Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy. Because of its central location and easy access to trains, Florence is a great place to do day trips from!
Whether you’re traveling by train or renting a car for an epic road trip, every direction you travel from Florence brings unique and incredible beauty. From the gorgeous Italian Riviera to the rolling hills in Tuscany to the hustle and bustle of Rome, a day trip from Florence will certainly not disappoint!
Best day trips from Florence
- Cinque Terre
- Pisa
- Rome
- Tuscany
- Siena
- Saturnia
- Bologna
Booking trains in Italy
Traveling through Italy via train is a great option because they are comfortable, frequent, inexpensive, and usually reliable. Since we can easily see all of our route options and get e-tickets directly on our phones, we book all of our trains and buses using Omio.com or the Omio app!
Florence to Cinque Terre day trip
Cinque Terre is a gorgeous part of Italy that was given UNESCO status in 1997. Because this unique area in the Italian Riviera consists of 5 colorful cliffside fishing villages, stunning views of the sea, and incredible food, it definitely belongs on your Italian itinerary!
Since getting to Cinque Terre from Florence via train is very easy, it makes for a great day trip option. While you may want more time in Cinque Terre, you can see a lot in a day trip from Florence!
Florence to Cinque Terre by train
There are multiple trains from Florence to Cinque Terre, and the journey takes 2 – 2.5 hours each way. While the routes are straightforward, you do have to switch trains once during the trip. Most of the time, you’ll be routed through La Spezia, which is a very simple switch, and then the train from there to Cinque Terre is 10-20 minutes, depending on which town you get off at.
You can buy tickets on Omio.com, and although it depends on the route and the time of year, the typical cost is about 15-25 euros each way. When you’re booking, do make sure to put your destination to the town you want to go to, not just “Cinque Terre.”
Tip: Once you’re in Cinque Terre, you can travel between the villages via train very easily. The best option is the Cinque Terre Train Card, which gives you unlimited rides between the towns for 1 day. The card costs 16 euros, and while you can purchase it online or from a teller, you cannot at a machine.
Florence to Pisa day trip
Home to the iconic Leaning Tower, Pisa is certainly something you’ll want to see for yourself! And while the Leaning Tower might be your main draw, Pisa has much more to offer.
With an adorable city center, riverbank, shopping, and world-renowned landmarks, Pisa is a great day trip from Florence. Since the train station in Pisa is only a 20-minute walk from the Leaning Tower, it’s also a very accessible day trip option by train & then on foot.
Florence to Pisa by train
Because there are multiple trains every hour, each day, getting to Pisa from Florence by train is extremely straightforward. When booking your train through Omio.com, you’ll find trains that go from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale, take 45-75 minutes, require 0 train changes, and usually cost around 9 euros each way.
Florence to Rome day trip
Oh, Roma! Since this romantic and culturally rich capital city is just a quick train from Florence, do yourself a favor and head there for a day. Whether you want to admire the Colosseum, see Saint Peter’s Basilica, or try your hand at throwing your wish into the Trevi Fountain, a day trip to Rome will certainly be filled with incredible history and adventure.
From Rome to Florence by train
The train is by far the best option for traveling between Rome and Florence since the journey takes less than 1.5 hours, while the drive could take over 3 hours. While booking on omio.com, you’ll find over 50 trains between the two cities every day that cost around 25 euros.
Florence to Tuscany day trip
Unfortunately, a lot of the more remote rolling hills of Tuscany aren’t accessible by public transit, so you’ll either have to rent a car or book a tour to the region.
With a car, you can certainly travel from Florence to many places in Tuscany for day trips. There’s Lucca, the Chianti region, Asciano, San Gimignano, Volterra, Livorno, and Asciano, all within an hour and a half drive, just to name a few. When we road tripped through Tuscany, though, our favorite part was always the scenery along the way!
Road trip to Tuscany
Here’s one route you can do for a day trip through Tuscany:
Get an early start in Florence and head straight to Siena. After admiring the medieval town, head to Asciano, where you’ll enjoy the most quintessential Tuscan views. From Asciano, stop in the Chianti region for some wine tasting before heading back to Florence (just make sure you have a designated driver!).
With this route, you’ll be on the road for a little over 4 hours, and you’ll get a great sense for the Tuscany region!
Florence to Siena day trip
Siena has a gorgeous historical center that is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for its medieval architecture. Getting to Siena from Florence is equally accessible via car, bus, and train. Because it takes an easy 1.5 hours to travel between the two cities, Siena is one of the most popular day trips from Florence.
Florence to Siena by train
There are over a dozen trains per day from Florence to Siena, and the cost is 10 euros each way. The journey from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Siena takes just under an hour and a half, and you can book e-tickets in advance on Omio.com. There are fewer bus options per day, but they’re a little less expensive if you find a time that works!
Florence to Saturnia day trip
The famous Saturnia Hot Springs are a 3-hour drive from Florence or a 2.5-hour drive from Rome. Due to the distance, Saturnia is the furthest from Florence we’d recommend traveling for a “day trip.”
However, it’s for sure worth the trip as Saturnia is the most enchanting and incredible place we’ve ever been! The hot springs are a constant temperature of 37.5C °C / 99°F, open year-round 24 hours a day, and completely FREE!
Tip: to get to the springs instead of the center of the town of Saturnia, put Terme di Saturnia into Google Maps! Check out everything you need to know to visit these thermal baths here!
If you want to spend the night, which we did, we highly recommend B&B 8380 – Pian del Molino. It’s within walking distance of the hot springs and is a great accommodation for the night!
Florence to Bologna day trip
Because it’s only a 35-minute, 10-euro train ride away, Bologna is probably the most overlooked but easiest day trip from Florence! While Florence tends to be pretty heavy with tourists, Bologna will give you a very authentic vibe. Bologna is known as a foodie paradise, so don’t forget to pack your appetite!
Renting a car in Florence, Italy
Renting a car in Florence was a pretty simple experience. We booked a car through Expedia.com a few days in advance and got an automatic SUV for $56 USD/two days.
One thing you do need to specify, though, is automatic versus manual. By default, you’ll get a manual in Italy, so if you can’t drive a stick shift, be sure to request an automatic! If you can drive a manual, though, they tend to be decently cheaper options.
Most of the cars you pick up from the Florence airport, which is a quick 30-minute tram from the city center. From the airport, there is good highway access, so you can get wherever you need to go!
Driving in Italy
Driving in Italy is actually much easier than we expected! The highways are really nicely paved, and the driving laws are very similar to the US.
The only thing that can be a little stressful is driving in the small towns where there are very narrow streets, and it’s not exactly clear where cars are allowed. For these places, we recommend just finding parking on the perimeter and then walking through the town!
Tips for driving in Italy
- All we needed to rent the car was our normal US driver’s license; however, you’ll want to check with the rental company based on which country your license is from, since some require an international license.
- You pay per distance for toll roads, so be sure to keep your ticket; otherwise, they will charge you for driving the whole length of Italy! Note: You are able to use a credit card for the tolls.
