Rome to Florence: Why the Train is the Better Option

A visit to Italy isn't complete without a trip to Rome and Florence, two of the country's most popular destination cities. While you certainly can choose to drive the distance between the two; it's a 173 mile trip, you might consider taking the train from Rome to Florence instead. There is no shortage of trains leaving Rome that depart to Florence, in fact, trains run frequently between Termini Station in Rome and Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence.

There is also the option of a few slower trains leaving from Roma Tiburtina station if you desire.

High-Speed Train or Low-Speed Train

You have a couple of options when taking the train as well; you may opt for the high-speed train, ItaliaRail or you may decide to rely on the slower speed trains in which you will get a treat watching the landscape passing by. The ItaliaRail train is the fastest way to get between both destinations, but it's also the most expensive at $57 for a standard fare and $131.00 for Executive fare. It takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes to reach Florence from Rome by high-speed train.

The lower-speed train will take approximately two to four hours and is generally less expensive at anywhere from $28 to $42.

Side Trips off the Train

If you wish you can step off the train during your route between each city and take a side trip to Perugia and visit its many restaurants, the massive fortress of Rocca Paolina and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. You may take a look around the town of Orte and check out the Santa Maria Della Consolazione; a striking church which flanks the City Hall or you may decide to visit Chiusi and wander among the Mueso Archeologico Nazionale with its Greek inspired façade and beautiful works of art.

Train Travel versus Driving in Italy

While many see having a car as an advantage when traveling, it is actually more convenient to take the train than to drive to your destination cities. In fact, in most large cities like Rome and Florence, there really is no need of having a car with the extensive transit system in both places. If you are visiting the rural areas outside of Florence like Tuscany for example, then a car would be needed; however, it will actually save you money in the long run to take the train as it is generally cheaper than renting a car.

Photo Credit: By Nils Öberg (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons