Are you considering taking a day trip from Rome to Florence, but not sure if it’s actually doable?

You’re probably picturing yourself wandering through Florence’s charming piazzas, enjoying gelato under the Tuscan sun, and seeing Michelangelo’s David in person — not to mention taking in the breathtaking views from Piazzale Michelangelo.

You might be also wondering: how far is Florence from Rome? how to get from Rome to Florence? And can you actually do a day trip to Florence from Rome?

I had the exact same questions before I took this trip myself.

Luckily, Florence is compact and incredibly walkable, so I can confidently say this day trip is absolutely doable—especially if you’re short on time but still want to experience one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.

In this post, I will cover everything you need to know to make the most of your day trip to Florence! This includes how to plan a self-guided trip, train travel tips, how long the journey takes, and a simple one-day Florence itinerary — plus a few extra tips to help your day run smoothly.

You’ll also find my favourite guided tours, in case you don’t want the hassle and prefer having everything planned for you.

Lets dive in into this!

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Why Is Florence Worth Visiting On A Day Trip

Florence is located in central Italy and is part of the Tuscan region. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, the city is full of incredible art, rich history, and unforgettable food.

I’ve mentioned this in my other Florence articles already, but I’ll say it again. I am honestly obsessed with Florence and I think it’s one of those cities you simply have to visit at least once.

While I do think Florence deserves more time in your itinerary, you can still see many of the city’s main highlights in just one day.

How to Go from Rome to Florence(Overview)

You have two great options for your day trip to Florence:

Go on a guided tour from Rome to Florence for a fun, stress free day trip with free time included.
Go on a self-guided day trip for maximum freedom, but keep in mind that it does require a lot more planning.

Now, I’ll walk you through each option to help you decide which one suits you best.

Best GUIDED TOURS To Florence From Rome

1- Rome to Florence & Tuscany by High-Speed Train & Winery Tasting

This day trip tour from Rome to Florence is one of the best-rated options available.

The day starts with a pre-booked high-speed train from Rome to Florence.

Once in Florence, you’ll head out on a walking tour of the city’s highlights, from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio, soaking up the beauty of the Renaissance streets along the way.

But what really makes this experience stand out is the Tuscany part of the day. You’ll travel to a family-run vineyard for a wine tasting and light lunch, surrounded by rolling hills and that classic Tuscan scenery you always imagine when thinking of Italy.

After that, you’ll continue to San Gimignano, a medieval hill town that feels like stepping back in time, with free time to wander its cobblestone streets, browse little shops, and just take it all in.

I personally think this tour is the perfect balance — city highlights, countryside views, and a slow, indulgent moment in Tuscany all in one day.

Click here to book your Rome to Florence & Tuscany Day Trip

A scenic countryside landscape and a beautiful house in Pienza tuscany Italy featuring rolling hills, greenery, and distant buildings

2- From Rome: Discover Florence & Pisa in a Full-Day Trip

This Rome to Florence and Pisa day trip is one of those classic Italy experiences that packs so much into a single day.

On this full-day trip, you’ll visit two of Italy’s most iconic cities in one go: Pisa and Florence. That means standing in front of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, and then wandering through the heart of the Renaissance in Florence.

In Florence, you’ll explore some of the city’s most beautiful landmarks, including Piazza del Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Mercato Nuovo, all while soaking up the atmosphere of the historic centre.

What I like about this tour is that you get a mix of guided time and free time.

Although you are on a tour, you still get moments to wander, explore, grab a gelato, and just enjoy the city at your own pace — which makes it feel both structured and free at the same time.

Click here to book your Florence & Pisa Day Trip from Rome

WHY CHOOSE A GUIDED TOUR?

Sometimes, you just want someone else to take care of the logistics so you can maximise your holiday time and focus on enjoying the experience — and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s your holiday, after all.

I’ve done multiple guided day tours from Rome, and they’ve always been fantastic experiences.

One of the biggest advantages is skipping the stress of organising tickets, routes, and schedules yourself, making the entire experience feel effortless from start to finish.

Most tours include comfortable, air-conditioned transport, either a coach or high-speed train, an expert guide who handles all the planning and timing, and insightful commentary that brings the history and stories of each destination to life along the way.

