In short: Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Bologna and Arezzo are all easy day trips from Santa Maria Novella. Leave your big suitcase in a locker 4 minutes from the station, travel with a small bag, and collect your luggage when you’re back, before 23:00.
Florence is the best base for exploring Tuscany by public transport. But if you’re changing hotels, arriving with luggage, or leaving Florence the same evening, a suitcase turns a relaxed day trip into a struggle with station stairs, crowded regional trains and medieval streets. Here’s how to do it hands-free.
The easiest day trips from Santa Maria Novella
| Destination | How | Approx. journey |
|---|---|---|
| Pisa | Regional train from SMN | about 1 hour |
| Lucca | Regional train from SMN | about 1 h 20 min |
| Siena | Fast bus (often quicker) or regional train | about 1 h 15 min – 1 h 30 min |
| Bologna | High-speed train from SMN | about 40 min |
| Arezzo | Regional train from SMN | about 40 min – 1 hour |
Journey times vary by train type and time of day; check the timetable on Trenitalia or on the bus operator’s website before you go.
Why leave your luggage in Florence
- Pisa: the walk from Pisa Centrale to the Leaning Tower takes about 25 minutes through the town centre, much nicer without wheels.
- Lucca: the best experience is walking or cycling on the city walls. Impossible with a suitcase.
- Siena: a hill town of steep streets and steps around Piazza del Campo.
- Bologna: porticoes and food markets are best enjoyed with free hands.
How to organise the day
- Register online and get your access code.
- Drop your bags at Via Palazzuolo 170 from 7:00: exit on the right side of the platforms and walk straight along Via degli Orti Oricellari (about 4 minutes).
- Catch your train or bus with only a day bag.
- Come back to Florence and collect your bags before 23:00, then continue to your hotel, train or airport.
Plan your return: we close at 23:00. Choose a return train that gets you to Santa Maria Novella by 22:30 to collect your bags without stress.
Cost for a day trip
A day trip usually means 8–12 hours of storage, so the 24-hour rate is the one to use: €15.90 for a medium locker (one large suitcase or two trolleys) or €18.90 for a large one (two large suitcases or four trolleys). If you sleep elsewhere and come back the next day, each extra day costs €9.90 or €10.90.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave my luggage in Florence while I sleep in Siena or Pisa?
Yes. Your bags stay in your locker; you pay the 24-hour rate plus the daily rate for each extra day.
What if my train back is delayed after 23:00?
Your locker stays closed and your bags safe. You can collect them from 7:00 the next morning, paying the extra time.
What’s the best day trip for a first visit?
Pisa and Lucca combine well in one day by train; Siena is better on its own day.
Explore Tuscany with a light bag: register and get your code.
Cover image: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (source)
