Siena to Florence and vice versa: how to get there

There are several ways to get from Siena to Florence. This could be an important feature because of the historical significance and the beauty of both these cities make them essential stops of your own Tuscan tour.

Siena is a Tuscan city that overflows with medieval architecture and a bucolic landscape.

Famous and visited since ancient times for the great Palio di Siena, in reality this city presents many other opportunities and places to visit, also in its surroundings.

Unmissable points of interest of the city are Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangia, Piazza del Duomo, Garden of Pecci (especially enjoyable if you are on a family trip) and Piccolomini Library

Florence is probably the most suggestive Italian city. Cot of the greatest Renaissance artists, it is still today famous for the artistic and architectural works it hosts, such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Boboli Gardens and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Siena is located in the southern part of Tuscany, while Florence is in the central part. The two picturesque cities are 76.4 km/47,47 miles away.

The territory located between them is as enjoyable as the two urban centers themselves. In fact, the Chianti hills is one of the main attractive areas for enogastronomical tourism:

this countryside boasts many wineries, among the best in Italy, located near beautiful villages such as San Gimignano, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Therefore, between Siena and Florence it is possible to organize exciting wine tours that lead to visit vineyards, wineries and join wine tastings.

Moreover, the wineries are often part of farms, able to attract even the youngest visitors.

Finally, this countryside is also particularly interesting to explore for the castles it hides, including the Castle of Brolio and the Castle of Sammezzano.

HOW TO GET THERE BY TRAIN

The train is a comfortable and convenient way to move from Siena to Florence.

In particular, every hour there is a regional train that takes you directly to the Santa Maria Novella station.

Alternatively, it is possible to change trains in Empoli. This combination of two different regional railway lines takes place more frequently (about each 30 minutes).

Both routes have an average duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes, but the first solution is slightly faster usually.

Such way to travel is certainly cheap (the ticket costs less than 10 euros) and avoids traffic.

SIENA TO FLORENCE BY BUS

There are valid other options to reach Florence. Among all these there is the bus, that is considered by many people the best way to make this trip.

Exactly in the center of Siena, in Piazza Gramsci, it is possible to catch the bus. The races are numerous, both on weekdays and on holidays, and lead to a bus station adjacent to Santa Maria Novella.

The ticket price is very similar to that of the train but the journey lasts only 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The most interesting feature of this solution is that it will allow you to stay relaxed and to enjoy the Tuscan landscape, from villages perched to enchanted hills.

SIENA TO FLORENCE BY CAR

The car is the trasport chosen mostly by those who want to be independent.

In fact, it allows to study an ‘ad hoc’ itinerary and manage the timing independently. Furthermore, in this way it is achievable to satisfy one’s curiosity and let oneself be carried away by the landscape.

In general, three routes are usually offered:

The ‘Raccordo Autostradale Florence-Siena’ has a journey time of 1 hour and 10 minutes.

It is certainly the fastest route and it offers exciting “escapes” along its itinerary, such as San Gimignano, Certaldo, Badia a Passignano and Barberino Val d’Elsa. This latter village

hides a Locus Amoenus which is a real rarity:

The SottoVico garden, unique in its kinds because it mainly contains succulent plants, many of which come from exotic places and are difficult to admire otherwise.

The Regional Road 222 is slightly longer and more climbed. In fact, it takes from Siena to Florence in 1 hour and 50 minutes, but it’s making it up to you:

it passes among the enchanting vineyards in the heart of the Chianti region and offers you the opportunity to stop and taste the local delicacies.

Finally, if you pass through the Provincial Road 540 and then take the A1 it is possible to arrive in Florence in 1 hour and 40 minutes. However, this route is probably worst: it is less suggestive and includes a toll.

SIENA TO FLORENCE BY BIKE

For those who consider themselves more unconventional it possible to travel by bike among Siena and Florence, thanks of the proximity between them and the characteristics of the territory.

it is reasonable to move from Siena to Quercegrossa, then to Castellina in Chianti, to Ponzano, to Greve in Chianti and finally to Florence. It might be the fastest and the better route, but the time taken can range according to the km/h (or mph) and the rhythm you are traveling. Probably are required 280 minutes in the saddle and we also need to consider the necessary breaks to rest and have lunch.

However, many different itineraries are conceivable, especially if you decide to split the trip over more days. This would allow you to adequately visit famous medieval villages such as Certarlo, Colle Val d’Elsa and the Fortress of Monteriggioni, but it could be very expensive.

Siena to Florence: Castellina in chianti

DISTANCES FROM SIENA TO OTHER CITIES IN TUSCANY

It is likely to organize a memorable tour of Tuscany starting from Siena. In fact, the city, located in the south of the region, is close to other wonderful places rich in culture and traditions.

To plan your trip in the best way you need to know the distance of these other places from Siena

Distances from Siena

Florence: 76,4 km/47,47 miles
Pisa: 122 km/75,81 miles
Lucca: 146 km/90,72 miles
Chianti: 45,6 km/ 28,33 miles
San Gimignano: 43,3 km/26,90 miles
Montepulciano: 65,3 km/ 40,58 miles
Arezzo: 70,2 km/43,62 miles

After being overwhelmed by the magnificent gothic that characterizes Siena what will you choose? Will you visit the tower of Pisa or will you enter the walls of Lucca?

Have a good trip!

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This post is also available in: Italian