Private driver Rome to Florence

No experience because the train is so easy and usually most cost effective

You can see what a driver will cost here:
mydaytrip.com

Christine H - I have to admit that we're a little intimidated about taking the train though everyone says it's quite easy. We didn't check luggage and we each have smaller rolling bags and a small day pack that we would wear on the front (backwards) while walking.
We are staying near the Pantheon. Our plan originally was to take a cab to the Termini station and get tickets there for Florence. If you are familiar with it can you walk me through it on a reply to this? I'm not sure why I'm feeling intimidated.
Kelly

You obviously took an airplane to get to Rome, so why would a train, which is orders of magnitude easier than an airplane, be intimidating?

It's not hard at all. You'll buy tickets--since you don't already have them--at a staffed counter, at a vending machine (where English instructions will be an option) or online (you could do that now). You'll look at the departure board to see which platform your train will depart from (looking for your train number, which will be on your ticket). Then you'll walk to the platform, find your carriage (that number is also printed on your ticket) and get onboard. Then you'll locate your seats and store your bags above your seats or on racks elsewhere in the car.

Aside from the likely much higher cost for a private driver (you'll pay for the round trip), there's a huge difference in travel time:

Distance Rome to Florence: approx. 136 miles
Train: 1 hr. 36 min. (multiple fast trains per hour)
Car: 3 hr. 37 min., as estimated by ViaMichelin.com

Not to confuse you, but there are 2 train companies running high speed trains to Florence. Trenitalia, the big state owned operator, and Italotrano, a private operator. Italo is a little bit cheaper, 43.90 EUR per person vs 50 EUR pp for Trenitalia for walk-up prices. Both trains run at the same speed and are equally comfortable (many say Italo is nicer). Italo trains run every 30 minutes in the morning. You can also get Business class for 55.90 pp on Italo. Business class on Trenitalia is 71 EUR pp.

We have taken the train from Rome to Florence a couple of times and it truly is very easy. We always travel carryon and have always been able to keep our luggage either with us at the seats or very close by. You will save a great deal of money choosing the train over a private driver and once you are on the train it is quite relaxing. We always buy our tickets on line before we go to the train station. That minimizes the stress that can arise if we get confused in a very busy train station. Our method is to have one of us stand with back to wall with the luggage while the other of us checks for the platform, which of course only works if you have at least two people in your party. Once the platform number comes up, go directly to that platform because they sometimes don’t leave a lot of time for boarding. Keep alert and secure your valuables. You can do this!

Edit: I’ll also add that you have a number of days before your travel to Florence. By then you may even have time to check out the train station in advance.

If you have access to YouTube you can search on Rome Termini and you will find a number of videos showing how to navigate the station - there are even more showing you how to ride the high speed trains.

Just another encouragement to take the train. It will open a world of travel possibilities to you. It’s only intimidating because you haven’t done it before. Maybe check out the train station in advance, since there’s a metro station there anyway. Or watch some videos.

Buying the tickets online makes it so easy. I recommend screenshotting your ticket so you can easily view it without having to use data. Remember that there are lots of workers at the train station who can help you, and they speak English. If you get confused, ask.

You all have been great with such good information and encouragement. One person wanted to know why we would feel intimidated and I guess my answer is that doing something on your own in a place where you don't know anyone or speak their language can be a bit intimidating the first time you do it.

However, with the information that you all have provided we will take the train and enjoy the ride! Thanks everyone! 🙂

Good for you! I think you’ll enjoy it very much - it’s not just a ‘point A to point B’ experience.

A driver would be expensive as the trip is about 150 miles and you would have to pay the return trip also. Barring some serious reason to take the car such a disability, train is more efficient than car as you can do the trip by train in less than two hours, while it is difficult to do the car trip in less than four hours. The Florence-Rome high speed line was one of the first such lines in Europe - so it has somewhat lower standards and trains cannot run faster than 250 km/h, still when you see the motorway from the train you get the feeling that cars - traveling at their full speeds - are almost stuck while the train flows by.

If it can help you, you can buy train tickets in advance, online from both companies (Trenitalia and Italo), at the station ticket offices and also from travel agents. When you know your train code and leaving time, you just have to be at the station some time in advance (half an hour is plenty of time, when you get to know the system you can be there just a few minutes in advance). Bags are not checked and you have to take care of your luggage. There is a quick safety check, usually they check that only passengers with tickets access the train area, it usually can be done in a moment.

If you do ever want to hire a driver in your travels, we had great success with My Day Trip. https://mydaytrip.com/ The drivers were on time, courteous, comfortable and clean vehicles. They are definitely more expensive than a train, but we used their services when the train was not a good option.

