You’re standing under the clock at Lucca’s station, and the air smells like espresso and damp stone. Taking the train from Lucca to Florence Italy is one of those quintessential Tuscan experiences that looks easy on paper but involves a few quirks that can trip up even seasoned travelers. Most people just glance at a screen and hope for the best.
It's a short hop. Barely 50 miles. But those miles cover a landscape that transitions from the jagged Apuan Alps in the distance to the flat, industrial plains of the Arno Valley.
The Two Routes: Choosing Your Path Through Tuscany
Believe it or not, there isn't just one way to get there. Trenitalia, the national rail operator, runs two distinct lines. The most common route—and usually the fastest—heads east through Pistoia and Prato. These trains are generally Regionale or Regionale Veloce. They are the workhorses of the Tuscan rail system.
The second option takes you south through Pisa. It's often longer. You’ll likely have to change at Pisa Centrale, which is a bustling hub that can be a bit overwhelming if you’re hauling luggage and trying to find platform 14 in five minutes.
👉 See also: Finding Your Way: The Sky Harbor Airport Map Terminal 3 Breakdown
Why would you go through Pisa? Honestly, only if you want to see the Leaning Tower on a long layover. If your goal is strictly getting to the Renaissance capital, stick to the direct trains via Pistoia. They run roughly every half hour during peak times. You don't need a reservation for these. You just buy a ticket and hop on. But remember: you must validate your paper ticket in the little green or yellow machines before you board. If you don't, and the conductor comes around, you're looking at a fine that could easily top 50 Euros. It’s a painful way to start a vacation.
Timing and the Reality of Trenitalia
Expect the journey to take anywhere from 1 hour and 20 minutes to nearly 2 hours. It depends on how many stops the train makes.
The "Veloce" trains are your best friend. They skip the tiny stations where nobody gets on. Sometimes the train is late. Not "Japan late" where 30 seconds is a scandal, but "Italian late," where a 10-minute delay is basically considered on time. Don't stress it. Grab a panino at the station bar and wait.
✨ Don't miss: Why an Escape Room Stroudsburg PA Trip is the Best Way to Test Your Friendships
The Lucca station is just outside the massive Renaissance walls. It’s a five-minute walk from the Porta San Pietro. If you’re staying inside the walls, don’t bother with a taxi unless you have heavy bags; the walk is lovely.
Buying Tickets Without the Stress
You have three main ways to handle the fare.
- The Trenitalia App: This is the easiest way. You buy it on your phone, and the ticket is already validated. No need to hunt for a machine on the platform.
- The Kiosks: These are the big silver and blue machines. They speak English. They take cards. They are usually faster than the ticket window.
- The Ticket Window (Biglietteria): Go here if you have a complex question, but be prepared for a line.
A one-way ticket usually hovers around 8 to 10 Euros. It’s incredibly cheap compared to driving. If you drive, you have to deal with the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones) in Florence, which are basically giant traps for tourist wallets. One wrong turn into a ZTL and a camera snaps your plate; a 100-Euro fine arrives in your mailbox six months later. Take the train.
🔗 Read more: Why San Luis Valley Colorado is the Weirdest, Most Beautiful Place You’ve Never Been
What to See Out the Window
The stretch between Lucca and Montecatini Terme is particularly nice. You’ll see nurseries filled with thousands of olive trees and cypress waiting to be shipped across Europe. Pistoia’s station is grander than you’d expect for a mid-sized city.
As you approach Florence, the scenery gets grittier. You’ll pass through Prato, a major textile hub. Don’t be discouraged by the graffiti and warehouses. The payoff happens when the train slows down and you see the red tiles of Brunelleschi’s Dome rising above the apartment blocks.
Arriving at Santa Maria Novella
Florence has multiple stations. You want Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN).
Some trains might stop at Firenze Rifredi or Firenze Campo di Marte. Unless your hotel is specifically in those neighborhoods, stay on the train until the final stop. Santa Maria Novella is a masterpiece of Italian Modernist architecture, even if it feels a bit chaotic. Once you step out of the station, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is right there. You are officially in the heart of the city.
Practical Tips for the Savvy Traveler
- Avoid the "Direct" Trap: Sometimes a "direct" train is slower than one with a change because it stops at every single village. Check the arrival time, not just the "changes" column.
- First Class isn't worth it: On these regional trains, first class is often just a slightly cleaner seat in a cabin that looks identical to second class. Save your money for gelato.
- Watch your bags: Lucca is very safe, but Florence SMN is a magnet for pickpockets. Keep your backpack on your front in the station.
- The "Binario" Shuffle: In Lucca, the platform (binario) is usually 1, 2, or 3. In Florence, there are dozens. Always check the "Partenze" (Departures) board for your train number (e.g., R 18500), not just the destination.
Actionable Next Steps
- Download the Trenitalia app today and create an account. It saves your credit card info so you aren't fumbling at the station.
- Check the schedule for your specific date on the official Trenitalia website. Schedules can change slightly on Sundays or public holidays (like Ferragosto or Christmas).
- Locate your hotel in Florence on a map relative to the Santa Maria Novella station. If it's more than a 15-minute walk, look up the tram lines (T1 or T2) which leave from right outside the station.
- Pack a small bottle of water. The regional trains often don't have working snack machines or carts, and Tuscan summers are brutal.