The funicular connecting Certaldo's modern lower town to the medieval upper town (Certaldo Alto) is short — just 230 metres — but it does the job that would otherwise require a steep ten-minute climb up a winding road. A single car runs on a cable, and the whole journey takes a couple of minutes. It has been running since 1963 and is the standard way to reach Certaldo Alto.
The departure point in the lower town is near the train station, which makes it easy to arrive by train from Florence or Siena and ride straight up to the hilltop without needing a car. On busy summer days the funicular queue can be short; if you find yourself waiting, the alternative is a walk up the hill via the road — not arduous, but noticeable in July heat.