly arrival.
- The A1 motorway makes a gentle arc between the two—great for side trips, not great for raw speed.
Story time: the “why didn’t we do this earlier?” moment
Nina and Marco kept asking how far is Rome from Florence and feared it would eat a whole day. They booked 7:50 → 9:20, stepped out at SMN, crossed to the Duomo in 7 minutes, ate a slow Tuscan lunch, watched the Arno at golden hour, and rode home by 21:00. “That felt easier than crossing a big city,” Nina said. Exactly.
FAQs (fast, useful, and to the point)
How far is Rome from Florence in km and miles?
About 261 km by rail route, ~270–280 km by road, and ~231–232 km (144 mi) straight-line. The number that matters for you is the 1h25–1h35 train time.
How long is the train from Rome to Florence?
Typically around 1h25–1h35 on high-speed services, with many departures all day.
Which stations do I use?
Rome Termini (or sometimes Tiburtina) → Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) in the center.
Is driving faster?
No. Even without traffic, the train is quicker and avoids tolls, parking, and ZTLs.
Can I do Florence as a day trip from Rome?
Yes, very comfortably. Plan ~10–12 hours total for a full, relaxed day.
