In search of the best way to travel from Florence to Siena in Italy? Then look no further than this comprehensive guide where I outline the best ways to do just that!
Gorgeous and historic Florence (or Firenze in Italian), as well as beautiful Siena, are two of the most stunning destinations in Italy that are absolutely worth visiting when planning an Italian vacation to Tuscany.
With an array of incredible Italian landmarks, history, culture, as well as delectable Tuscan cuisine, it’s no wonder that this region is so popular! Whether you are visiting for a short break, or planning a 10 day Italian Itinerary, you’ll definitely want to add these to your list of must-visit cities!
Thanks to these two cities’ close proximity to each other, travelling from Florence to Siena as part of a day trip is a great option to explore both destinations when spending a few days in Florence.
Thankfully, getting from Florence to Siena is a breeze! In this comprehensive post, I’ll be detailing how you can travel to and from Siena to Florence by train, by bus, or by car, so you can choose the best option to suit your travel itinerary.
Top tip: Planning to combine your trip to Florence with a leg to Milan and Pisa? Then be sure to check out my guide on how to get between Florence and Milan, as well as Florence and Pisa too!
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Florence to Siena Flights:
Given the close proximity of the two destinations, there are no direct flights between Florence(FLR) Peretola airport and Siena, Tuscany(SAY).
Florence to Siena Train
Journey time: From 1.5-Hours
Siena is located about 72 km away from Florence and provides the ideal opportunity for a day trip to the medieval city thanks to the numerous convenient Siena Florence train services that connect between the two cities.
If you plan your trip well, you can easily explore Tuscany’s second-largest city, Pisa and San Gimignano in a single day and return back to Florence in the evening.
From Florence, it takes about ninety minutes to reach Sienna, passing through some of the most beautiful Tuscan countrysides on a direct train. Travelling by a slower train involves a 30 minutes changeover on the way at Empoli which can extend the journey time to nearly two hours.
That said, the amazing views from outside your comfortable carriage window will be so rewarding that you will hardly be disappointed by choosing this option.
Florence to Siena by Train: Services
On average every weekday sees 16 direct trains depart from Florence to Siena, while on weekends the number typically comes down to twelve. The earliest departure is at 05:35 am and the last departure at 21:38 pm on most days.
The company which connects the two cities on the Florence Siena train route is Trenitalia, whose fleet of Regionale trains ply on this route for direct trips and Regionale Veloce for the initial leg of the indirect route.
The best fare on this route is €10. If you take both the direct and indirect trains into consideration, then around 70 departures take place every week between Florence and Siena.
Train from Florence to Siena: Fares & Buying Tickets
Although only second class services are offered on the Siena to Florence train route (and vice versa), the journey is comfortable and the service is efficient. Passenger amenities include good push-back armchair seats and a paid bar-bistro service onboard. There is ample storage space for large luggage items in each coach.
To get the cheapest fare, try and be a bit flexible with the travel dates and book as far in advance as possible. The best fare on this route starts from €10 per adult, one-way, but you can also check out the indirect trains as they are often more affordable and add no more than thirty minutes to the travel time.
Tip: Whenever I book my own train tickets, I love searching, comparing, and booking through Omio as they allow you to compare not only trains but also buses and flights for the same route. Click here to search & book your train ticket on Omio.
Train Stations:
All trains from Florence depart from either the primary Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station (named after the Santa Maria Novella church located across the piazza) or Florence Rifredi. The streets outside have major bus connections, so apart from an easy walk, travellers can catch a bus to reach the station.
When you reach Siena, your train journey will end at the Siena train station, Stazione di Siena. Incidentally, this station is located outside the walls of the city and involves a steep twenty-minute walk to the city centre.
Alternately, travellers can take the escalator from right across the station to the Porta Siena shopping centre, from where Piazza del Campo is just a short walk away.
Florence to Siena Bus Service
Journey time: From around 1-Hour 15 minutes
Travelling from Florence to Siena by bus certainly has its own charm. Not only is the travel time less than by rail (around one hour and fifteen minutes), the tickets are cheaper and you get dropped off right in the middle of the city, as opposed to outside the city walls should you choose to travel by train.
Moreover, the journey on the Florence Siena bus service is very scenic as it passes through mountains and hills over winding roads. (Not suggested for those with travel sickness issues).
