Bologna to Florence Day Trip: Train Guide & 1-Day Itinerary (2026)
Bologna is arguably the best “Base Camp” in Italy. Why? Because you can reach Florence in 37 minutes flat.
While hotels in Florence have skyrocketed to €250+ per night for 2026, Bologna remains a strategic hub. You can wake up in Bologna, see the David, eat a panino on the Ponte Vecchio, and be back in Bologna for Tortellini by dinner.
But there is a catch: Logistics matter.
If you take the wrong train (Regional instead of High Speed), your 37-minute trip becomes a 2-hour nightmare. If you don’t book the Uffizi in advance, you will stand in line for 3 hours.
Here is the “Pro” guide to the perfect Bologna to Florence Day Trip.
The Logistics: Train vs. Car
Rule #1: Do not drive. Between the traffic, parking costs (€30/day), and Florence’s strict ZTL zones, driving is a mistake.
The High-Speed Train (The Only Choice)
There are two main companies: Trenitalia (Frecciarossa) and Italo. Both are excellent, reach 300km/h, and run every 15 minutes.
| Train Type | Travel Time | Avg. Price (Early) | Avg. Price (Same Day) |
| Frecciarossa / Italo | 37 Mins | €14.90 – €19.90 | €35.00 – €50.00 |
| Regional (Slow) | 1 hr 45 Mins | €9.45 (Fixed) | €9.45 (Fixed) |
| Intercity | 1 hr 10 Mins | €12.00 | €20.00 |
Pro Tip: The “Regional” train is cheap, but it stops everywhere. Only take it if you are on an extreme shoestring budget. Spend the extra €10 for the High-Speed; you gain 2 hours of sightseeing.
Which Station?
- Depart: Bologna Centrale
- Arrive: Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN)
- Warning: Do NOT book a ticket to “Firenze Rifredi” or “Firenze Campo di Marte.” Those are suburban stations. You want SMN, which is right in the city center.
How to Book
Prices work like airlines—they get expensive as the date gets closer.
- Booking Strategy: Book at least 3 days in advance to get the “Economy” or “Smart” fare.
- Validation: If you book online (ticket on phone), you don’t need to validate. If you buy a paper Regional ticket, you must stamp it in the green machines before boarding.
Check Schedules & Prices: Book here High-Speed Trains!
The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary
Florence is crowded. To survive a day trip, you need a strategic route that avoids the worst bottlenecks.
09:00 AM | Arrival & The Duomo
Take the 8:15 AM train from Bologna. You arrive at Firenze SMN by 8:52 AM.
- Walk 10 minutes to Piazza del Duomo.
- The Strategy: Don’t climb the dome yet (lines are huge). Just admire the exterior marble facade and Giotto’s Bell Tower while the morning light is soft.
- Photo Op: The best angle is from the corner near the Baptistery.
10:30 AM | Mercato Centrale (Breakfast #2)
Walk 5 minutes to the San Lorenzo Market.
- The ground floor is a traditional meat/cheese market.
- The top floor is a modern food court. Grab a coffee or a Schiacciata (Tuscan flatbread).
12:30 PM | The Uffizi Gallery (Pre-Booked!)
Walk south toward Piazza della Signoria (see the replica David statue).
- Critical: You cannot just walk into the Uffizi Gallery. Lines can be 2-3 hours long.
- The Fix: You must book a “Timed Entry” slot weeks in advance. Aim for a 12:30 or 1:00 PM slot.
- Highlight: Don’t miss Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus.”
Skip the Line + Audio Tour: Uffizi Gallery Timed Entrance Ticket
02:30 PM | Lunch (The Famous Panino)
Skip the sit-down tourist traps. Florence is famous for street food.
- The Legend: All’Antico Vinaio. Yes, the line is long. Yes, it moves fast. Order the “La Paradiso” (Mortadella & Pistachio cream).
- The Alternative: I Fratellini. A tiny hole-in-the-wall serving €5 sandwiches and €2 wine glasses on the street.
04:30 PM | Ponte Vecchio & Sunset
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio (the bridge with gold shops).
- The Hike: Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo. It’s a steep 20-minute climb, but it offers the single best view of the Florence skyline.
- The Vibe: Watch the sunset over the Arno river.
07:30 PM | Back to Base
Head back to the train station. Take the 8:00 PM train back to Bologna.
- Why leave now? Dinner in Florence is great, but dinner in Bologna is better (and cheaper). You’ll be back in time for a late reservation at Osteria dell’Orsa.
Budget: How much does it cost?
Estimated costs for a day trip in 2026.
| Item | Cost (Per Person) |
| Train (Round Trip High Speed) | €40.00 – €60.00 |
| Uffizi Ticket | €25.00 |
| Lunch (Street Food) | €10.00 |
| Gelato / Coffee | €6.00 |
| Total | ~€90.00 |
Practical Tips
- City Tax? No. You only pay city tax if you sleep overnight. Day trippers are free (for now!).
- Luggage Storage: If you are stopping in Florence between cities, store your bags at Santa Maria Novella Station (Platform 16) or use Radical Storage (app).
- Water: Florence has free sparkling water fountains (fontanelli). Bring a bottle!
Summary: Is it worth it?
Absolutely. Bologna is the perfect hub. You get the lower hotel prices and better food of Bologna, but you still get to check “Florence” off your bucket list with zero stress.
Buon Viaggio!
