Is Rome a good day trip from Florence? If so, what's the best way to get there?

Show all answers

Princess Buttercup

Rome is roughly 300km from Florence. It's certainly not a ten hour train ride unless you get stuck on the train. The express train is less than two hours (don't forget you have to figure in time to get to the train, buy the tickets, and wait on the train) and that standard rides are around 3 hours.

For me it's not the travel time as much as I don't know that I could do Rome in a day. I spent 5 nights there and still didn't see everything on my list. I guess if you want to hit the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, and a few churches, you'd be ok. But it could be a problem if you wanted to get into St Peter's and there is a line, or the Vatican Museum and there's a line. It's also a problem if you like to experience the city, not just drive by the monuments. I like to take my time - I'm not a big fan of drive by travel.

Have a fun trip whatever you decide! : )

John S

Rome deserves more than a day to see. The train trip is several hours long one-way. Of course if you want to "see" the ancient sites...the Vatican and maybe a few fountains you could do just that "see" them. You can't really appreciate the city until you slow down a bit and take a closer look at the buildings, museums and beautiful art work that Rome offers. Of course there is no reason that you can't go back at some future date and see more. If you were to go for just one day I would spend it at St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum. St. Peter's is one-of-a-kind and so big it is visually overwhelming. The museum is home to some of the greatest art in the world. The Sistine Chapel is near the end of the tour so be prepared to walk for a bit.

If I were you I would search through Tuscany for some memories. Maybe find a small winery and lose track of time and watch the sun set. I think this would make better use of your time and save Rome for when you have several days to explore.

R.T.D.

I lived in Florence for five months so hopefully I can be of some assistance.

Unfortunately Rome is not a good day trip from Florence. Rome is more of a weekend trip then anything else. Spending one day in Rome doesn't do it justice and you'll find that you're cheating yourself in all it has to offer. Rome is 2 1/2 hours by Eurostar (their Amtrak) from the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence to Termini Station in Rome. If you take the EuroCity it's almost 4 hours but cheaper and stops more often. Be careful taking the train anywhere in Italy because, especially during the summer, train unions often strike. It's a regular occurence so make sure you check it out first.

Here are some good day trips from Florence. Take the train to Viareggio. It's the closest beach, about a 45 minute train ride. I don't know where you live in the states but think Jersey Shore. It's great if you're a beach and shopping person. Assisi is another good day trip. The Basillica de San Francesco is must while you're there. The town is rich in history and picturesqe set into a hill. Another good day trip is Perugia. It's similar to Assisi but with more of a city atmosphere and, like all of Italy, plenty of history. If you have access to a car then the best day trip of all would be to Montalcino and the Enoteca La Fortezza. It's a wine bar inside a historic fort and there's nothing better then the Tuscan countryside.

I hope this helps....

Sass B

You won't have enough time to see Rome in one day. You could take the train, but the train takes at least 2 hrs and usually won't run on time either. It would really not be worth the time and money.

Some other good day trips from Florence would be the many small Tuscan villages in the area. Siena would be my top choice for a wonderful day trip and is probably only an hour by bus from Florence. San Gimingnano is not far either and also worth seeing.

polkae6036

You can't see Rome in a day..... I would spend less time in Florence and more time in Rome. Rome is an amazing city!

Ennala

You can travel from Rome to Florence by train.
The fastest one (EuroStar) takes just 1 hour and a half... more or less!

By train,by plane or you can drive.
http://it.mappe.yahoo.net/tc/mappa.jsp?com1=firenze+(fi)&to1=&civ1=&com2=roma+(rm)&to2=&civ2=&rg=10&pv=rm&cx=11.87218&cy=42.83509&lx=11.25083&ly=43.77515&ex=12.49353&ey=41.89504&z=850.0&rtg=C&d=1

kucher1031

If you are looking for a good day trip from Florence try Venice it is alitle less crowded and will take less time to get to. Rome is about 10 hours by train from Florence plus there is a lot mroe to see/do in just one day in Rome. I did the Venice day trip from Florence a few years ago and had a lot of fun except for the train ride apparently the trains there go much faste then the NYC subway so I didn't know I would get train sick. But have fun on your trip.

Dwight D J

travel by rail in Europe!

Constant_Traveler

I think it only was about 2 to 2 1/2 hours by train but Rome is huge and there is so much cool stuff to see so it is worth it to go for a weekend if you have time.

sgmaluv

No. It's a city worthwhile of far more days than just one.

By train, it's a long ride. I don't know how much a flight would cost.

We spent 4 days there, and I could've spent many, many more. Venice was a good day trip from Florence. You could easily spend more than a day there, as well, but it's 3 hours on the train versus at least 5 to Rome.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: