train/coach travel - Italy

Probably 30 dollars or so - maybe more now because of the exchange rate. We went all the way to Florence (last week) on the Eurostar (more expensive) for just less than 50 dollars and Sienna is just short of that.

Here are two examples of train fares from Rome to Siena leaving in the AM. The Eurostar takes about 3:10 hours due to connections (and costs €45.60 one way). So these are similar in time and less in price. Both are one-way tickets in 2nd class. You can get examples and pricing at

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Early Regional Trains(Rome to Siena) €12.90 one way in 2nd class: 3:24 hours

Train 2306 from Roma Termini 07:12)to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme(08:59)

Train 6908 from Chiusi-Chianciano Terme 09:14)to Siena(10:36)

Using Intercity & Regional Trains €22.40 one way in second class – 2:51 hours

Train 582 from Roma Termini (08:55)to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme (10:19)

Train 6910 from Chiusi-Chianciano Terme (10:38) to Siena (11:46)

Thanks, Ron (and Julie) for your responses. Our host in Tuscany suggests that we take the train at the airport (Da Vinci) to Roma Tiburtina then catch the coach (bus) there to Siena. I figure that the fare will be close to the train fare so your answers are very helpful.
I hope that the bus leaves from the train teminal but I can't seem to find a definite answer to that question.

Susan...your host sounds correct. Rome Tiburtina is a major bus depot as well as train station. Just make sure you take the normal Italian train and not the airport special train, since it only goes to Rome Termini...or you could take it, then take the subway north the couple of stops to Tiburtina. There are buses every 90 minutes during the morning and every 2 hours in the afternoon, and the run takes 3 hours. Regular are is about 16 Euro, but I notice they have a web special of 5 Euro if you want to try to navigate their purchase site in Italian. See http://www.sena.it/index_e.htm

Norm, Thanks for the good advice. We will be careful about taking the normal Italian train as I can't imagine doing the subway with our bags!!
It is good to know that the buses are at the same terminal in Tiburtina. We were told that there are only two buses per day to Siena... 10:30a and 12:30p. It sounds as if you are saying that there are others unless I am misunderstanding (which is always a possibility!). Susan