Florence is reachable from Siena by train or regional bus, making a day trip possible. The siena to florence train route runs via the Florence–Empoli–Siena rail line, while Autolinee Toscane runs a fast, direct bus as well as a route with intermediate stops.
- Bus options: Autolinee Toscane lines 131R and 131 connect Siena and Florence.
- Florence bus stop: Both bus routes list Firenze Autostazione among their stops.
Is Florence practical as a day trip from Siena?
Florence can work as a day trip from Siena if you plan around the available connections and leave time for the return journey. Both train and bus link the cities, but the rail journey may require a transfer depending on the connection you choose.
If you want the walk mapped out, read how to get from Siena station to the B&B.
How do you get from Siena to Florence by train?
Trenitalia lists the Florence–Empoli–Siena rail route; the exact connection and whether you need to change trains depend on your chosen departure. Check the current journey planner before setting your day-trip schedule.
Trenitalia publishes regional timetable editions, so departure times can vary with the applicable timetable. The operator’s current journey planner is the place to confirm the connection that works for your plans; check the official site before you go.
Once you reach Firenze Santa Maria Novella, you are at the Florence station named in Trenitalia’s services. Choose a departure that leaves enough time to return to Siena, rather than planning only around the outward journey.
How do you get from Siena to Florence by bus?
Autolinee Toscane operates two regional routes between Siena and Florence: line 131R, described by the operator as fast and direct, and line 131, which makes intermediate stops.
Line 131R: the fast, direct route
Line 131R stops at Siena-Via Tozzi in Siena and Firenze Autostazione in Florence. Autolinee Toscane says passengers travelling between the cities should buy a fast extra-urban ticket; that ticket can be used on either 131R or 131 when intermediate stops are not needed.
Line 131: the route with intermediate stops
Line 131 runs between Siena, Colle, Poggibonsi and Florence, with intermediate stops along the route. Siena-Via Tozzi and Firenze Autostazione are among its stops, so check the route details if you need a stop along the way.
The operator provides separate summer and winter timetables for 131R, and exact departure times depend on the applicable timetable. Autolinee Toscane also publishes separate seasonal timetables for line 131.
Children travel free on its buses up to their 11th birthday when accompanied by an adult; unused digital tickets remain valid for 12 months, while unused paper tickets remain valid if they are kept in good condition and legible.
Planning the return to Siena
Check the return connection before you leave Siena, since the right departure depends on the timetable in effect and your chosen mode. For trains, confirm the specific Florence–Empoli–Siena connection in Trenitalia’s journey planner; for buses, consult Autolinee Toscane’s timetable for line 131R or 131.
Allow enough time before your Florence departure, then check the stop and departure details for your chosen service. If you are travelling by bus, make sure you have the appropriate fast extra-urban ticket when using either route without intermediate stops. Siena railway station is about an 11-minute walk from Domus Il Palio.
FAQs
Is there a direct bus from Siena to Florence?
Yes. Autolinee Toscane describes line 131R as a fast, direct route between Siena and Florence.
Where does the bus arrive in Florence?
Firenze Autostazione is a stop for both 131R and 131.
Does the train from Siena to Florence require a change?
It depends on the specific connection. Check Trenitalia’s journey planner for the departure you intend to take and any transfer it requires.
Can children travel free on Autolinee Toscane buses?
Children travel free up to their 11th birthday when accompanied by an adult.