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Milano / Milan / Mailand to Firenze / Florence by train
How to a rail journey from Milan/Milano to Florence/Firenze
The Frecciarossa and Frecciarossa 1000 trains operated by Trenitalia share Italy's fastest railway, the high-speed line between Milano and Bologna, with Italo trains.
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 - it's a route on which you can save by booking in advance.
In addition to those trains which rush down the high speed line, there are handful of InterCity trains which still travel along the older 'classic' route from Milano to Firenze.
So they're much slower and most of them also don't arrive at the main station in Florence; the fabulously located Firenze S.M. Novella, instead they call at a more distant station - Firenze Rifredi.
But if you want to save when booking tickets, particularly at the last minute, they'll be much cheaper; and Eurail and InterRail pass users can use them and avoid the rail pass reservation fees payable on the Frecce trains.
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Routes
Option 1: taking Trenitalia's high speed Frecce trains
Journey Summary
1hr 39min (Frecce trains)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Roma or Napoli or Salerno or Reggio de Calabria (and others)
All trains also call at: Bologna
Most of these trains also call at Milano Rogoredo and depending on where you'll be setting off from in Milano, taking the trains from this station can be time saver.
Milano Centrale is on the northern edge of the city centre, so these trains initially head north and then make their way around the city, so that they can take the route south towards Firenze.
Local trains head to Milano Rogoredo from multiple stations in the city centre, including Milano Porta Venezia and Milano Porta Vittoria.
Milano Rogoredo is also on line M3 of the Milan Metro, but this line also serves Milano Centrale.
15 - 17 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date - usually
The high speed (AV) train service between Milano Centrale* and Firenze/Florence is provided by
(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo trains
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 the Trenitalia trains.
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.
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 with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
*Some Frecce and Italo trains depart from stations in Milano other Milano Centrale.
If you will be travelling from Milano Centrale then use this specific station when looking up tickets and prices.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling with a valid Eurail or InterRail pass, you will need to reserve prior to boarding these trains, either at the station (using a Trenitalia ticket machine or ticket desk) OR by booking them online.
How to book the rail pass reservations online is included on our guide to using rail passes in Italy.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Italiarail | from €29 approx | |
| Trenitalia | from €29 approx | |
| Trainline | from €29 approx | |
| Saveatrain | from €29 approx | |
| Omio | from €29 approx |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
This journey showcases the best of Italian train travel, you'll be on board trains with a wow factor and rushing along Italy's fastest high speed line, for virtually the entire trip!
Though don't expect eye-catching scenery, there's nothing of note to see as the train speeds towards Bologna at more than 280 km/h; and then between Bologna and Firenze, virtually the entire part of this journey is in a series of tunnels.
The majority of these Frecce trains complete the journey in around 1hr 40mins.
Most of these departures will be by Frecciarossa trains, but the different Frecciarossa 1000 trains, will also be used for some departures.
Option 2: taking the high speed Italo trains
Journey Summary
1hr 50 min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Roma or Napoli or Salerno or Reggio di Calabria
All trains also call at: Bologna
Most of these trains also call at Milano Rogoredo
12 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 5 months ahead of the travel date
The high speed (AV) train service between Milano Centrale* and Firenze is provided by:
(1) these Italo trai
(2) alterrnative Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia
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.
However, Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the 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 with 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.
Eurail and InterRail passes can't be used on Italo trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Italo | from €23 approx | |
| Trainline | from €23 approx | |
| Happyrail | from €23 approx | |
| Omio | rom €23 approx |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
In common with the more frequent, Frecce trains these Italo trains also use Italy's fastest high speed line between Milano and Firenze/Florence.
Don't expect eye-catching scenery, there's nothing of note to see as the train speeds towards Bologna at more than 280 km/h; and then between Bologna and Firenze, virtually the entire part of this journey is in a series of tunnels.
From Milano Centrale to Firenze Rifredi
Journey Summary
3hr 27min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
3 x trains per day
Two of the three of these daily Intercity trains from Milano to Firenze/Florence arrive at Firenze Rifredi station and NOT the city's main station Firenze S.M. Novella.
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 3 months ahead of the travel date
Take these Intercity trains from Milano to Firenze/Florence and you can save more than €20 in comparison to taking the faster Frecce trains.
They are usually scheduled to depart from Milano Centrale at (or close to)
05:00 and 14:48 to Firenze Rifredi
17:40 to Firenze S.M. Novella
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | from €9 approx | |
| Italiarail | from €9 approx |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Firenze Rifredi station is some distance from the city centre.
Take these trains from Milano that call there and you'll need to take a connecting train on from Firenze Rifredi to Firenze S.M.Novella.
No other suitable public transport options are available at Firenze Rifredi and the station does not have a taxi rank.
So why take these Intercity trains instead of the much faster high speed trains?
Because they're cheaper and if you have a Eurail or InterRail pass, you can avoid the €10 rail pass reservation fees by not taking those high speed Frecce trains.
The one Intercity of the train from Milano, which DOES arrive at Firenze S.M.Novella is the evening departure; which usually leaves at 17:40.
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