
Florence to Rome Trains

Florence to Rome Trains
Train travel from Florence to Rome is fast and scenic, and it's one of the most popular rail routes in Italy. High speed trains link Firenze Santa Maria Novella with Roma Termini in as little as 1 hour 24 minutes on our timetable, running through the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria on the Direttissima, Italy's first high speed rail line. Two main high-speed rail operators service the route: Trenitalia, with its Frecciarossa and Frecciargento trains, and Italo, a private operator with modern red trains. Together they offer a wide selection of departures from early morning until late evening.
Traveling by high-speed train is often more convenient than flying. High-speed trains do not require a long check-in process, and both stations are located in the city centre, so you can go from the Duomo in Florence to the Colosseum in Rome in around two hours door to door. Onboard, trains from Florence to Rome have free Wi-Fi, and high-speed trains offer air conditioning and power outlets at every seat, so you can relax or work while you travel between the two cities.
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Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) is the departure station in Florence, located right in the historic centre, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo and the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. The station has shops, cafés, a FrecciaLounge and an Italo Club lounge. Departing 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled time is recommended, as platforms are announced on the boards shortly before departure. Most high-speed trains arrive at Roma Termini in Rome, the city's main station, while some stop at Roma Tiburtina, which is well connected by metro.
High-speed trains can travel from Florence to Rome in 1 hour 16 minutes on non-stop services, so the fastest trains can complete the journey in well under an hour and a half, while the fastest trip on our timetable takes 1 hour 24 minutes. The average journey time is 1 hour and 35 minutes, and even the slowest high speed trains take less than 1 hour 45 minutes. Regional trains are cheaper but much slower, taking around three to four hours with many stops. Journey times vary depending on the number of stops, as some trains call at Arezzo or Roma Tiburtina before arriving at Roma Termini.
The Florence-Rome route is 261 km long by rail, while the distance between Florence and Rome in a straight line is around 231 km. Most of the journey runs on the Direttissima high speed line, which opened in stages from 1977 and was the first high speed rail line in Europe. Driving the same distance by car takes about three hours without traffic, plus tolls and the challenge of parking in two historic city centres.
Two main high-speed rail operators service the route: Trenitalia and Italo. Trenitalia runs Frecciarossa and Frecciargento trains, while Italo operates its own fleet of modern trains. High-speed trains between Florence and Rome run very frequently, with departures every 15 to 30 minutes at peak times. Both operators use the same stations and offer similar journey times, so the choice usually comes down to price, class and departure time. Trains operate from early morning until late evening, and all high speed trains on the route are direct.
Frecciarossa trains are Trenitalia's flagship high speed trains. Frecciarossa trains can reach speeds up to 186 mph (300 km/h), and the newest Frecciarossa 1000 is designed for a maximum speed of 360 km/h, making it one of the fastest trains in Europe. Frecciarossa trains have four service levels including Executive: Standard, Premium, Business and Executive, with leather seats, extra legroom in higher classes and a bar carriage with snacks and drinks. Frecciargento trains include reclining seats and a food carriage, and they also run on some services between Florence and Rome.
Italo trains provide comfortable seating and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi in every carriage. Italo has four classes: Smart, Comfort, Prima and Club Executive, with leather seats, power outlets and air conditioning throughout. Italo Live, the onboard portal, offers free access to films, news and music. Italo train tickets from Florence to Rome cost from €14.90 when booked early, and there's a vending area for snacks and drinks on board.
Train tickets from Florence to Rome start at €12.90 on Trenitalia's advance fares, while fares on our site start from $65. Ticket prices for high-speed trains vary based on booking time and class, as dynamic pricing models are used for high-speed train tickets. Advance booking usually provides lower train fares compared to last-minute purchases, and booking in advance can save money on train tickets, especially on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Premium, Business and Executive seats cost more but add space, quieter carriages and complimentary snacks.
