How far from Florence to Siena? The distance is about 72 km (44.5 miles), which takes around an hour by car, according to Rome2Rio’s Florence to Siena route. By public transport, the fast bus takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and the train between 1.5 and 1.75 hours.
That makes Siena one of the easiest day trips from Florence. The question is not whether you can do it, but which way suits your day.
What is the distance from Florence to Siena?
The distance from Florence to Siena is roughly 72 km (44.5 miles) by road, with an average drive of about 1 hour, per Rome2Rio. Traffic leaving Florence and parking in Siena can add to that.
The two cities sit at either end of Chianti, so the drive passes through some of Tuscany’s best-known countryside. Monteriggioni, the walled village just north of Siena, is an easy stop on the way.
Is the bus from Florence to Siena better than the train?
Usually, yes: the bus from Florence to Siena is faster and drops you closer to the centre. The rapid 131R bus takes about 1 hour 15 minutes non-stop and arrives at Piazza Gramsci, while the train station is about 2 km outside the old town, as Discover Tuscany explains.
Buses leave from the bus station on Via Santa Caterina da Siena, next to Santa Maria Novella, and there are usually two an hour. The slower 131O stops in Poggibonsi and Colle Val d’Elsa and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Autolinee Toscane’s 131R timetable page lists the current stops.
How long is the train from Florence to Siena?
Direct trains take about 1 hour 30 minutes, and trains with a change in Empoli about 1 hour 45 minutes, according to Discover Tuscany. Siena’s station is about a 20-minute walk from the centre.
The train is a good choice if you are already near Santa Maria Novella station and do not mind the extra walk or a short local bus at the Siena end.
Should you drive from Florence to Siena?
Driving from Florence to Siena gives you the most freedom, especially if you want to stop in Chianti or Monteriggioni on the way. The drive is about an hour; plan where you will park before you arrive, so the last few minutes are not spent circling the old town.
If you are picking up a rental car in Florence, check the city’s limited traffic zone rules before you set off: cameras photograph every plate entering the zone.
Which way from Florence to Siena suits you?
Here is how the four options compare:
| Option | Journey time (one way) | Arrives | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 131R rapid bus | About 1 h 15 min | Piazza Gramsci, near the centre | Budget, solo travellers, couples |
| Train (direct or via Empoli) | About 1 h 30 – 1 h 45 min | Siena station, 2 km from centre | Travellers staying near the station |
| Driving yourself | About 1 h, plus parking | Wherever you find parking | Flexibility, stops in Chianti |
| Private driver | About 1 h, hotel to Siena | Drop-off close to the old town | Families, groups, wine tastings |
Can you combine Siena with other towns in one day?
Yes. Siena pairs naturally with Monteriggioni, San Gimignano or a Chianti winery in a single day, but that is hard to do by bus because each town needs its own connection.
Our private Siena, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano and Chianti tour covers all four from Florence in one day, and our Siena and Val d’Orcia wine-tasting tour heads further south. Wine tastings and meals are not included in the tour price.
How do I book a car from Florence to Siena?
Send us your date, pick-up address and group size through our booking form and we will reply with a quote. We drive Mercedes E-Class and S-Class cars for up to 3 passengers, a V-Class for up to 7, and a Sprinter for up to 8.