There are two local buses operating on this route run by Tiemme. The direct Rapida 131R and the regular 1310 makes two stops en-route at Poggibonsi and Colle Val d’ Elsa. Buses depart from Firenze Piazza Tasso bus station and arrive at San Domenico in Siena, which lies within the city walls. Usually, two buses leave every hour with the first at 8:28 am and the last service at 22:07 pm.
The long-distance FlixBus also operates luxurious air-conditioned services with free WiFi and snacks on this route. However, these buses depart from Villa Costanza which is located on the outskirts of the city of Florence.
Always remember to validate your ticket when travelling by bus from Florence to Siena right as you board the bus at the stamping machine, which marks the date and time. Failure to do so can result in a fine. This holds true for all regional trains as well.
Bus Florence – Siena: Fares & Buying Tickets
At present, a one-way ticket by bus from Florence to Siena is about €7.80 if you buy seven days in advance or €10 if you buy on board.
To enjoy the best of Siena on a day visit it is suggested to leave Florence as early in the morning as possible to give you sufficient time in Siena. You can check the schedule at the bus station one day earlier or well before the travel date. Again, when booking your Siena Florence bus ticket (and vice versa) you can do so by searching and booking directly on the comparative site Omio.
Driving from Florence to Siena by Car:
Distance from Florence to Siena: Roughly 72 kilometres / 45 miles
There is no better way to experience the sights and sounds of any country at leisure than on a road trip in your car. The romantic town of Florence is just about an hour (72 km) away from Siena, which includes some great stops like Greve and Castellina-in-Chianti along the way.
The fastest driving route is the tolled Raccordo Autostradale Firenze Potential. Another drive down the historic Chiantigiana SR 222 is extremely scenic, but if you take a small detour from Castellina-in-Chianti on S429, towards San Gimignano, you will get wonderful views of the Chianti countryside.
Fuel and toll fees will work out from around €8.79 on this journey. To view more detailed route information, visit this handy ViaMichelin route planner.
Where to Stay in Florence and Siena
Need to firm up your accommodation for your stay in either Florence or Siena? Then these fabulous hotel suggestions may help you decide on your perfect home base for your trip.
Florence Hotels:
For a fantastic luxury break away with gorgeous views of the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, consider booking the elegant Portrait Firenze.
Budget travellers in search of a centrally can check out the Hotel Costantini, or for a great Bed & Breakfast choice consider the Porcellino Gallery Art Boutique B&B.
The Appartamento Piazza Signoria is a fantastic selection for those in search of apartment-style accommodation options.
Siena Hotels:
If you decide to spend a night in Siena then those in search of a touch of opulence may want to book into the uber lux 5* Grand Hotel Continental Siena – Starhotels Collezione.
Alternatively, the 3* Albergo Chiusarelli, as well as the 4* Hotel Athena make for great midrange choices. The latter of which has a stunning outdoor terrace with incredible views out over Siena. The perfect spot from which to enjoy a traditional Italian cocktail or drink after a long day of sightseeing!
What To Do – Florence & Siena Tours & Activities
A great way to get to grips with any new destination is to consider booking a few activities to help you learn more about the place, its culture, people, and cuisine. Here are a few select tours & activities that you may want to plan for your next visit to Florence and Siena.
Florence Tours & Activities:
Want to see all the sights and sounds of Florence, but rushed for time? Then why not book this Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour. A great way to see all the major sites in a short amount of time, allowing you to prioritize the ones you’d like to return back to later.
Exploring the city on foot, being led by a knowledgeable local guide is another great way to learn about historic Florence. Consider this top-rated 2-Hour Florence Walking Tour.
For foodies wanting to savour the true delights of Florence, this 3.5-Hour Florence Beer & Bites Walking Tour of Florence is a great way to do just that!
Alternatively, you may want to search and book an array of other great tours & activities in Florence by clicking here.
Siena Tours & Activities:
When in Tuscany, you simply have to indulge in the incredible gastronomy that the region has become so well-known for. Try out this 4-Hour Tuscan Cooking Class in Siena and learn all the tips and tricks to replicate the flavours of Tuscany when you return home.
Travellers looking for a more bespoke option may be interested in this Private 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Siena, exploring all the wonders of the UNESCO Heritage Site, Siena’s old town.
Click here to search and book all other Siena activities and tours.
