Siena and San Gimignano Transportation
Nov 25th, 2005, 06:18 AM
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Siena and San Gimignano Transportation
I'm thinking of doing daytrips to both these locations from Florence. What are the public transportation options to each town? How long should expect it to take?
Also, if pressed for time, would it be possible to see both locations in a single day? How would I do it?
Other daytrip options would be appreciated.
Would you recommend I substitute Lucca for one of them?
Also, if pressed for time, would it be possible to see both locations in a single day? How would I do it?
Other daytrip options would be appreciated.
Would you recommend I substitute Lucca for one of them?
Nov 25th, 2005, 07:56 AM
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Both bus and train go to Siena. We took the bus, as it lets you off right in town. I think it took about 1 1/4 hrs. each way. Pleasant ride with some nice scenery along the way. Highly recommend Siena - Il Campo and the Duomo. Didn't make it to San Gimignano. Spent a night in Lucca toward the end of our recent Italy trip. It's a charming, walled city and also worth a visit. We took the train, then a taxi into town. Don't know about bus options.
Nov 25th, 2005, 08:58 AM
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Cato, If you do wind up in Lucca, check out Pasticceria Taddeucci for their buccellato. Supposed to be a delicious local baked treat. Unfortunately, the shop was closed the day we were there. Also BucaDiSantAntonio. Great food and atmosphere, though don't know if they are open for lunch.
Nov 25th, 2005, 09:09 AM
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We don't often go in for guided coach tours, but we were glad we did this one. From the travel agency across from the SMN station in Florence (you'll see the big travel posters in the windows), we bought tickets one day for the next day's early departure (8:30 or thereabouts I think), a coach with a chatty youngster as escort took us to Siena where we were met by a most knowledgeable gentleman speaking good English and showing us around for 2-3 hours.
We're pretty good at reading guidebooks and art history etc., but he showed us way more than we would have gotten out of the visit by ourselves, and he did so pleasantly.
We were then left alone to find our own place for lunch, with enough time not to have to rush, then we found the coach at a prearranged spot and went on to S.G.
The guide decided to keep quiet, which was fine by us, and we waltzed around S.G. on our own, and then we were chauffeured back to Florence. It made for a long day, and I'm not so sure that S.G. was worth it, but I had been there before, so I'm not the best judge of that.
I was glad not to have to drive (S.G. is not near a train line), and I considered it a very good day's trip.
WK
We're pretty good at reading guidebooks and art history etc., but he showed us way more than we would have gotten out of the visit by ourselves, and he did so pleasantly.
We were then left alone to find our own place for lunch, with enough time not to have to rush, then we found the coach at a prearranged spot and went on to S.G.
The guide decided to keep quiet, which was fine by us, and we waltzed around S.G. on our own, and then we were chauffeured back to Florence. It made for a long day, and I'm not so sure that S.G. was worth it, but I had been there before, so I'm not the best judge of that.
I was glad not to have to drive (S.G. is not near a train line), and I considered it a very good day's trip.
WK
Nov 25th, 2005, 09:33 AM
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Cato,
I replied to your previous thread- here is more about my driver from Florence. We actually did Sienna and San Gimignano in one day with him AND he took us to a small butchers as it was wild boar season to sample and buy olive oil and wild boar salami, etc. We also ate is a tiny family owned inn that was really great. The company is called Sunny Tuscany. Our driver was Riccardo. www.sunnytuscany.com. If you book, let me know and I will contact Riccardo. He was really good. The rates have gone up, but if you have several people that can fit in his van it is not much more than a tour on a bus!
I replied to your previous thread- here is more about my driver from Florence. We actually did Sienna and San Gimignano in one day with him AND he took us to a small butchers as it was wild boar season to sample and buy olive oil and wild boar salami, etc. We also ate is a tiny family owned inn that was really great. The company is called Sunny Tuscany. Our driver was Riccardo. www.sunnytuscany.com. If you book, let me know and I will contact Riccardo. He was really good. The rates have gone up, but if you have several people that can fit in his van it is not much more than a tour on a bus!
Nov 25th, 2005, 10:07 AM
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Hi!
I am currently living in Firenze and have gone to both Siena and San Gimignano. The best way to Siena is by bus, through the line called SITA, available near the main train station. The best way to San Gimignano is also by Bus, again through SITA, available near the main train station. the scuedule is as follows:
Firenze to San Gimignano departs every hour or so in either direction. You have to change buses at a town called Poggisbonsi and cross the street to collect the next one to get to San Gimignano (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes). If you have questions, just ask the bus driver. This bus goes directly to the town gates.
For Siena: departures from Firenze are hourly during the week, and it is much faster than the train (about 1hr 15 minutes -- make sure you take the express bus!). There is a helpful tourist information stand across the street from the train station, and they can point you to the SITA station.
Both towns are well worth the trip.
You will be tired if you try to do both in a single day through public transport, as there is alot to see and do in each town. I originally thought I would do both in one day, but the bus schedules make it difficult.
As for other day trips, Pisa is always a favorite (by train, approximately 1 hour each way).
You can also book tours through local travel agents, especially those along the street beside the train station, for day trips by bus to the Chianti region, and to Siena and San Gimignano. I think that, but am not sure that you can do both Siena and San Gimignano in one day if you take one of these trips (the bus is private and direct to both locations). Prebooking is not required, as a huge number of these trips depart at or near the train station. The travel agents who run these trips are licensed, legal and reliable (i.e. you go into an agency and book the trip).
Hope this helps!
I am currently living in Firenze and have gone to both Siena and San Gimignano. The best way to Siena is by bus, through the line called SITA, available near the main train station. The best way to San Gimignano is also by Bus, again through SITA, available near the main train station. the scuedule is as follows:
Firenze to San Gimignano departs every hour or so in either direction. You have to change buses at a town called Poggisbonsi and cross the street to collect the next one to get to San Gimignano (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes). If you have questions, just ask the bus driver. This bus goes directly to the town gates.
For Siena: departures from Firenze are hourly during the week, and it is much faster than the train (about 1hr 15 minutes -- make sure you take the express bus!). There is a helpful tourist information stand across the street from the train station, and they can point you to the SITA station.
Both towns are well worth the trip.
You will be tired if you try to do both in a single day through public transport, as there is alot to see and do in each town. I originally thought I would do both in one day, but the bus schedules make it difficult.
As for other day trips, Pisa is always a favorite (by train, approximately 1 hour each way).
You can also book tours through local travel agents, especially those along the street beside the train station, for day trips by bus to the Chianti region, and to Siena and San Gimignano. I think that, but am not sure that you can do both Siena and San Gimignano in one day if you take one of these trips (the bus is private and direct to both locations). Prebooking is not required, as a huge number of these trips depart at or near the train station. The travel agents who run these trips are licensed, legal and reliable (i.e. you go into an agency and book the trip).
Hope this helps!
