Heading to Florence, or Firenze as the locals say? Chances are you’ll roll into the main Florence train station known as Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station (also known as SMN or S.M. Novella).
Located just northwest of the center of the city, S.M. Novella station is a 19-platform station serving high-speed, long-distance, and regional trains connecting to cities like Venice, Rome, Milan, and Naples.
After traveling from Rome to Florence, this station is super convenient with its close proximity to the heart of Florence without being too big to navigate!
So let’s get into what Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station offers, how to get your tickets, and more below.
Buying Tickets at Florence Train Station (S.M. Novella):
Booking tickets at the station or online is easy!
There are a few options to grab your train tickets, including online and at the station:
Buying Online (ahead of time):
My preferred way is to always buy tickets in advance because you can arrive at the station and just get on the train—no need to wait in lines or figure out the machines. And worst case, the ticket machines are down (yep, this happened to me once at another station in Italy!).
At the station, you’ll need to show your ticket QR code to a security officer to be allowed access to the gates.
Ticket Machines:
There’s a plethora of ticket machines at the station, so chances are you’ll be able to use one without much of a wait. Be sure to check the machine to see which mode of payment is accepted. Most machines accept both cash and card, but be sure to check before using it! If you pay cash, pay with smaller notes, as you might get A LOT of change back.
In-Person Booths:
While limited, there is an area where you can purchase train tickets from an actual human behind the counter! During busy times, you might need to wait
Facilities at Florence Train Station:
Ahhh, the beloved get-kept public bathrooms in Italy!
Whatever you may need for your journey to or from S.M. Novella train station, you can find it. Although the station isn’t huge, I was quite surprised by how much there was!
Even if you arrive early or your train is delayed, you can browse shops, sit for a bite, and use the bathroom.
Food:
If you arrive hungry at the station, there’s a decent amount of food options. Most are located outside the platform, but there are some cafes you can access via the platforms.
For non-Italian options there’s Five Guys (yes, a Five Guys!) and McDonald’s. But as we’re doing it like the locals, I recommend you check out the cafes that serve coffee and sandwiches. I grabbed an eggplant sandwich at the VyTA Caffe for the ride from Florence to Rome, and it hit the spot!
Shopping:
If you find yourself needing any clothes, make-up, or medicine, the Florence Central Station has got you covered.
There are cosmetic shops, including Sephora and MAC, a few clothing stores like MANGO, and a pharmacy.
Bathrooms:
There are two public bathrooms at the station, both of which you need to pay for. When I went, it cost €1.20, and you could pay with cash or card. The bathrooms are kept clean so if you need to use one, it’s worth the money!
ATMs:
There are a couple of ATMs located in the train station, so if you need any emergency cash, you’ll be able to get it. As pick-pocketing is an issue in busy areas in Italy (such as train stations) I would avoid taking out cash unless necessary.
Lounges:
You’ve heard of airport lounges, but train station lounges?! That was news to me.
There are two lounges, including the Italo and Freccia Lounge at Florence Central Station. You can pay to access them, or they may be included with your train ticket depending on the class.
Luggage Storage:
The storage rates at Kibag at Florence Railway Station
Luggage is available at multiple locations in and around the station.
For the most convenient on-site option, you can check out Kibag, open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The prices are a bit higher and best for storing luggage just during the day.
Just outside the station you’ll find Bounce and Radical Luggage Storage. If you need longer-term or overnight storage, their rates are much better than Kibag!
Car Rentals:
There are two car rental services located at this Firenze railway station, including Hertz and Sixt. Be sure to reserve a car rental pick-up ahead of time at Santa Maria Novella Station so you can select the cars ahead of time (especially if you drive automatic!).
Getting to and from Florence Train Station:
By Taxi:
Arriving at the station? Head outside to grab a taxi easily!
The easiest way to go to and from the station is by taxi. On arrival, we found a taxi pick-up point just outside the station. The line was long but went quickly.
To take a taxi back to the station, you could find one in the street or call one using appTaxi (can pay by cash or card). We called one through the app since we stayed in a less busy area, and it arrived quickly!
By Public Transit:
Both trams and buses run just outside the train station, making it easy to get to and from destinations in the city. Keep in mind there is no Florence train system within the city.
We took a few tours that left from nearby the train station and took the bus. There are also screens (at many, but not all stops) to show when the next bus/tram is coming.
After taking public transit around Florence, it can be pretty convenient, but if you need catch it by a certain time, don’t trust Google and go to the stop itself to know the most accurate timings.
By Walking:
When it comes to walking to and/or from the station, it depends on where you’re going, but the majority of the center of Florence is quite accessible by foot.
If you have a lot of luggage, it may be easier to take a taxi, but if you’re doing any day trips into Florence, you can walk from the station right to the top attractions!
Top Things to do in Florence
These are the top things to do in Florence that are walkable from the train station:
Galleria dell’Accademia
Start your day in Florence with an hour visiting the world famous Galleria dell’Accademia.
If you don’t visit David in Florence, did you really go? I recommend booking for the 8:30 time slot (entrance begins at 8:15) to get in before it gets too busy.
Florence Cathedral
The best view of the Duomo: from the top of the bell tower!
The Florence Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is a work of art inside and out. It was hands down a highlight to climb the bell tower!
There’s plenty of options to explore it, from simply entering the cathedral (which is free), or going on a guided Duomo skip-the-line tour.
Reminders for Traveling to/from Florence Train Station:
- Keep your belongings with you and stay aware of pickpockets.
- If you want food on board, buy it at the station, as there are more delicious options than on the train!
- Platforms 17-19 are further away than the rest, so be sure to allocate enough time to reach them.
FAQs
What is the main train station in Florence called?
The main train station in Florence is Santa Maria Novella (SMN), also referred to as Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Firenze is the Italian name of Florence!)
Which train station to arrive in Florence?
If you’re coming into Florence from major cities like Rome, Venice, and Milan, you’ll arrive at Santa Maria Novella Station which is the most central train station in the city.
Another centrally located train station is the Campo di Marte, but you’ll find most routes connect to S.M. Novella.
If your accommodation is in the central area of Florence, you would be okay to arrive at either, although you’ll most likely deboard at S.M. Novella.
How far is Florence train station to city center?
Santa Maria Novella Train Station is very close to the city center, so close you could even walk to your accommodation! You can find most of the major attractions in Florence city center within a mile of the Florence Central Train Station (SMN).
Is Florence walkable from the train station?
Easily—especially when considering how much one walks while on a Eurotrip!
You could even make it a day trip from another city, as you can get right into exploring Florence as soon as you exit the station.
This is the walking distance from S.M. Novella station to some of the top attractions:
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore ➡️ 12 minutes walk (.5 miles)
Uffizi Galleries ➡️ 20 minutes walk (.85 miles)
Piazzale Michelangelo ➡️ 43 minutes walk (1.8 miles)
Ready to Navigate the Main Station in Florence Like a Pro?
Chances are if you’re visiting Florence, you’ll pass through the station we covered above, and now you’re all set!
From Florence S.M. Novella, you can reach all the major cities in Italy in one small but convenient station that has everything you need for your journey.
And Klook also has everything you need for your train travel in Italy, including train tickets you can book ahead of time.
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