The following information is taken from the Monash Univerisity Prato site.
The Monash University Prato Centre, housed in Palazzo Vaj, is in the centre of the old town of Prato, only two minutes away from the city's cathedral and walking distance from both train stations (Prato Porta Al Serraglio and Prato Centrale). Prato is 25 minutes from Florence by train.
Prato city map (pdf, 1 page, 372kb)
On foot
Palazzo Vaj is located in the heart of the medieval centre, a 15 minute walk from the main Prato Centrale train station and a 5 minute walk from the smaller station Prato Porta Serraglio. See maps.
By car
Take the A1 from Florence, follow indications for the A11 at Firenze nord take the exit at Prato est, head towards Prato-Vaiano-Vernio-Castiglione della Pescaia-Montemurlo-Questura. Exting the pay toll station take the central, upper lane which turns into Viale Leonardo Da Vinci. Shortly after the second roundabout turn right into Via Carlo Marx which becomes Via Don Giuseppe Arcangeli and then Via Frascati. Turn left into Via San Jacopo. Turn first right on Via Dante which ends right into Piazza Santa Maria Delle Carceri. Pay parking is available there. Walk to Via Pugliesi.
For street maps and advice on driving routes visit either the ViaMichelin or Google Maps.
By train
Prato is a 25 minute train ride from Florence. Train timetables are available online at the Trenitalia website.
By bus
Prato can also be reached from Florence by bus; CAP and Lazzi buses depart from outside the main Florence train station. If arriving at Prato Centrale railway station, you can take the LAM bus 'Direzione Nenni' to Piazza delle Carceri, bus stop 'Carceri 2', located 200 metres from the Monash Centre.
By air: 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 website.
By air: 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 website and the Terravision bus website.
By air: 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 website.
All these airports have services for Italian and European connections.
Street maps: Prato city map (pdf, 1 page, 372kb)
For street maps and route itineraries visit the ViaMichelin or Google Maps.
See the Monash Univerisity Prato site for related links.