How far is Montepulciano from Florence? About 113 km (70 miles), roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car, but more than 3 hours by public transport, according to Rome2Rio. Chianti is much closer: Greve in Chianti is about 31 km, or 32 minutes, from the city.
So the two wine areas need very different planning. Chianti is an easy half day; Montepulciano is a full day that works best with a car.
How far is Chianti from Florence?
Chianti starts just south of Florence: Greve in Chianti is about 31 km (19.5 miles) away, roughly 32 minutes by car, per Rome2Rio. An hourly Autolinee Toscane bus covers the same trip in just under an hour.
That makes Chianti the easiest wine area to fit into a half day or an afternoon.
Are day trips to Chianti from Florence easy by bus?
Getting to Greve by bus is easy; getting to the wineries is not. The bus stops in the town centre, while many estates sit out in the countryside, so you need a car, a taxi or a tour to reach them.
The other obvious problem is that whoever drives cannot really take part in the tastings. That, more than distance, is why a driver makes sense for a Chianti wine day.
How to get to Montepulciano from Florence?
The fastest way to get to Montepulciano from Florence is by car, at about 1 hour 20 minutes. By public transport, Rome2Rio lists a bus route with a change (about 3 hours 26 minutes) or a train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme followed by a bus (about 3 hours 56 minutes).
Those public transport times make a day trip hard: you could spend seven hours travelling for a few hours in town. If you are staying in Florence, a car or a driver is the practical choice.
Is a day trip to Montepulciano from Florence worth it?
Yes, if you go by car and pair it with Pienza or Montalcino, which are in the same corner of southern Tuscany. Montepulciano is best known for Vino Nobile, and the drive south is part of the experience.
By public transport alone, the travel time makes it better as an overnight stay than a day trip.
How do Chianti and Montepulciano compare as day trips from Florence?
| Destination | Distance from Florence | By car | By public transport | Best as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greve in Chianti | About 31 km | About 32 min | About 1 h by bus | Half day or afternoon |
| Montepulciano | About 113 km | About 1 h 20 min | 3 h 26 min – 3 h 56 min with changes | Full day, often with Pienza |
Which of our tours cover Chianti and Montepulciano?
For Chianti, our Chianti afternoon tour and small villages, farm lunch and wine tasting day stay close to Florence. For the south, our Pienza and Montepulciano tour and Montalcino and Brunello tour cover the Vino Nobile and Brunello areas.
Wine tastings and meals are not included in the tour price, so you choose the estates and restaurants you want. Our guide to the best wine tours in Tuscany compares the regions in more detail.
How do I book a private wine day from Florence?
Tell us your date, group size and which wines you like through our booking form, and we will suggest a route and send a quote.
