My 2 girlfriends and I are going to an agriturismo outside of Siena. Our different flights arrive in Florence. Their plane lands 6 hours before mine, so they have rented a car and are driving to the agriturismo. Somehow I have to get from Florence to Siena on a Sunday night (plane lands at 7:30pm) and they will pick me up in Siena with the car. I have seen a few websites that say the bus is the way to go versus the train, but the main reason is that the bus lands in downtown Siena. I don't need to be in downtown Siena and am thinking it might be easier for my friends to pick me up outside of Siena. Can they drive a car in downtown Siena? Do the buses or trains run this late? Should I look at a private driving entity? Does anyone have any recent experience with this or advice? I would really appreciate some guidance! Thanks!
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
It's probably easier for them to pick you up at the train station. The bus is faster about an hour vs an hour n half on the train
Posted by
Chicago
792 posts
I just checked the Trenitalia website for this upcoming Sunday. There were trains leaving from Florence up until 11 pm. They are regional trains so you can't look that far in advance. But I think if you are traveling within the next couple of months, the schedule wouldn't change that much.
I don't know Siena that well so I am sorry I can't help with other specifics. But other thoughts- Can your friends wait in Florence and you all drive together? Although I see if you are all flying in from the United States that wouldn't be ideal. Or contact the managers of the Agriturismo and they could help arrange for transportation? That might be the best option versus rather than driving in the dark in an unfamiliar place while jet lagged. Or could you spend the night in Florence and head out on the first train in the morning?
Good luck!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8371 posts
Kristen's right. It gets pretty dark out in the Tuscan countryside at night. You could take the train to Siena, but it might be difficult just returning to the agriturismo at night if the driver of the car is unfamiliar with the area. I'd suggest seeing if your hosts could come and get you at Siena train station.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much for your suggestions! That was a big help! It sounds like I can take the train - it usually runs quite late even on Sundays. And great idea about having our agriturismo hosts help us.
Does anyone know how to get to the Florence train station from the Florence airport? And will I need to pre-buy train tickets or should there be plenty of room?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
If you land at 19:30 hours (presumably from MUC with AirDolomiti or from CDG with AirFrance) the best you can hope for is to walk out of the terminal by 20:00 hours. From there you need a taxi to the Firenze SMN station (20 min. for 20 euro).
You buy the train ticket at the station (€8.70 to Siena) and you must validate (date stamp) at the validating machines at the platform. There are no discounts on regional trains (commuter trains). They work like subway trains and tickets don't sell out and as long as you can squeeze yourself inside, you can get aboard. However at that time of night, on the train there will be probably just you, the conductor and a couple of drunks. So no problem finding a seat.
The last direct train to Siena departs at 20:10 from Firenze SMN and you can't possibly make that one.
Your next option is at 21:28 when you could take the Regionale for Livorno, get off at Empoli at transfer to the regionale Empoli-Siena (which arrives at Siena at 23:14 hours.
Your next option and the absolutely last for the day is the regionale for Livorno departing SMN at 23:07, still with change in Empoli and arrival at Siena at 01:20. Your friends will probably be sleeping at the agriturismo by then.
Also it would help to know where your agriturismo is exactly, because maybe it's closer to a station before Siena (like Poggibonsi or Castellina scalo).
The absolutely best option is for your friends get the rental car on via Forlanini (europcar), which is cheaper than the airport and very close to the airport. Hang out in town for a few hours then pick you up at the airport when you arrive. If you drive out from the airport at 20:00, you'll be at the agriturismo well before 21:00.
The next best option is a private car with driver from the airport to the agriturismo, but that is going to run you at least €120-150.