Getting to Chianti wine region from Florence
Figuring out how to actually get from Florence to Chianti is not rocket science, but it's also not as obvious as booking a train to Venice. The region is spread out across hills with no single "Chianti station" to aim for.
This page breaks down every real option - guided tours, driving yourself, trains (sort of), buses (they exist but...), and taxis. We cover actual times, real costs, and which choice fits different types of travelers so you dont waste hours googling the same question in five different ways.
Florence to Chianti - Distance and travel time
- From Florence center: 25 - 50 km depending on which part of Chianti you're heading to
- By organized tour: 8 - 10 hours roundtrip including stops, tastings, and lunch
- By car: 30 - 60 minutes to reach first vineyards, add more if you're aiming deeper like Radda or Gaiole
- By train: Not direct - you'd go Florence to Poggibonsi (1 hour) then bus or taxi
- By bus: 1.5 - 2 hours to towns like Greve, limited schedules
- By taxi: 40 - 90 minutes one way, expensive but flexible
Chianti is not one place, it's a wine zone covering multiple villages and valleys. "How far is Chianti" depends on where exactly you want to go.
Getting to Chianti by guided tour
This is how most people visit Chianti from Florence and for good reason. A tour picks you up from your hotel or a central meeting point, drives you through the countryside, handles all the winery bookings, feeds you lunch, and drops you back in the city by early evening. You dont worry about parking, drinking and driving, GPS failing on dirt roads, or showing up at an estate that's closed because you didnt call ahead. For more details on what to expect from different tour styles, see our guide to Chianti wine tours.
Tours range from big buses with 40+ people (cheaper, more impersonal) to small vans with 8 - 12 travelers (costs more, way better experience). Private tours exist if you want total control over timing and stops - think couples who hate crowds or groups with specific dietary needs.
- Duration: Most full-day tours run 8 - 10 hours, half-days about 5 hours
- Cost: Small group tours 90 - 180 USD per person, private 300 - 600+ depending on group size
- Best for: First-timers, wine lovers who want to taste without worrying about driving, anyone who values convenience
- What's included: Transport, guide, winery visits with tastings, sometimes lunch and olive oil stops
- Downsides: You follow someone else's schedule. If you hate the first winery, tough luck you're staying for the full hour. If you love the second one, too bad the bus leaves at 3pm sharp.
Driving to Chianti from Florence
Renting a car and driving yourself gives maximum freedom. Leave when you want, stop at random viewpoints, skip wineries that look too touristy, linger at lunch for three hours if you feel like it. The main road is SR222 (Strada Chiantigiana) which snakes south from Florence through Greve, Panzano, Castellina, and eventually hits Siena. It's scenic as hell, two lanes, lots of curves.
- Duration: 30 - 60 minutes from Florence to first proper vineyard areas, longer if traffic or you're exploring side roads
- Cost: Car rental 40 - 80 USD/day, fuel maybe 15 - 20 USD, parking usually free at estates but some charge 5 euros
- Best for: Experienced drivers comfortable with narrow roads, groups where one person stays sober, photographers who want flexibility
- Navigation: Google Maps works fine on main roads, gets confused on dirt estate driveways
- Real talk: Italian country roads are narrow. Like, two cars barely fit and locals drive fast even on blind curves. If you're not confident with stick shift or tight spaces, maybe skip this. Also wineries require appointments now - you can't just roll up and expect a tasting. Call ahead or book online.
- Drinking and driving: Italy's legal limit is 0.05% BAC, lower than most US states. Cops do random checks, especially in wine areas on weekends. If you're driving, either taste and spit (yes really) or limit yourself to one glass over several hours. Or designate a sober driver from your group.
Planning to grab lunch while exploring? Check our Chianti restaurants guide for trattorias and winery dining spots worth the detour.
Getting to Chianti by train
There is no train station in "Chianti" because Chianti is not one town. The closest you can get by train from Florence is Poggibonsi, which is technically on the edge of the wine region. From Florence Santa Maria Novella it takes about 50 - 70 minutes depending on whether you catch a Regionale or Regionale Veloce train.
Once you're in Poggibonsi you still need to reach actual wineries and villages. Local buses exist but run infrequently - maybe a few times per day to places like Castellina or Radda. Taxis are available but add cost and hassle. Some people do this, but honestly it eats a lot of time and mental energy.
