Is a day trip from Florence to Rome worth it?

Two cities, two worlds: Florence is the guardian of Renaissance art, whilst Rome bears the weight and splendour of nearly three thousand years. Only about 90 minutes by express train lie between them. That’s tempting, yet it raises doubts. Is a single day enough for the Eternal City? We’ll tell you honestly whether the trip is worth it, how much it costs and whether you can even go on a whim.

The short answer

Yes, it’s worth it if you make a clear selection of what to see. With around eight to nine hours in Rome, you can experience ancient Rome with the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as the historic centre with the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. You’ll only manage to fit in the Vatican, with its museums and the Sistine Chapel, if you leave something else out. If you want to see everything, it’s better to stay overnight in Rome. If you’re looking for a taster and enjoy walking through the city, you’ll come away with unforgettable memories in just one day.

Your starting point: the a&o Firenze Campo di Marte

The a&o Firenze Campo di Marte is situated right next to the railway station of the same name in the east of the city. This is an advantage for a trip to the south: from here, regional trains take just a few minutes to reach Santa Maria Novella main station, where the high-speed trains to Rome depart. Bus routes 82 and 32 will take you to the city centre, to Piazza San Marco and the cathedral; if you prefer, you can walk to the cathedral in about half an hour.

• Great value: Depending on your travel dates, you can stay from as little as €12 in a shared room or from €49 in a double room.
• Breakfast optional: You can book breakfast if required. There’s also a small guest kitchen.
• Evening bar: After returning from Rome, you can round off your long day with a drink in the a&o hotel bar.
• Well connected: The location right next to the station saves you a lot of walking, even if you set off early or return late.

Getting there: By high-speed train from Florence to Rome

Journey time: Trenitalia’s high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento) and Italo take around 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. There are around 40 to 50 of these trains every day; the first departure in the morning is usually between 5.30 and 6.00 am, and the last in the evening between 10.00 pm and 11.00 pm. Regional trains take considerably longer – 3 to 4 hours – and aren’t practical for a day trip.

Stations: You depart from Florence’s main station, Santa Maria Novella, and arrive in Rome at either Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina, depending on the train. From both stations, you can reach the Colosseum via Metro Line B.

Prices per journey:

• Booked in advance: Around €15 to €20 depending on the train; with Italo, prices start from €14.90 in some cases.
• Average prices: The average is said to be around €30 to €50.
• Last-minute same-day bookings: Expect to pay around €50 to €65 per journey, or even more during peak periods.
• A return ticket will therefore cost you around €30 to €50 if you book early, and around €100 to €130 if you travel at short notice.
• Prices rise the closer you get to the day of travel.
• It’s almost always worth comparing prices between Trenitalia and Italo.
• Also check whether your train stops at Campo di Marte as well – that’ll save you the trip to the main station.

Your walking tour of Rome

The route is designed so that you can reach almost everything on foot and lose hardly any time in between.

The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill: Take Metro Line B and get off at the Colosseo stop. The Colosseum can accommodate tens of thousands of spectators and is the city’s most famous landmark. The combined ticket covers the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill and costs €18 on the official website. You book a specific time slot and show ID at the entrance, as the tickets are personalised. Allow about three to four hours for the whole visit.

Lunch break in the Monti district: Just a few minutes from the Colosseum lies the Monti district, with its small eateries, pizzerias and bakeries. Try a slice of pan pizza or a portion of pasta, and don’t be tempted by the expensive restaurants right next to the Colosseum.

Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill: A short walk takes you to the monumental National Monument and the Capitoline Hill, from where you’ll enjoy a lovely view over the Forum.

Pantheon: The building is almost 2,000 years old and boasts the world’s oldest surviving large dome with an opening in the centre. According to the latest information, admission costs €7. The Pantheon is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm; admission is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Piazza Navona: This long, narrow square with its Baroque fountains is the perfect spot for a break in the open air – ideally with an ice cream in hand.

Trevi Fountain: Here, you toss a coin over your shoulder to ensure you’ll return to Rome. Since February 2026, access to the pool area has cost €2, whilst the view from the piazza above remains free of charge. A maximum of 400 people are allowed at the fountain at any one time.

Spanish Steps: To round off your visit, climb the famous steps up to the Church of Trinità dei Monti and enjoy the view of the evening light over the city.

Option including the Vatican: If you’d prefer to visit the Vatican, take the Metro A to Ottaviano. The Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, cost €20 plus a booking fee. St Peter’s Basilica itself is free to enter, but there’s a long queue. Allow three to four hours for this and skip the Forum and the Palatine Hill. The museums are usually closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month.

