Three ways to get from Florence to Rome

Traversing the 170 miles from Florence, Tuscany's art-filled standout, to Rome, Italy’s culturally and historically rich capital, presents travelers with several options. You can jump on a high-speed train; choose the inexpensive, scenic local train; take a quick flight; or assuming you have your International Driving Permit, make the drive between two of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations. Each option offers its own advantages—affordability, ease, speed, and the potential to make some memorable stops along the way—and we have all the details to help you make your travel decision.

Traveling by train is undoubtedly the most time- and cost-efficient option. Since the train stations in both Florence and Rome are centrally located, commute times to both are minimal. The Frecciarossa high-speed train (also known as the "red arrow train") is the fastest way to cover the route between Rome and Florence, though not the cheapest. The 90-minute journey will cost you somewhere between $30 and $139, depending on the time of day you’re traveling and the class of your ticket.

Another great train option is the ItaloTreno, which offers three different classes (Smart, Prima, and Club Executive), depending on your budget and how much comfort you want. The Club Executive level is equipped with reclining leather seats, power sockets, and Wi-Fi, and drinks and snacks can be purchased from onboard vending machines. Tickets start at less than $10 for Smart-level seats and max out at about $70 for Club Executive. The trip also takes around an hour and a half.

The drive from Florence to Rome is a straightforward three-hour ride on the A1, but those in the know will make a road trip out of it, detouring to some of the must-see towns along the way to visit medieval churches, indulge in exquisite Italian wine and cuisine, and even explore a ghost town.

Your first stop is less than 90 minutes south of Florence (take the A1 to the E35) in Cortona, made famous in the 2003 film Under the Tuscan Sun. Nestled in the Val di Chiana valley, the medieval village’s Etruscan museum, historic town center, and ancient countryside monasteries are all worth a visit. Try the pesto ravioli at Osteria del Teatro, and pick up some of the world’s best extra virgin olive oil while you’re in town. Next, drive 40 minutes on the SP32 to Montepulciano, a village nestled on the top of a hill and surrounded by vineyards. Try the town’s noble wine (and buy a bottle for your designated driver to savor later), and enjoy the view of the Tuscan countryside from the top of the Palazzo Comunale tower.

After you’ve marveled at the delightful vistas, take the SP326 40 minutes south to Cetona. There, you can tour the vegetable and cypress gardens at the town's San Francesco monastery, founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1212, then dine with the chic crowd at Restaurante da Nilo. Note: During the summer, book a table upstairs for the best people-watching.

After leaving Cetona, head 50 minutes southeast to Umbria’s Orvieto to see its famous Duomo, a stunning striped, gold-and-mosaic, 14th-century cathedral with multiple murals by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli, frescoes that had a great influence on Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel. Also make a stop by the impressive 177-foot-deep Pozzo di San Patrizio, or St. Patrick’s Well, commissioned by Pope Clement VII following his refuge in Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527.

Your final stop is 30 minutes away (take the SR71 or the SP12 to the SP6) in Civita di Bagnoregio, an ancient Italian ghost town known as “the dying city” because it is built on tufo, a soft local rock that’s crumbling due to erosion. There are less than a dozen people still living in Civita di Bagnoregio, and the only access to the town is through a bridge. After your visit, take the A1 to E35 to E45 for a little less than two hours. All roads lead to Rome!

ITA Airways offers the only direct flight from Florence to Rome, clocking in at less than an hour and originating at the Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola, located three miles from the city center, and arriving at Rome–Fiumicino International Airport, which is about 20 miles southwest of the city. The flight is offered twice a day and costs around $200, depending on the day and time you’re traveling.

Once you arrive in Rome, a taxi is usually the fastest way to get from the airport to the city center, unless you’re traveling during rush hour. Official taxis are required to charge a set cost for the trip, around $50, and accept credit cards in addition to cash.

There are also two trains that make the trip from the airport to Rome. The regional train (about $8) leaves every 15-30 minutes and makes the trip from the airport to the central Stazione Trastevere in about 30 minutes. Purchase your ticket online or in the train station at the airport, and be sure to validate your ticket before boarding the train. Alternatively, the Leonardo Express travels directly from Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station, Rome’s main train station and a major hub for the Metro. Tickets cost about $15 per person, but children under four are free and one child ages four to 12 rides free with each paying adult. The train ride takes around 30 minutes and runs approximately every 15 minutes.