I'm sure this has been asked before, but I cannot find it on a search--sorry if I am repeating. We will be in Siena in June and will need to get to Rome. Apparently we can take a regional train from Siena to Chiusi to Rome, or a bus directly to Rome. I cannot find any good information on the buses--how to buy tickets in advance, etc.
Anyone have knowledge in this area--I would appreciate advice!
Thanks,
Debbie
debbie,
The easiest and quickest method (IMO) would be via Florence, where you'll connect with the high speed train. For example, there's a departure from Siena at 09:18, arriving Roma Termini at 12:50 (one change at Firenze SMN, time 3H:32M). The trip from Florence to Rome will be via Freccia high speed train, which travels at up to 300 kmH when it gets going (it's a very comfortable trip!). If you decide to go by train, ask your hotel the night prior to leaving to pre-arrange a Taxi to the station (it's not expensive).
You could also travel via Chiusi-Chianciano Terme which uses a combination of Bus and rail, but that will be slower with more changes (not always the most pleasant when hauling luggage). As I recall, there's also a Bus from Siena to Rome, but it will arrive at Roma Tiburtina rather than Termini.
I took the Sena bus, it was pretty easy! They depart from piazza gramsci, and arrive at Tiburtina train station in Rome (just 2 metro stops away from Termini).
Sorry but the easiest, and likely the quickest, method is to take the bus. Sena is the bus company and departs right from a piazza in the old town (railroad station is outside the city center and requires a cab). Direct, no-stop bus to Rome's Tiburtina Station (an easy bus or Metro ride to Termini Station). Frequent buses (about hourly during the day) and no need for advance purchase. All trains are less frequent and require a change/layover. You buy a ticket at the ticket booth where the buses depart.
Do you have flexibility for a day trip on the way to Rome? You could stop in Orvieto for a couple hours, leave your bags at the hotel by the train station and see the hilltown. I went from Siena to Orvieto for a night stay and onto Rome the next day. Easy connections. We took the bus from the Siena Train station to Chiusi. Once there you can board the train to Rome, but most trains to Rome stop in Orvieto. They are on the same regional line.
You have all three trains and/or bus options described above. Here are a few links to earlier, similar discussions:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/travel-options-to-and-from-siena
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/bus-from-rome-to-siena
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/traveling-between-rome-and-siena
