Florence to Siena to Rome?

I would stay in Florence, taking the bus ( 70 minutes )to Siena for the day and return to Florence. Then take the express train from Florence down to Rome. Yes, it does require a small backtrack, but will still be the best way and doesn't require a double room move- hate those! Have fun.

I agree with Bob unless you plan on spending the night in Siena and then proceeding on to Rome. You want the SITA Rapido (Express) bus from the SITA station. The SITA station is one long block across the south thoroughfare from the main train station (Track #1 side of the station). The bus station on the north side of the station are local buses.

Another roundtrip thought is that Grayline has a tour from Florence to Siena with a one-hour stop in San Gimignano. It includes a tour of Siena. We've taken this tour and it was quite nice for a one-day look at Siena.

If you plan on staying the night in Siena, take the SITA Rapido bus to the city wall. Then, in the morning, take a local city bus down to the train station (about 1km) and get on the train to Rome.

Interestingly, it's almost 4.0hrs by train from Siena to Rome. Conversely, it's 70 minutes by bus back to Florence and then 1.4hrs on the high-speed Eurostar to Rome from Florence. So, as Bob suggests, you can save time by backtracking to Florence and going high-speed to Rome.

Great info - thanks!

Grayline tour sounds good. Did you feel you got enough time to see things u wanted, or would you prefer it urself next time (perhaps with a guide-book)?

Also, how does San Gimignano compare with Pisa? Am thinking I could try to squeee both Pisa and Siena in 1 day (and pass on SG)?! I know they are in opposite directions, but thought I would ask anyways. We just want to see the Leaning Tower in Pisa and then get back.

Robert, we only got an hour in S. Gimignano. I would have liked a bit more. We were in Siena for just over 4 hours. Grayline had a tour guide waiting for us. We actually saw quite a bit including the main church which is really nice. They cut us loose for lunch and we had a wonderful lunch on the Piazza. Overall, a night would have been great but we did just fine.

Grayline tours in Florence are offered by CAF Tours. They are located at Via San Antonio 6R (Red). From the front of the Florence SMN train station, you are about 1,500 hundred feet from the CAF Tours ticket office. If you need more info, I can give you better directions.

As for Pisa vs S.G. give me S.G. every time (we saw both). All that's in Pisa is the leaning tower and adjacent historical grounds. There's nothing else in the city to see. S.G. is a wonderful and scenic hill town. Or, just take the SITA Rapido, spend the day, and return the same way. Your choice.

San gimignano wins hands dwn over Pisa. Admittedly, I do travel a bit faster than some of the people on this forum, but I spent a wonderful day going to Siena in the AM and San Gimignano in the PM. Definately worth it, no question, even if it was raining. SG gives a much better feel of Tuscany- the bus ride out there is gorgeous, through all the vineyards. I used only public transport and had no problems. Good luck!

Robert, remember the scene where Clark Griswold looks at the Grand Canyon? Pisa is not worth the trip, IMHO, unless you stop on the way over the CT area.

Thanks everyone! Seems like it is a no-contest after all. So looking forward to SG now :).

Thanks for the directions too Larry. I think I should be able to find it with that?!

We just got back and used the train. http://www.raileurope.com/us/

We went from Venice to Florence to Rome. If you do an overnight in Siena, your bags won't be an issue.

Trains are great in Europe.