Hi All,

Can anyone tell me the best way to get from Rome to Florence?

I have found a train for 31 euros which takes 1.5 hours.

Thanks!

Sounds like it to me - unless you want a slower train at a lower price (perhaps?)

Of course, and they run twice hourly!

The train you describe is a EuroStar Italia Alta Velocita (high speed) train. The standard 2nd class fare is 44.00 EUR. The fare you quoted must be a Meno 30 fare (30% discount) which must be booked at least 15 days in advance. There is a limited number of tickets allotted for that fare.

If you live in the US, be aware that the Trenitalia site rejects 99% of all attempts to book tickets using a US credit card. However, your card will work in station ticket machines and the machines have an English option. No need to stand in line at a ticket window.

The 2nd class fare on an IC train is 28.00 EUR and the ride takes 3hr9min.

The 2nd class fare on a regional train is 16.10 EUR and the ride takes 4hr6min.

city center to city center
no driving
no getting lost
no charges for gas, insurance, parking
no hunting for rental car agency drop off points
no traffic jams, back-ups, etc.
worth every penny IMO

If you were interested, the train goes via Assisi. Well, not quite Assisi, which is on top of a hill. But it is a ten minute bus ride from the station to the old town of Assisi. It might be worth a thought, but you would have to break your journey there.

I don't think it is worth taking an extra hour and a half on a slower train, just to save ten or fifteen Euro.

Dukey listed all but one of the advantages.
Advantage No 6. There is a bar on the train. You can have a coffee or wine while you watch the countryside flash by. Most civilised.

And in the early morning, the wait staff brings a cart with coffee and pastry. It's beyond civilized.