Your itinerary at a glance

• 07:15: Take the regional train from Campo di Marte to Santa Maria Novella main station
• 07:45: Departure of the express train to Rome (the time is approximate; journey time around 90 minutes)
• 09:30: Arrival at Rome Termini, then on to the Colosseum via Metro Line B
• 10:00: Colosseum (with a booked time slot)
• 11:45: Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
• 13:15: Lunch break in the Monti district
• 14:30: Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill
• 15:15: Pantheon
• 16:00: Piazza Navona, ice cream break
• 16:45: Trevi Fountain
• 17:30: Spanish Steps
• 18:15: Walk to Termini station (Metro A from Spagna)
• 19:15: Return journey to Florence (approximate), arrival around 9.00 pm
• 9.20 pm: Return to Campo di Marte, round off the day in the a&o hotel bar

Rome on foot, no admission fees and no queuing

Want to avoid buying tickets, time slots and queues? Then simply explore Rome on foot and let the highlights unfold before you. The great monuments often make the strongest impression from the outside, and you’re free to stay as long as you like at each spot. The route takes a wide arc from Ancient Rome through the Old Town to the Vatican and on through the gardens of Villa Borghese to the Trevi Fountain. You’ll walk around 9 to 10 kilometres, with a walking time of about two and a half hours. Including photo stops and a light lunch, you’ll be out and about for a good six hours.

• 09:45 am: The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine (starting at Metro Line B, Colosseo station)
• 10:15 am: Via dei Fori Imperiali, with views of the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forums, to Piazza Venezia
• 11:00 am: Altare della Patria, then up to Piazza del Campidoglio with the finest view of the Forum
• 11.50 am: Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda
• 12.20 pm: Piazza Navona with its Baroque fountains, plus a light snack
• 01.00 pm: Ponte Sant’Angelo and Castel Sant’Angelo
• 01.40 pm: Via della Conciliazione, St Peter’s Square and Vatican City
• 02.30 pm: Walk to Ottaviano metro station, two stops to Flaminio, Piazza del Popolo
• 03.00 pm: Pincio Terrace and Villa Borghese (view over the rooftops, walk through the park)
• 04.00 pm: Spanish Steps
• 04.30 pm: Trevi Fountain (view from the piazza without entering)
• 05.00 pm: Walk back to Termini station (alternatively, Metro A from Barberini, two stops)

You’ll arrive at Termini station around 5.30 pm. There, you’ll have a little time for an ice cream, a coffee or a snack before catching the train back to Florence in the early evening.

Highlights along the route:

• Roman Forum: Without a ticket, you can view it from the railings on the Via dei Fori Imperiali and from the terrace behind the Capitoline Hill. From there, you’ll have the widest view over the temple columns and triumphal arches.
• Vatican: St Peter’s Square is freely accessible, though there may be brief security checks at the entrances. You’ll skip the Basilica and the museums on this walk.
• Trevi Fountain: The view from the piazza remains free; only the area around the basin has cost an admission fee of €2 since February 2026.
• The Colosseum: This is where it gets tricky. Tickets are time-specific and named, and popular time slots are often sold out weeks in advance during the peak season. If the official website has nothing left, there are offers from agents, which are slightly more expensive and often include an audio guide or guided tour.
• The Vatican: Here, too, it’s advisable to book in advance, otherwise you risk a long wait or finding that tickets are sold out for the day.
• The Pantheon, fountains and squares: You can visit these on the spur of the moment. If necessary, you can also simply admire the Colosseum and the Forum from the outside – this is a worthwhile alternative if you can’t get a ticket.
• If you’ve still got energy: The Circus Maximus is about 1.2 kilometres south-west of the Colosseum and can be included as a detour at the start. This will extend the rest of the route by about 30 to 40 minutes.

Our tip: Book at least your travel ticket and your Colosseum admission ticket one to two weeks in advance. If you’re planning a spontaneous trip, focus your day on the historic centre and the squares. The paving is uneven and hot in summer. Comfortable shoes, a hat and sun protection are essential.

A day trip to Rome from Florence is both exhausting and wonderful. With good footwear, an early departure and a clear plan, you’ll experience more than you might expect. Those who prefer to take it easy should opt for a quieter excursion, such as to Pisa or Siena. And if you really want to get to know the Eternal City, plan a separate trip to Rome – ideally lasting at least two days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the train journey from Florence to Rome take?
With Frecciarossa or Italo, it takes around 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. Regional trains take 3 to 4 hours.

How much does the journey cost?
If booked in advance, from around €15 to €20 each way; for last-minute bookings, usually €50 or more. A return journey therefore costs around €30 to €130, depending on when you book.

Can you do it on the spur of the moment?
The train journey: Yes. There are plenty of trains, and you’ll almost always get a seat, though at higher prices. It gets particularly expensive at weekends and during peak times.

Is a day trip to Rome worth it?
Yes, if you limit yourself to a few highlights and set off early. One day isn’t quite enough to see both the Vatican and ancient Rome.

When do the first and last trains run?
The first high-speed trains run in the morning between around 5.30 and 6.00 am; the last departures from Rome are usually between 10.00 pm and 11.00 pm. Check the exact time of the last service before you travel.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
For the Colosseum, yes, as time slots are limited and tickets are named. It’s also a good idea to book in advance for the Vatican Museums. Visiting the Pantheon is straightforward.

Is there an admission charge for the Trevi Fountain?
The view from the piazza is free. Since February 2026, access to the basin area has cost €2.

Which option is best if it rains?
In that case, the Vatican and its museums or the Pantheon are good choices, as they are covered. The Roman Forum is largely outdoors.

Got hooked?

Then book your trip with a&o to Florence!