- Duration: 1 hour Florence to Poggibonsi, then +30 - 60 min by bus or taxi to your final destination
- Cost: Train ticket 5 - 8 euros one way, local bus 2 - 4 euros, taxi from Poggibonsi to a winery 20 - 40 euros depending on distance
- Best for: Budget travelers, people with lots of time, those who enjoy figuring out public transport
- Frequency: Trains run roughly hourly, buses from Poggibonsi are much less frequent
- Why we dont usually recommend this: For the time and hassle involved, you could just book a tour or rent a car. Unless you're on a super tight budget or genuinely love Italian regional buses, this option adds stress without much payoff.
Taking a bus from Florence to Chianti
Direct buses from Florence to Chianti villages do exist. The main operator is Busitalia (part of Trenitalia). Routes typically leave from Florence's Autostazione (main bus terminal near Santa Maria Novella station) and head to towns like Greve in Chianti, Panzano, Radda, Gaiole.
Travel time varies wildly - Greve might be 1.5 hours, Radda closer to 2 hours because the bus stops in every tiny village along the way. Schedules are not frequent. Maybe 3 - 5 buses per day depending on the route, fewer on weekends. You really need to plan your day around departure times or you'll be stuck waiting for hours.
- Duration: 1.5 - 2.5 hours depending on destination and number of stops
- Cost: 4 - 7 euros one way, round trip around 10 euros
- Best for: Budget travelers, people staying overnight in Chianti who dont need to rush back
- Where to buy tickets: Autostazione ticket office, some tobacco shops (tabacchi), or Busitalia website
- Frequency: Limited, check Busitalia timetables in advance
- Getting around once you arrive: If you take a bus to Greve, you can walk around the town easily. But wineries outside the village center are not walkable - you'd need to arrange a taxi or book a winery tour that includes pickup. Some agriturismos and hotels offer shuttle services if you're staying with them.
Taxi or private transfer from Florence to Chianti
This is the most expensive option but also the most flexible. You book a taxi or private driver, they pick you up at your hotel, drive you wherever you want to go, wait while you tour and taste, then bring you back. It's like a private tour but without the guide - just transport.
Costs vary based on distance and how long you keep the driver. A half-day (4 - 5 hours) might run 150 - 250 euros total for the vehicle, full day (8 hours) 300 - 450 euros. That's total not per person, so if you're a group of 4 it's actually reasonable. Solo travelers or couples will find this pricey compared to a small group tour.
- Duration: 30 - 60 minutes each way, plus however long you want to spend in Chianti
- Cost: Half-day 150 - 250 euros, full day 300 - 450 euros for the vehicle (not per person)
- Best for: Groups of 3 - 6 people, travelers with mobility issues, anyone who wants flexibility without driving
- How to book: Ask your hotel concierge, use apps like Welcome Pickups or Daytrip, or search "private transfer Florence to Chianti"
- What you still need to arrange: Winery visits and tastings. The driver just does transport - you have to call estates in advance and book your own slots. Some drivers know wineries and can make suggestions, but they're not tour guides with pre-arranged access.
Compare your transport options
| Transport | Travel Time | Cost | Best For | Main Pros & Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Tour | 8 - 10 hours roundtrip | €90 - 180 per person | First-timers, wine enthusiasts, convenience seekers | All-inclusive, no logistics stress, expert guide. But fixed schedule, group pace. |
| Rental Car | 30 - 60 min each way | €40 - 80/day + fuel | Confident drivers, groups with designated driver | Total freedom, scenic routes, stop anywhere. Narrow roads, drinking limits, need appointments. |
| Train + Bus/Taxi | 1 - 1.5 hours to Poggibonsi + connections | €5 - 8 train + €2 - 40 local transport | Budget travelers, public transport fans | Cheap, scenic train ride. Not direct, infrequent connections, time-consuming. |
| Direct Bus | 1.5 - 2.5 hours | €4 - 7 one way | Budget travelers, overnight stays | Very cheap, direct to villages. Limited schedules, slow, estates need separate transport. |
| Private Taxi/Transfer | 30 - 60 min each way | €150 - 450 for vehicle | Groups of 3 - 6, flexible travelers | Maximum flexibility, door-to-door. Expensive for solos/couples, you arrange own tastings. |
Getting around within Chianti once you arrive
So you made it to a Chianti village - Greve, Radda, Castellina, wherever. Now what? The town centers are tiny and walkable. You can explore the main piazza, grab an espresso, peek into wine shops. But the wineries, viewpoints, and next villages are not walking distance. We're talking 3 - 10 km between points on winding roads with no sidewalks.
