How to Travel From Rome to Tuscany by Day Trip, Car, Bus & Train!

If you are wondering how to get from Rome to Tuscany, then you have come to the right place. After visiting Italy on several occasions over the past 20 years of my life, I have traveled from Rome to Tuscany using different transportation, and I am here to share all my best insider tips to help you plan your amazing journey of your own!

This is the most comprehensive guide you can find on the internet. The good news is that there are many options to travel from Rome to Tuscany. By train, public bus, on a road trip, or one of the Rome to Tuscany day trip with a private or group tour, and here you will find details for them all.

Also, if you are traveling from Rome to Tuscany by car, you will find here the best itinerary plus tips.

In this guide, I also share very detailed information about some of the top towns in Tuscany, including Florence, Lucca, Sienna, and Pisa, and tips on how to get there and how to visit. So, let’s dive in!

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Read More: Best Tuscany Villages & Small Towns you need to visit!

You can reach from Rome to Tuscany in many different ways and I have tested them all! My personal favorite way to visit Tuscany from Rome is by road trip because it gives you the freedom to stop along the way to visit some unique sites and fun Italian landmarks, plus having a car in Tuscany will allow you to visit 2-4 towns in a single day. Here is a quick overview of the different ways in such you can ready Tuscany. I will go into detail about all of them in this guide:

🚗 BY RENTAL CAR: The best way to get from Rome is to have the freedom to visit any town in Tuscany at your own pace, but make sure to choose a reliable car rental in Italy, because you want something reliable that won’t let you down. Or if you want to appreciate the Tuscan landscapes, then getting a private driver may be a wiser option.

🚊BY TRAIN: This is also a great way to travel from Rome to Tuscany, as there are several train options – from Regional and High-Speed, and many towns in Tuscany have a train station. You will find all the detailed information in this article.

🚌 BY BUS: The best budget-friendly option, and Exploring Italy by bus is just as rewarding as train rides, however, it’s a much slower option

📸 BY TOUR: If you prefer having everything taken care of for you, getting to have a local guide showing you around, and meeting other travelers, the best option is to join a Group Day Tour

Are you wondering how far is Tuscany from Rome? The distance between Rome to Tuscany is about 200 km (124 miles), a journey that can be completed in a few hours. But the precise distance will depend on your city of interest.

From Rome, you can get to Tuscany either by plane, train, bus, or by rental car. Rome to Tuscany day tour like this Group Day Tour is also a very convenient way to explore Tuscany, as you can choose a tour that includes lunch and wine taste, so just sit back, relax, and do not even worry about that extra glass of Tuscan wine 😉

If you are wondering if it is possible to travel from Rome to Tuscany on a day trip the answer is YES!

Actually, in my opinion, I find it impossible to fully experience Italy without touring the incredible Tuscan region, and joining a Group Day Tour is certainly one of the best ways to do that.

The trip from Rome to Tuscany takes only a few hours, which makes it easy to incorporate a Rome to Tuscany day trip into your Italy Itinerary. What makes it even better is that you have a list of options; trains, buses, rented cars, or guided tours. Whichever one you choose, expect to have an amazing time and lots of beautiful memories

An interactive private Rome to Tuscany day trip is one of the best ways to discover the Tuscan beauty. While a guided tour saves you the stress of planning an itinerary and making arrangements for transportation, it also helps you to quickly learn about each destination and understand the local culture.

You’ll feel safer and more comfortable with a tour guide who speaks both your language and the local language, so you can truly enjoy your trip and discover the hidden beauties of Tuscany. My top recommendation for a guided tour of Italy’s Tuscany region is:

⭐️ GetYourGuide because they work with high-quality tours and offer flexible cancelation policies. They also have some of the largest selections of the best Rome to Tuscany day trips out of all the tour agencies out there.

⭐️ Viator is also a very safe and reliable option that provides a 24-hour flexible cancelation policy. They are part of TripAdvisor and offer 200,000+ affordable tours all over the world, offering multilingual customer service.

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Read More: 30 Best Landmarks in Italy you need to visit

Driving from Rome to Tuscany is the best way to experience the stunning Tuscan country. It’s a beautiful and relaxing road trip (roughly a 4-hour drive) for touring the country.

Highways in Italy are easy to navigate and most of the driving will be on the A1, except for occasional stops in small towns. However, if you want to appreciate the spectacular landscapes better and get as many pictures as possible, then getting a private driver may be a wiser option — if your budget permits.

If you feel comfortable driving in Italy, you can rent a car with a GPS and explore the scenic countryside of Tuscany. When it comes to a car rental in Italy, you want something reliable that won’t let you down. You also want excellent support from customer service representatives should anything go wrong. 

