Train from Milan to Florence
Updated · BootsnAll
Milan is one of Italy's main entry points, with the big Malpensa airport, but it's rarely the city people came to see. Even travelers who stay a day to see "The Last Supper" or climb onto the roof of the Duomo tend to move on quickly, and Florence, with the Renaissance art and the cobbled streets, is where a lot of them go next.
The train is the easy answer. The high-speed line through Bologna and under the Apennines makes this one of the fastest city-to-city trips in Italy, and you'll be in Florence in less time than it takes to drive to the edge of Milan in traffic.
Milan to Florence by train at a glance
| Fastest trip | about 1 hour 45 minutes |
|---|---|
| High-speed trains | Italo runs 16 a day; Trenitalia's Frecciarossa runs more |
| Stations | Milano Centrale (some trains also Rogoredo) to Firenze Santa Maria Novella |
| Fares | from about 18 euros booked ahead in 2026; much more on the day |
Figures are from Italo's route page, checked in September 2026.
Which train to take
Take a high-speed train, either Trenitalia's Frecciarossa ("red arrow") or one run by Italo, the private company that has competed with Trenitalia since 2012. Italo's fastest does it in 1 hour 43 minutes. Most trains stop in Bologna, and some also at Milano Rogoredo or Reggio Emilia AV, but the stops are quick. The two companies sell tickets separately, so compare trenitalia.com and italotreno.com for your date and take the cheaper one.
Skip the slow trains. Going by regional train means changing, usually in Bologna, and takes three and a half hours or more. If you do book something slower, check the arrival station: some trains end at Firenze Campo di Marte or Rifredi rather than Santa Maria Novella, the central station you want for the old town.
How much the train costs
High-speed fares are priced like airfares. Italo's advance fares on this route started around 18 euros in 2026, and Trenitalia's Economy and Super Economy fares are similar. Leave it until the day and you can pay several times that. The cheapest fares have limits on changes and refunds, so buy them once your plans are set; two to four weeks ahead is usually plenty, and earlier in summer. Every high-speed ticket includes a reserved seat, so there's nothing extra to book.
If you'll take several long train trips, look at the Interrail Italy Pass or the Trenitalia Pass (from about 139 euros in 2026, valid on Trenitalia but not Italo). With advance fares this low, do the math before you buy one.
Tips for the trip
- Coming straight from Malpensa? The Malpensa Express runs to Milano Centrale in about 50 to 57 minutes (the other branch goes to Cadorna, which doesn't help you here). Allow a good buffer before a train you can't change. See getting from Malpensa to Milan.
- Milano Centrale is huge. Give yourself 15 minutes to find the departures board and your platform, and keep an eye on your bags on the concourse.
- No stamping needed for high-speed tickets: show the PDF or app to the conductor. Paper regional tickets are the only ones you validate before boarding.
- Delays can earn compensation. Trenitalia pays 25% of the fare for a delay of 60 to 119 minutes on the Frecce and 50% for two hours or more (details).
>> Read more about how to get from Milan to Florence, and our guide to train travel in Italy
photo by PhillipC