Travel by train around Tuscany

[Becca]

Hi there,

Firstly, I have found your website a fantastic source of information to plan my trip to Italy- thank you!

I plan to go in October and stay in Florence for 7 nights. I would like to ideally have Florence as a base to travel around the region- Chianti is on my list and Pisa. Is all this possible by train? I would like to also visit the coast but am not sure where to visit! Any suggestions would be grateful!

Thanks

Becca

[Valentina]

Dear Becca,

Florence is a good base for your vacation in Tuscany, especially if you're moving by public transports From and to Florence depart and arrive most of trains and buses for other destinations in the region.

Pisa is just 1 hour train distance from Florence. I suggest you spend half day there visiting Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower, and the rest of the day in Lucca that is about 20 minutes away. Lucca, whose city center is very beautiful, is then about 1 hour train from Florence.

About Chianti, the best way to move around is by bus. There are just two main train stations in Chianti: Poggibonsi and Castellina. From there you have then to take buses for other destinations. Otherwise you can take directly the SITA bus 365 from Florence station. Here you find more information about moving around Chianti, both by train and bus.

Regarding the coast there are several places reachable by train. For example going south I suggest you visit Castiglioncello, that I personally love. The train station is within walking distance from the center and the sea and is about 1 hour and half from Florence. There are no sandy beaches but rocks and the sea is clear and blue. Otherwise closer to Florence, about 1 hour and 10 minutes, there is Viareggio, characterized by long sandy beaches, as well as nice shops and clubs. I recommend you read this article about top beaches in Tuscany to find more ideas.

Last but not least I strongly recommend you check train schedules ahead of time and plan your trips. I also recommend you read this other thread about trains in Tuscany.

Well I hope my suggestions helped for planning your vacation in Tuscany. Please don't hesitate to come back with any other question, I'll be glad to answer

[Cr360]

Sounds really interesting, Thank you Valentina for such useful information i realy like it and this also help me because i am also planing to do the same trip like Becca, and i found your conversation, But one thing i want to ask is that if i take my car there then it would be better or train would be better.

[Lourdes]

Ciao Cr360,

If you're traveling to Tuscany by car, then by all means use it to get around the region, it will make everything easier. The only place where you really don't need a car is within Florence or Siena (within the historical centers as you cannot enter if you aren't a resident or have a special permit). You can make your base in Florence but outside the city center or in the immediate surroundings and then use your car to visit the rest of Tuscany. When you are in Florence just use public transport to get downtown. Take a look here to find accommodation in Florence outside of the city center, highly recommend il Palagetto just outside the historical center since it offers parking. Outside of Florence, take a look at Poderino as well as Poggio al Sole outside Florence.