There are 7 ways to get from Zürich to Florence by plane, train, bus or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly to Florence • 3h 48m
Cheapest option
Bus via Milan • 8h 45m
5 alternative options
Fly to Bologna, train • 4h 21m
Train via Lugano • 6h 26m
Train • 6h 57m
Bus • 11h 56m
Drive • 5h 51m
Zürich to Florence by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Zürich to Florence is to bus via Milan which costs SFr 35 - SFr 65 and takes 8h 45m.
The fastest way to get from Zürich to Florence is to fly which takes 3h 48m and costs SFr 85 - SFr 280.
No, there is no direct bus from Zürich station to Florence. However, there are services departing from Zurich Bus Station and arriving at Florence via Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 45m.
No, there is no direct train from Zürich to Florence. However, there are services departing from Zürich Hb and arriving at Stazione Santa Maria Novella via Lugano and Milano Centrale Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 26m.
The distance between Zürich and Florence is 472 km. The road distance is 582.8 km.
The best way to get from Zürich to Florence without a car is to train via Lugano which takes 6h 26m and costs SFr 120 - SFr 210.
It takes approximately 3h 48m to get from Zürich to Florence, including transfers.
Zürich to Florence bus services, operated by FlixBus, depart from Zurich Bus Station.
Zürich to Florence train services, operated by Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS), depart from Zuerich Hb station.
The best way to get from Zürich to Florence is to fly which takes 3h 48m and costs SFr 85 - SFr 280. Alternatively, you can train via Lugano, which costs SFr 120 - SFr 210 and takes 6h 26m, you could also bus via Milan, which costs SFr 35 - SFr 65 and takes 8h 45m.
- Distance: 471.6 km
- Duration: 3h 48m
What companies run services between Zürich, Switzerland and Florence, Italy?
Swiss, Lufthansa and Air Dolomiti fly from Zürich to Florence every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Zürich to Florence via Lugano, Milano Centrale, and Milano Centrale Station in around 6h 26m.
- Website
- swiss.com
Flights from Zurich to Florence
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €140 - €600
Flights from Zurich to Bologna
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €150 - €420
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Zurich to Florence via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €130 - €390
Flights from Zurich to Bologna via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €110 - €360
Trenitalia’s high-speed Frecce trains run on specialised tracks and have a greater level of service and comfort than InterCity and regional trains. There are three types of Frecce trains: Frecciarossa, (the fastest; connects major Italian cities); Frecciargento (mostly connect Rome to other Italian cities); and Frecciabianca (the slowest Frecce trains). Frecciarossa trains offer four classes of service, all with free Wi-Fi: Standard, Premium, Business and Executive. All Frecce tickets include a seat reservation and must be purchased before boarding the train.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 37 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- €11 - €45
- Website
- https://www.trenitalia.com/en/frecce.html
- Super Economy
- €11 - €15
- Base Standard
- €25 - €35
- Base Premium
- €30 - €45
Train from Milano Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 54m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €24 - €80
- Website
- https://www.trenitalia.com/en/frecce.html
- Super Economy
- €24 - €35
- Base Standard
- €45 - €65
- Base Premium
- €55 - €80
Private train company Italotreno operates high-speed trains in Italy on the same tracks as Trenitalia. The routes service 21 stations across the country, including popular routes Milan-Florence, Rome-Venice and Bologna-Naples. Choose from four classes of service, all with free Wi-Fi: Smart, Comfort, Prima and Club Executive. Italo also operates Italobus – an integrated train-bus service that takes passengers from the main train stations to other Italian cities.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 8937 1892
- Website
- italotreno.it
Train from Bologna Centrale to Stazione Santa Maria Novella
- Ave. Duration
- 38 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €28 - €40
- Website
- https://www.italotreno.it/en
- Smart Economy
- €28 - €40
- Smart Flex
- €29 - €40
Train from Milano Centrale Station to Stazione Santa Maria Novella
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €45 - €65
- Website
- https://www.italotreno.it/en
- Smart Economy
- €45 - €65
- Smart Flex
- €50 - €65
The primary train operator in Italy, Trenitalia was created in the year 2000. Trenitalia offers national rail connections in Italy as well as international connections to Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland. The company operates regional and long-distance trains, as well as high-speed trains called Frecce that travel on specialised tracks on speeds of up to 360km/h. Trenitalia tickets are available online, in stations across the country or from many travel agents that offer bookings.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €7 - €14
- Website
- https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
- 1st Class
- €12 - €14
Frequently asked questions
Trenitalia’s Intercity (IC) trains are slower than the high-speed Frecce trains but are still a good way to travel between major cities and towns, with routes including Rome to Naples, Venice to Bologna and Milan to Genoa. Tickets usually open for booking 90 days ahead of travel, and you’ll need make a seat reservation before boarding. All IC trains have 1st and 2nd class carriages as well as a bar buffet car, air conditioning and power sockets. InterCity trains that run at night are called InterCity Notte (ICN).
