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How to get from Bologna to Siena
The usual way from Bologna to Siena is a high-speed train to Florence (about 40 minutes) and then a regional train or the express bus to Siena (about 1 h 15–1 h 30), roughly 2 h 30–3 h in total. Driving takes about 2 h via the A1 and the toll-free Florence–Siena road.
Best option: Train. Fast trains to Florence leave constantly, and the onward train or bus to Siena is cheap and frequent.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Trenitalia Frecciarossa or Italo from Bologna Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, then a Trenitalia regional train to Siena | about 2 h 30–3 h including the change | high-speed trains several times an hour; Florence–Siena regionals roughly hourly | about €20–45 | Siena station is below the old town; take the escalators or a local bus up to the centre. |
| bus High-speed train to Florence, then the regional express bus from Florence to Siena | about 2 h 30 including the change | buses roughly every 30–60 minutes | about €20–40 in total | The bus arrives closer to Siena's centre than the train; check the current departure point in Florence, which has moved in the past. |
| car A1 motorway to Firenze Impruneta, then the Raccordo Firenze–Siena | about 2 h | fuel plus about €8–10 in A1 tolls; the Florence–Siena road is toll-free | Siena's centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL); park in a car park outside the walls. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Book the Bologna–Florence high-speed leg ahead for the best fares.
- Regional train tickets Florence–Siena are fixed-price; validate paper tickets.
- The A1 between Bologna and Florence has long tunnels and frequent roadworks; allow extra time.
- On Palio days (2 July and 16 August) Siena is extremely crowded; book everything early.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Bologna to Siena?
No. You change in Florence: a high-speed train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze Santa Maria Novella takes about 40 minutes, then a regional train to Siena about 1 h 30, or an express bus about 1 h 15. With the connection, allow 2 h 30–3 h in total.
Can I do Bologna to Siena as a day trip?
It is possible but long, with about five to six hours of travel for the return trip. Take an early high-speed train to Florence and connect straight to Siena. Check the last regional train or bus back to Florence, then the high-speed trains to Bologna run until late.
What is the cheapest way from Bologna to Siena?
Regional trains the whole way, changing in Florence, are the cheapest at about €20, but they take noticeably longer than the high-speed train for the Bologna–Florence leg. Booking a high-speed ticket a week or two ahead often costs only a little more and saves time.
Is the train or the bus better from Florence to Siena?
The bus is often a little faster and stops nearer the old town, while Siena's railway station is below the hill and needs escalators or a local bus. The train is more comfortable if you have luggage. Both are cheap and run frequently; check current timetables.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.