Day trip to Florence from Rome
 

I need some suggestions on companies that take excursions from Rome to Florence. Thanks.

It's really easy to take the train yourself. I would recommend doing that and a self-guided tour of the things in Florence you most want to see

Yes, I've been trying to figure that out. Is this the correct site:

http://orario.trenitalia.com

I agree take the train and a self guilded tour is what Emily and i did the first time we went to Florence. You need to go to the train station your first day in Rome. They informed us that on the day we had planned to go was a train strike, we change to the next day. Florence is a walkable city. For more information on florence visit my web site emilyandjim.info.

Hi Brockbank, here in the website for Trenitalia that you want, and it is in English.

The train from Rome to Florence only takes 90 minutes. And you really only need 2nd class seats.
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Leave Rome as early as you can and come back as late as you can and you will have a wonderful day in Florence..along with some fantastic food and wine!

By the way, the train station in Florence is right there at the historical center. Pick up a map of Florence or get one online so you are familar with where you first want to walk to.

Thanks so much for your help.

Do I want ROMA TE to FI.SMN?

Yes

Yes Brockbank. Sorry I didn't mention the stations but you got it right. Brockbank, be sure to validate your train tickets at one of the small yellow boxes in the train station. If you don't you get get fined when the conductor checks the tickets, so don't forget to do that.

If you are not going to be near the Termini Train Station while in Rome you can buy your train tickets from any travel agency that has a sign in the window. Your hotel could no doubt tell you the closest agency to your hotel. Also the American Express Office by the Spanish Stairs sells the tickets also.

Do some research about Florence so you will be prepared when you arrive there. And have a wonderful time in Italy!

The train station in Florence is just around the corner from Santa Maria Novella, an estraordinary early Renaissance church with great art. It's definitely worth a visit.

Thanks. Can I buy my tickets online?

Brockbank, if you want to buy your train tickets online you can only do so 60 days before max. Not before then. If you decide to buy your tickets online (I never have) Fodorite's have said one needs to call their credit card co. to advise them so that the charge from Trenitalia will go through.
Some people have had a lot of frustrations trying to buy their tickets online, others haven't.

Personally, I would buy them once in Rome but others for whatever reason feel they want to have the reservations way in advance so that is up to you.