Florence to Cortona is about 99 km (61 miles), roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car or private driver. By public transport, take a direct regional train from Santa Maria Novella to Camucia-Cortona, about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 minutes, then a 10 to 15 minute bus or taxi up the hill. Cortona is an easy, rewarding day trip.
Below we compare every option with real train times from the Italian rail network, explain which of Cortona’s two stations to use (it matters), and cover the bus up to town, parking outside the ZTL and what to see in one day. We also show when one of our private day tours from Florence is the simpler way to pair Cortona with Montepulciano or Assisi.
At a glance
- Distance: about 99 km (61.4 miles) by road, roughly 1 h 18 min driving (Rome2Rio).
- Direct train: regional trains from Firenze S.M.N. to Camucia-Cortona; the 08:02 arrives at 09:31 and the 09:04 at 10:26 (RFI timetable). No high-speed train stops here.
- The station catch: Camucia-Cortona station is on the plain below the hill town. A local bus climbs to the center in 10 to 15 minutes; a taxi costs about 9 to 12 euros (Rome2Rio).
- One ticket: book your train to “Cortona Centro” on Trenitalia and the bus is added for 1.70 euros from Camucia (Trenitalia Cortona Link).
- Driving: the historic center is a camera-controlled ZTL, in winter from 10:00 to 20:00 every day (Comune di Cortona). Park outside the walls.
- Main museum: MAEC, Etruscan Academy Museum, winter hours Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 17:00, full ticket 12 euros (MAEC).
How do you get from Florence to Cortona?
You have four realistic options: the direct regional train plus a short bus, driving yourself, a private driver, or a group tour. There is no direct bus from Florence that we would recommend over the train, and Cortona has no high-speed rail stop. Here is how they compare.
| Option | Time each way | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private driver | About 1 h 20 min, door to door | By quote, per car | Hotel pickup, any day; easy to add Montepulciano, Arezzo or Assisi |
| Car (self-drive) | About 1 h 18 min, 99 km | $20 to $29 (Rome2Rio), plus parking | A1 motorway; park outside the ZTL |
| Regional train + bus | About 1 h 20 to 1 h 30 min + 10 to 15 min bus | $15 to $21 train (Rome2Rio) + 1.70 euros bus | Firenze S.M.N. to Camucia-Cortona; trains roughly hourly |
| Train to Terontola + bus | Similar train time + about 30 min bus | Train + 2.90 euros bus | Only if your train does not stop at Camucia (Cortona On The Move) |
Is there a direct train from Florence to Cortona?
Yes. Regional (Regionale and Regionale Veloce) trains on the Florence to Arezzo and Chiusi line stop at Camucia-Cortona, with no change. On the timetable valid until 12 December 2026, these direct trains run every day, including Sundays (RFI arrivals and RFI departures for Camucia-Cortona):
| Train | Leaves Firenze S.M.N. | Arrives Camucia-Cortona |
|---|---|---|
| RV 4073 | 08:02 | 09:31 |
| RV 4101 | 09:04 | 10:26 |
| RV 4103 | 11:14 | 12:34 |
And back to Florence, also daily:
| Train | Leaves Camucia-Cortona | Arrives Firenze S.M.N. |
|---|---|---|
| RV 4102 | 15:23 | 16:48 |
| RV 4104 | 17:24 | 18:48 |
| RV 4082 | 18:30 | 19:52 |
| RV 4110 | 22:25 | 23:50 |
Italy’s rail timetable changes on 13 December 2026, so check the exact times on the Trenitalia app before you travel. Buy regional tickets on the app or at the machines in Santa Maria Novella. These trains also stop at Firenze Campo di Marte, which can be handy if you stay east of the center.
Camucia-Cortona or Terontola-Cortona: which station?
