What to expect when visiting Florence
Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is where you’d want to go for the best of medieval art and culture. This old town was the home of legends — Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Dante, to name a few. And you can expect nothing but greatness here.
A walk through its Historic Centre will make you marvel at how this ancient Etruscan settlement rose to become one of the wealthiest cities in the 15th century. Museum-hopping is a must in Florence. Visit the Uffizi and Accademia galleries for the most iconic European masterpieces — like the iconic marble monument David.
2 ways to get from Milan to Florence
There are 2 ways to travel the distance of 305 kilometers (190 miles) from Milan to Florence by bus (4 hours to 5 hours 35 minutes) and train (1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 45 minutes to 5 hours 35 minutes and the quickest way is by train. The lowest priced tickets start from €12 for the bus.Milan to Florence by Bus
Buses are also available for the Milan to Florence route. Bus fares can be cheaper, but the travel time takes longer than the high-speed train.
There are five main bus operators for this route. Itabus and Flixbus both offer several daily trips from morning until night.
The travel time can take 4 hours to 5 hours 35 minutes, depending on the bus departure and traffic. Bus fares start from €12.
Bus schedules from Milan to Florence
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Note that the bus fares depend on how early you book them. This means they can still get cheaper if you book tickets in advance.
You can book your ticket online prior to your trip via BookAway.
Departure and arrival station
All buses depart from Lampugnano Bus Station, located 10 km northwest of Milan city centre. If you’re coming from the city centre, you would have to take a 30-minute bus to this bus station.
Most of the buses arrive at Villa Costanza Bus Station in Scandicci. This station is still a bit far from Florence city centre, around 10 km. From here, you can take a 20-minute taxi to Florence for around €25.
Milan to Florence by Train
Taking the train is the easiest way to get from Milan to Florence.
There are at least 2 train departures every hour from 05:10 to 20:40. Note that some of them will require you to make one or two transfers along the way.
There are two types of train that you can take:
High-speed trains
High-speed trains, like Italo and Frecciarossa, offer direct trips from Milan to Florence. With rates from €42, you can reach Florence in just 2 hours.
This option is the best choice if you’d rather save time than money.
Regional trains
Regional trains are budget-friendly trains with rates from €26. However, all trains make one or two stops either in Bologna, Prato, Pisa, or Viareggio. Travel time can take 5 to 6.5 hours.
Note that regional trains take 1-2 hours longer than the bus and also cost twice the price. The only advantage of the regional train compared to the bus is that the train arrives in the city centre of Florence. Buses arrive about 10 km from Florence city centre.
Train schedules from Milan to Florence
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We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eying the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Omio.
Departure and arrival station
You can board the train at Milan Centrale, located 4 km north of Milan Cathedral.
The trains all stop at Santa Maria Novella Train Station in Florence city centre. This station is just a few meters away from the famous basilica of the same name.
Frequently Asked Questions about Milan to Florence
What is the distance from Milan to Florence?
The distance from Milan to Florence is 305 kilometers (190 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Milan to Florence?
The fastest way to get from Milan to Florence is by train and takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Milan to Florence?
The cheapest way to get from Milan to Florence is by bus with ticket costs starting from €12.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Milan to Florence. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
