Bologna to Florence Train: A Fast 37-Minute Frecciarossa Journey Through Italy

Want to travel between two of Italy’s most beautiful cities in under 40 minutes? The high-speed train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence) is one of the quickest and most convenient routes in Italy. Operated by Trenitalia on the Frecciarossa high-speed service, this journey takes just 37 minutes.

Why Choose the Frecciarossa?

The Bologna–Florence high-speed line is a marvel of modern Italian engineering and a favorite among travelers. With frequent daily departures and excellent reliability, it’s the perfect way to hop between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany without the hassle of driving or flying.This route carries around 5 million passengers per year, making it one of the busiest high-speed corridors in Italy.

Route Overview

• Operator: Trenitalia
• Route: Frecciarossa high-speed train
• Duration: 37 minutes
• Stops: Non-stop — direct service from Bologna Centrale straight to Firenze Santa Maria Novella

You’ll enjoy a smooth, comfortable ride with minimal travel time, giving you more hours to explore your destination.

Fun Fact

The high-speed line between Bologna and Florence passes through 73 km of tunnels beneath the Apennines, including the record-breaking 18.5 km Base Tunnel that opened in 2009. This engineering feat allows the train to maintain high speeds while cutting through the mountains that once separated the two cities.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey

• Stations:

• Bologna Centrale — A major transport hub with excellent connections to the city center, airport, and other Italian cities.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) — Florence’s main station, located within walking distance of the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella church, and the historic center

• Booking: Tickets are affordable when booked in advance via the Trenitalia website or app. Frecciarossa offers different classes — Standard, Premium, and Business — with the latter providing more space and complimentary services.
• Onboard Experience: Comfortable seats, power sockets, Wi-Fi, and a bar car for snacks and coffee.

Pro Tip: Book a seat on the right side (direction of travel from Bologna) for occasional glimpses of the Tuscan landscape as you exit the tunnels.

Travel Essentials & Recommendations

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Final Thoughts

The Bologna to Florence Frecciarossa is the ultimate example of modern Italian travel — fast, efficient, and impressively engineered. In just 37 minutes, you go from Bologna’s culinary capital vibes to the Renaissance wonders of Florence. It’s the smartest way to explore northern and central Italy.Have you taken this high-speed route? Share your experience in the comments — was it your first time on a Frecciarossa? 

Route Details

Not this time

Bologna Centrale

Bologna

37m

Firenze Santa Maria Novella

Florence

OperatorTrenitalia

RouteFrecciarossa

StopsNon-stop

Ridership5M passengers/year

Fun Fact

The high-speed line between Bologna and Florence passes through 73 km of tunnels beneath the Apennines, including the record-breaking 18.5 km Base Tunnel that opened in 2009.

Route lessons

Route

Italy

Bologna Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella was the full endpoint pair.

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37m

A non-stop route plus the ridership clue pointed toward this service.

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Trenitalia

The route is listed as Frecciarossa.

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