Use Camucia-Cortona whenever your train stops there. It is the closer station, about 2.4 km below the walls, and the bus up takes about 10 minutes (Rome2Rio). Terontola-Cortona is further south; the bus from there to town takes about 30 minutes (Cortona On The Move). Terontola mostly matters if you come from Rome or Perugia on a train that skips Camucia, or if you continue to Assisi: the direct Florence to Assisi trains run via Terontola, which is why Cortona and Assisi pair well.
How do you get from Camucia station up to Cortona?
By bus, taxi or a steep walk. Cortona sits high above the station, and you can see the whole climb from Piazza Garibaldi at the top.
- Bus: Autolinee Toscane line SU4 runs to Piazza del Mercato and Tiemme line SU5 to Piazza Garibaldi, about 10 to 15 minutes, 1 to 2 euros (Rome2Rio). Since October 2025 AT and Tiemme accept each other’s tickets on the Cortona routes (Comune di Cortona).
- Train + bus ticket: on Trenitalia, choose “Cortona Centro Piazza Garibaldi” or “Cortona Centro Piazza del Mercato” as your destination. The bus adds 1.70 euros from Camucia or 2.90 euros from Terontola, and the bus waits in the square in front of the station (Trenitalia).
- Taxi: about 9 to 12 euros, 6 minutes (Rome2Rio). At a small station it is safer to book one ahead.
- Walk: about 2.4 km and 29 minutes, uphill all the way (Rome2Rio). Fine going down at the end of the day, hard work going up.
Sunday and holiday bus service can differ from weekdays, and timetables change between summer and winter. Check the at bus app or tiemmespa.it the day before, especially for your last bus down to the train.
Traveling as a family or a small group? Several train tickets, a timed bus connection and a hill climb add up. Our English-speaking driver collects you at your Florence hotel, drops you at the edge of the old town and is there when you are ready to leave. See our private driver service in Florence or ask for a quote.
How far is Cortona from Florence by car?
About 99 km (61.4 miles), roughly 1 hour 18 minutes (Rome2Rio). Take the A1 motorway toward Rome, exit at Bettolle-Valdichiana and follow the signs toward Perugia and then Cortona (Cortona On The Move). Rome2Rio puts fuel and tolls at about $20 to $29 each way.
Can you drive into Cortona? The ZTL
No, not into the historic center. Most of the town inside the walls is a limited traffic zone (ZTL) and entry is checked by cameras. From 1 October to 30 April the red zone is active every day from 10:00 to 20:00, and the yellow zone from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00. From 1 May to 30 September the red zone runs from 10:00 to 04:00 (Comune di Cortona). A fine on a rental car can reach you months later, the same trap we explain in our Florence ZTL guide.
Where to park in Cortona
- Spirito Santo (Viale Cesare Battisti): paid, with escalators up to Piazza Garibaldi. The easiest choice for a short visit.
- Piazza Mazzini (Porta Colonia): paid, on the north side.
- Piazza del Mercato and Porta Bifora: free, with a steeper walk in.
Blue lines mean paid parking, about 1.50 euros an hour from 8:00 to 20:00 every day; white lines are free (Cortona On The Move).
Can you do Cortona as a day trip from Florence?
Yes, and it is one of the easier hill towns to reach by train. With the 08:02 or 09:04 train out and a return between 15:23 and 18:30, you get five to seven hours in town, enough for the main square, one or two museums, lunch and the walk up to the top of the town.
What to see in Cortona in one day
- Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza Signorelli: the two connected squares at the center, with the Palazzo Comunale.
- MAEC, the Etruscan Academy Museum in Palazzo Casali, Piazza Signorelli. From 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00, closed Mondays and 25 December; it also opens on Monday 7 and Monday 28 December 2026 (MAEC winter hours, MAEC visit page). Full ticket 12 euros; MAEC plus the Sodo archaeological area 15 euros. In winter the Sodo area, below the town, opens on Saturdays and Sundays only, 10:00 to 13:00.
- Museo Diocesano: the town’s picture gallery, with Fra Angelico’s Annunciation and works by Luca Signorelli (Cortonaweb). Full ticket 8 euros; last winter it opened Friday to Sunday only, so check the official page for this season.
