How to Get to Siena: Every Route Compared (2026)

# How to Get to Siena: Every Route Compared

Siena has no airport and no high-speed rail. That surprises people. It's still easy to reach — you just need to pick the right leg. Here's every realistic route with honest timings.

Quick answer

| From | Best option | Time | Cost 2026 | |---|---|---|---| | Florence | Rapid coach (Autolinee Toscane 131R) | 1h15 | ~€9.50 | | Rome | Train to Chiusi + regional, or Flixbus | 3h–3h30 | €18–30 | | Pisa Airport | Train via Empoli, or private transfer | 2h / 1h30 | €12 / €140+ | | Florence Airport | Tram to SMN + coach | 1h45 | ~€12 | | Rome Fiumicino | Train to Termini + onward | 4h | €25–40 | | San Gimignano | Bus via Poggibonsi | 1h15 | ~€6 |

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From Florence (the most common route)

Coach — the winner Autolinee Toscane runs frequent coaches from **Florence Autostazione**, next to Santa Maria Novella station, to **Siena Piazza Gramsci** — which is *inside* the city, a five-minute walk from Piazza del Campo.

Take the "rapida" (131R) service: 1h15 on the motorway. The "ordinaria" stops in every hill village and takes closer to 1h50. Check the sign on the coach. Roughly €9.50, buy at the machine or the tabacchi, and validate.

Train — slower than it looks Florence SMN → Siena is 1h30–1h50 with a change at Empoli. About €10.90. The catch: **Siena's station is in the valley**, 1.5 km and a steep hill below the centre. There are escalators from the adjacent shopping centre up to Porta Camollia, plus city buses. Fine with a backpack, tedious with suitcases.

Verdict: coach, unless you have a rail pass.

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From Rome

There is no direct train. Two workable options:

1. Train: Roma Termini → Chiusi-Chianciano Terme (Frecciarossa or Intercity, ~1h20–2h), then the regional line to Siena (~1h20). Total 3h–3h30, €18–35 depending on how early you book. 2. Flixbus / Itabus: direct coaches Rome ↔ Siena, roughly 3h15, often €10–20. Fewer departures — check times before committing.

Verdict: if the coach timing works, take it. Otherwise train via Chiusi.

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From Pisa and the airports

• Pisa Airport: PisaMover shuttle to Pisa Centrale (5 min), then train to Siena via Empoli, ~2h total, around €12.
• Florence Airport (Peretola): T2 tram to Santa Maria Novella (20 min), then the 131R coach. About 1h45 door to door.
• Rome Fiumicino: Leonardo Express to Termini, then the Rome routes above. Budget 4 hours and don't book a same-day tight connection.

Private transfer: €130–180 from Florence Airport, €180–250 from Pisa. Worth it for four people with luggage arriving late; hard to justify for two.

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By car

Driving to Siena is easy. Driving *into* Siena is not.

The historic centre is a ZTL (limited traffic zone) monitored by automatic cameras. Entering without authorisation means a fine that arrives at your home address months later, usually €80–100 plus the rental company's admin fee.

Park outside the walls instead: - Il Campo / Santa Caterina — escalators straight up into the centre - Fortezza / Stadio — cheaper, 10-minute walk - San Francesco — handy for the eastern side

Expect roughly €2/hour or €20–25 for 24 hours. If your hotel is inside the walls, send them your plate number in advance — they can register it for temporary ZTL access.

From Florence by car it's about 75 km and 1h10 on the RA3 *superstrada* (free, no tolls). The scenic alternative via the Chianti SR222 takes 2h and is worth it if the drive is the point.

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Arriving: what to expect

• Piazza Gramsci (coach): you're in the city. Walk to the Campo in five minutes.
• Siena train station: valley level. Cross into the Centro Commerciale for the escalators, or take bus 3/17. Taxis exist but are not always waiting — book ahead if you land late.
• Luggage: the centre is cobbled and steep. Wheeled suitcases have a hard time. There are left-luggage options near the station and Piazza Gramsci if you're here for the day.

Day-tripping vs staying

A Siena day trip from Florence works: leave at 08:30, back by 19:00, and you'll see the Campo, the Duomo and eat one good lunch.

But the city empties after 18:00, and that's the best version of it — floodlit lanes, contrada dinners in the street in summer, restaurants that stop turning tables. If you can spend one night, spend one night.

Frequently asked

Is there a train station in Siena? Yes, but it's below the historic centre — plan for escalators or a bus.

Can I get to Siena without a car? Absolutely. Coaches and trains cover Florence, Rome, Pisa, San Gimignano and Poggibonsi. Only Chianti and Val d'Orcia really need wheels.

Which is better, train or bus from Florence? Bus. It's faster and drops you inside the city.