How to Get from Florence to Verona

Whether you prefer driving or traveling by train, getting from Florence to Verona is not difficult. Taking the train from Florence to Verona is quick and easy, a two-hour journey. Driving is straightforward, too, although traffic on the A1/E35 toll highway can sometimes be challenging.

Flying from Florence to Verona is possible, but there are no direct flights between the two cities as they are only 144 miles (232 km) apart. Similarly, taking a bus from Florence to Verona is theoretically an option, but late-night departure times and transfer layovers make bus travel less desirable. For maximum efficiency, train travel is best, and for sightseeing flexibility, there is no substitute for having a car at your disposal.

There are plenty of places to stop between Florence and Verona, if you are so inclined. Bologna's culinary delights await you. East of Bologna, car enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. Mantua's palaces, piazzas, and churches are well worth a detour; the city's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Tip: If you visit Mantua, be sure to order risotto for at least one meal.)

By Train

Duration: 1.5-2 hours

Trenitalia and ItaloTreno trains connect Florence's Santa Maria Novella train station with Verona Porta Nuova station. Both rail companies offer three departures daily.

By Car, Taxi, or Private Driver

Duration: 2.5 hours or longer, depending on traffic

While driving north from Florence to Verona looks straightforward on a map, the realities of driving on the A1/E35 and A22/E45 toll highways can catch up with you quickly. Traffic jams (coda in Italian) build up rapidly on the A1/E35 between Florence and Bologna, especially if an accident occurs in the mountains. Once you leave Bologna and descend into the Po River valley, the journey becomes less stressful.

Both Florence and Verona have a Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL), or restricted traffic zone. Pay attention to ZTL signs; traffic cameras will record your unauthorized entry into the ZTL and generate a traffic ticket that your rental car company will forward to you for payment.

Hiring a private driver might be a good option for you if you want to sightsee between Florence and Verona or shop at The Mall Firenze, the outlet mall outside of Florence at the Incisa-Reggello exit from the A1/E35 toll highway.

By Bus

Duration: 3.5-5.5 hours

FlixBus offers three departures daily from Florence to Verona. The fastest bus, which travels direct from Florence to Verona, leaves Florence at 3:15 a. m. Two later departures require a transfer.