Another side to Tuscany by train

Tuscany has all the best bits you love to love about Italy. Grand art galleries, historical sites, rustic wine tasting – you get some of the most iconic cities in Europe, mixed with some of the most stunning countryside scenes. So, why waste your window-seat views on clouds when you could whizz by vineyards and rolling hills on a flight-free trip to Italy’s central region? 

Italy is super well connected, with railways running through its major cities. In under two hours, you can get from Milan or Rome to Florence, it’s under an hour from Florence to Pisa and only 30 minutes from Pisa to Lucca. But the train rides here are by no means just a quick fix. By going flight free, you pass by the rolling vineyards, small villages and green fields that make this part of Italy so popular. Before you’ve even stepped off your carriage, your holiday is so on… So, let’s take a look at the top itineraries to travel Tuscany by train, in partnership with Byway.  

A taste of Tuscany – 7 days  

A week is probably people’s go-to length of time for a holiday, and it’s a decent amount to see the best of Tuscany. From London, your first stop on this trip is Turin via Paris, which will take you through the Alps between Chambery and Modane. The Alps are a big part of the picture in Turin – the tree-lined boulevards and cobbled squares sit pretty against the peaks. You can reach the top of its famous Mole Antonelliana tower for panoramic views, then the Roman Quarter is buzzing in the evenings. After a night here, it’s off to Florence. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s only fair you get three nights to tick off the Uffizi gallery, Ponte Vecchio bridge, Il Duomo… the sightseeing’s iconic.  

Speaking of iconic, Milan beats the rest for fashion and she’s up next. Spend a night here to catch an opera or ballet performance and don’t miss the Duomo di Milano – it’s the largest church in Italy. Then, the scenery just keeps on coming with a train ride to Zurich, where you’ll change onto the TGV Lyria that takes you directly to Paris. Spend your final night here and swap pizza for patisserie before heading home.  

Classic Tuscany – 13 days  

If you’ve got a bit more AL to spend, why not take the best part of two weeks to train-hop your way around Tuscany? This itinerary starts you off in Turin for a night among the Alps, then it’s onto Pisa to see its legendary Leaning Tower. Aside from the classic postcard pic pretending to get squashed or hold up the tower, Pisa’s good for café culture and nightlife, as it’s a big university city. Two nights is perfect to explore the place before moving on to Siena, where it’s all about the Pinacoteca Nazionale, full of Medieval and Renaissance artworks. The cobbled streets are gorg and full of history, plus the Botanical Garden is super serene for something slower paced.  

Two nights here and you’re off again. This time, it’s Poggibonsi, which you might not have heard as much about… This Tuscan town is on the River Elsa, surrounded by rolling hills and boasts a Medici Fortress. The area’s well known for olive and wine production, especially Chianti, so you already know a tasting is on the cards. Ofc, interrailing around these parts wouldn’t be complete without a few sleeps in Florence, so that’s up next. See Michaelangelo’s David in the flesh, visit the Duomo and trust us, a gelato along the banks of the river Arno hits different. Save your best holiday fits for your next stop in fashion capital, Milan, and finally, a night in Paris rounds the whole trip off in style.  

Uncover the Maremma – 11 days  

We get really off the beaten path now, with a trip based around Grosseto – a commune in the heart of Maremma on Tuscany’s west coast. Turin is THE gateway to seeing Italy by train, so a night in the city will start you off before you head down the west coast to Grosseto for four whole nights. It’s a super authentic Tuscan town that’s escaped a big presence on the tourist trail and was recognised as the 2024 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism. This award is only for smaller sustainable destinations, so it definitely deserves your attention. A visit to the Parco Naturale della Maremma is an absolute must. There’s the ancient city of Roselle and the Diaccia Botrona wetlands – they’re all connected by a big network of cycle paths, so a day’s sightseeing becomes its own active adventure. The green open spaces here are an idyllic contrast to the cities you stay in along this route, so you get the best of both. Florence is next on the list for two nights, followed by Milan and Paris via Zurich to break up the journey home as well.  

 If you want to find out more about Maremma, read more.  

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Author: Lily (she/her)
Last updated: 21/03/2025