Florence to Siena: The Perfect Tuscan Day Trip by Train

Florence is the obvious base for exploring Tuscany, and of all the towns within reach, Siena is the one that repays a day the most. A single regional train drops you at the foot of a walled medieval city built around one of the most beautiful public squares in the world. Here's exactly how to do it — the train, the timings, and a plan for the day.

The train: what to expect

Firenze S.M. Novella → Siena · ~1h30 · Trenitalia Regionale

Trains leave from Firenze Santa Maria Novella and take about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Siena, running roughly once an hour. Some are direct; others involve a quick change at Empoli. It's a regional line, so there's no high-speed option and no need to book ahead — fares are fixed at around €10 each way, and you can simply turn up and go.

The ride itself is part of the pleasure: once you're clear of the Florence suburbs, the window fills with the Tuscany of the postcards — vineyards, olive terraces, cypress-topped ridges and the occasional hilltop village.

Getting from the station into town

One thing catches a lot of first-timers out: Siena's station sits about 2 km below the historic centre, down the hill. It's not a long way, but it is uphill. The easy solution is the covered set of escalators (scale mobili) that climb from near the station up toward the old town, or one of the frequent city buses. If arriving right in the centre matters more to you than the scenery, the direct bus from Florence (Autolinee Toscane / Flixbus) drops off closer to the action — but you'd trade the train's views for it.

A day in Siena

Siena is compact and walkable once you're inside the walls. A comfortable day looks like this:

• Piazza del Campo. Start here. The shell-shaped, brick-paved square slopes down to the Palazzo Pubblico and is where the famous Palio horse race is run twice each summer. Grab a coffee and watch the light move across it.
• Torre del Mangia. Climb the 400-odd steps of the 14th-century tower for a view over the rooftops all the way to the Tuscan hills.
• Siena Cathedral (Duomo). One of Italy's great Gothic cathedrals — a façade and interior banded in black and white marble, with an inlaid marble floor that's uncovered only part of the year.
• Wander the contrade. Siena is divided into 17 historic districts, each with its own flag and symbol. Just walking the lanes between the main sights is half the experience.

Make it a two-stop Tuscan loop

With an early start you can pair Siena with another Tuscan classic. Pisa is an easy add on a separate day, while nearby San Gimignano — the town of medieval towers — is reachable from Siena by regional bus. If you'd rather let the planner sort the connections, timings and stays for you, it takes about thirty seconds.

The practical bit

For the full timetable, current fares and the return options, see our dedicated Florence to Siena train guide. When you're ready to book, compare every departure and secure your seat in one place — mobile tickets, no queue at the station.