Train service
Trenitalia
Trenitalia is Italy’s state-owned rail operator, running high-speed, intercity, and regional trains across the country and beyond.
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NTV
Italo (NTV) is Italy’s first private high-speed rail operator, offering a competitive alternative to Trenitalia since 2012.
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Omio
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Trainline
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Raileurope
Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide.
Direct high-speed trains cover this route in around 1 hour 40 minutes. Both Trenitalia and Italo run frequent services throughout the day, with roughly 60 high-speed departures on a typical weekday. That is one every 30 minutes during daytime hours.
You depart from Milano Centrale and arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, which is 10 minutes on foot from the Duomo. No changes needed.
If you have an Interrail or Eurail pass, use Trenitalia. Italo does not accept rail passes.
Which train should you take?
Two operators serve this route: Trenitalia with its Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca services, and Italo. Journey times are broadly similar. Compare both on price for your travel date -- the cheaper option changes by the day.
Trenitalia Frecciarossa runs the majority of high-speed departures. Fare types range from Super Economy (non-refundable, lowest price) through Economy and Base, which offer more flexibility. On-board classes are Standard, Premium, Business, and Executive.
Trenitalia Frecciabianca uses the classic line and is slightly slower, typically around 2 hours. Tickets are often cheaper, which makes it useful for last-minute travel when Frecciarossa prices are high.
Italo offers Smart, Comfort, Prima, and Club Executive classes. Advance Smart fares can start from around €17.90, though prices vary by date and demand. Italo does not charge a booking fee on its own website. It does not accept Interrail or Eurail passes.
Some Frecciarossa services call at Bologna Centrale on the way, adding around 15 minutes. If a search result shows a journey time of around 2 hours, it is a stopping service. Check the exact journey time when you book.
Journey time and frequency
Direct Frecciarossa trains take around 1 hour 35 to 1 hour 45 minutes. Stopping services via Bologna add around 15 minutes. Frecciabianca and Intercity trains are slower, typically 2 to 2 hours 30 minutes.
Around 60 high-speed trains run daily across both operators combined, from early morning to late evening. During peak daytime hours, there is usually a high-speed departure every 30 minutes or less.
Florence works well as a day trip from Milan. The first high-speed departures leave Milano Centrale before 07:00. Return trains run until late evening, leaving plenty of time for a full day in the city.
Tickets and prices
Advance fares are the cheapest way to book on both operators. On Trenitalia, Super Economy fares are non-refundable and non-exchangeable but offer the lowest prices. Trenitalia typically opens tickets for sale around 120 days before departure. Italo Smart advance fares can start from around €17.90.
Walk-up fares on the day typically range from around €40 to €80, depending on the train, operator, and class. Booking ahead makes a real difference on this route.
Ticket type | Changes allowed | Refund |
|---|---|---|
Base | Yes (pay fare difference) | Yes, minus 20% |
Economy | Yes (upgrade to Base fare) | No |
Super Economy | No | No |
For regional digital tickets, unlimited date and time changes are possible until 23:59 the day before travel.
Rail passes on this route
Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca services on this route. They are not valid on Italo. If you hold a rail pass, book a Trenitalia service.
A seat reservation is required on all high-speed trains, even with a pass. The pass-holder seat reservation fee on Frecciarossa is around €13 per journey. Frecciabianca reservation fees are typically lower.
Pass-holder places on each train are limited. Book your reservation in advance, particularly during summer and Italian public holidays.
How to book
Trenitalia (trenitalia.com) -- book directly for the widest seat availability and no booking surcharge. Accepts PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major cards. The Trenitalia app lets you store tickets in Google or Apple Wallet.
Italo (italotreno.it) -- no booking fee when booking on the Italo website. The Italo app supports booking and ticket management.
Third-party agents (Trainline, Rail Europe, Italiarail) -- useful for comparing both operators in one search, but may add booking fees. For pass-holder reservations on Trenitalia, book directly through trenitalia.com or at a Trenitalia ticket office, as some agents cannot issue Italian pass-holder reservations.
Stations
Milano Centrale is Milan’s main long-distance station. It has 24 platforms, a Trenitalia FRECCIALounge and an Italo Club for eligible travellers, luggage storage, and direct connections to the M2 and M3 metro lines.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella is Florence’s central station, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo and close to the historic centre. Buses and trams connect the station to other parts of the city.
Some services also call at Milan Porta Garibaldi before heading south. If you are starting from northern Milan, this may be more convenient than going into Centrale first. Check your exact departure.
Extra costs and luggage
Luggage is free on Italian trains. You load and stow your own bags.
The Bagaglio Facile door-to-door luggage service is available on some Trenitalia routes. It runs mainly on weekdays, with weekend coverage at Milan and Florence. Check current rates and availability on trenitalia.com.
If you board a different Trenitalia train from the one on your Base ticket, a €10 penalty applies. Economy and Super Economy tickets do not allow this at all.
Porter service is available at both Milano Centrale and Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Check current rates when booking.
Pets: Small pets in carriers travel free. Larger dogs need a paid ticket, must be muzzled and leashed, and need a current registration certificate. Guide dogs travel free.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Milan to Florence train take?
Direct Frecciarossa trains typically take around 1 hour 35 to 1 hour 45 minutes. Some services stop at Bologna Centrale, which adds around 15 minutes. Frecciabianca and Intercity trains are slower, usually around 2 to 2 hours 30 minutes. Always check the journey time for your specific departure.
How many trains run daily between Milan and Florence?
Around 60 high-speed trains run daily between Milano Centrale and Firenze Santa Maria Novella across both Trenitalia and Italo combined. High-speed departures run from early morning to late evening, with services roughly every 30 minutes during peak hours.
How much does a Milan to Florence train ticket cost?
Advance Italo Smart fares can start from around €17.90. Trenitalia Super Economy advance fares can be similarly priced. Walk-up fares on the day are typically between €40 and €80 depending on operator, class, and the specific train. Booking ahead gives the biggest saving on this route.
Which operators run between Milan and Florence?
Both Trenitalia (Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca) and Italo run high-speed services on this route. Journey times are broadly similar. Compare both operators on price for your travel date. If you hold an Interrail or Eurail pass, you must use Trenitalia. Italo does not accept rail passes.
Can I use an Interrail or Eurail pass on the Milan to Florence route?
Interrail and Eurail passes are valid on Trenitalia services (Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca) on this route. They are not valid on Italo. You still need a separate seat reservation for each Trenitalia journey. The pass-holder reservation fee on Frecciarossa is around €13. Book your reservation in advance, as pass-holder places on each train are limited.
Is Florence a good day trip from Milan?
Yes. At around 1 hour 40 minutes each way on a direct Frecciarossa, Florence works well as a day trip from Milan. High-speed trains run from early morning (first departure before 07:00) to late evening, so you can spend most of the day in Florence and return comfortably. Buying advance tickets for both legs helps keep costs down.
