Day trip (train) options from Florence: Pisa? Siena?

For Siena, the bus is favored as it drops you near the town center. Much info in the prior threads found here:

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Bus+Florence+siena&utf8=%E2%9C%93

Siena is the classic Tuscan hill town visit for good reason. The town of Siena - actually a city by Tuscan standards - is an amazing town with a great cathedral, an classic main piazza and "frozen in time" picture worthy views at every turn. Check the pictures of Siena and if it holds any interest then I think it's an easy choice.

Pisa has the tower and the complex of the buildings inside the Field of Miracles in the center of Pisa. Pisa is a university town with a younger and looser vibe that other cities in the in area. It has a fair amount of everyday Italy and not much dedicated tourism outside of the Tower area.

If you're only interested in the tower complex you could easily combine Pisa with Lucca - a charming city medieval city with thick walls - for a long day trip reachable from Florence by train. Lucca is about 30 minutes from Pisa and another 1:15 or so back to Florence on the slow train.

Arezzo is Siena's less touristy sister across the valley. It has less stunning visuals than Siena but is much less touristy and is an interesting melding of the new modern town at the bottom of the hill and the ancient town at the top. The town is always trying to have something going on so check for events when it works for you. Some trains from Arezzo are fast and some are slow so you have to time it right.

Bologna is only about 30 minutes by train and it's a city not a small town but is considered the culinary capital of Italy and deserves more than a day but a day trip may help you decide whether you want to give it more time later.

Hope that helps,
=Tod

Siena is a wonderful hill town with a lot of charm and history. Yes, best to take the bus over the train from Florence which is what we did. We spent 3 nights in Siena, there is a lot to see. For me, Pisa would be a more logical day trip, because, IMO, only a day is needed. If you think you might some day have a chance to overnight in Siena, I'd go to Pisa, otherwise, Siena would be my top choice.

Agree with above
Siena deserves a night or 2 if you can
Pisa is a day trip ( although seeing the Field of Mitacles lit up at night is pretty impressive)

Another vote for Siena.

Siena is the best day trip from Florence -- the Cathedral is jaw dropping and the Campo may be the prettiest in Italy.

Bologna is also a good day trip but Siena first.

Thanks everyone!

We’ve got our train tickets for Siena. I’ve spent some time trying to find the official website for Siena Duomo tickets. It’s a bit murky out there. Does anyone, by chance, know of a direct link to purchase said tickets? We’ll be there for a day and would prefer to arrive with tickets in hand.

Thanks again for your advice!

WL

Google search:Siena Duomo
https://operaduomo.siena.it/en/

Since you've opted to take the train: directly across from the station exit in Siena you'll see the entrance to the Galleria Porta Siena shopping center. If you enter the main door there you'll see a series of escalators that will take you up the hill and into the city. From the exit on Viale Vittorio Emanuele II it's about a one mile walk to the the Campo (or Duomo). Can preview it on Google Street View but it's really pretty straightforward.
Might be easier to just grab a taxi from the rank in front of the terminal to take you up into the city center - as I recall cost for the two of us from the station to the Campo was about 12 Euros a couple of years ago, FYI.
Your driver will be able to drop you directly in front of the Duomo.

Excellent advice, Robert!

Much obliged,

WL