Therefore, I highly recommend that you only rent from places with a 🌟 rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.  I have learned from my mistakes in the past, and since when I started to rent cars from a reliable company, I haven’t had a problem. 

Suggested Road-Trip Itinerary From Rome to Tuscany:

If you decide to drive from Rome to Tuscany, here’s a short list of places we recommend you stop for a quick tour.

📍 ORVIETO: this is a beautiful hilltop town with more than a handful of fantastic places to visit. If you stop at Orvieto, be sure to appreciate the stunning Duomo, climb the Torre del Moro to get spectacular views of the town, visit the City Underground and explore the tunnels, caves, and galleries for a journey back in time.

📍 MONTEPULCIANO: This is another hilltop town with one of the most amazing views in Tuscan. If you find yourself in this town, find time to admire the beautiful San Biagio, and Piazza Grande, also visit the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano to taste the local wine.

📍 AREZZO: this quiet city is an excellent place to stop on your Rome-to-Tuscany road trip. In Arezzo, you will admire the medieval Piazza Grande, gothic-style churches, and amazing views of the Medic Fortress. And don’t hesitate to climb the clock tower at Palazzo Della Fraternita dei Laici.

📍 CORTONA: this is a small, idyllic hilltop Tuscan village in the province of Arezzo. Cortona is home to a number of museums, including the Diocesan Art Museum, which holds collections gathered after the second world war, and the Etruscan Academy Museum with collections that reflect Italy’s ancient civilization.

Also, a must-see is the Archaeological Park with monuments of the Etruscan and Roman times including ceremonial tombs, ancient walls, and city fortifications.

🌟 INSIDER TIP: Avoid the ZTL zones – these are restricted areas that are mainly the main historic centers. I have got big tickets before in Italy, so I want to warn you! Keep in mind if you rent a car to drive in Tuscany, the majority of the historical centers do now allow you to park your car, as the parking spaces are reserved for residents only.

Going by train is one of the fastest, easiest, and most direct ways to reach Tuscany from Rome. Italy is a beautiful country with many scenic landscapes and cityscapes waiting to be discovered, and a train ride is an amazing way to behold some of the country’s natural beauty. The best part is that most of the trains are well-equipped with Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and enough room for luggage.

High-Speed Train from Rome to Tuscany

If you want to reach Tuscany from Rome by train, there are a couple of options for completing this journey. First, you can take a high-speed Trenitalia train, which makes fewer stops and completes the trip in just a little over an hour — 1h 27 m, to be more precise.

Every week, more than 400 trains depart from Rome’s Termini and Tiburtina train stations, heading to Tuscany; these trains arrive at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella in just about 90 minutes.

Regional Train from Rome to Tuscany

An alternative option is the much slower regional trains that snake through small villages, making several stops along the way before eventually arriving in Tuscany in about 2.5 to 3 hours.

The Trenitalia Regional trains also depart from Rome’s Termini, but they move through small towns and make more frequent stops in countryside stations.

They reach Chiusi in about 2 hours, and next, they reach Arezzo or Livorno in 2.5 hrs. In 3 hrs, they get to Pisa, and finally, Siena or Lucca in 3.5 hrs.

If you’re traveling on a tight budget and wouldn’t mind saving more than a few bucks on transportation, then you might want to take buses instead of trains.

Exploring Italy by bus is just as rewarding as train rides, however, it’s a much slower option but on the flip side, you’ll catch more sights of beautiful Italian landscapes.

Buses in Italy are modern, well-equipped, and very affordable, and they can also take you to places where you may not be able to get a direct train. For instance, there isn’t a direct train route from Rome to Siena, but there are buses that get to Siena directly from Rome. In this case, taking a bus will be faster than taking a train.

The major bus station in Rome is the Roma Tiburtina, you will find many private transport companies with buses that offer straightforward trips from Rome to many cities in Tuscany.

FlixBus, MarinoBus, Baltour, and many other companies have multiple buses each day going from Rome to Tuscany.

FROM ROME TO FLORENCE: 170 miles (275 Km)

Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and home to a great deal of historic architecture and Renaissance art. The beautiful city of Florence is home to many museums and art galleries. Every traveler knows that a visit to Italy is not complete without touring the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” You can check a perfect itinerary in Florence I crafted to introduce the best of Florence.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN FLORENCE ARE:

• Book accommodation in one of the most stunning areas in Florence to take full advantage of the city.
• The famous Ponte Vecchio, the most important Landmark in Florence,
• Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florence Cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome,
• Uffizi Gallery with an incredible collection of ancient paintings and sculptures,
• Galleria dell’Accademia is the art museum best known for displaying Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture.

