Getting from Florence to Montepulciano

I've taken a taxi from Chiusi to Montepulciano (a great place, by the way). It's been a few years. I think it cost 40 euro and took about 30 minutes? The bus service between Montepulciano and Florence itn't a bad option--takes about 2+ hours, as I recall and there's a change involved.

My understanding of the bus schedule would be from Firenze to Siena; then Siena to Montepulciano;
It's not the fastest way to go, but you see so much more countryside on the bus than on the train, I think it's worth it! Just pack some food and vino, and enjoy the ride.

Are you going to Montepulciano for the day or are you going to pick-up a rental car?

I am going to spend a day and a night in Montepulciano, then move on to Orvieto. I think the bus seems like a reasonable option - I did some internet searches and found the fastest goes from Florence to Bettole to Montepulciano in about 2 hours. But it's very reassuring to know I can do the Chiusi-Montepulciano taxi thing, too, since there are a lot more train options to Chiusi than there are bus options. Thanks for the advice!

Marjorie,

I realize this is rather belated, but I'm having experience with the same predictament: getting from Firenze to Montepulciano.

After having scanned the Trenitalia website, I learned that traveling via train is doable, without having to bother with either bus or taxi. It seems one could leave SMN station in Firenze at 11:00 AM and get to Siena a bit after noon. Next, there's a Sunday train (I'll need a train on that day) from Siena to Montepulciano which leaves around 2:00 and arrives about one hour later. One could also to Chiusi and then on to Montepulciano, but the layover in Chiusi is lengthier.

I hope this is helpful.

David

Ii went by bus to Siena then a short local bus ride to Montepulciano. It was reasonable to me and think about 2 hrs approx.

David,
There is no train station in Montepulciano historical center which I assume you want to be. The train station I think you are referring to is quite far from the old town. Take a look at a map and you will see.

Henry's right. The train station is far from where you probably want to go. The best way to get to Montepulciano is by bus or car.

Here's a follow-up: I took a bus from Florence to Montepulciano, from a station near the Florence train station. It would have been 2 hrs 10 min, if not for the breakdown and waiting for a replacement bus!!! It let me out about a 15 minute walk from my hotel in Montepulciano, uphill of coure:), but there was a shuttle bus that I took instead. I took a bus to the Chiusi train station on the way out of town, which would have been easy except that a festival in Chiusi had closed streets, so the bus let us out about 1/2 a mile away.