Bologna to Firenze / Florence by train

Final Destination: Roma or Napoli or Salerno or Reggio di Calabria

The service of AV (high speed) trains is split between these Frecce trains operated by Treniatalia and alternative Italo trains, operated by NTV; though these Frecce trains provide by far the most frequent rail service between the two cities.
They have similar speeds, so the differences between them are to do with the on-board experiences, check out the 'Trains' guides below; and the fact that tickets for the Italo trains and Frecce trains can be purchased from different online booking agents.

A mix of Frecce trains operate on this route between Bologna and Firenze/Florence, though it doesn't particularly matter, which type of Frecce train you travel on for this comparatively short journey; and it makes no difference to the ticket price.

Take any of these high speed services and you can make substantial savings if you book in advance, though you will be tied to taking the specific departure you choose when making a booking.

Though if you buy tickets last minute at the station, these Frecce trains and the Italo trains are typically around €15 more expensive than taking the IC trains.

Book early and save: Yes

**Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date

99% of the direct city center to city center (Bologna Centrale station) to (Firenze S.M. Novella station) trains are the high speed AV trains.
So this is a journey when it pays to book ahead, you will save more than €8 if you book in advance for the high speed trains, compared to the price you will pay at the station prior to boarding those services.

The high speed train service is provided by a combination of:

• These Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia, and
• Italo trains, operated by NTV

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains; and Italo does not sell tickets for these Trenitalia trains.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Considering the journey time, tickets for any high speed (AV) train journey between Bologna and Firenze can seem expensive, but the many, many kilometers of tunnel, which the trains travel through, came at a high cost.

Final Destination: Roma or Napoli

Italo trains, operated by NTV, compete with the Frecce trains, operated by Trenitalia, on the high speed line between these cities.

Book early and save: Yes

**Online bookings open: 5 months ahead of the travel date

Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 4 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 5 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for these Italo trains; and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.
Complimentary seat reservations are included when booking tickets for either of these train services.

If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on Trainline or Omio; though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.

Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.

Final Destination: Terni

This train also calls at: Prato

Taking an Intercity train from Bologna to Firenze/Florence is cheaper than taking either of the high speed services, you can save more than €10.
Though the journey will be around twice as long, because the Intercity trains don't take the high speed line.

However, most of the Intercity trains arrive at Firenze Rifredi station and not the main city centre station, Firenze S.M. Novella.

This info is for the only direct Intercity train from Bologna to Firenze S.M. Novella, it usually departs from Bologna daily at 20:04 so it isn't an option for a daytime train journey between the two cities.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: around 3 months ahead of the travel date

This train is the the only direct city centre (Bologna Centrale) to (Firenze S.M. Novella) city centre train, that is  NOT a high speed train.

It  is usually scheduled to depart from Bologna Centrale at around 20:04, so target that time when looking up this journey, if you want to travel by it.

If you have a rail pass and don't mind an evening arrival, you can save around €10 by taking this train instead of the high speed Frecce trains.

Final Destination: Napoli or Roma

These trains also call at: [Prato](https://goo.gl/maps/wtAPh92S4D1AUvB26

Note that these Intercity trains arrive at Firenze Rifredi station and not the main city centre station, Firenze S.M. Novella.
You'll need to take a connecting train to Firenze S.M. Novella in from Firenze Rifredi in order to reach Firenze/Florence city centre.

The 1hr 4min journey time is to Rifredi station, it doesn't include the time required to change trains and to travel on to S.M.Novella station.
There are usually a minimum of 3 x trains per hour from Rifredi to S.M. Novella.

Book early and save: Yes

Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date

You canter Firenze Rifredi as the 'Arrival' station when looking up this journey by IC train on Trenitalia.

Though if you book tickets to Firenze S.M. Novella, you won't need to purchase a ticket at Firenze Rifredi in order to complete the journey.

If you have a rail pass you can save €10 by taking these trains compared to the Frecce high speed trains, but you will have to take a connecting train on to Firenze S.M.Novella station, in order to reach the city centre.
It's not worth bothering to arrange the optional £3 rail pass reservation fee for this particular journey.

Book a ticket(s) and a complimentary seat reservation will automatically be included.