🚗 FROM ROME TO FLORENCE BY CAR:

Driving from Rome to Florence is one of the most popular road trips. The driving is beautiful and it won’t disappoint you. The beauty of driving is that you can have the flexibility to stop along the way for pictures or visit some of the small towns along the way, including the incredible Civita di Bagnoregio.

• You will drive via A1/ E35 Highways – They are well-maintained and it is an easy drive.
• Driving straight, without stopping from Rome to Tuscany takes about 3.5 hour
• I recommend renting a car in advance
• Or you can get a private driver to take you from Rome to Florence on a day tour

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🚊 FROM ROME TO FLORENCE BY TRAIN:

A train ride is one of the easiest and fastest ways to reach Florence from Rome, and there are many options for you.

• First, you can either take one of the direct high-speed trains from Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina to the central Santa Maria Novella station, Florence. It’s a very straightforward journey and takes only about 1.5 hours.
• A cheaper alternative is the regional trains that also connect Rome to Florence, from the Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina to Florence. These trains are much slower and the ride is usually about 3.5 hours. 

The regional trains may be slower and make more stops, but on the bright side, they are cheaper and let you catch glimpses of the spectacular landscapes of Lazio and Tuscany. The journey may be longer, but it’s certainly a beautiful experience and well worth it.

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🚌 FROM ROME TO FLORENCE BY BUS:

Traveling from Rome to Florence by bus is one of the cheapest means available, and they give you great views of the countryside. Every week, several private buses depart from the Roma Tiburtina station for Florence; the most popular of them is the Flixbus.

• From Roma Tiburtina, you will get a direct bus to Florence, the final bus stop is the Piazzale Montelungo station and the journey takes between 3.5 hours and 4 hours 15 minutes.

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FROM ROME TO PISA: 220 miles (355 km)

Although Pisa is one of the smallest cities in the Tuscany region of Italy, Pisa is known worldwide and it is a famous Italian city, with historical significance. It’s an excellent place to experience the astonishing presence of ancient architecture.

This legendary city has an impressive number of historical buildings to behold; there are more than 20 historical churches with magnificent construction and world-class museums to experience.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN PISA ARE:

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Walk by the Arno River
• Relax at the coastline of Pisa

🚗 FROM ROME TO PISA BY CAR:

Driving from Rome to Pisa is a long trip if you only decide to go for a day trip. The driving is relatively easy with a variety of stunning Italian landscapes, passing by the regions of Lazio and Campania in Tuscany. You also have the option to take a detour to the coastal route by taking the E80 and appreciate the Tuscan seaside.

• You will drive the A1 Highway with the option to stop by Montepulciano to try some Vino Nobile (the local wine)
• Driving straight, without stopping from Rome to Pisa is about 3:50 hour
• I recommend renting a car in advance
• Or you can get a private driver to take you from Rome to Pisa on a day tour

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🚊 FROM ROME TO PISA BY TRAIN:

Rome to Pisa by train is an easy and smooth ride, and there are two direct train options;

• First is the direct high-speed train, which departs from the Roma Termini and Roma Ostiense to reach Pisa Centrale in about 2 hours 10 minutes.
• The second option is the slightly slower regional train that also departs the Roma Termini and arrives in Pisa in over 3 hours.
• A third option is to take a high-speed Frecciarossa train to Florence (which is a 1.5-hour ride), you will stop at S.M. Novella and switch to a regional train going to Pisa. The second trip will take another 50 to 90 minutes.

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🚌 FROM ROME TO PISA BY BUS:

Pisa by bus is cheaper, but also longer, an alternative to trains. The buses that leave Rome for Pisa are usually direct buses, so you will have a straightforward journey.

The journey takes a little above 7 hours; the fastest buses arrive in about 5h 15 min, while the slowest buses will take up to 9 hours.

• To get to Pisa from Rome, take a direct Pisa bus from the Roma Tiburtina. The bus will take you to the Pisa Pietrasantina car park, this park is less than a mile from the infamous Leaning Tower.

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FROM ROME TO SIENA: 144 miles (231 km)

If you want to experience medieval Italy, then Siena is an excellent destination for you, and one of the prettiest towns in Tuscany.

Siena is a very popular destination in Tuscany and a lovely medieval city stretched across a Tuscan hill, right in the heart of Tuscany. Siena is known for its beautiful array of rich ancient architectural wonders and monuments.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN PISA ARE:

• Visit the Piazza del Campo, at the heart of Siena which is esteemed worldwide for its architectural beauty and popular for the famous Palio di Siena – an exciting horse race held twice every summer (2 July and 16 August),
• Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
• Piccolomini Library
• Try the local dishes like capocollo and pecorino

So, how do I get to Siena from Rome? Glad you asked.

