- Must visit
Museo Archeologico Nazionale Dinu Adamesteanu
Potenza’s main archaeological museum displays Lucanian and Roman finds and is essential for understanding Basilicata’s ancient history.
Cheapest price
$54
Average price
$68
Fastest journey
10 h 55 m
Average duration
11 h 51 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
512 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza will cost around $68 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $54.
Of the 2 trains that leave Florence Santa Maria Novella for Potenza on Fri, Jul 17, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 17 the direct trains cover the 512 km distance in an average of 11 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 10 h 55 m .
On Fri, Jul 17 the slowest trains will take 12 h 47 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $29. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 21m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $29, and a flight costs an average of $21.
Distance: 318 miles (512 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$68 Average price | $56 Average price Cheapest | $126 Average price | $170 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 42m Average total duration 5h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 10m Average total duration 7h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 21m Average total duration Fastest 4h 21m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 46m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza:
A bus is $11 (€9) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza costing on average $68 (€56).
A bus is $70 (€57) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza costing on average $126 (€104).
Other travel options to Potenza take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 12m.
Bus takes on average 7h 40m.
The journey is about 34m faster (5h 12m by train vs 5h 46m by car) and roughly $102 (€84) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($68 (€56) vs $170 (€140)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Frecciarossa.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza trains for today, Wednesday, July 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:40 PM Florence Santa Maria Novella | 13h02 | 7:42 AM Potenza | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza run on average 20 times per day, taking around 5h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $47 (€38) but you can travel from only $21 (€17) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 11:14, the last at 23:40. The fastest train covers the 318 miles (512 km) distance in 5h 16m.
Distance 318 miles (512 km) |
Average train duration 5h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price $47 (€38) |
Trains per day 20 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 5h 16m |
First train 11:14 AM |
Last train 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Potenza — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Potenza trip today.
Potenza’s main archaeological museum displays Lucanian and Roman finds and is essential for understanding Basilicata’s ancient history.
A contemporary art museum in Palazzo Loffredo featuring works from the 20th and 21st centuries in a refined historic setting.
A focused archaeology venue highlighting local discoveries and giving added context to Potenza’s prehistory and early settlements.
Potenza’s main pedestrian street is lined with shops and historic buildings and is the essential route through the city center.
The historic center itself is worth exploring for its stairways, churches, and layered urban landscape spread across the ridge.
A central square near the cathedral, good for orientation and for experiencing everyday life in Potenza’s historic core.
Baked pasta layered with ragù, meatballs, eggs and cheese. A festive Lucanian Sunday dish linked to family celebrations across Basilicata.
Fresh pasta made with toasted breadcrumbs, often called poor man’s cheese, usually served with garlic, oil and peperoni cruschi. A Basilicata classic.
Sweet dried red peppers from nearby Senise, fried briefly until crisp. They are an iconic Basilicata ingredient used in pasta, meat and snack dishes.
Refined restaurant known for Lucanian cuisine with a modern touch, attentive service and a polished atmosphere suited to a special dinner.
Well-regarded traditional venue serving regional dishes and local ingredients in a warm, rustic setting popular for authentic Basilicata flavors.
Casual local favorite for classic southern Italian and Lucanian cooking, with a straightforward atmosphere and dependable hearty plates.
Moderate for Italy. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Rome or Florence, while local buses and everyday coffee remain affordable for visitors.
Tipping is modest. Service may be included; round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service. Taxis are usually rounded up, and small change at cafés is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Potenza Centrale -> Piazza Mario Pagano, Potenza
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Potenza, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Florence Santa Maria Novella to Potenza trains use the Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Potenza Centrale station pair, with some services arriving at Potenza Superiore. Use this guide to compare Florence Santa Maria Novella and Potenza train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella is 1 km from Florence city centre. Public transport options include:
Firenze Santa Maria Novella has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: 12oz Coffee Joint, Casa Maioli, Don Nino, Fratelli Cuore, McDonald´s, Panella, Segafredo Zanetti, Spizzico, Venchi, & many more
Free WiFi (30 minutes limit). ATMs are located in the basement in the shopping center next to the Feltrinelli bookshop and between Celio and Mango shops.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 21:00. Information desks are located inside and outside the station.
Luggage storage is provided by KiPoint and located on the ground floor, on the side of Piazza Adua. Open daily from 06:00 to 23:00.
Available at Firenze Santa Maria Novella: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Firenze Santa Maria Novella: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Firenze Santa Maria Novella: Elevators, escalators, step-free access. Mobility assistance is available with the Sala Blu, located next to Platform 1.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Luxor Florence, Joy Hotel Florence, Diplomat Hotel Florence.
Potenza Centrale is 1 km from Potenza city centre. Public transport options include:
Potenza Centrale has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante Al Duomo, Trattoria Al Vecchio Scarpone
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Potenza Centrale. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Potenza Centrale. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Potenza Centrale: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Potenza Centrale: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Potenza Centrale: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Grande Albergo Potenza, Park Hotel Centro Congressi, Hotel Pretoria.
Potenza Superiore has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, and Hotel.
Food and drink options are available at Potenza Superiore.
ATMs are available at Potenza Superiore.
Available at Potenza Superiore: Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Potenza Superiore.
Potenza, Universita has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Accessibility, and Hotel.
Food and drink options are available at Potenza, Universita.
Available at Potenza, Universita: Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Potenza, Universita.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need