Transportation from Rome to Florence
 

There will be 4 adults going from Rome to Florence for the day. I've looked at the Trenitalia website, and it looks like it wll cost us about $120.00 each (once I do the euro conversion) for the round-trip--almost $500 for all of us. That seems like a lot to me--I used the "standard fare" rate. Is there a cheaper way to go? We have rented cars in Europe and considered that, but the thought of driving through Rome to get to Florence sounds quite daunting! I also looked into private drivers, but that's even more. Thank you!

First of all, the ES fare of 36.10 Euro converts to about 53 USD, one way. So 424 USD for four returns. Which is nowhere near 500 USD...

There is the Amica fare, which offers a 20% reduction. The number of seats that can be booked with the Amica fare is limited, so you can either book online (which can be problematic) or hope that the fare is still available for purchase when you get to Rome.

Or you can take a slower train that costs less.

I show that 4 standard rate 2nd class tickets on trenitalia will cost $144.40 one way. Double that for r/t and you could not rent a car for the day cheaper than that.

If you take the fast ES trains, the standard fare is 36.1 Euro, or $53 each way. Amica fare (20% discount) is 28.90 Euro, or $42 each way.

The Amica fare on an IC train (2.5 hrs vs 1.5hrs) is 19.60 Euro/$29 each way.

If you are doing a day trip then time and convenience are important. You could rent a car for less than the $400-500 ES fares, so that would not be a bad option. You have to add on gas, parking, and the likely $130 fine when (not if) you drive in the wrong part of Florence and get a ticket in the mail 6mo later.

That's 144.40 Euro - *not* USD...

that's 144.40 Euro sandi, or $212. each way. I'm willing to bet they can rent a car (including the $130 florence fine) for less than $424.

Hi T,

How about this?

Take www.senabus.it from Rome Tiburtina station to Siena - 5E pp

Take the SITA bus to Florence - 7E pp.

((I))

You're right...just not used to typing euro...

Thank you for all of the replies. I think that the best for us is to use the train, and use the Amici rate--we'll reserve that now since the seats are limited.

Appreciate all of the responses!

Were you able to buy the train tickets online? I've been trying for days and the Trenitalia web site won't allow me to buy the tickets for March.