What’s the best way to get from Florence to Rome? A chariot or carriage by way of the Via Cassia, of course. 

What’s the best modern way to get between Florence and Rome? The train. 

Rome’s metro and Italy’s railways make it easy to plan a multi-city vacation without feeling like you need to rush through the sites. You can get from the Colosseum to the Statue of David in less than two hours. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, David Dolci. Image Location: Florence, Italy

At a glance: Florence to Rome by train

Need to know: traveling between Florence and Rome

What is the distance from Rome to Florence?

Rome to Florence is only 144 miles by train, roughly the same distance between Nashville and Louisville. They seem farther apart on the map thanks to Italy’s slender size, but the truth is, Rome to Florence and back again is an easy day trip.

How long is the high-speed train from Florence to Rome?

A high-speed train can take you from Florence to Rome in approximately 1hr 20m. That’s fast. So fast that you can just barely watch the entire Gladiator movie on a round-trip. There are longer routes lasting just under four hours, and though the ticket prices are cheaper, it gives you less time in either city.

What is the price of train tickets from Florence to Rome?

You can pay less for a train ticket from Florence to Rome than for a dinner in either city. Seriously. Prices per ticket can reach as low as $11.24, but don’t assume that the 73 trains per day will all be that cheap. Prices vary based on time, date, carrier, and how far in advance you purchase tickets. 

How far in advance should I book my train tickets from Florence to Rome? 

Buy your train tickets as soon as you’ve confirmed your other travel arrangements, i.e. your plane ticket or cruise ticket. Purchasing in advance gets you the lowest price available, the best seat options available, and takes one big worry off of your plate. 

What are the train station names in Florence and Rome?

Great question. One hiccup that many first-time travelers to Italy have is identifying names of city train stations. Italian spellings can be confusing. Rome’s main station is “Roma Termini”. Florence's main station is “Firenze Santa Maria Novella”. 

One reason we recommend downloading the Trainline app is that you type in "Florence" and we pull up "Firenze" and you can rest assured you’re purchasing a ticket to the station you need. 

Image Credit: Getty Images, baratroli. Image Location: Florence, Italy

Can you do a day trip from Rome to Florence?

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Florence for that matter — but you can see millennia worth of creation between sunrise and sunset. A day trip between Rome and Florence is absolutely worth it for anyone who loves Italian art, food, and history.

5 musts for Rome first-timers

  1. Step into Vatican City to say you’ve been in the world’s smallest country. 
  2. Throw a wish and a coin into the Trevi Fountain.
  3. Sit on the Spanish Steps and eat way too much gelato.
  4. Tour the Colosseum (because how could you not).
  5. Check out the best things to do in Rome. 

5 musts for Florence first-timers

  1. See the most famous naked statue this side of the Appian Way.
  2. Go shopping on the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge.
  3. Order up a Florentine steak and a glass of Tuscan wine.
  4. Climb the Duomo for excellent birds-eye city views.
  5. Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Vladislav Zolotov. Image Location: Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

When in Rome… or Florence… grab a Eurail Pass

Getting around Italy is easy by train: Venice, Milan, Naples, and even Sicily all have train stations ready to welcome you. If you’re planning a long Italian adventure, save time and money by purchasing a single-country Eurail pass that’ll give you unlimited train travel from the Alps to the tip of the boot.

Download the Trainline app to buy and store your single tickets and Eurail passes.

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Cavan Images. Image Location: Florence, Italy

Ready to book your tickets?