Florence to Siena

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Siena's shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and its striped marble cathedral make it one of Tuscany's most rewarding day trips from Florence — but unlike most Italian city pairs, the train isn't the obvious best option here. The direct bus is usually faster and more convenient, and it's worth knowing why before you book.

The best way for most people: the direct bus

Autolinee Toscane, the regional bus operator that now runs Tuscany's former SITA network, operates frequent direct coaches from Florence's bus station (next to Santa Maria Novella) straight to Siena's bus station, close to the historic centre near Piazza San Domenico. The fastest "rapida" services take around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, with departures roughly every 30–60 minutes through the day. This is, for most travellers, the single best way to make this trip: it's direct, reasonably quick, and drops you within a short walk of Piazza del Campo.

Why the train is the slower option here

Unusually for two major Tuscan towns, there's no direct train line between Florence and Siena. The regional rail journey requires a change, typically at Empoli, and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes including the connection — noticeably longer than the direct bus. Worse, Siena's train station sits in a valley well below and outside the walled old town, meaning a further short bus ride or a stiff uphill walk (with an escalator covering part of the climb) to actually reach the historic centre. Put together, the train is genuinely the less convenient option for this particular route, which is worth knowing since it isn't the case for most other city pairs in Italy.

Driving to Siena

Siena is about 70 km from Florence, roughly a 1-hour drive via the Firenze–Siena raccordo, a fast dual-carriageway "superstrada" that, unlike many Italian intercity roads, has no tolls. Driving gives the flexibility to combine Siena with a loop through the Chianti countryside on the way, stopping at hill towns and vineyards along the SR222 "Chiantigiana" road. Central Siena's old town is largely closed to outside traffic, so plan to park in one of the signed car parks on the edges of the historic centre and walk in. See our Florence to the Chianti wine region guide if you want to build a driving day around vineyards as well as Siena itself.

Organised day tours

Given Siena's popularity, day tours from Florence are widely available, often combining it with San Gimignano's medieval towers and a Chianti vineyard stop in a single circuit. These suit visitors who'd rather have transport and guiding handled in one booking, particularly if fitting in several towns in one day, though they generally allow less free time to simply sit in Piazza del Campo than travelling independently by bus. Our Italy by train guide covers Trenitalia, Italo and the regional network more broadly if you're planning a wider Tuscan itinerary.

What to see in Siena

The Piazza del Campo, a vast shell-shaped square considered one of Europe's finest medieval plazas, is the natural centre of any visit — ringed by cafés and dominated by the slender Torre del Mangia, which visitors can climb for wide views over the terracotta rooftops. Twice a year, in July and August, the square is transformed for the Palio di Siena, a bareback horse race between the city's historic districts that draws huge crowds; visiting outside these dates gives a calmer look at the square. The Duomo di Siena, with its distinctive black-and-white striped marble façade and elaborately inlaid floor, ranks among Italy's most striking cathedrals and is well worth the entry fee.

Getting around once you're there

Siena's compact historic centre is entirely walkable, with narrow medieval streets winding between the main sights — no local transport is needed once you've arrived, aside from the short connecting bus from the train station if you've travelled that way.

The contrade and the Basilica of San Domenico

Siena is still divided into seventeen historic districts, or contrade, each with its own colours, symbol and fierce local identity, most visible around the time of the Palio but present year-round in small flags and plaques throughout the streets. The Basilica of San Domenico, a large brick church on the western edge of the old town, holds a relic associated with Saint Catherine of Siena, one of the city's most important historical figures, and is a quieter, less crowded stop than the Duomo for visitors interested in the city's religious history.

Buying bus tickets

Autolinee Toscane tickets for the Florence–Siena route can be bought online, through the operator's app, or in person at ticket counters and authorised tobacconists ("tabaccherie") near the bus station — buying at least the outward ticket before travelling is sensible, since queues at the station can build up before departure times in high season.

Which should you choose?

For nearly everyone, the direct bus is the best choice: faster overall than the train once the connection and uphill walk are accounted for, and it drops you close to Piazza del Campo. Driving is worth it if you want to build in a Chianti detour, and tours suit those combining several Tuscan towns in a single day. Save the train for routes where Tuscany's network genuinely shines, such as our guide to Rome to Florence.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to take the bus or train from Florence to Siena?

The bus, in this case — there's no direct train line, so rail travel requires a change and a longer overall journey, while the direct bus takes around an hour and drops you closer to the centre.

How long does the bus from Florence to Siena take?

The fastest direct "rapida" services take around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, with departures roughly every 30–60 minutes through the day.

Is Siena's old town walkable?

Yes, the historic centre is compact and largely closed to traffic, so once you arrive everything worth seeing is within an easy walk.

Can I combine Siena with Chianti in one day?

It's possible if you're driving, following the SR222 road through the vineyards on the way to or from Siena, though it makes for a fuller day than visiting Siena alone.