How Long Is the Train from Rome to Florence? Times & Prices

The fastest train from Rome to Florence takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. High-speed Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) and Italo trains run several times an hour from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, usually in 1h30–1h40, with advance fares from about €15–20. Slower regional trains take 3½–4 hours for a fixed fare of around €25.

The 261 km rail trip between Italy's two most visited cities is one of the easiest in Europe. You can be in front of Florence Cathedral in less time than it takes to cross some big cities. Below are the real journey times, what tickets cost in 2026, which station to use and how to book without overpaying. If you also want driving times and the straight-line distance, see our guide to how far Rome is from Florence.

Times are for Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN), as checked in October 2026. Both operators advertise best times of about 1h25–1h30. In practice most trains on the current timetable take 1h35–1h40, partly because of engineering works on the high-speed line scheduled until 31 October 2026. The line is built for 250 km/h, not the 300 km/h that high-speed trains reach elsewhere in Italy.

Honestly, for this route they are almost interchangeable. Both run modern high-speed trains, both include a reserved seat, and both take roughly the same time. The differences are in the details:

Our tip: compare both for your exact time and book whichever is cheaper. Check the timetables directly on the Trenitalia Rome–Florence page and the Italo Rome–Florence page.

High-speed fares are dynamic: the earlier you book, the less you pay. Since January 2026, Trenitalia's Frecce trains also use dynamic pricing, with a price cap. Regional and Intercity fares stay fixed.

Trenitalia fare types:

As a rough guide, a one-way Rome–Florence ticket costs €15–30 booked a few weeks ahead and €45–55 bought on the day. The regional train costs the same whenever you buy it, around €25, so it only makes sense if high-speed fares have shot up or you have a rail pass.

Most trains leave from Roma Termini, Rome's main station, which is easy to reach by Metro lines A and B and by bus. Some high-speed trains also call at Roma Tiburtina, east of the centre. Tiburtina works if you are staying nearby, but from the historic centre a taxi there costs about €15; our guide to getting a taxi in Rome explains how to find official ones.

In Florence, almost all high-speed trains arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN), right in the city centre. From SMN it is about a 10-minute walk (750 m) to the Duomo. Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria are less than 20 minutes on foot. Always check your ticket: if it says Campo di Marte or Rifredi, frequent local trains connect both stations with SMN in a few minutes.

1. Book on the official sites or apps. Trenitalia (trenitalia.com) and Italo (italotreno.com) sell tickets without booking fees. Reseller apps are handy for comparing both but may add a charge.
2. Book early for weekends and summer. Frecce tickets go on sale months in advance, and the cheapest fares on Friday-evening and Sunday-evening trains go first.
3. Keep the e-ticket on your phone. High-speed and Intercity tickets show a QR code or booking code. There is no check-in and nothing to validate; just board your booked train.
4. Validate paper regional tickets. If you buy a paper regional ticket, stamp it in a validation machine at the station before boarding, or risk a fine. Regional tickets bought in the app are validated automatically.
5. Allow time at Termini. The high-speed platforms are behind ticket gates, and the station is big. Arriving 20–30 minutes before departure is comfortable.

The trip back is a mirror image. Journey times and fares are the same in both directions, and Italo fares also start at about €15. The last Frecciarossa currently leaves Florence around 10:15 pm, which makes a day trip from Rome easy.

Yes, and many visitors do. Take a train around 8 am and you can be at the Duomo before 10 am. That leaves a full day for the cathedral, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi before an evening train back. It is a long day, but entirely realistic. If you have more time, Florence also works as a base for the rest of the region, as we explain in how far Tuscany is from Rome.

Back in Rome by 9 pm with energy left? Small-group tours of the Colosseum run after dark on many evenings, and our comparison of Colosseum night tours shows which ones are worth it. For planning the rest of your stay, see how many days you need in Rome.