Day Trip Rome to Florence

[martyap]

We are staying in Rome pre cruise for 7 days and would like to take a day trip to Florence. We know it would be a long day which is ok. Is it best to buy train tickets in advance? Are standard tickets fine or consider any of the upgrades? Do all tickets assign seats? Is Termini difficult to navigate? There is a bus on via Torre Argentina to Termini but we are sure we have to leave lots of extra time to get there and locate the platform.

Thank you for any advice and suggestions. 

 

[euro cruiser]

It's a very easy day trip, I've done it several times (in both directions, when staying in either city).

 

The benefit of purchasing in advance is a lower fare, and knowing that you have it taken care of for those who aren't comfortable with last minute travel decisions.

 

There are two train companies operating high speed trains between Rome and Florence, always check both to find the best combination of pricing and time for your trip.  

 

You might want to consider purchasing your outbound (morning) train in advance and enjoying some savings, but waiting until you're there before deciding on your return time.  You may find you want more time in Florence, or you may be wiped out earlier than expected and want to head back.

 

All seats on high speed trains are assigned.

 

Personally, I don't think paying for "upper" classes is worth any money, if you happen to find a deal where one is the same price as the base, grab it and see for yourself.

 

Here are the two train companies:

 

EN - Trenitalia

 

Italy high speed train tickets| Italotreno.it - Official website

 

 

[euro cruiser]

Termini is a large station but not particularly difficult to navigate.  They don't post the track assignments until about fifteen minutes beforehand, so there's not a lot of value in getting there very early.  On the other hand, there's a relatively new food court that may be interesting to wander through.

 

Mercato Centrale Rome | Mercato Centrale

 

 

[cruisemom42]

Since you will be in Rome for seven days and (I assume) wouldn't be leaving on your first day or two, it's probably fine to purchase your tickets in advance, as that allows you to take advantage of some often quite substantial savings. The minus for buying in advance is that the tickets are not transferable, so if you miss your train or change your mind on the timing, you're out of luck.

 

I would only consider using the fast trains (the "Frecce") for the trip -- anything else wastes time on a long daytrip. On a fast train, it takes just slightly over an hour and a half to make the trip. The regular (2nd class) tickets are fine for such a short trip. More roomy than airline seats certainly, but the cost of upgrading is often not much if buying in advance. All of the fast trains have assigned seats -- make sure that you do your seat selection online when you purchase your tickets, it's a pain to go back in and do it later. Your ticket will also show which carriage of the train you're in, which is important at the station.  Note: the station name to input is: Firenze -- S. M. Novella.

 

There are two options. Trenitalia and Italo. I've only used Trenitalia. Only buy from the official railway sites: trenitalia.com or italotreno.it   You can print out your ticket or just show the electronic ticket with barcode. A conductor usually comes around on the train shortly after departure to check.

 

Termini is pretty straightforward but it IS a large station. Happily, the Frecce trains leave from the head of the tracks (unlike the little regional train to Civitavecchia which requires about a two-block walk...). There are several large monitors that show all of the upcoming departures and you have to park yourself near enough to one of them to watch for the track ("binario") assignment for your train. Be sure to look for the number of the train on your ticket. Don't just look for trains to Firenze, as the monitor shows the ending point for all trains, which is likely NOT Firenze.

 

The track assignment rarely occurs more than 20 minutes or so in advance of departure. Once it is assigned, you can move to the platform (there will be a ticket check).  Look for your assigned carriage to board -- it's easier than walking through the train. 

 

Once in Florence, it's easy to walk around as the train station is quite central.

[martyap]

Thanks…basic info and exactly what I thought. Just returned from London>Paris>Brussels with lots and lots of trains. Italy sounds in sync…….much appreciated. Already registered with Trenitalia on their app.

[NCteacherlovescruising]

6 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Since you will be in Rome for seven days and (I assume) wouldn't be leaving on your first day or two, it's probably fine to purchase your tickets in advance, as that allows you to take advantage of some often quite substantial savings. The minus for buying in advance is that the tickets are not transferable, so if you miss your train or change your mind on the timing, you're out of luck.

 

I would only consider using the fast trains (the "Frecce") for the trip -- anything else wastes time on a long daytrip. On a fast train, it takes just slightly over an hour and a half to make the trip. The regular (2nd class) tickets are fine for such a short trip. More roomy than airline seats certainly, but the cost of upgrading is often not much if buying in advance. All of the fast trains have assigned seats -- make sure that you do your seat selection online when you purchase your tickets, it's a pain to go back in and do it later. Your ticket will also show which carriage of the train you're in, which is important at the station.  Note: the station name to input is: Firenze -- S. M. Novella.