- Fortezza del Girifalco: the fortress at the top of town, with a 360-degree view over the Valdichiana and toward Lake Trasimeno (Trenitalia).
- Lunch: the local specialty is Chianina beef, with DOC wines from the area (Trenitalia).
Wear good shoes. Cortona is steep, and the climb from Piazza della Repubblica to the fortress is the most tiring part of the day.
Train, car or private driver: which should you choose?
Take the train if you are one or two people, traveling light, and happy to see Cortona alone. It is cheap, direct and runs every day. Rent a car if you are staying in the countryside for several days and are comfortable with Italian motorways and ZTL rules.
A private driver makes sense when you want Cortona plus a second stop on the same day, when you travel with children, older relatives or luggage, or when the train schedule leaves you too little time. Because Cortona sits in the Valdichiana, it combines naturally with Montepulciano, Arezzo or Assisi.
A sample day from Florence with a driver
- Pickup in Florence around 8:30. Your driver meets you at your hotel in a private Mercedes.
- Cortona around 10:00. Drop-off at Piazza Garibaldi or Spirito Santo, so you start at the top of the climb rather than the bottom. MAEC and the main squares in the morning.
- Lunch in Cortona, then on to a second town. Montepulciano for its wine cellars and views, or Assisi for the Basilica of San Francesco. In December, Arezzo and its Christmas market is the other easy pairing.
- Back in Florence in the early evening. No train times, no last bus to catch.
Meals, museum tickets and any wine tastings are paid separately; they are not included in the price of the car and driver unless we agree otherwise in writing.
Florence to Cortona: frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Florence to Cortona?
Yes. Regional trains run direct from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Camucia-Cortona in about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 minutes. On the timetable valid until 12 December 2026 the 08:02 arrives at 09:31 and the 09:04 at 10:26, every day. There is no high-speed train to Cortona.
How far is Cortona from Florence?
About 99 km (61 miles) by road, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes of driving according to Rome2Rio. By train allow about 1 hour 30 minutes to Camucia-Cortona station, plus 10 to 15 minutes on the bus up to the old town.
Which station is best for Cortona?
Camucia-Cortona. It is the closer station, about 2.4 km below the town, with buses up to Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza del Mercato in 10 to 15 minutes. Terontola-Cortona is further away, about 30 minutes by bus, and is only worth it if your train does not stop at Camucia.
How do you get from Camucia station to Cortona?
Take the SU4 or SU5 bus (1 to 2 euros, 10 to 15 minutes), a taxi (about 9 to 12 euros) or walk about 2.4 km uphill. If you book your train to “Cortona Centro” on Trenitalia, the bus is added to your ticket for 1.70 euros.
Can you do Cortona as a day trip from Florence?
Yes. With a morning train out and a late afternoon train back you get five to seven hours in Cortona, enough for the main squares, the MAEC Etruscan museum, lunch and the walk to the top of the town. With a driver you can add Montepulciano, Arezzo or Assisi the same day.
Can you drive into Cortona?
Not into the historic center. It is a camera-controlled limited traffic zone (ZTL); in winter the main zone is active every day from 10:00 to 20:00. Park at Spirito Santo, which has escalators up to Piazza Garibaldi, or in the free lots at Piazza del Mercato and Porta Bifora.
Are entry fees and meals included in a private day trip to Cortona?
No. Museum tickets, meals, guided visits and any wine tastings are paid separately unless we agree otherwise in writing when you book.
Book a private driver from Florence
Tell us your date, how many you are and whether you want Cortona on its own or with Montepulciano, Arezzo or Assisi, and we will plan the day from Florence with a private Mercedes and an English-speaking driver. Send a request through our booking form, call us on (+39) 333 857 8412 or email info@mundolimousine.com. Meals, entry tickets and tastings are not included unless we agree otherwise in writing.
More day trips from Florence: Florence to Assisi, Florence to Montepulciano, Florence to Pienza and our private tours from Florence.
