Train Travel in Tuscany

Tuscany is bursting with incredibly beautiful towns and one of the easiest ways to visit them is by train. Not only is it cheap and fast to get to your destination but just gazing out at the Tuscan countryside is worth the price of the ticket. From medieval hilltop towns, to Tuscan coastal retreats to Renaissance gems, this guide to where to travel by train in the region of Tuscany has you covered.

While there are more towns accessible by train in Tuscany than are on this list, this guide takes Florence as your starting point for day trips in the region. Of course, if possible, it’s always better to try and stay in a town for longer than a day trip to get the feel for a city and discover those unique places you might miss if you only have a few hours to explore.

For these trips you’ll want to book regional trains on the Trenitalia site or buy your ticket at the station. Remember, the prices for these tickets don’t change so you can also buy them the day of your trip. Before you get started, you might want to check out our guide to the ins and outs of train travel in Italy.

Tuscan towns

Pisa

You can’t come to Tuscany and miss a visit to the leaning tower of Pisa. The Piazza dei Miracoli is one of the most beautiful in the country with the leaning tower, cathedral, baptistry and Camposanto but the rest of Pisa is an often overlooked gem of Tuscany. It warrants at least a day trip and possibly a half day tour.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale: About 1 hour. Cost: €9.

Lucca

The ancient walls that still surround Lucca are only the start of this magical town. Bike around the 16^th century walls and enjoy the views before strolling through town past gorgeous marble churches and some fantastic shopping as well as the Roman amphitheater – visible now only by the shape of the square built on top of its ancient ruins. The summer music festival also draws artists to perform from around the world and the autumn Lucca Comics & Games turns the whole city into a living comic strip.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Lucca: About 1 hour and 20 minutes on the direct train, 2 hours if you change trains. Tickets €8-€12.

Siena

Siena has so much to offer beyond the famous Palio di Siena, the horse races held twice a year. Its medieval character gives Siena a unique atmosphere not to mention the showstopping duomo and stunning Piazza del Campo. Climb the bell tower for an incredible view and don’t miss the head of Saint Catherine!

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Siena. About 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets: €10.

Pistoia

Get off the tourist track with a visit to this beautiful town not far from Florence. Historic architecture, great food, fewer crowds and no big tour groups, Pistoia emanates Tuscan charm and beauty. Blues lovers also won’t want to miss the summer Pistoia Blues Festival.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Pistoia. About 30 minutes. Tickets: under €5.

San Miniato

The train station doesn’t exactly get you straight into town but the additional 15 minute bus ride is worth it to get to this gorgeous medieval town perched on a hill and commanding views over the Tuscany countryside. The last three weekends of November are given over to the white truffle festival when the town becomes a foodie paradise, packed with everything truffle plus all kinds of salamis, meats, cheeses and wines.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to San Miniato-Fucecchio. About 30 minutes. Tickets: under €5.

Arezzo

Like Pistoia, this is another location in Tuscany that is easily reachable by train but that will get you off the main tourist track and away from the crowds. You might recognize some of the streets from the film “Life is Beautiful” and in June and September it would be worth it to stay here just for the medieval jousting that has kept the four quarters of the city in competition for centuries. If you’re there on the first Sunday of the month, you’ll most likely find on of the largest and most famous antique markets in Italy located in the main square.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Arezzo. About 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets: under €9.

Tuscany Beaches

Castiglioncello

Probably the favorite easy beach access from Florence, you can step off the train and easily walk through a small pine forest to the sandy seaside. Enjoy a plate of spaghetti alle vongole and a stroll through the beautiful town.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Castiglioncello. The direct train is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets: €12.

Viareggio

Viareggio has a 3km long boulevard along sandy shores, dotted with restaurants, shops, and gelaterie. Its liberty style buildings remind visitors of its past as a glamorous 1920s and 30s resort town and to this day their carnival parade is rivaled only by Venice. Even Giacomo Puccini was known to sit at the Gran Caffe Margherita and enjoy the view and every summer the Torre del Lago nearby hosts the Puccini music festival.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Viareggio. About 1 hour and 45 minutes. Tickets: €10.

Forte dei Marmi

This popular seaside destination caters to luxury travelers with its long, flat, sandy beaches, luxury shopping and high-end restaurants and bars.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Forte Dei Marmi-Seravezza-Querceta. About 1 hour and 45 minutes. Tickets: €11.

Livorno

Birthplace of the painter Modigliani and the composer Mascagni, the seaside town of Livorno is one of the main port cities of Tuscany and despite its numerous attractions, it remains fairly undiscovered by tourists. Stroll along its canal district, visit the central market (one of the most beautiful in Italy) and the old fortress designed by Bernardo Buontalenti for the Medici and keep your eye out for street artists at work, or visit the gallery Uovo alla Pop. Livorno is also the launching spot for ferries that will take you to Corsica, Sardegna, and Sicily.

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Livorno Centrale. About 1 hour and 20 minutes (there are many trains that change in Pisa). Tickets: €10.

Beyond Tuscany

La Spezia to reach the Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful corners of Italy along the coast of Liguria, renowned for its hiking trails that link its five colorful towns. To get there, you have to take the small train from La Spezia station. 

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to La Spezia Centrale. About 2 hours and 30 minutes on the direct change (many change in Pisa). Tickets: €14.

Piombino to reach the Isle of Elba

The Isle of Elba is the largest and most popular island of the Tuscan archipelago offering beaches, hiking, history (two houses of Napoleon), great food and spectacular views. The train to reach it goes to Piombino where you can catch the ferry. 

How to get there:
Trenitalia from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Piombino Marittima. About 3 hours with most trains involving a change in Pisa. Tickets: €17.