Milan to Florence by train

Direct high-speed trains link Milan and Florence in around 1 hour 40 minutes, run by both Trenitalia and Italo throughout the day.

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.

Choosing between Trenitalia and Italo

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, since 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; all classes get air conditioning, power sockets, and access to the FrecciaPlay onboard portal for WiFi and entertainment.

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 runs around 16 direct high-speed departures a day between Milan and Florence, in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. It offers Smart, Comfort, Prima, and Club Executive classes. Advance Smart fares can start from around 17.90 EUR, 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.

Italo's own schedule lists around 16 direct high-speed departures a day on this route. Trenitalia runs substantially more on top of that with its Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca services, though the exact count shifts by day of week, so treat any single total as an estimate rather than a fixed figure and check the current schedule when you book. Combined, the corridor typically sees a high-speed departure every 30 minutes or less during peak daytime hours.

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 opens ticket sales well ahead of travel, and Advance fares are consistently cheaper than booking close to departure. Italo Smart advance fares can start from around 17.90 EUR.

Walk-up fares bought on the day cost noticeably more than an Advance fare on either operator, so booking ahead makes a real difference on this route.

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, because both operators class Le Frecce and Frecciabianca as reservation-compulsory. The pass-holder seat reservation fee is currently 13 EUR on Frecciarossa and 10 EUR on Frecciabianca; this is a separate reservation fee, not the ticket price or a named onboard supplement.

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.com), 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, with 24 platforms and a Trenitalia FRECCIALounge for eligible travellers, plus 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. A staffed left-luggage desk operates on the ground floor, open roughly 07:00 to 21:00.

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.

Accessibility

Both Milano Centrale and Firenze Santa Maria Novella are covered by RFI's Sala Blu assistance service, which provides free help with boarding, alighting, wheelchairs, and moving through the station for travellers with reduced mobility or a disability. All Trenitalia high-speed trains carry dedicated wheelchair spaces. Book ahead through the SalaBlu Online portal, the SalaBlu+ app, or by phone: at least 12 working hours ahead at most stations, less at major hubs with fast-track booking. Book assistance separately for the departure and arrival station.

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.

Boarding a different Trenitalia train from the one on your Base ticket carries an extra charge; check the current fee under your ticket's conditions before you travel. Economy and Super Economy tickets do not allow this change 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.