Yes. Trenitalia offers up to 60% off same-day return tickets on selected high speed trains, which is ideal for a day trip from Florence to Rome. Italo also runs regular promotions on round trip tickets. If you are staying longer, compare two single tickets with a round trip fare for your dates, as advance singles are sometimes cheaper. Booking both legs at once also lets you choose seats and departure times that suit your plans.
There are 49 trains from Florence to Rome daily across both operators, and there are approximately 46 trains running daily from Florence to Rome on a typical day, with 33 departures shown on our timetable. The earliest train leaves Florence at 5:45 a.m. on some days, and the last train departs Florence at 11:13 p.m. On our timetable, departures run from 07:43 to 22:43, with ten morning trains, thirteen afternoon trains, eight evening trains and two night trains. Fewer trains may run on Sunday and public holidays, so check the schedule before you travel.
All high speed trains leave from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the main station in Florence, often simply called Santa Maria Novella station, located just a short walk from the Duomo, San Lorenzo Market and the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. The station is a masterpiece of Italian modernist architecture and has everything you need before your journey: cafés, a pharmacy, luggage storage and waiting rooms. Tram lines connect the station to Florence airport, and buses and taxis leave from the square outside.
Yes, trains run directly from Florence to Rome Termini station, the largest station in Italy and one of the busiest in Europe. Roma Termini station is located in the city centre, close to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and it's the hub for metro lines A and B, city buses and the Leonardo Express to Fiumicino Airport. Some trains also stop at Roma Tiburtina, which is useful if you're staying in the east of the city. From Roma Termini it's easy to reach the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and Vatican City by metro or bus.
All high speed trains are equipped with air conditioning, power outlets, free Wi-Fi and large luggage racks. In Standard or Smart class you'll find comfortable reclining seats, while Premium, Comfort, Business and Prima add leather seats, extra legroom and more space. Executive and Club Executive offer the highest level of luxury, with only a few seats per carriage, a welcome drink and meals served at your seat. Bar carriages and vending machines sell snacks and drinks, and there are accessible toilets and spaces for passengers with reduced mobility on every train.
High-speed tickets typically require a specific seat reservation, and your seat number is printed on your ticket. On regional trains, seats are not reserved, and you must validate paper tickets before boarding. If you travel with a rail pass, you'll need to pay a small additional cost for a high speed reservation. Traditional bicycles can travel only on regional trains, while folding bikes in a bag are allowed on high speed trains.
Yes. The fastest trains in Italy make high speed rail by far the quickest way to travel between Florence and Rome, and every other means of transport takes longer. There are no direct flights between the two cities, and even if there were, flying would take longer once you add check-in, security and airport transfers. Driving takes around three hours plus traffic and city-centre restrictions, and buses take about three to four hours. The high speed train is also one of the greenest ways to travel in Italy, producing far fewer emissions than a car.
Rome, the Eternal City, is full of world-famous sights. Explore the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, climb the Spanish Steps and visit the Pantheon. Across the river, Vatican City is home to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel. Book museum tickets in advance to skip the queues, and plan at least two or three days to see the highlights of this Italian city.
From Roma Termini, take metro line A towards Battistini and get off at Ottaviano or Cipro, both a short walk from the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Square. The ride takes about 15 minutes, and a single ticket for Rome's public transport is valid for 100 minutes on buses, trams and one metro journey. Taxis and bus 40 or 64 are other options. If you arrive in the morning, you can leave your luggage at the station's left-luggage office and head straight to the Vatican City, one of the most visited places in the world.
The Florence Rome line is one of the busiest in Italy, with dozens of high speed trains every day and additional regional trains. Most departures are between 7:00 and 21:00, but early and late trains make it easy to plan business trips and connections to flights at Rome's airports. Because high speed trains run so frequently, you can usually find a seat even on the same day, although prices will be higher.
Yes. The Rome to Florence route has just as many departures, with high speed trains leaving Roma Termini from early morning until late evening. Florence and Rome are the two main cities on most first-time itineraries in Italy, and many travelers visit Florence and Rome in one trip, starting in one city and finishing in the other, and the fast connection makes it easy to spend a few days in each. Book your return in advance to get the best fares and your preferred seats.