Kelly, we loved Italian trains, and we live in a part of the US where train travel isn't common so it was new to us too. They are SO much more comfortable than a plane, and the high-speed trains between larger cities get you there faster and much less expensively than a driver. You can also get up and stretch or use the facilities as needed without having to stop.

Just to add to the above, here are primers about Roma Termini (the station you'll be departing from) and Firenze Santa Maria Novella (the station you'll be arriving to) from the trusty Man in Seat 61 website. Hope they help!

https://www.seat61.com/stations/rome-termini.htm
https://www.seat61.com/stations/florence-santa-maria-novella.htm

A side issue. Rome has a strange feature, that of being a very large city almost in the middle of nothing; as soon as you exit the city, the surrounding area has scarce population, a sort of green but wild country; the first community of any size you meet north of Rome is Orte, somewhat 90 km. distant. And as you cross a large stretch of Umbria, again you cross a somewhat wild country. I am always enthralled by the train whizzing through this eerie but strangely relaxing landscape.

I love this forum! It's been such a great resource and I appreciate the information, encouragement and links. I'm going to view the videos now before heading out to see the street sights.
Today we hiked all through the forum, Palintine Hill and the Colosseum via a great guide named Thomas Anderson (I may have his last name wrong) connected with Through Eternity tours. It was a small group tour of 10 people. I recommend it. 🙂
Thanks again!

hey hey kelly
you'll do fine riding the train, i remember "going koo koo" thinking of my first ride. was a piece of cake.
i'm sure it's been mentioned in these great posts above, pay attention to which track # your train will be on, validate your ticket, if need be, the box right at entrance to train, walk to train carriage # on outside. depending on time you leave, we have packed a small breakfast sandwich and drink, or for lunch a sandwich and small bottle of wine. (always pack a corkscrew) and enjoy the ride. we like to sit facing forward that train is traveling.
when in florence couple X 10 things to check out:
educated-traveller.com/wine windows of florence
read up about the history of these windows. few years ago, found an independent driver of a pedicab in city center for about 30E (probably more now) to take us around historic center, took us by these windows that were still under construction. he was studying opera and sang to us while cruising. was so much fun
tasteatlas.com/bomboloni
traditional tuscan treat of an italian fried donut with a list of patisseries served at
tasteatlas.com/best dishes in siena
mercatocentrale.com
huge market with everything and anything. stroll through upper and lower floors of all the artisans, shops, restaurants, market stalls, cooking school.
the neapolitan sfogliatella by sabato sessa. naples famous pastry made daily (yummy)
pantry of massimiliano parri stop in to see kitchen wares. you never know what you will find to bring home as souvenir
click artisans and see what they all do in their little shops, click how it works, scroll down to map of the market. it gets crowded, maybe stop for a glass of wine and a "nibble" before the lunch crowds get there or after
airbnb.com/experiences/florence
top of page (start your search), where: florence when: 11/1 t0 11/5 how many: 2
check food tours: tasty florence street food tour $37. go hungry, wear elastic pants, comfy shoes. they are so much fun
look at other tours that may interest you. we like walking in "grocery" stores/markets just to see what kind of packets/dried pasta/spices i can bring back with me. so many interesting things in them. of course bottle of wine, bread, salami & cheese for our "happy hour" at hotel/apt.
tuscanynowandmore.com/dario-cecchini
eater.com/butcher dario cecchini
famous butcher of panzano in chianti, see his workmanship/showmanship, loves rock & roll. plus his restaurant antica macelleria
tuscan-wine-tours.com
from florence. look at super chianti, small tour/7 hours/ tour 2 wineries and lunch at dario's restaurant
streaty.com/florence food and market tour
vinoevinci.com
drink wine and paint a souvenir for yourself in historic center florence (via guelfa 114 50129 florence)
visittuscany.com/three artisan experiences in tuscany/pottery fun in florence
a lot to absorb with my "novel" hee hee. so much to see and do besides the churches, museums, monuments. i've seen them so i adventure out in the neighborhood, sit at an outside cafe with my wine & chacuterie board, people watch and just enjoy the atmosphere. have fun
aloha

We were in both Florence and Rome earlier this month for the second time. I completely agree with everyone to take the train, which we did on this trip and the previous trip. We love taking the trains when traveling in Europe. If you are smart phone savvy, you may want to go ahead and download both Trentalia and Italo apps. Shop the various trains from Rome to Florence and then purchase your tickets before you even arrive at the station. If you do not do this, it is NOT a problem, you can purchase tickets at the station either via the machines, or stand in line to purchase from a ticket agent (not the fastest option, but functional—just be sure to get a ticket for your place in line for a ticket agent).

