Florence to Volterra

I posted the particulars in a post not long ago (see link below)

I’m not sure you’ll save a lot of time with a rental car.
Yes it is true that by car you can get there more quickly, but not by much, because the drive alone would take me 1h30min by car, and I know my way well from Florence to Volterra because I’ve driven it countless times.

In your case you must also take into consideration the time necessary for: finding and going to the rental office, waiting in line to get a car, doing the rental paperwork, getting in the car, finding your way out of Florence to your destination, finding your way back, refueling, rental return paperwork, taxi back to hotel. So the driving part is only part of the all equation.

In the post below, I inserted the timetables both via Pontedera (train+bus) or via Colle Val d’Elsa (Bus+bus). Do your math, and consider the drive is about 90 min plus the extra steps I listed above.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/florence-to-volterra-by-bus-or-train

Great info from Roberto!

I only want to add a more philosophical comment in response to your statement "I feel like volterra is not to be missed."

If you ultimately decide, for whatever reason, not to go to Volterra, I hope you won't let that lessen your enjoyment of your trip. There are so many places in Tuscany that are special, whichever ones you get to will be the perfect ones for you to enjoy your vacation. You can't get to all of them unless you spend months there, and then you will burn out before you get to even a small fraction of them.

It's tempting to cram as much as possible into your travel time because (1) vacation time is limited and (2) so much is so appealing. But the truth is that nothing is "not to be missed." I'm not saying that a day trip to Volterra is cramming too much into your vacation, just that you should not feel regret if you don't make it there. Whatever you end up seeing and doing is the perfect way for you to have a wonderful trip. You will love Tuscany!

Yes I’m learning quickly how many places there are. No need to do too much .. I would rather miss things and be relaxed. And on budget. ;) Ty for your thoughtful replies !

The day you go may help you decide on train vs. bus if you decide to do transit. I'm in Italy now and recently did the Florence to volterra by transit on a Saturday and it was a little stressful. Partly because my italian is only so-so and partly because I was tired from having landed in Rome that morning, but the bus station ticket office in Pontedera definitely was closed and the local store in the square didn't sell bus tickets. (Even with my italian I figured that out). I asked the bus driver about this and he just waived me on the bus without paying. Not sure if he couldn't be bothered to sell me a ticket or if I looked pathetic after a long flight and he was afraid I'd cry. I got a free ride but be aware. I think the bus office was open earlier in the day so you'd probably be ok if you're going early, but even a little Italian helps if you do the train/bus combo. Also, to buy the return ticket in Volterra, it might be from the tabacchi on Via Matteotti almost across from the l'incontro bar (which is also a great place to get a drink), or that's where it was for the Siena bus (just in case your italian is as good as mine. :) )

It's a longish way to go but Volterra is a lovely small town and one day is enough to see the main sites and walk around. and the views are beautiful if the weather is clear. I'm certainly not sorry for having gone, despite the difficulty (the cheese wheel race was totally worth it), but it might be easier if you can spend the night. The town does have a different vibe when all the day trippers have gone. Or at least check the transit schedules so you don't get stuck there when you didn't mean to!

Good luck with the planning.

Wow what helpful information. I’ll be sure to give feedback after me experience. Thank you fir the real time update. Yes I have to make sure we don’t get harried. What a time you had getting in the bus! I do not speak any Italian. Nice if the driver to give u a break. I don’t think I can stay over so I’ll have to think but there was a new tour in Viator I think fir a small group. If we do consider it I’ll stick with a guide. If not then next time. Ty I hope you have an awesome trip ! Cheesewheel race?? Ha ha so fun. Ty

We just went to Volterra a couple of weeks ago. We spent three nights there and loved it. We travelled via bus from Pontedera to Volterra. We bought bus tickets in Pontedera at the "newspaper" shop, it is on your left when you exit the train station. Taking a train from Florence to Pontedera is very easy but do not take the train all the way to Volterra. The train station for Volterra is not really in Volterra and the buses to town run infrequently. We travelled on a weekday. Volterra is very easy to see on your own without a tour. The Etruscan museum is spectacular if you like history, the restaurants are excellent, and there are several fun truffle tasting shops, and of course gelato!

Last month, we went by bus from Florence to Volterra on a Friday afternoon, with the bus changeover in Colle. The traffic leaving Florence was absolutely horrendous (make a note of this if you decide to rent a car!) and the bus was late getting into Colle, but the bus to Volterra waited for it to arrive. In Florence, we bought bus tickets in the station for the Florence-Colle leg. Then in Colle, we bought the ongoing tickets from the bus driver.