Air Travel

Rome is the most convenient destination for travel into and out of Italy as flights are often cheaper compared to other destinations and there are a number of airlines offering regular international flights, including Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Emirates, among others.

Alternative airport destinations include Florence (30 minutes from Prato), Bologna (1 hour from Prato), Pisa (1 hour and 50 minutes from Prato) and Milan (3 hours from Prato).

• Arriving from Rome

Italy's rail network offers regular convenient connections between Rome and Prato. The journey between Roma Termini (downtown Rome) will take approx 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the journey between Rome (Fiumicino) Airport will take approx 3 hours and 25 minutes. For more information, see the Fiumicino Airport web site.

• Arriving from Florence

Taxis and regular bus services run between Prato and Florence (Peretola) Airport. A one-way taxi fare from Florence airport to the Monash Centre can cost between 40-50 euro. Alternatively, there is a bus operated by either CAP or Lazzi bus company which departs every half hour just outside the airport and arrives at Prato Centrale railway station. For more information, see the Florence (Peretola) Airport web site.

• Arriving from Pisa

Pisa Airport is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from Prato by train, or 70 minutes by Terravision bus from Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station, Florence). For more information, see the Pisa Airport web site and the Terravision bus web site.

• Arriving from Bologna
  

Bologna Centrale station is approximately 1 hour from Prato, the Bologna Airport is an additional 30 minute bus or taxi ride. For more information, see the Bologna Airport web site.

• Arriving from Milan

Milano Centrale station (downtown Milan) is approximately 3 hours from Prato. The journey between Milan's Malpensa Airport and Prato is approximately 4 hours. For more information, see the Malpensa Airport web site .

All these airports have services for Italian and European connections.

Train Travel

Prato is well connected by train to Florence (30 mins), Bologna (1 hour), Pisa (1 ½ hours), Lucca (1 hour), Rome (2 hours), Venice and Milan (3 hours), making it an excellent base from which to explore Italy.

Detailed train timetables are available online at the Trenitalia web site – www.trenitalia.com.

Eurail passes are available in a multitude of validities and flexibility and can be purchased online (www.trainticket.com.au) or through your local travel agent. Please be aware, Eurail passes must be purchased from outside of the country of travel.

The Monash University Prato Centre is in the centre of the old town of Prato and is within walking distance of both train stations - five minutes walk from Prato Porta Al Serraglio and 15 minutes walk from Prato Centrale. 

See map with train stations, hotels and Prato Centre shown (Google maps)