Our Frecciarossa Rome to Florence Train Review

Taking the Frecciarossa from Rome to Florence is our favourite way to travel between these two cities.

We've done this dozens of times!

In this review, we share our experience, what we love, what to skip, and a few tips to make your journey smoother.

Here's what you'll find in this review:

• Buying train tickets
• Getting to Termini Station
• Finding the platform
• Boarding at the station
• The train interior (seating, luggage, comfort)
•  Arriving to Santa Maria Novella in Florence

Booking our Frecciarossa train tickets

We always book our tickets through Trainline website, which is in english and list all trains by chronological order on specific route for your date.

This way we can choose the time that best suits us as well the price. 

our tip - buy tickets at least 2-3 months ahead to find the cheapest ones, as the cheaper fares sell out quickly. Several times we were late and spend more than planned.

What we love the most about buying Frecciarossa Rome to Florence train tickets at Trainline?

Tickets are digital, and you get them to email or can be found at Trainline app. No need for validation either!

Simply show the QR code to the conductor when asked.

Which travel class we usually book?

We love business class for the comfort and less people. Plus, you get some snacks and drinks on your seat while travelling.

👉 Book "Silente carriage" if you dislike loud phone calls, conversations, or other disturbances.

• 💶 Economy fares: From €20–€40+ when booked early.
• 🔄 Flexible tickets: Cost more but allow you to change your travel plans.
• ⏰ Last-minute tickets: Usually the most expensive, especially during weekends and holidays.
• 📅 Prices change: Fares increase as cheaper tickets sell out, so booking early often saves money.

• Where you booked your tickets
• How much you paid and when you booked
• Which travel class you selected
• Whether booking was easy

Getting to the Termini Station

Rome’s Termini Station can be a little hectic, especially during busy hours, so it’s good to get there at least 30 minutes early. There are plenty of places to grab a snack or coffee if you have time to spare.

Staying at 🛏️ Sophie Terrace Hotel is convenient, just a 5-minute walk from Termini. For our early departure, the staff arranged a trusted taxi.

When staying in Trastevere, Prati or Centro Storico, we usually take a taxi or metro (Lines A and B) to Termini.

Finding the train platform in Termini

First look for the departure boards (have them several on ground level of Termini). 

Check your train number on your ticket, then look for it on the board. Find the number next to the word Binario, which is platform! They are announced last minute, 5-10 minutes before departure, so be ready to walk quickly.

Scan your ticket at the electronic gates to access the platform.

Boarding Frecciarossa train

When on platform,  check the small electronic screen above. Your train number should be written here. 

When your train arrives, look for car number (carozza in Italian), which is clearly marked on the sides of the train near the doors and stated on your ticket seat.

Inside the Frecciarossa train

After boarding, find your seat number (shown on your ticket 🎫, e.g., 15D). Seats are arranged in rows, with each number displayed above the seat.

Keep smaller bags on the rack above your seat, and place larger suitcases in the luggage areas near the entrance of each car. There are no luggage fees on the trains.

Whenever we travel from Rome to Florence, we love booking Frecciarossa Business Class if we can, especially the Silenzio carriage. For us, a little extra comfort and a quieter atmosphere make the journey even more enjoyable.

We love the comfy leather seats, the extra legroom and having a small table and power outlets for our phones and laptops. And if we can get a window seat, even better! Watching the Tuscan countryside glide past is one of our favourite parts of the journey.

We've noticed that some Frecciarossa trains look newer and more modern than others, but the interiors have always been clean during our trips.

Another little perk we appreciate is the snack box delivered to our seat, usually with a bottle of water, along with complimentary drinks such as coffee, tea or soft drinks.

There's luggage storage at both ends of the carriage. We usually try to sit nearby so we can keep an eye on our bags and relax a little more during the journey.

Overall, Business Class is our favourite way to travel between Rome and Florence whenever the price is right!

• Seat comfort and legroom
• Cleanliness and cabin atmosphere
• Space for luggage
• Power outlets, Wi-Fi and other facilities, if available on your service
• Food and drink options, if relevant to your experience

What Was the Journey from Rome to Florence Like?

As we zipped through the Tuscan countryside, we were surprised how smooth and quiet the ride was. We passed by rolling hills, old stone farmhouses, and tiny towns.

Frecciarossa, meaning ‘Red Arrow,’ proves it’s more than just a name with its impressive speed.

The train hit speeds of 300 km/h, but you barely feel it. We definitely recommend grabbing a window seat if you can - it’s worth it for the views alone.

We sometimes enjoy booking a seat in the "silent carriage" - it’s ideal for reading, getting some work done, or just travelling in peace without overhearing phone calls or conversations.

• Actual journey time
• Noise and comfort during the ride
• Scenery and views from the window
• Whether the journey felt relaxing
• Any delays or unexpected experiences

Arriving at Florence Santa Maria Novella Station

Trains from Rome to Florence arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station (Stazione di Santa Maria Novella), the city’s main train hub—and trust us, it's as central as it gets.

The first time we arrived, we were honestly surprised by how close everything was. You step out and you're basically already in the city - just a 10-minute walk from the Duomo (head down Via dei Banchi to reach it).

Continue along Via del Calzaiuoli (we love stopping here at Venchi for a scoop of creamy gelato!), and you'll arrive at the stunning Piazza della Signoria. Just a few steps away is the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most visited museums in the world.

If you're heading to Basilica di San Lorenzo, it’s only a 4–5 minute walk via Via del Giglio from the station—super easy, even with luggage.

The Santa Maria Novella train station itself is clean, modern, and easy to navigate. Signs are posted in both Italian and English, and we’ve never had trouble figuring out where to go.

There’s a taxi stand just outside the station (take the left exit). It’s a good option if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds and narrow streets. If your Florence accommodation is nearby and your luggage is light, walking is an easy and pleasant choice.

Just note that taxis are fairly expensive—around €10 to €15 for a 4–5 minute ride.

👍 We found a little gem near SMN station — 🛏️ Globus Urban Hotel. Cosy, super friendly staff, and just a short walk to the main sights.

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