Five Off-Season Day Trips from Florence, Including Cinque Terre, Siena, Pisa and Lucca

Short and easy train trips from Florence 

by Carolyn Ray

With so much to love about Florence, it’s easy to see why millions of people visit each year. While Florence is beautiful all year round, there’s something special about it at Christmas, with lights strung across winding streets and shops decorated with garland. However, there is much pleasure to be found in visiting small towns like Cinque Terre, Lucca, and Siena in the low season. Not only are there are less crowds, but it’s an opportunity to see places as they are, without all the glitz and glamour. Even though not all the shops are open, I enjoy seeing these small villages as they are, without manufactured events for tourists.

January is the perfect time to do day trips from the Santa Maria Novella Train Station without too much planning. It can also be more affordable than in the high season. For example, in Cinque Terre, prices are reduced in the low season. During my two weeks in Florence, I took three separate day trips from Florence.to Cinque Terre, Lucca, and Siena, with a quick stop in Pisa for dinner. I also took a bus to the Florence American Cemetery, which is only about 30 minutes from central Florence.

Day trips by train in Italy

While many people like to can rent a car, I try to take the train as much as possible. In Italy, the trains are fast and reliable, with clean bathrooms and accessible train cars. There are several ways to purchase train tickets, including Trainline, Rail Europe and Omio, or direct from the train company. You can also buy a train pass. Even in the low season, it’s advised to book tickets in advance for the best prices.  

Italy’s national train carrier is Trenitalia, which operates regional service in a typically two-story train similar to the GoTrain in Ontario. The regional trains look new and were very clean, with bright blue seats. For these, you can purchase tickets right at the station as the prices don’t vary. Trenitalia also operates long-distance high-speed trains, Frecciarossa, with speeds up to 400km/h and connections between farther distances. 

Another high-speed train for longer distances is Italo, which offers comfortable plush seats with electrical outlets and a reading light. When I travelled from Florence to Bari, I purchased my train ticket in advance on Trainline. Italo also has cushy chairs and food service.