Last updated: 13 July 2026
If you are travelling between Rome and Florence in late July or August 2026, check your train before leaving. Confirmed infrastructure works will reduce services in the Florence rail hub from 26 to 30 July, while separate works will affect the main Rome–Florence high-speed route from 10 to 28 August.
A private transfer will not always beat a high-speed train on station-to-station journey time. However, during these works it can be a more predictable and convenient alternative, particularly for families, groups, travellers with several bags, and anyone who needs a direct hotel-to-hotel journey without station changes or replacement buses.
Quick Answer: Are Trains Between Rome and Florence Disrupted in Summer 2026?
Yes. Two separate projects are relevant to travellers:
| Dates | Confirmed work | Possible passenger impact |
|---|---|---|
| 26 July at 23:00 to 30 July at 11:00 | Final phase of the Ponte al Pino bridge replacement in the Florence rail hub | Fewer trains, cancellations, timetable changes, longer journeys, different Florence stations and bus connections on some services |
| 10 to 28 August | Closure of a section of the Rome–Florence Direttissima between Chiusi Sud and Orvieto Nord for work at the Fabro tunnel and Paglia viaduct | Rerouting and service changes; the exact impact depends on the train and operator |
The first Ponte al Pino work phase, from 5 to 10 July, has already been completed. The dates above are the remaining confirmed periods as of this article’s latest review.
Passengers should check the live timetable and messages from their rail operator. Trenitalia and Italo have published service notices, and updated schedules may already appear in their booking channels.
What Is Happening at the Florence Rail Hub?
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) is replacing the Ponte al Pino railway bridge in Florence. During the final phase, rail traffic will be suspended on the Firenze Campo di Marte–Firenze Rifredi and Firenze Campo di Marte–Firenze Santa Maria Novella sections.
RFI expects the rail offer in the Florence hub to be reduced by approximately 50% during the work window. Some national trains will be diverted, and certain Rome–Milan or Rome–Turin services routed via the Tyrrhenian line may take up to approximately two and a half hours longer. Trenitalia warns that some affected services may take up to three hours longer.
That does not mean every Rome–Florence train will take twice as long. The impact varies by train. Depending on the service, passengers may encounter:
- a different departure or arrival time;
- a cancellation affecting all or part of the route;
- a stop at Firenze Campo di Marte instead of Firenze Santa Maria Novella;
- a replacement bus between Florence stations;
- a longer route or additional waiting time.
This distinction matters when planning. Check the specific train number rather than relying on a general journey-time estimate.
What Changes on the Rome–Florence Line in August?
From 10 to 28 August 2026, RFI will close the Direttissima line between the Chiusi Sud and Orvieto Nord junctions. The work covers maintenance at the Fabro tunnel and the Paglia viaduct.
The official infrastructure notice confirms the closure but does not give one universal delay for every passenger train. Operators may reroute or reschedule services, so travellers should consult the timetable for their chosen day and train before comparing options.
If an appointment, flight, cruise connection or fixed check-in time depends on the journey, allow a realistic buffer. A short connection at a station becomes less attractive when schedules are changing.
Is a Private Transfer Faster Than the Train?
On a normal operating day, a direct high-speed train is usually faster between Roma Termini and Firenze Santa Maria Novella. A private car from central Rome to central Florence generally takes about three hours, depending on traffic, the exact addresses and rest stops.
During major rail works, the useful comparison is not simply train time versus driving time. It is the complete journey from your accommodation in Rome to your final address in Florence or Tuscany.
Consider the time and effort involved in:
- travelling from your Rome hotel or apartment to the station;
- arriving early enough to find the platform and board;
- managing luggage through a busy terminal;
- dealing with a changed departure time, cancellation or replacement bus;
- travelling from the arrival station to your Florence hotel, villa or other destination.
A private transfer removes those separate stages. Your driver collects your party at the agreed address and takes you directly to the destination in one vehicle. For some itineraries during the disruption periods, that can make the overall journey competitive as well as easier to manage.
Train or Private Transfer: Which Option Fits Your Trip?
| Travel need | High-speed train | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Fast station-to-station trip on an unaffected service | Usually the strongest option | Road time is typically around three hours |
| Hotel-to-hotel journey | Requires transfers at both ends | Direct pickup and drop-off |
| Family or group travelling together | Separate tickets and luggage handling | The group stays together in one vehicle, subject to capacity |
| Several suitcases | Must be moved through stations and connections | Luggage remains with the vehicle, within the booked capacity |
| Florence villa or rural Tuscany destination | Often requires another train, taxi or rental car | Direct travel to the final address |
| Schedule affected by rail works | May involve changes, rerouting or replacement transport | Planned road itinerary, still subject to traffic |
| Desire to stop on the way | Limited by the ticket and timetable | A stop can be requested and quoted in advance |
The right choice depends on the exact train, party size, luggage, destination and schedule. Rome City Transfers can help with the road option; the rail operator remains the authoritative source for train changes.
When a Rome to Florence Private Transfer Is Especially Useful
You Are Travelling With Family or a Group
Keeping several people together through stations, platform changes and replacement transport can be difficult. With the correct vehicle booked in advance, a private transfer gives the whole party one meeting point, one departure and one final drop-off.
