Florence to Prato Trains from €2.78

Thanks to its beguiling blend of medieval and Renaissance architecture, the peaceful city of Prato is a must-do day trip from Florence. And getting there by train couldn't be easier — there are countless departures throughout the day and the journey takes around 20 minutes.

Departure stations: Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Firenze Castello, or Firenze Rifredi

Firenze Santa Maria Novella

Firenze Santa Maria Novella is Florence’s main station and is on the edge of the historic centre at around a 10-minute walk from the Duomo. From here, there are around 6 trains per hour to Prato, with the fastest taking just shy of 20 minutes to Prato Centrale and around 25 minutes to Porta al Serraglio.

You’ll need to show your ticket to an inspector at the platform gates, so have your e-ticket ready on your phone. Some platforms are a few minutes’ walk from the main hall, too, so it's a good idea to arrive about 15 minutes before your departure to get your bearings.

As for facilities, you’ll find cafés and fast-food counters on the main concourse. If you skipped breakfast or fancy elevenses, be sure to grab something before you board, as there’s no food or drink for sale on the train.

Firenze Castello

Firenze Castello is a small suburban station on the north-western outskirts of Florence, about 10 minutes up the line from Santa Maria Novella. The slower stopping services from Santa Maria Novella to Prato call here and there are around 2 departures per hour.

The station's in a residential area near the Medici villas of Castello and La Petraia, so it’s handy if you’re staying out that way or want to combine the villas and Prato into one day trip. Simply hop off here from Santa Maria Novella and then hop back on once you've seen them.

As it’s a smaller station, facilities are limited, too. There are no lifts to the platforms or left luggage, so try to travel light if you're departing from here.

Firenze Rifredi

Firenze Rifredi is a suburban station in the north of Florence and about 2 miles away from the Duomo and the old town. Most of Regionale's trains to Prato call here 5 to 10 minutes after leaving Santa Maria Novella, so it’s handy if you’re staying out that way and don’t fancy heading into the centre first. It’s also where you’ll catch Intercity services to Prato.

That said, if you’re staying in the historic centre, it’s rarely worth the trek out to Rifredi for a faster train. By the time you’ve caught a taxi or another train out here, you’ll have lost any time you’d have saved on board.

Arrival stations: Arriving in Prato

When you arrive in Prato, you’ve got two stations to choose from: Prato Centrale and Prato Porta al Serraglio. The good news is that most trains from Florence stop at both, with Prato Centrale the first stop and then Porta al Serraglio 3 to 4 minutes later.

You’ll pay the same fare either way, so if you’re sightseeing, it’s worth staying on until Porta al Serraglio. Here’s what you need to know about each one:

Prato Centrale

Prato Centrale is the town’s main station and every service from Florence stops here. Keep in mind, though, that it’s just outside the old town, so you’re looking at around a 15-minute walk to Piazza del Duomo if you get off here. If you’d rather not walk, you’ll find taxis waiting outside.

As the city's main station, you’ll find plenty of facilities here, including a ticket office, a café and a pharmacy. There’s also a tourist information point, where you can pick up a map and get local tips and advice.

Prato Porta al Serraglio

While it's a smaller station, Prato Porta al Serraglio is actually your best bet for sightseeing as it's right next to the old town walls and the main attractions. When stepping off the train, you're just a 5-minute walk away from Piazza del Duomo.

For this station, ensure you search for "Prato Porta al Serraglio" when booking using the TrainPal journey planner. Most services to Pistoia, Montecatini Terme, Lucca or Viareggio call here, while trains to Bologna don't.

Facilities are more basic than at Centrale (this is a smaller station, after all), but you'll find plenty of cafés and bars nearby in the old town to fuel up before you start your day. Just be aware that there’s no left luggage here, so leave your bags at your hotel in Florence before you set off.

Regionale trains

Regionale caters mainly to commuters and residents travelling short distances. You can't reserve seats on these services, either, and they can get busy during weekday mornings and evenings. So, for a more comfortable journey, you’re best to head off mid-morning or early afternoon instead.

• Avg. duration: Under 20 minutes to Prato Centrale on the fastest trains, or around 30 minutes on trains with more stops. Add another 3 to 4 minutes if you’re going on to Porta al Serraglio.
• Classes: Standard seating only, with unreserved seats.
• Luggage: Free, with no size limits. You’ll just need to keep your bags in the overhead racks, under your seat or in the space by the doors without blocking the aisle. Trains can get busy during rush hour.
• Connectivity: There’s no Wi-Fi on board, so you’ll need to use your own mobile data. You’ll only find plug sockets on newer trains, too.
• Frequency: Around 3 trains an hour from Santa Maria Novella for most of the day.
• Ticket types: A fixed fare of £2.82 and there’s no need to print or validate it — just show the e-ticket on your phone. Kids aged 4 to 11 pay half and under 4s travel free if they sit on your lap.

Intercity trains

Intercity will get you to Prato a little quicker and in more comfort, but it’s only really worth it if you’re staying in the north of Florence. That’s because most of these trains leave from Firenze Rifredi rather than Santa Maria Novella, and fares cost more than double what you’ll pay on Regionale. Just keep in mind that Intercity trains don’t continue to Porta al Serraglio, either, so you'll need to walk around 15 minutes from Prato Centrale into the old town when you arrive.

• Avg. duration: 11 to 16 minutes
• Departure stations: Firenze Rifredi (4 trains per day), Santa Maria Novella (1 train per day)
• Best for: Anyone staying in the north of Florence or travelling with heavy bags and wanting a guaranteed seat
• Onboard perks: Every ticket comes with a reserved seat, so you won't have to stand. Choice of classes, including Standard (2ª Classe Easy) or 1st Class (1ª Classe Plus). There's also Wi-Fi and plug sockets throughout, and luggage is free as long as it fits in the overhead racks.
• Worth knowing: There’s just one fare type, Base, with prices from around £7.50 in Standard. 1st Class is less than 50p more, so it’s well worth the upgrade. Tickets are non-refundable, but you can change the date and time for free as often as you like before departure.

Prato is home to Renaissance frescoes, a medieval castle and some of Tuscany’s best-known sweet treats. The old town is pretty compact, too, so you can easily get around on foot. Here’s what to see and do:

• Prato Cathedral (Duomo di Santo Stefano). It’s just a 3-minute walk from Porta al Serraglio or 15 minutes from Prato Centrale. Before you head in, look up at the corner of the façade to see Donatello’s pulpit. The cathedral is free to enter, but you’ll need a museum ticket to see the Filippo Lippi frescoes behind the altar.
• Palazzo Pretorio. The city's iconic art museum is on Piazza del Comune, around 7 minutes on foot from Porta al Serraglio or 15 minutes from Prato Centrale. Inside, you’ll find more works by Filippo Lippi and Donatello. Head up to the top floor, too, for views over the town’s rooftops.
• Castello dell’Imperatore. This medieval castle is on Piazza Santa Maria delle Carceri, which is around 9 minutes from Porta al Serraglio and 13 minutes from Prato Centrale. It’s free to enter and you can walk along the top of the walls for views over the town and out to the hills.