Day trips
Day trips from Florence
Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti: day trips from Florence, how to get there and when a tour makes sense.
Updated 22 October 2026
In short: Pisa and Lucca are about an hour by direct train; Siena about 1h15 by bus; San Gimignano and Chianti are easier on an organised tour or by car.
Pisa
Regional train from Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale, about an hour, then a 20-minute walk to Piazza dei Miracoli. Climbing the Tower requires a timed booking. Half a day is enough, and it pairs well with Lucca.
Lucca
Direct train from Santa Maria Novella, about an hour and a half. You can walk or cycle the intact Renaissance walls, and inside are squares and towers to wander slowly. It's the most relaxed and one of the cheapest day trips.
Siena
The direct bus from Florence is easier than the train (which needs changes): about 1h15. Piazza del Campo, the cathedral and the contrade fill a day. There's an uphill walk from the stop to the centre.
San Gimignano
The town of medieval towers. By public transport it's a train to Poggibonsi then a bus: doable, but a tour is far easier and often combines it with Siena and Chianti in one day.
Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti tours →
Chianti
Hills, vineyards and villages like Greve, Panzano and Radda, 30-60 minutes' drive away. Public transport is tricky, and if you're tasting wine you shouldn't drive: a tour with a driver and winery visits is the best option, even as a half day.
Train, bus or tour?
- Go independently for Pisa, Lucca and Siena: cheap tickets and frequent services.
- Take a tour for Chianti and San Gimignano, or to see several places in a day.
- Validate paper regional train tickets before boarding.
FAQ
Which day trip from Florence?
Siena for history, Pisa and Lucca for an easy train day, Chianti for wine.
How to get from Florence to Siena?
By direct bus, about 1h15. The train needs a change.
Can you see Pisa in half a day?
Yes: an hour by train and Piazza dei Miracoli in a few hours. Book the Tower.
How to visit Chianti without a car?
On an organised tour with a driver and winery visits.
More guides
Prices and hours can change: always check the official websites before your visit.
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