Rome City Transfers operates a network of Mercedes vehicles. The appropriate vehicle is assigned according to passenger and luggage requirements, so accurate booking details are important.
You Have Heavy or Bulky Luggage
A direct vehicle avoids carrying suitcases between taxis, platforms, trains and buses. Tell the team how many standard and oversized bags you have before confirming, especially when travelling with pushchairs, wheelchairs, sports equipment or unusually large items.
Your Destination Is Outside Central Florence
The train comparison changes when Florence is only an intermediate stop. A private transfer can continue directly to a hotel, countryside villa or town in Tuscany without returning to a station or arranging a separate rental car.
For route-specific planning, see the Rome to Tuscany transfer guide.
Your Schedule Has Little Room for Disruption
Private road travel cannot eliminate traffic or guarantee an exact arrival time. It does, however, avoid rail cancellations, platform changes and replacement buses. The pickup time can be planned around the full itinerary rather than a station departure alone.
You Want a Pre-Arranged Stop
One advantage of travelling by car is the possibility of requesting a stop along the route. This must be agreed in advance because it affects timing and price. It can turn a transfer day into a more flexible journey, but it should not be described as a guided tour unless a licensed guide has also been booked.
What to Expect From the Private Transfer
Rome City Transfers provides private chauffeur service, known in Italy as NCC (noleggio con conducente). For a Rome–Florence booking, the service can include:
- pickup at a Rome hotel, apartment or agreed address;
- a private, air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle selected for the booked party;
- direct travel to Florence or another pre-agreed destination;
- assistance with loading and unloading luggage;
- an itinerary and pickup time agreed before travel;
- optional stops only when requested and confirmed in the quotation.
The driving time from central Rome to central Florence is normally around three hours, but roadworks, city traffic, the pickup location and the final address can change it. The team will advise a sensible departure time based on the itinerary available when you book.
A Note About Road Traffic in Florence
The railway project also affects local roads. The City of Florence states that Ponte al Pino is closed to vehicle traffic from 25 May to 14 September 2026, with changes to local traffic and public transport.
A professional driver can plan an appropriate approach to the booked address, but no operator should promise that Florence traffic will be unaffected. Provide the complete pickup and destination addresses when requesting a quote so the route can be assessed properly.
How to Book a Rome–Florence Transfer
For an accurate quotation, send Rome City Transfers:
- the travel date;
- the requested pickup time and full Rome address;
- the complete destination address in Florence or Tuscany;
- the number of passengers, including children;
- the number and approximate size of bags;
- any accessibility requirements;
- any requested stop or time-sensitive onward connection.
The team can then confirm availability, the suitable vehicle and the price for the specific itinerary. Published prices should always be checked against the current details on the price page or a personalised quotation.
Request a Rome to Florence private transfer or contact Rome City Transfers by WhatsApp at +39 333 283 1963.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Rome to Florence trains cancelled in July 2026?
Some services may be cancelled or changed during the Florence rail-hub works from 26 July at 23:00 to 30 July at 11:00. Other trains may use different times, routes or Florence stations. Check the specific train with Trenitalia or Italo before travelling.
Will every Rome–Florence train be delayed by two or three hours?
No. The official notices describe the maximum impact on certain diverted services, not a delay applying to every train. Some journeys may have smaller changes, while others may involve a cancellation, a different station or a replacement bus.
How long does a private transfer from Rome to Florence take?
Allow approximately three hours between central Rome and central Florence under typical conditions. The actual time depends on traffic, roadworks, pickup and drop-off addresses, and any agreed stops.
Can a driver collect us directly from our Rome hotel?
Yes, pickup can be arranged from a hotel, apartment or another accessible address in Rome. Provide the full address when requesting the quotation.
Can we travel from Rome directly to a villa in Tuscany?
Yes, subject to availability and route confirmation. This is often where private travel offers the clearest practical advantage, because it removes the need to connect from a Florence station to a rural destination.
Can we add a sightseeing stop during the transfer?
A stop may be possible if requested and priced in advance. The chauffeur provides transport; specialist guided visits require a separately arranged licensed guide where applicable.
Is a private transfer cheaper than the train?
Not necessarily for one passenger. For a family or group, compare the total cost of all train tickets, station transfers and onward transport with the quotation for one private vehicle. Convenience, luggage and the final destination also affect the value of each option.
What happens if the rail timetable changes after we book a train?
Follow the instructions from the rail operator that issued the ticket. If you decide to request a private transfer, availability and cancellation terms should be confirmed before changing the original booking.
Plan the Journey That Works for You
The 2026 rail works do not make the train a poor choice for every traveller. They do make it important to check the exact service and compare the entire door-to-door journey.
If you prefer to avoid station transfers, keep your group and luggage together, or travel directly from Rome to a Florence hotel or Tuscany address, a private transfer may be the simpler option.
Check availability for your Rome to Florence transfer.
Official Sources
- RFI: Florence service changes for the Ponte al Pino bridge replacement
- RFI: Completion of the first phase and confirmation of the final July work window
- Trenitalia: Planned work in the Florence rail hub
- Italo: July 2026 Florence rail-hub service notice
- RFI: August 2026 work on the Rome–Florence Direttissima
- City of Florence: Ponte al Pino works and local traffic changes