We are interested in doing a daytrip to Florence, and will be staying in Montepulciano for a few nights. We will have a car, but figure driving into Florence is not recommended. Is there a suitable train? Or can we drive to a train station, park, and then take train into Florence?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16894 posts
Montepulciano train station is about 8 km from the hill town itself. Trains departing from there take 2.5 - 3 hours to reach Florence with a connection at either Chiusi or Siena. If you drive to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station, then direct trains from there to Florence take 1.5 - 2 hours, or trains from Siena about the same.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15288 posts
If you drive to Chiusi (30 min away) you can take a train from there and be in Florence in less than 2 hours from Chiusi. Therefore 2h30 in total more or less.
If you drive all the way to Florence, let's say to the parking lot at Porta Romana or the one on Piazza Beccaria, you are looking at maybe 1h30min drive, taking the A1 freeway, including parking the car in the lot.
So it's up to you. But if you intend to stay in Florence till late night, then it's better if you drive, because trains won't run after 9pm or so.