The high-speed train between Rome and Florence is one of Europe’s most scenic and convenient rail routes — just over an hour and a half through the Tuscan hills, and you’re in a city with an entirely different character. A perfect route for seeing both ancient Rome and Renaissance Florence in a single trip.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
High-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains connect Roma Termini and Firenze Santa Maria Novella in 1.5 hours, departing every 30-60 minutes throughout the day. Tickets are cheaper when booked in advance — booking 1-2 months ahead can cost 2-3 times less than buying on the day of travel.
DAYS 1-2 — ROME
Start with the Colosseum and Roman Forum — book entry in advance to avoid queuing in the heat. In the evening, explore Trastevere, with its narrow streets, trattorias, and genuinely Roman atmosphere. On day two, visit the Vatican: St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are best visited at opening time, around 8:00 AM.
DAYS 3-5 — FLORENCE
Transfer by train, and you’re in the capital of the Renaissance. The Uffizi Gallery with works by Botticelli and Michelangelo, the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral with Brunelleschi’s dome, and the Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint at sunset. A day trip to Tuscany — Siena or the Chianti vineyards — if time allows.
5-DAY BUDGET
Accommodation — from 40-60 euros per night, hostel or budget hotel, to 120 euros and up in the center. Food — 25-40 euros per day per person, trattorias are cheaper than restaurants near tourist trails. Rome-Florence train ticket — from 20 euros with early booking to 60 euros and up last-minute. Total — 400 to 900 euros per person, excluding flights to Italy.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Best time to visit is April-May and September-October, comfortable weather, fewer tourists than summer. Hotel city tax is paid separately on-site, usually 3-7 euros per night. From Rome and Florence, it’s easy to continue by train — Venice, Milan, or Bologna are just 1-2 hours away.
Find train tickets Rome-Florence
1. RENT A CAR IN ITALY
Exploring Italy beyond cities requires wheels. Rome-to-Florence drives through Umbria, or Tuscany wine routes, demand a rental car. Italian highways charge tolls (~€0.10-0.20/km). Need International Driving Permit. Parking in historic centers restricted—use garages outside. Fuel pricier than EU average. Age requirement: 21-25 minimum. Best for Tuscany villages, Amalfi Coast, wine tours.