Best Option? Rome to Florence or Milan to Florence via Train or Plane?

As Frank notes, don't forget to add in the time (and headache) of getting from either the Rome Airport to Termini... to connect to Firenze -- OR -- from any of the Milan Airports (primarily MXP) to the downtown Milano Centrale. Both require a train, shuttle, or bus connection. I find FCO to Rome easier than MXP to Milano... but I do live in Rome so I'm sure that colors my decision.

How best to get from the airport to the train station depends upon which Rome airport or which Milan airport you'll be using.

Roma to Firenze by train: 3hr42min on a regional train with a fare of €16; 2hr49min on an IC train with a fare of €26.50; 1hr39min on a EuroStar Italia train with a fare of €39.90.

Milano to Firenze by train: 3hr24min on an IC train with a fare of €26; 2hr09min on a EuroStar Italia train with a fare of €44.70.

See the timetables and fares at www.trenitalia.com. Click on the English link at the top of the home page. Enter a date within 60 days of today to get complete timetables.

Take the train. You could fly directly from Rome to Florence, but it would be very expensive. There are no direct flights from Milan to Florence. You would have to connect in Rome.

It would be nice to know where you are flying from as there are three airports in the Milan area and two in Rome.

If you are flying from NJ....then the best thing would be to look at the big picture...which is more preferable/cheaper/better timing:

New Jersey to Milan to Florence

New JErsey to Rome to Florence

Include airfare, train travel to Florence, cost of getting from airport to train station.

Or...you could fly Delta from JFK nonstop to Pisa then take the train from Pisa airport to Florence (1 hour, 28 minutes)

If you follow Frank's suggestion and fly into Pisa, the fare for a regional train from Pisa Aeroporto to Pisa Centrale plus a regional train from Pisa Centrale to Firenze S.M.N. is €5.70.

Beth,

Could you provide a bit more information on the specifics of your trip? If you're planning on using open jaw flights, which airports to use for inbound and outbound may depend on exactly where you'll be traveling in Italy. Also, what time of year will the trip be? Some airlines may cut back flights to some airports in Europe during the winter months.

Cheers!

Hi, thanks so much for the info. I'm flying from NJ, in Mid September. Thanks.

Hi, forgot to add, I'll be staying in Florence the entire trip. Thanks again.

Beth,

I'm not too familiar with flights from NJ, but suspect there will be greater availability to Rome / FCO. If that's the case, I'd definitely suggest taking the train to Florence (rather than flying) as it's an easy trip.

When you arrive at FCO, take the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini (fare is about €11, trip about 30 minutes - DON'T forget to validate!). At Termini, buy a ticket for the trip to Florence. There are numerous trains every day, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. You can plan that a bit more precisely when you know what time your flight will land.

As you'll be coming off a tiring transatlantic flight, I'd suggest using the EuroStar Italia / Alta Velocita rather than the slower regional trains. The travel time with the fast trains will be about 1H:40M and a second class ticket is currently listed at €39.90.

Once you arrive at Firenze S.M.N., you can either walk to your Hotel (if close) or take a Taxi. By that time, you'll probably be ready for a rest!

Cheers!