- Local taxis: Small towns have a few taxis. Not Uber, actual taxis you call or find at a stand. They're useful for short hops between estates or villages. Ask at your hotel or look for taxi numbers posted at the bus stop.
- Rental bikes/e-bikes: Some shops in Greve and other towns rent bikes. E-bikes make the hills manageable. It's a beautiful way to see the countryside but you're limited in range and weather-dependent. Not practical if you're tasting heavily.
- Winery shuttles: A few bigger estates offer pickup from nearby towns if you book a tour or lunch with them. Always ask when you make your reservation.
- Honestly: If you're serious about visiting multiple wineries and viewpoints, you either need a car or you should've booked a tour. Public transport inside Chianti is minimal. Walking is lovely but impractical for anything beyond the immediate town you're in.
Interactive Chianti Travel Map
Navigate the Florence to Chianti route with marked distances, travel times, and main access roads for planning your trip.
What you can see on the map
- Major wineries that accept visitors with advance booking.
- Key towns like Greve, Radda, Castellina with services and restaurants.
- Scenic viewpoints worth a photo stop.
- SR222 Chiantigiana - the main Florence to Siena wine route.
Practical tips for getting to Chianti from Florence
- Book wineries in advance: Most estates require reservations now, especially small family-run places. Calling the day before rarely works in high season.
- Start early: Whether you're driving or on a tour, leaving Florence by 9am gives you the whole day. Afternoon starts feel rushed and you hit traffic coming back.
- Check schedules: If you're using buses or trains, look up timetables days before, not the morning of. Weekend schedules differ and some routes don't run Sundays.
- Bring cash: Smaller villages and farm stands don't always take cards. 30 - 50 euros in small bills covers parking, snacks, tips.
- GPS can fail: On tiny estate roads, Google Maps sometimes gives up. Download offline maps or have a backup like Maps.me. Better yet, call the winery and ask for directions from the nearest town.
- Lunch reservations matter: Good restaurants in Chianti fill fast, especially weekends in summer. If you're driving yourself, book a lunch spot when you book your winery visits.
- Weather changes quickly: Hills mean microclimates. Morning sun can turn to afternoon clouds and rain. Bring a light jacket even if Florence looks clear.
- Return traffic: Sunday evenings especially, SR222 backs up with locals and tourists heading back to Florence or Siena. Add 30 minutes buffer to your expected return time.
Common questions about getting to Chianti
What's the fastest way to reach Chianti from Florence?
Driving yourself takes 30 - 45 minutes to the first vineyard areas near Greve. A taxi or private transfer is similar. Tours take longer because they're designed for full-day experiences with multiple stops.
Can I visit Chianti as a half-day trip from Florence?
You can, but it feels rushed. Half-day tours usually hit one winery and maybe a quick village stop. If that's all your schedule allows, fine, but a full day is way more satisfying.
Do I need an international driving permit to rent a car in Italy?
Technically yes if your license is not from an EU country. Some rental companies don't check, but police can fine you if you're driving without one. Get it from AAA (US) or equivalent before your trip - it's like 20 bucks.
Are there direct public buses from Florence to Chianti wineries?
Buses go to towns like Greve or Radda, not to individual wineries. From the town you'd need a taxi or prearranged pickup. It's doable but adds complexity and waiting time.
How much does a private driver from Florence to Chianti cost?
Half-day (4 - 5 hours) runs 150 - 250 euros for the vehicle, full day 300 - 450 euros. Split between 4 people that's not bad. Solo travelers will find this expensive compared to tours.
Can I Uber from Florence to Chianti?
Uber exists in Florence but coverage in rural Chianti is spotty. You might get a ride there but good luck getting one back from a random winery. Traditional taxis or pre-booked private transfers are more reliable.
Is the SR222 Chiantigiana road safe to drive?
Yes, but it's narrow and winding. Locals drive fast and sometimes pass on curves. If you're not used to European country roads or manual transmission, it can be stressful. Drive defensively and take it slow.
Should I stay overnight in Chianti or daytrip from Florence?
If you're doing one day, base yourself in Florence for convenience. Two or more days, stay in Chianti so you can enjoy evenings in the villages and not commute. Agriturismos are lovely if you want the full countryside vibe.