Private car transfer
from Florence to Siena

Along the way to Siena, you can stop at a few of the best attractions in Italy's Tuscany region. For starters, there is the more than 1,000-year-old Pieve di San Pietro church, which is famous for Etruscan and Eastern imagery. Then there is San Gimignano, only a stone's throw away from Florence. San Gimignano is a well-preserved city with Romanesque and Gothic architecture and 14 towers that have survived hundreds of years.

Then there's Monteriggioni, a scenic walled city, or Castiglione Fiorentino, a charming medieval town with an impressive castle. Each of these sites can be found along the way to Siena. Your private, English-speaking Daytrip driver will happily share any travel insights about the areas you want to visit before dropping you off in Siena to begin your adventure.

Before visiting Siena, you should also learn about an interesting legend surrounding the city's creation. According to the ancient legend, Siena was founded by the famous son of Remus, Senius, who also happened to be, according to tales of old, one of Rome's legendary founders. This might not be how the city actually came to be, but many believe it.

Unlike other cities, Siena is unique in that it is constructed upon three hills and embraced by medieval walls and extraordinarily beautiful landscapes. Factual accounts state that the city wasn't founded by Senius, but rather that it began as an Etruscan settlement that eventually fell under Roman rule, becoming Sena Julia.

While under Roman rule, Siena became an important banking and commercial center rivaling Florence's power and wealth in the medieval period. Although it did not remain powerful, it is still a city that deserves recognition today. Those who visit Siena now can look forward to glimpsing this immersive past in the city's Piazza del Campo—one of the most unique piazzas in the world—and through its Gothic architecture.

Besides gorgeous historical buildings, the city is home to several religious sites, including churches and monasteries. The cafes, vineyards, and status are also worth seeing and exploring.

Remember that midday breaks are a thing

In Italy, midday breaks are still very much a thing, so if you're driving from Florence to Siena, you need to prepare to be met by closed shops during lunch and evening hours. Of course, this will depend on where and when you visit, but it's a fairly common custom known as the mid-day siesta, or riposo, as the Italians call it. So, plan your trips around these breaks whenever possible.

Have a translator app on your phone

As you might already know, English is the second most spoken language in Italy. However, this doesn't mean that you will be understood anywhere in Italy when communicating. This is why it's important to either learn some Italian or ensure you have a translator app downloaded on your phone.

This is especially handy if you're driving from Florence to Siena and visiting small towns and villages. People in these areas might not speak as much English as people in the city, so having a translator app will be convenient.

Plan to do a lot of walking

Not many other countries in the world are as walkable as Italy, so it might be best to make your preferred form of transportation while out and about in a city or town walking. With a pair of comfortable shoes, you'll be able to easily walk from one attraction to the next, and your Daytrip driver can even share a few must-visit locations with you so you don't miss out on anything when driving from Florence to Siena.

From Florence to Siena by bus

Depending on which bus line you choose, the most affordable way to travel from Florence to Siena is by bus. A few coach companies offer bus tickets for this route, including Marino Autolinee, Curcio Viaggi, Hak Bus, Itabus, and Flixbus.

The most popular choice is usually Flixbus because they offer the lowest ticket prices. You can expect a Flixbus bus ticket to cost between $7 and $13. Marino Autolinee generally has the more expensive tickets. These tickets can cost between $16 and $22.

A bus trip takes about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 40 minutes. Multiple trips are offered daily, so you shouldn't struggle too much to get a ticket unless it's peak season. Just be sure to check the bus timetable to confirm when you can book a bus.

From Florence to Siena by train

Both direct trains and trains that involve transfers operate trips along the route from Florence to Siena. If you want to take a train from one place to the next, you'll need to book with Trenitalia, as it's the only train line offering trips between these two destinations, so check the timetables when booking.

A train trip can cost as little as $8 or as much as $15, making it quite affordable and comparable to bus transportation. However, the train can be crowded and difficult to navigate since more than 15 trains leave the station daily, with a train leaving for Siena every hour. Train travel can also be lengthy. Some trains will take up to an hour and 55 minutes to complete the journey, which is longer than the bus.

From Florence to Siena by private car transfer service

Arguably, the best way to travel from Florence to Siena is with Daytrip. As one of the best private door-to-door car services operating trips along this route, you'll enjoy an exciting, convenient, reliable, and customizable trip.

You can choose when and how you travel and add sightseeing stops along the way to places like Montepulciano, Colle Val d'Elsa, and San Gimignano. Booking a seat is easy, and you'll have a professional driver who knows the route and the best way to travel to ensure you see much of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Seat prices start at 56 euros, making it a little more expensive than the bus or train, but it's cheaper than a taxi, and Daytrip promises to ensure you drive in comfort and luxury.

From Florence to Siena by taxi

The price of a taxi can be exorbitant, especially if you're traveling from Florence to Siena. Unfortunately, Taxi prices are ridiculous in Italy, as they are in many other European countries. You'll make it to Siena in about an hour, but is it worth the price of about 150 euros?

It's unlikely, especially when you can book with a private car service like Daytrip and pay less than half that amount. Taxis are also hard to get and can cost more depending on the time and day you want to travel, so keep this in mind.

Piazza del Campo

The unique shell-shaped Piazza del Campo in Siena is the city's main square, so it would be difficult to visit without walking through it. This square is the heart of the medieval city and quite the sight to behold since it is divided into nine sections that can be seen from standing in the center of the square. The nine sections symbolize the ruling Council of Nine, who commissioned the square to be built during the rule of Siena from 1292 to 1355.

While touring the square, you can visit the magnificent soaring bell tower, Torre del Mangia. If you make your way to the northeastern part of the main square, you'll find the Fonte Gaia. The Fonte Gaia, or 'Fountain of Joy,' is a stunning replica of Jacopo della Quercia's alluring marble fountain. If you want to see the original fountain, which has since been weathered, you can see it in the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex.

Siena Cathedral

Those who visit Siena often add the Siena Cathedral to their list of the most beautiful churches found in Tuscany. If you plan on visiting Siena, you'll want to add a visit to Siena Cathedral to your travel itinerary.

This cathedral is absolutely breathtaking with its Romanesque-Gothic styling showcasing tall spires, ornate facades, and bold white and green stripes. But although the outside is magnificent, the inside is even more beautiful, with impressive artwork by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini proudly adorning the walls of the cathedral.

Siena Civic Museum

It's a good idea to visit a museum in every city you visit. If you're planning a trip to Siena, you'll want to visit the Siena Civic Museum. Although there are other museums in Siena, this one is the most important.

It can be found within the Palazzo Pubblico, which has an interesting collection of frescoes, sculptures, and paintings from the Sienese school. However, its most spectacular piece on display is Ambrogio Lorenzetti's exquisite "The Allegory of Good and Bad Government," so be sure to see it.

For most people, the best time to visit Siena is in the spring or fall since the crowds are fewer, the temperatures are more pleasant, and the prices of accommodation and attractions are lower. If you want to join Tuscany's renowned fall harvest, visit during late fall. It's a busier time of year, but it's the best time to taste-test some of the region's best wines.