There are two routes used by trains from Bologna to Firenze/Florence
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.
2 - 3 x trains per hour
*Save by booking in advance: Yes, for more details on how to obtain the cheapest prices for Frecce trains see the guide to Italian rail tickets.
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December.
The faster (AV) train services between and The AV train service between Bologna and Florence/Firenze is provided by:
(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo trains
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed up to 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are typically made available around 3 to 4 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 with 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.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Trenitalia | from €14.90 | |
Italia rail | from €14.90 | |
Trainline | from €14.90 | |
Omio | from €14.90 | |
Save A Train | from €14.90 |
Nearly all of these Frecce trains to Firenze/Florence depart from the AV station, binari (platforms/tracks) 16-19, at Bologna Centrale.
For 90% of this journey the trains rush through a series of tunnels
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.
1 - 2 x trains per hour
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available 3 to 4 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.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italo | from €17 | |
Omio | from €17 | |
Trainline | from €17 | |
Happy rail | from €17 |
These Italo trains to Firenze/Florence all depart from the AV station at Bologna Centrale, binari (platforms/tracks) 16-19.
These Italo trains take the same route as the Frecce trains
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.
1 x train per day
(Departs in the evening)
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 up to €10 by taking this train instead of the high speed Frecce trains.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Trenitalia | from €9.90 | |
Trainline | from €9.90 |
Final Destination: Napoli or Roma
These trains also call at: Prato
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.
Monday to Friday: 4 x trains per day
Saturday: 5 x trains
Sunday: 4 x trains
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 up to €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.
Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
---|---|---|
Italia rail | from €9.90 | |
Trenitalia | from €9.90 | |
Save A Train | from €9.90 |
So why take these Intercity trains from Bologna to Florence/Firenze, if they don't arrive at the main station in the city?
Well if you'll be travelling during the day and booking tickets last minute at the station, you'll save around €14 by taking these trains and not the high speed trains; which do arrive at Firenze S.M. Novella.
If you will be a using a rail pass, you'll save €10.
(There are no direct Regionale trains from Bologna to Florence/Firenze, but if the timings of these IC trains don't suit rail pass users can avoid having to reserve on the Frecce trains by taking a Regionale train from Bologna to Prato and connecting there for another Regionale train on to Firenze S.M.Novella station).
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