Detailed exterior of Florence Cathedral showing green and white marble patterns arches and ornate facade. The architecture highlights a must see landmark during a 3 days in Florence Italy itinerary

SELF-GUIDED Day Trip from Rome to Florence

Want to do this day trip on your own? No problem! Here’s an overview of how your day could look. Once you arrive in Florence, you can follow my One Day in Florence itinerary for a detailed guide to making the most of your time in the city.

SELF-GUIDED ROUNDTRIP ROUTE OVERVIEW

Take the 1.2-hour high-speed train from Rome Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (or drive if you have a rental car)
Walk 12 minutes from the station to Piazza del Duomo and grab a quick coffee and cornetto at a nearby café
Visit the Duomo and explore the surrounding area
Choose ONE museum: Accademia (David) or Uffizi Gallery
Wander around Piazza Signoria
Panini at All’Antico Vinaio or l Fratellini
Gelato di Neri
Walk to Ponte Vecchio
Explore the historic streets of Florence and stop by one of the famous wine windows for a quick drink
Head to Piazzale Michelangelo for best views of Florence
Enjoy a traditional Florentine dinner at Ristorante del Fagioli
Return to the station and take the train back to Rome

HOW TO GET TO Florence from Rome

Okay now let’s dive into how to actually travel between Rome and Florence..

BY TRAIN

The most popular transportation option for a day trip from Rome to Florence is by train.

Italy is incredibly well connected by rail, and I’ve personally travelled across the country this way multiple times. So it’s what I’d recommend to you as well. It’s one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get around, especially for a day trip where time really matters.

One thing to keep in mind — during peak season, train tickets can sell out quickly, so I recommend booking at least three weeks in advance to secure the best times and prices.

For this trip, I highly recommend taking a high-speed train. The two main companies are Italo and Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), and both are reliable and comfortable.

red and black coloured train in the station in Italy and some peoples are standing in the platform waiting to board the train

I’ve done this trip twice, once with Italo and once with Trenitalia, and both were great. However, I find that Italo trains tend to feel a bit newer and often have better Wi-Fi.

You can book directly through their official websites, or use the Omio app to compare routes and times in one place — which is what I personally use because it makes the process so much easier.

Trains from Rome to Florence run very frequently, usually every 15–30 minutes. I recommend booking an early train , around 6:35 AM with Trenitalia — which gets you into Florence at approximately 8:11 AM. You’ve got a fun day ahead, so you’ll want to make the most of it, right?

Ticket prices vary depending on when you book and availability, but you can typically expect to pay between €20 and €40.

The distance between Rome and Florence is around 275 km, and the train journey time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes on the high-speed trains.

The journey itself is part of the experience — with scenic countryside views along the way.

As mentioned earlier, you’ll be travelling from Roma Termini (Rome’s main station) to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence’s main station). Once you arrive at the train station, it’s only a quick, 10-minute walk to the center of Florence.

Check the timetable and book your train tickets in advance here.

People sitting inside a crowded train in Italy with two rows of seats filled with passengers traveling through the countryside.

See the next section for how to get around Florence and itinerary ideas!

BY CAR

If you want to drive from Rome to Florence, this is definitely an option. The journey takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic, and follows the A1 motorway — the main highway connecting Rome and Florence.

You can easily rent a car online before your trip, which gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace.

While having a car gives you the freedom to stop along the way or even detour into the Tuscan countryside, it’s not always the most practical choice for a day trip. Traffic in both Rome and Florence can be busy, and parking in Florence’s historic centre is very limited.

Also, keep in mind that Florence has a ZTL (limited traffic zone), which means you can’t drive into certain parts of the city without a permit — and fines can be expensive if you enter by mistake.

If you do decide to drive, it’s best to park just outside the city centre and walk in.

Overall, driving is a great option if you’re planning to explore more of Tuscany, but for a simple day trip from Rome to Florence, the train is usually the cheaper, easier and faster choice.

Narrow historic street in Florence Italy with tall buildings and blue sky overhead.

How to Get Around Florence

As mentioned before, Florence is a very walkable city, so the best way to explore is simply on foot.

If needed, you can also take a taxi or Uber for shorter distances, or use the local bus system to get around the city.

ridge over Arno River in Florence Italy at sunset.

Tips & Tricks for Your Rome to Florence Day Trip

1- Book your entry tickets in advance
First, it’s important to know that the only way to maximise your day trip to Florence is by purchasing your tickets in advance.

The Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery are especially popular, and if you don’t book skip-the-line tickets, you’ll end up wasting precious time standing in long queues just to get in.