Contact Details
- Phone
- +39 06 68475475
- Website
- trenitalia.com
Train from Bologna Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €7 - €11
- Website
- https://www.trenitalia.com/
- 2nd Class
- €7 - €11
Train from Milano Centrale to Firenze S.M.N.
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 42m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €19 - €27
- Website
- https://www.trenitalia.com/
- 2nd Class
- €19 - €27
- Phone
- +43 51717
- Website
- nightjet.com
Train from Bologna Centrale to Stazione Santa Maria Novella
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- €22 - €150
- Website
- https://www.nightjet.com/en/#/home
- Sleeper Carriage
- €130 - €150
- Seating Carriage
- €22 - €45
- Couchette Carriage
- €75 - €95
The national railway company of Switzerland, Swiss Railways operates trains throughout the country and adjacent European nations including Germany, France, Italy and Austria. Tickets are sold in two classes - First and Second - with most long-distance trains offering a bistro car serving beverages and snacks. Individual tickets can be bought easily at stands, while a variety of travel passes are on offer to suit different travel needs.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +41 848 44 66 88
- Website
- sbb.ch
Train from Zürich Hb to Lugano
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- €55 - €110
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en
Train from Lugano to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €22 - €40
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en
Train from Zuerich Hb to Milano Centrale
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 17m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €80 - €150
- Website
- https://www.sbb.ch/en
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Zurich Bus Station to Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €22 - €35
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Bus from Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano to Florence
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €24 - €35
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
As the bus subsidiary of French railway SNCF, Ouibus offers eco-friendly coaches serving 35 French cities and 10 European cities at affordable fares. Ouibus journeys are safe and comfortable, with the four-star coaches offering power outlets, restrooms and WiFi. All Ouibus stations are located close to town centres for easy access to public transport. Getting on one of the 130 daily journeys is easy - electronic travel documents include your ticket and a personalised mini-guide with handy information.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +33 1 71 53 01 80
- Website
- blablacar.fr
Bus from Zürich to Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €21 - €30
- Website
- https://www.blablacar.co.uk/
- Phone
- +420 222 222 221
- info@regiojet.cz
- Website
- regiojet.com
Bus from Zurich Central Bus Station Sihlquai to Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €13 - €19
- Website
- https://regiojet.com/
- Phone
- +393293958604
- info@pistoiaviaggi.com
- Website
- pistoia-viaggi.it
Bus from Zurich to Milano
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 47m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Schedules at
- pistoia-viaggi.it
- Phone
- 48/796 473 308
- biuro@autokarpolska.com.pl
- Website
- autokarpolska.com.pl
Bus from Zurich to Milano, Autostazione Lampugnano
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €21 - €30
- Schedules at
- autokarpolska.com.pl
- Phone
- +39 0963 313116
- info@viaggiaurora.it
- Website
- viaggiaurora.it
Bus from Winterthur Lagerhausstrasse to Florence Villa Constanza Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 15m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Website
- L'Aurora Viaggi
Want to know more about travelling around Italy
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Zürich to Florence bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Florence station.
Zürich to Florence train services, operated by Trenitalia Frecce, arrive at Firenze S.M.N. station.
Yes, the driving distance between Zürich to Florence is 583 km. It takes approximately 5h 51m to drive from Zürich to Florence.
Book your Zürich to Florence train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Zürich to Florence bus tickets online with FlixBus.
There are 6579+ hotels available in Florence. Prices start at €45 per night.