Getting There and Away

Charming aerial view of Siena's historic rooftops under the summer sun in Tuscany, Italy.
Siegfried Poepperl, Pexels

Siena is served by a train station and several bus stops, acting as key arrival and departure points. The Siena train station is located approximately 2 kilometers from the historic center, while main bus stops like Piazza Gramsci and Viale Tozzi are often closer to the city's heart.

By Air:

Siena does not have its own airport. The closest airports are Florence Airport (FLR), about 55 kilometers away, and Pisa Airport (PSA), located approximately 110-160 kilometers distant. For international travelers, Rome's airports (Fiumicino FCO or Ciampino CIA) are typically the main arrival points.

From Florence (FLR) Airport / Florence City:

  • Bus:: Buses are generally considered the most convenient way from Florence to Siena. Direct buses (e.g., Autolinee Toscane 131R, FlixBus, Marino Autolinee) depart from Florence's Autostazione, near the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station, and arrive at Siena's Piazza Gramsci or Viale Tozzi. The rapid bus takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. Tickets range from approximately €7.80 to €12. From Florence Airport, take a shuttle bus (€6, 20 minutes) or tram (€1.50) to the Florence bus station before connecting to Siena.
  • Train:: Trains run from Florence SMN to Siena, usually requiring a change in Empoli. The journey typically takes between 1 hour 30 minutes and 1 hour 42 minutes. Ticket prices are around €9.10 to €20. Be aware that Siena's train station is at the bottom of a hill, and you may need a local bus or taxi to reach the historic center, though escalators are available.
  • Taxi/Private Transfer:: A private transfer from Florence Airport to Siena can take about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, with costs ranging from approximately €150 to €240.

From Pisa (PSA) Airport / Pisa City:

  • Train:: There is no direct train from Pisa Airport to Siena. First, take the PisaMover monorail to Pisa Centrale station (€5, 5 minutes), then a train to Siena, often with a change in Empoli. The total journey time is around 2 hours 11 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, costing approximately €14-€26.
  • Bus:: Direct bus services from Pisa to Siena are available, taking about 2 hours 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Pisa Airport to Florence Autostazione, then connect to Siena. The journey via Florence takes approximately 2 hours 39 minutes. Bus tickets cost around €8-€19.
  • Taxi/Private Transfer:: A taxi from Pisa Airport to Siena typically takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and costs around €250. Some private taxi services offer rates from €40 per person if booked in advance.

From Rome (FCO/CIA) Airport / Rome City:

  • Train:: Direct trains are not available from Rome to Siena. The journey usually involves a change in Florence (Firenze S.M. Novella) or Chiusi-Chianciano Terme. Fastest train journeys take approximately 2 hours 51 minutes to 3 hours 41 minutes, with tickets starting from around £17.39 - £23.46 (or €15-€40).
  • Bus:: Direct bus services like FlixBus, Marino, and Itabus connect Rome to Siena.

Car Rental:

Renting a car offers flexibility for exploring the Tuscan countryside. However, driving within Siena's historic center is restricted (Zona Traffico Limitato - ZTL), and parking can be challenging. Parking lots are available outside the city walls, such as at the train station (around €2/day).