The Italian state railway is Ferrovie dello Stato (tel: 892 020 or (199) 166 177; website: www.trenitalia.com), which is reliable and fairly priced, although hefty supplements can be added depending on the type of train (Diretto, Inter-Regionale or InterCity and InterCity Plus). By law, passengers must validate their train tickets, by stamping them in the yellow machines on the platform before boarding - failure to do so can result in a large fine.

Services operate from the central train station in Florence, Santa Maria Novella or Firenze SMN, 1 Piazza Unita'Italiana, which is known as Piazza della Stazione (tel: (055) 892 021). Situated in the north of the city, the station takes its name from the nearby church and provides a good orientation point. Facilities include an all-night pharmacy, a bureau de change, left-luggage and an accommodation booking service. The squat building at the far end of the station complex is a tourist information office.

Rail services: Florence is on the main Rome-Milan line, which ensures a fast service to Italy's most important business and tourist centres. Services include the EuroStar Italia, with links to Milan (journey time - 2 hours 45 minutes) and Rome (journey time - 1 hour 40 minutes) and the express service, which links the city to Naples (journey time - 3 hours 40 minutes). Services are subject to supplementary fares. For rail access to ports, there are regular direct trains to Venice  (journey time - 2 hours 50 minutes) and to Genoa, changing at Pisa (journey time - 3 hours 41 minutes).  International train services link Florence to more than 40 other European destinations, including Paris, Zurich, and Munich.