Public transport between Siena and San Quirico d`Orcia, and between San Quirico d`Orcia and Montalcino/Montepulciano

[Gabby]

In early May, we will go to Southern Tuscany. We plan to use public transportation. Based on our research, it seems possible to follow our itinerary by bus, but we’d love to hear from anyone with experience!
Here’s our planned itinerary:

• • Sunday-Monday: 2 nights in Siena (taking a bus or train from Rome Airport to Siena)
  • Tuesday: Travel by bus from Siena to San Quirico d’Orcia
  • Tuesday-Saturday: Spend 4 nights in San Quirico d’Orcia, making day trips by local bus to Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano and Bagno Vignoni. (as an alternative is it easy to catch a taxi between the mentioned small towns?)
  • Saturday: Take the bus from San Quirico d’Orcia to Florence (we understand that we we need to change in Siena?)

Does this seem feasible? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

 

[Lourdes]

Ciao Gabby,

The itinerary is possible with public transportation, just be armed with a lot of patience as the public system is not based on the needs of visitors but for workers and, for now, that means bus times are concentrated in morning and later afternoon so you have to be super careful in not missing them - otherwise, you'll find yourself stranded.

Here are some ideas based on your current plans:
- the ride between Rome and Siena is best done by BUS - it will be more "direct" that the train. There are no trains that go to Siena directly, you need to make a few train changes along the way depending on time there are various "routes" given (for example, you might have to go to Florence first and then get another train to go back south toward Siena). So I would suggest you check out Flix bus service, while the departure/arrival areas aren't always super convenient, at least the bus will be direct between Siena and Rome and save travel time as compared to trains.
---> so a possibility could be to add Florence to the start of your time in Tuscany, rather than the end. That way you can take the train to Florence, stay a few days and then move to Siena/San Quirico after.

- there are buses from Siena to San Quirico d'Orcia and from there to local towns in the Val d'Orcia --- but they aren't that many overall as I mentioned above, most are concentrated in early morning and then afternoons, so just check the bus timetables and plan accordingly. Taxis between these towns are non-existent, to be honest. There might be local drivers that are licensed and can act as "ubers" but they won't be cheap.

- another possibility is that you rent a car for just the few days you will be in Tuscany, for the Val d'Orcia. If you don't feel like driving right from the get go, this gives you time to settle into Italy first. Driving in the countryside is much more pleasurable than any Italian city/town. So you could rent out of Siena, go explore the Val d'Orcia and return the car to Siena, from there get on train or bus to your next destination.

What do you think of these suggestions? Let me know if you have any other questions!