🚗 FROM ROME TO SIENA BY CAR:

The distance drive from Rome to Siena is 144 miles. Just keep in mind that although Siena isn’t a huge city, parking within the old city walls in the historic center is very difficult. But if you are driving from Rome to Siena you have the benefit of the freedom and flexibility to explore cities nearby as Florence and Montepulciano.

• You will drive the A1/ E35 Highway (or Autostrada)
• Driving straight, without stopping from Rome to Sienna takes about 3 hours
• I recommend renting a car in advance
• Or you can go on a private tour from Rome to Sienna

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🚊 FROM ROME TO SIENA BY TRAIN:

The easiest way to make this journey is by train, and you have a couple of options. Unfortunately, there are no trains that directly link Rome to Siena and it requires a connecting train.

So, the only way to get to Siena from Rome is to first get to Florence or Chiusi, and then get on another train to Siena.

• To reach Siena from Rome, you will have to either follow the Rome-Florence-Siena route or the Rome-Chiusi-Siena route.
• For the Rome-Florence-Siena route, a high-speed train will take you from the Roma Termini to Florence in 1.5 hours, then a regional train will connect you to Siena, which is another 1.5-hour trip. The entire journey is usually about 3 hours 20 minutes.
• The second option, the Rome-Chiusi-Siena route, takes about 3 hours. First, a Trenitalia regional train will take you from Rome to Chiusi, where you will board another regional train to Siena.

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🚌 FROM ROME TO SIENA BY BUS:

Unlike trains, there are direct buses from Rome to Siena, and they will take you right to the center of the city. Siena by bus is an excellent alternative to Siena by train.

• Every day, several buses depart the Roma Tiburtina for a trip to Siena that takes approximately 3h 5 min. The slowest buses will complete the trip in about 6h 56 min, while the fastest buses will take only 2h 20 min.

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FROM ROME TO LUCCA: 220 miles (352 KM)

Also known as the city of a hundred churches, Lucca is a medieval Italian city with an impressive number of historic monuments and spectacular Renaissance architecture. Lucca is very close to Pisa, and every year it attracts tourists from all over the world.

Walking on the charming cobblestone streets in Lucca brings you back in time, with so much history and well-preserved heritage sites. Lucca has many gorgeous towers and incredible views of the Tuscan countryside.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN LUCCA ARE:

• Roman Amphitheater, which was originally built in the second century,
• Visit the massive Guinigi tower with holm oaks growing on its top,
• Admire the scenic Baroque garden at the Palazzo Pfanner-Controni
• the medieval engineering marvel across the Sergio River; the dramatic Ponte Della Maddalena.

🚗 FROM ROME TO LUCCA BY CAR:

Driving from Rome to Lucca is a good opportunity to see the countryside of Italy and to have the flexibility of time and where to visit. Keep in mind that if you are planning to drive to Lucca, within the city walls, there is very limited car use allowed. But this should not be a problem, since you can park at public parking lots outside the walls, and Lucca is small enough to easily walk to any site. 

• You will drive the A1 Highway – it is a busy highway, but well-maintaining
• Driving straight, without stopping from Rome to Lucca takes about 3 hours
• I recommend renting a car in advance
• Or you can go on a private tour from Rome to Lucca and other towns in Tuscany

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🚊 FROM ROME TO LUCA BY TRAIN:

• At the Roma Termini station, you will find Trenitalia trains, ItaloTreno, and trains from other companies leaving for Lucca. 
• Alternatively, you can take the Frecciarossa high-speed train from Roma Termini station to Florence (a 1.5-hour trip), and proceed to Lucca by a Trenitalia regional train. This second trip will take about 2 hours.
• A third option is to take a regional train to Pisa (about 2 2-hour journey) and another regional train to Lucca (this ride is less than 30 mins).

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🚌 FROM ROME TO LUCCA BY BUS:

A FlixBus or MarinoBus can take you from the Roma Tiburtina to Lucca. At least four buses leave for Lucca from Rome every day, however, it’s important to book in advance.

• From Roma Tiburtina, you’ll find a direct Lucca bus. On average, this trip is a 5-hour drive. But, the slowest buses will reach Lucca in over 6 hours, while the fastest buses will complete the trip in about 4h 20 min.

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As you can see, there are several options to travel from Rome to Tuscany and it all depends on your preferences, budget, and timing. They are all great, and you will have a phenomenal time if you are traveling to Tuscany for a day tour, or on a week itinerary.

If you are visiting Italy for the first time, I recommend joining a Rome to Tuscany day tour, as it is safe, and you will take full advantage of your time enjoying, without having to plan your own itinerary.

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