 

There are two options. Trenitalia and Italo. I've only used Trenitalia. Only buy from the official railway sites: trenitalia.com or italotreno.it   You can print out your ticket or just show the electronic ticket with barcode. A conductor usually comes around on the train shortly after departure to check.

 

Termini is pretty straightforward but it IS a large station. Happily, the Frecce trains leave from the head of the tracks (unlike the little regional train to Civitavecchia which requires about a two-block walk...). There are several large monitors that show all of the upcoming departures and you have to park yourself near enough to one of them to watch for the track ("binario") assignment for your train. Be sure to look for the number of the train on your ticket. Don't just look for trains to Firenze, as the monitor shows the ending point for all trains, which is likely NOT Firenze.

 

The track assignment rarely occurs more than 20 minutes or so in advance of departure. Once it is assigned, you can move to the platform (there will be a ticket check).  Look for your assigned carriage to board -- it's easier than walking through the train. 

 

Once in Florence, it's easy to walk around as the train station is quite central.

Is this easy to do?

[marazul]

13 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Is this easy to do?

Very easy. Just follow cruisemom's instructions. 

[cruisemom42]

48 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Is this easy to do?

 

It's pretty easy. Doing it from Rome on a stay there as a daytrip removes the time pressure that you have when always worrying about getting back to the ship on time. And not having luggage also makes it a lot easier to take the train unhampered. No change of train is required. In terms of doing things on your own, it's one of the easier things to manage.

[martyap]

Thanks again……what other day trips from Rome should we consider? We enjoy them a great deal. We were just in London and went to York; Paris to Reims; Brussels to Brugge, Ghent. Trains are amazing and easy to use.

[NCteacherlovescruising]

1 hour ago, marazul said:

Very easy. Just follow cruisemom's instructions. 

Wveeyone said the subway in NY was easy too but we couldn’t figure it out so we got an Uber. 🤷‍♀️

 

24 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

It's pretty easy. Doing it from Rome on a stay there as a daytrip removes the time pressure that you have when always worrying about getting back to the ship on time. And not having luggage also makes it a lot easier to take the train unhampered. No change of train is required. In terms of doing things on your own, it's one of the easier things to manage.

 

Is this a lot closer to Rome than Venice?  I recall being told Venice was too far for a day trip.  Would you recommend staying in Rome and doing day trips or moving around every 2-3 days?
 

16 minutes ago, martyap said:

Thanks again……what other day trips from Rome should we consider? We enjoy them a great deal. We were just in London and went to York; Paris to Reims; Brussels to Brugge, Ghent. Trains are amazing and easy to use.

 

Great question!  

[euro cruiser]

There's a lot to see and do in Rome, it's good to know what your options are for day trips but I suspect you'll find your time consumed by Rome itself.

 

Other fast and easy day trips include Naples (about an hour and a quarter by high speed train), Caserta (for the royal palace and gardens, a little over an hour by high speed train) or Tivoli (about an hour by bus or train).

[euro cruiser]

3 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Is this a lot closer to Rome than Venice?  I recall being told Venice was too far for a day trip.  Would you recommend staying in Rome and doing day trips or moving around every 2-3 days?

 

Rome to Florence is one hour and forty minutes by high speed train.

 

Rome to Venice is four hours by high speed train.

 

Whether to move around or not is up to you and your travel style.  Relocating does waste a great deal of time, which is a precious commodity on vacation, but for those who get restless or bored it's better than being unhappy.

[marazul]

10 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Is this a lot closer to Rome than Venice?  I recall being told Venice was too far for a day trip.  Would you recommend staying in Rome and doing day trips or moving around every 2-3 days?

How much time do you have?  What are your interests?  Are you taking a cruise before or after? Is this a land only trip? Are you willing to drive?

 

Florence is fine as a day trip from Rome.  Venice is not.

[marazul]

20 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

1 hour ago, marazul said:

Very easy. Just follow cruisemom's instructions. 

Wveeyone said the subway in NY was easy too but we couldn’t figure it out so we got an Uber. 🤷‍♀️

This involves only two train stations: Rome and Florence.  There are no train changes.  

[martyap]

This is all pre cruise and we have been to Rome four times before both as a port and for several days. I know we will still find lots to do so Florence will be fine for now as an easy day trip. Thanks

[Piper77]

On 6/11/2023 at 5:25 PM, martyap said:

Thanks again……what other day trips from Rome should we consider? We enjoy them a great deal. We were just in London and went to York; Paris to Reims; Brussels to Brugge, Ghent. Trains are amazing and easy to use.

If you are looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of Rome consider Castel Gandolfo. Small town on lake albano with the papal summer house and gardens to tour. About 40 mins by train. We did a half day there. Definitely quieter and was a relaxing day if your are looking for and a small break. 
 

Orvieto is also a pretty great day trip too!  Under an hour by train and a cool village high up on a hill.