I’ll add another reason for taking the train..,

It’s what Italians do <<

You’ll be experiencing a typical daily thing in Italian life. And that’s a big part of meaningful travel

You’ll come back to the states wondering why Europe has this awesome, easy, convenient train system… and we don’t.

Trains are easy and a private driver would be $$$$$$$$$$$$$

We took a look at the Termini Station today during a quick drive-by. Looks like a fun place actually. I'm a bit embarrassed that I was so nervous after now seeing the place and hearing from you all. 😳

I've also checked out the links that were given to me and I have a good feel for the terminal layout both in Termini Station and in Florence.

Thanks again!
Kelly

Kelly, one more thing. As you approach the station in Florence, be at the exit door of the train with your luggage and ready to hop off. The train usually does not stop for very long. You will enjoy taking the train. It is one of our favorite things to do in Europe.

The trains stops at Florence 9 minutes as the engineer has to change to the opposite direction. But as soon as the people disembarking are out, the people boarding jumps on the train so you do not want to get stuck in the people moving in the opposite direction. There is usually a voice announcement when the train is 5 minutes or so from the next stop. - It works also the other way: if you board a fast train at Florence SMN, if in time it will be there 9 minutes before its leaving time.

Thanks for that added info. I would hate to miss our stop! 😁

I’m in Italy now…
Took a train from Rome to Florence (SMN).
I purchased this ticket 2.5months ago for 18E.
Most relaxing travel ever.

1st advise - read up on seat61.com - very comprehensive info about European train travel - it’ll give valuable insight into trains in Europe.

2nd advise - get Trenitalia app - type in Roma termini to Firenze SMN and a date of travel. You’ll get a list of travel options. - and you can buy tickets via an app - very easy

3rd- get google map - it tracks you where you are at all times via GPS - even offline mode- you’ll never get lost..

Once you get comfortable with train - you’ll realize it is only way to travel in Europe- esp Italy.
I visited 7 cities in Italy so far on this trip - all via train using Trenitalia and google maps

Great ideas Gene! Thank you!

One other thing: As of February, the set-up at Roma Termini didn't allow you to walk from the concourse directly to each platform. There was a barrier across all the tracks (they all terminate at Termini, thus the name of the station) and just one allowed entry point, around the middle of the station. You had to go through that central entry point and then head for your platform. All the other gaps in the barrier were only for exiting the platform area. If you get to the station in plenty of time, this will not matter. If you're running late, you don't want to waste even a minute or two by heading to the edge of the station if your train departs from something like Track 1 and having to turn around and walk back to the middle of the barrier.

Lookup Italy in Themaninseat61.com He will walk you through how train work in Italy including ticket purchase online and in person.

European trains are great and Italy is no exception. You will have more legroom than in a car, the ability to walk about and use the facilities, often you will have access to a restaurant car as well.

Between Rome and Florence the train is faster and cheaper than a car. You will leave from the tourist district in Rome and arrive in the tourist district in Florence. It's ideal.

Kelly was traveling from Rome to Florence today. As it's 12:30 AM on Nov. 2nd at this point, pretty sure he's checked in and maybe getting some ZZZZs. Hope so, anyway! Kelly, let us know how it went for you when you have a sec? :O)

Kelly, be advised that there are trains constantly leaving for Florence, so if you see one with a time 5 minutes before the one you're taking, that's not your train. We almost got on the wrong train one time because I didn't realize there were so many going to the same destination.

Hey everyone! Thanks for all your help. We took the train yesterday to Florence and it was a piece of cake 🎂! I have no idea why it had seemed so intimidating but spending a bit more time with the info you all shared made the process a breeze. We laughed about it later and we saved a lot of money and time in the bargain!

Today we’re getting on the train again, though with a guide, to go to a cooking class near a village in the Chianti Hills. I saw a recommendation for a cooking class with Luca and Lorenzo via Airb&b Experiences and we looked into it (and some other recommendations) and they had wonderful reviews. So, if they turn out to be as wonderful as they sound I will definitely include it on a trip report.

Thanks again everyone!

Oh, and because we stepped aside to let someone else be helped who seemed in a hurry the train agent put us in first class at no extra charge. Bonus!
Kelly

Bravo, Kelly! You now have another Italian adventure under your belt, and saved yourself a bundle. Gotta love those trains, eh? OMG the pile of detailed notes I hauled to Italy the first time we were going to use the rail system.... 🤣

Your trip reports are great; keep 'em coming!!!

That’s great to hear. Thanks for checking back in

I'm glad that you overcame your trepidation and made the trial of the train so successful. Congratulations. And put that saved money back into your purse.