So trust me, don’t make this mistake. Getting your tickets sorted ahead of time will make your whole day so much smoother and way more enjoyable.

2- Start your day early
I know waking up early on your holiday is tiring, but trust me—you’ll need every hour to make your Florence day trip worth it.

That extra time really makes a difference, especially when you want to slow down and enjoy things like grabbing gelato or sipping wine from a wine window… you’ll want those little moments, right?

3- Book trains in advance
I mentioned this above, but I’ll say it again—booking your train tickets in advance gives you way more flexibility with the best times and prices.

As soon as you know your day trip date, lock in your tickets. It just makes the whole experience smoother and ensures you get the time slot that actually works best for your itinerary.

4-Pick ONE museum only
Florence’s museums are world-class, but trying to do too many in one day can feel overwhelming and rushed.

Choosing just one, like the Accademia or Uffizi, lets you actually appreciate the art instead of just ticking boxes. In my opinion, choose the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David!

5- Don’t overpack your itinerary
While I’ve given you a simple itinerary, I still think it’s important not to try and do everything.

You can always skip a few things and spend longer in the places you actually enjoy. Focus on a few key highlights instead of rushing around trying to see it all—Florence is so much better when you slow down and actually experience it.

6- Leave time for wandering, food, and gelato
Some of the best parts of Florence are the spontaneous moments—quiet streets, hidden squares, and amazing gelato shops.

Giving yourself free time lets you soak in the atmosphere without a schedule. My best moments in Florence were when I was wandering around, going from piazza to piazza and just taking it all in.

7- Check restaurant siesta hours
Many restaurants in Florence close between lunch and dinner for siesta (aka nap time), so keep that in mind.

8- Do one sit-down meal
I also recommend limiting yourself to just one sit-down meal. It’ll save you time and keep your day flexible, so you can spend more of it actually exploring the city.

In between, just grab something quick like a panini or gelato on the go.

9- Learn some basic Italian
Something as simple as “buongiorno” (good morning) or “grazie” (thank you) goes a long way.

How to Day Trip from Rome to Florence (Complete Guide)

Pros and Cons of a Rome to Florence Day Trip

👍 Pros

You get a taste of Florence in one day
If your time in Italy is limited, this is a great way to experience Florence’s highlights without needing to stay overnight.

Easy and fast travel by train
High-speed trains between Rome and Florence are quick, comfortable, and frequent, making the journey super simple and stress-free.

Perfect for seeing the main highlights
With good planning, you can see iconic spots like the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Michelangelo’s David all in one day.

No need to change hotels
You can stay based in Rome and still tick Florence off your list without the hassle of packing and moving accommodation.

👎 Cons

It can feel rushed
Florence has so much to offer, and a day trip doesn’t give you much time to slow down and fully enjoy it.

Early start + long day
You’ll likely need to catch an early train and return late, which can make for a pretty tiring day.

Limited time inside attractions
You may not have enough time to explore multiple museums or enjoy longer meals at a relaxed pace.

You’ll probably want to come back
One day is often enough to fall in love with Florence—but not enough to really see it all.

FAQ

What is the best way to travel from Rome to Florence?
The best way to get to Florence from Rome is by train. I recommend taking the high-speed trains, as they are frequent, comfortable, reliable, and relatively affordable. Just make sure to book in advance to get the best times and prices.

Is Florence worth a day trip from Rome?
Absolutely—especially if your itinerary is tight but you still want a taste of Florence. This day trip is 100% worth it and gives you a great introduction to the city.

Can you see Florence’s highlights in one day?
Yes, if you plan your day well and book both your high-speed train tickets and entry tickets in advance, you can see the main highlights of Florence in one day. You will be able to see the Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazzale Michelangelo.

Should I book Rome to Florence train tickets in advance?
Absolutely. Booking in advance allows you to choose the best train times for your round trip, gives you more flexibility, and usually saves you both time and money.

How much time should I spend in Florence?
Plan for around 8-10 hours in Florence. That gives you enough time to see the highlights without feeling rushed, while still enjoying the city at a relaxed pace.

Final Thoughts

I hope I’ve inspired you to take this amazing day trip from Rome to Florence.

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!

How to Day Trip from Rome to Florence (Complete Guide)

Why Is Florence Worth Visiting On A Day Trip

How to Go from Rome to Florence(Overview)