Quick answer
High-speed trains from Milano Centrale reach Firenze Santa Maria Novella in about 1h43 on Italo and 1h54 on Frecciarossa. Our cheapest Frecciarossa fare was €21.90 when booked five weeks ahead and €56 for the next day. Check that your ticket ends at Firenze S. M. Novella, because some trains use a different Florence station.
We checked prices and timetables on 5 October 2026, on the official Trenitalia booking engine and on Italo’s route page. High-speed fares move with demand, so use them to judge what is a good price, not as a fixed rate.
How long the train from Milan to Florence takes
This is the shortest of the big high-speed trips from Milan. Trains leave from Milano Centrale; some also stop at Porta Garibaldi or Rogoredo, and some Italo trains at Rho Fiera.
| Train | Fastest time | Trains per day | Price seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italo | About 1h43 | 16 | From €17.90 |
| Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) | 1h54 | At least 17 direct | €21.90-67 |
| Intercity (Trenitalia) | 3h42 | 1 | €12.90-36.50 |
Not every Frecciarossa is fast. On the sample day, times ranged from 1h54 up to 3 hours, so look at the duration column when you pick a train, not only the departure time. The first direct Frecciarossa left at 5:10am and the last at 8:10pm.
Which Florence station you arrive at
Most trains from Milan end their Florence stop at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, usually shortened to Firenze SMN or Firenze S. M. Novella. It is Florence’s main station.
The catch is that Florence sits on the main line between Milan and Rome. Some Milan to Rome Frecciarossa trains stop at Firenze Campo di Marte instead, and some skip Florence altogether. Before you pay, check that the arrival station on the booking screen reads “Firenze S. M. Novella”.
Frecciarossa or Italo
Both companies run high-speed trains on this route with similar journey times, and here the gap in frequency is small: Italo lists 16 trains a day, and Frecciarossa ran at least 17 direct trains to Firenze SMN on our sample Tuesday. Pick on price and departure time for your date.
Trenitalia is the state railway and also runs the slower Intercity. Italo is a private company with high-speed trains only. A ticket for one company is not valid on the other company’s trains, including if you miss your train.
How much the Milan to Florence train costs
We searched the official Trenitalia site on 5 October 2026 for Tuesday 6 October (the next day) and Tuesday 10 November (about five weeks ahead). These are the lowest fares shown per train, one adult, one way, usually Standard class.
| Train | Next day (6 Oct 2026) | 5 weeks ahead (10 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Frecciarossa | €56-67 | €21.90-49.90 |
Five weeks ahead, the cheapest Frecciarossa cost €21.90, about 60% less than the €56 cheapest fare for the next day. The advance range is wide, so the cheap fares go on some trains and not others. Italo’s “from €17.90” is the headline price on its route page; we did not query Italo’s booking engine for these dates.
The single Intercity, at €12.90-36.50 across the two dates, is the budget option. It takes 3h42. It makes sense only if the high-speed fares on your date are high and you have time to spare.
How to buy Milan to Florence train tickets
- Trenitalia: trenitalia.com or the Trenitalia app, for Frecciarossa and Intercity.
- Italo: italotreno.com or the Italo app, for Italo trains only.
- At the station: self-service machines and ticket offices at Milano Centrale.
Searching two official apps for every date gets tedious. Trainline shows Frecciarossa and Italo in one English-language search, which helps you compare times and fares quickly. Resellers usually add a booking fee, so check the final price against the official site before you buy.
Seats: which class to book
For a trip under two hours, Standard class does the job. On Frecciarossa, about 70% of Standard seats face each other in groups, so if you want to face the direction of travel, choose your seat when you book.
Frecciarossa also sells Premium (leather seats that recline to 109°), Business (coaches 2 and 3) and Executive, a 10-seat cabin that includes access to the FRECCIAClub lounge. Italo’s classes include Smart, Prima and Club Executive, which comes with lounge access.
Do you need to validate your ticket
Not on the high-speed trains. Frecciarossa and Italo tickets are for a specific train with an assigned seat, and the conductor checks the PDF or QR code on board.
Stamping matters only on regional trains. A paper regional ticket must be validated in the station machine before departure and used within 4 hours, while digital regional tickets from the Trenitalia app activate automatically. The Milan to Venice train guide covers those rules in full, since Venice is the one city where the regional route is a real option.
Luggage
Luggage is free on both operators, and you have to be able to lift your own bags into the racks.
- Trenitalia does not enforce a size or number limit right now. Its 2024 size limits were suspended just before 1 March 2024 and could return, so check before you travel.
- Italo allows any number of bags. In Smart, cases can be up to 75 x 53 x 30 cm; Prima and Club Executive allow larger luggage. Big cases go in the racks at the end of the car.
Other trains from Milan
Venice is the other short trip from Milan and the only one with a sensible regional option, see the Milan to Venice train. Many Florence trains continue south to Rome, which takes about 3 hours from Milan on the fastest services: details in the Milan to Rome train guide. If you are landing in Milan before your train, read our guide to Milan airports.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Milan to Florence?
The fastest trains take about 1h43 on Italo and 1h54 on Frecciarossa. Some slower Frecciarossa runs take up to 3 hours, so check the duration before you book.
How much is the train from Milan to Florence?
In our check, the cheapest Frecciarossa fare was €56 for the next day and €21.90 for a date five weeks ahead. Italo advertises fares from €17.90.
Which station in Florence does the train arrive at?
Most trains arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Some Milan to Rome Frecciarossa trains stop at Firenze Campo di Marte or skip Florence, so check that your ticket says Firenze S. M. Novella.
Frecciarossa or Italo to Florence?
Italo lists 16 trains a day and Frecciarossa ran at least 17 direct trains on our sample day, with similar journey times. Compare fares for your date, because a ticket for one is not valid on the other.
Is there a cheaper, slower train from Milan to Florence?
One Intercity train takes 3h42 and cost €12.90-36.50 in our search. It is the only slower direct option we found.
Do I need to stamp my ticket to Florence?
Not on Frecciarossa or Italo. Those tickets are for a set train and seat, and you show the QR code on board. Stamping applies to paper regional tickets.