Siena Transportation

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Italy has a reputation for crazy drivers, particularly in places like Rome and Naples. As we were not visiting any big cities during out visit in Sep 2006, we decided to brave driving in Italy, and I am pleased to say it all went without a hitch. Though, I must admit that driving in the teaming rain on the truck-infested autostrada wasn't my idea of fun....however being able to really get off the beaten track in Tuscany was so worth it!

Driving into Siena is a little bit daunting....but we managed ok and ended up getting to one of the large parking stations without too much stress. We decided to head for the first parking station that we saw signs to as didn't want to end up driving around for hours looking for the "best park". By fluke we ended up in Il Campo parking area, which was one of the closest to the centre of the action.

If you are not driving to Siena, you can get there by train. Siena isn't on a main train line, so you will have to change at Chiusi (to/from Rome) or Empoli (to/from Florence).

There are plenty of buses into Siena, arriving/departing from Piazza Gramsci, from places such as Florence, San Gimignano, Rome & Milan (and plenty of other smaller places). There are several services a day.

I have now been to Italy several times and have travelled around this fabulous country by train most of the time.

Once you get the hang of it, train travel in Italy is easy. It is also a great way to see the beautiful countryside on the way to your next destination.

I have travelled a couple of times using a rail pass, but the last couple of visits have just purchased tickets for each individual trip as we went.

That said, we often have purchased tickets a day or two in advance - particularly if the particular train requires a seat reservation, or if it is a busy time of year.

Purchasing a little in advance also means that you don't miss the train you want to catch due to a huuuuuge queue for tickets....

You could try buying your tickets from the automatic ticket machines at the stations - we have found them quick and easy to use.

Also, I have travelled both first and second class, and didn't really find much difference - travel second class and you can use the extra money to buy more wine/food etc

Just remember with all tickets that you need to validate them in the small yellow ticket machines before you board your train.

Once you've reached Siena, you should take the bus from the train station to the town proper. You can purchase bus tickets very cheaply from the convenience shop inside the train station. To find the bus stop, you have to turn LEFT upon exiting the train station and go to the base of the hill. Almost any bus will take you to the old town. Be careful, however, to get off the bus in time as there are three stops which are convenient to the old town and they aren't well marked or announced to passengers (we got off in a big parking lot).

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we took the bus from florence bus station to siena.there are 2 buses which run every half an hour that run to siena "siena directta via poggibonsi and colle val d`elsa which was the service we took the time taken to reach siena was about a 1 hour and 30 minutes through beautiful tusacn countryside (cost for 2 return 18 euros excellant value)

there is also the rapide service from florence bus station which takes the autostrada route
and takes a 1hour 20 mintes this direct no stopping till siena

If you take the train to Rome from Siena, I believe you have to change in Florence. If you take the bus, you will go directly to Rome and you are let off at the main train station, unless they have changed that since I have been there.

To go to Siena from Florence, the quickest and most convenient way is the SITA bus which you can get at the SITA Bus Terminal at 17 Via S. Caterina da Siena across from the train station. There are two busses, SIENA DIRETTA' and the 'SIENA RAPIDA. One of them takes about an hour and the other a couple of hours so make sure, before you board, that you ask which one takes the least time. The train takes more time, stops outside the walls, and will take you about 20 minutes to walk into the center.

There's an autostrada highway direct from Florence (it has no route number; follow the green autostrada signs toward Siena), or you can take the more scenic routes, down the old Via Cassia SS2 or the Chiantigiana SS222 through the Chianti. From Rome get off the A1 north at the Val di Chiana exit and follow the SS326 west for 50 kilometers (31 miles). The SS223 runs 70 kilometers (43 miles) here from Grosetto in the Maremma. From Pisa take the highway toward Florence and exit onto the SS429 south at Empoli (100km/62 miles total).

Trying to drive into the one-way and pedestrian-zoned center isn't worth the massive headache. Siena parking (tel. 0577/22-871) is now coordinated, and all the lots charge 2,500L (1.30€, $1.25) per hour or 40,000L (21€, $20) per day--though almost every hotel has a discount deal with the nearest one for anywhere from 40% to 100% off--and are well signposted, with locations just inside city gates' Porta Tufi (the huge and popular Il Campo lot, though it's a 20-minute walk from the Campo!), Porta San Marco, and Porta Romana; under the Fortezza (another large lot) and around La Lizza park (the latter closed market Wed and soccer Sun); and at Piazza Amendola (just outside the northern gate Porta Camollia). Ask your hotel about parking when booking--many have deals with one of these lots to get you anywhere from 50% to 100% off. You can park for free a bit farther away around the unguarded back (northwest) side of the Fortezza all week long. There's also free parking outside the southeast end of town at Due Ponti (beyond Porta Pispini) and Coroncina (beyond Porta Romana); from both you can get a pollicino (minibus) into

By Bus
Because buses from Florence are faster and let you off right in town, they're more convenient than trains. Tra-in runs express (19 daily; 75 min.) and slower buses (18 daily, 90 min. to 2 hr.) from Florence's SITA station to Siena's Piazza San Domenico or Piazza Gramsci. Siena is also connected with San Gimignano (hourly Mon-Sat; change in Poggibonsi; 55-65 min. not including layover), Volterra (3 daily; change in Colle di Val d'Elsa; 40 min. each leg), Massa Marittima (3 daily; 80 min.), Perugia (2-4 daily; 85 min.), and Rome's Tiburtina station (5-7 daily; 2 hr. 47 min.).