How to Get Around Turin
Situated right on the foot of the Italian Alps is a city called Turin. It is the fourth biggest city in Italy and also the first capital city after its unification back in 1861, but it is surprisingly one of its less well-known cities. It is one of Italy's hidden gems and a place worth visiting with an intriguing past and many ancient monuments, some of them dating back to the time of the Romans. Locally this city is called Torino, which translates to Little Bull in Italian. Today this city is known for its beautiful architecture and also its food. In fact, Turin is the birthplace of solid chocolate!
You will need to learn how to navigate around this town of cobblestone streets, traditional houses and porticoes. Keep reading to learn about how to get around Turin city centre and beyond using the public transportation that is available. You should also find your way to the closest suitcase locker in Turin so you can stow away your bags while you are moving around the city. Don't let extra weight slow you down!
How to get around Turin by train
Turin is well equipped with public transport options and has trains running both above and underground. There are a total of eight railway lines that can take you to certain areas within Turin as well as the surrounding area. They can be used to get between different neighborhoods (we've got a terrific neighborhood guide here) or even other cities so if you want to take a day trip to Milan, Venice or Rome you absolutely can.
To use the train for international travel you will most likely be leaving from the three main railway stations; the Porta Nuova Station, the Porta Susa Station, and the Lingotto Station. Fun fact: the Porta Susa is the second largest train station in all of Turin, and the Porta Nuova is the third biggest in all of Italy! Typically, these trains run from about 5 am to 10 pm, so they are a convenient and reliable way to get around, especially if you want to see the city at night. A general one-way ticket will cost you about 1.50 euros.
The metro system is also a fantastic way to get around Turin and is one of the fastest modes of transportation as well. This network was the first automatic metro in all of Italy and was created to connect Lingotto to Collegno, so if you want to get anywhere in between those areas then you should make your way to the nearest metro station.
The metro lines pass right under the heart of the city and also connect to two railway stations so you can easily switch between the two. The schedule for the metro trains changes daily and might vary between lines, but in general, they run from 5:30 am to 10 pm on Mondays, until 12:30 am Tuesdays to Thursdays, and until 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The metro is active only from 7 am to 1 am every Sunday and on local holidays.
When it comes to buying tickets, you can choose to either buy an individual pass for 1.70 euros or buy a pass that lasts for a certain amount of time. A daily pass, which will allow you to travel unlimited for 24 hours, will only cost you about 3.00 euros so keep it in mind if you are going to be moving around a lot in one day.
There is also a weekly pass offered for around 17.50 euros and will let you use the metro as much as you need for several days at once. Tickets can be purchased from automatic ticket machines that are found inside the metro stations, which you can spot quickly around the city centre by looking for the signs marked with an 'M'. You will need a ticket to get into the metro station and that is when you will activate them.
How to get around Turin by bus
An alternate way of navigating Turin is to use the buses or trams, and they are also one of the most popular ways to get around. They are easily accessible from basically anywhere around town and are also simple to use. They are run by a company called the Gruppo Torinese Trasporti and there are several useful tips that you should keep in mind before you use either the tram or bus.
Firstly, always validate your ticket once you get on, which can be done easily by placing it into the designated slot, or you will risk being fined. If possible you should always purchase your ticket before getting on board, although some trams can sell them to you once you hop on. Some of the trams and buses will pass you by if they are unsure if you want to catch a ride, so be sure to clearly indicate that you want them to stop. The same goes for when you want to get off, you can easily tell the driver when they should stop to let you hop off by ringing the bell when your stop is next.
The trams run on 12 different lines and collectively cover an area of 210 kilometers. Many of the trams are updated and modern, although the city keeps a few of the old historic ones still running so you might pass by a few or even ride on them a couple of times. The trams are in service daily between 5am and midnight, so you can rely on them most of the time even if you are out a bit late.
Tickets cost the same as the metro mentioned above, so you can buy a single ticket for around 1.70 euros, a daily pass for 3.00 euros or a weekly ticket for about 27.50 euros. The buses follow the exact same schedule for times and tickets, so they are just as good of a choice. Individual passes will be active for a total of 90 minutes once they are activated, so if you need to hop between buses and trams or are just visiting somewhere for a short while you can use the same ticket and save some money.
Remember, since the timer only starts once you activate your ticket you can always carry some spares in your bag so you don't get stuck without one or get fined. Tickets for the buses can be purchased from the ticket office or ticket machine located near the bus terminal.
Although the local buses and trams can transport you up until midnight, some travelers might want to stay out even later than that to party or attend an event. No need to worry, since there is a convenient night bus that runs even later on Fridays and Saturdays or around the holiday season! There are 10 lines that are part of this night bus service and they will bring you to some of the main attractions and popular tourist spots, like the Piazza Vittorio Veneto. They run from 12:30 am until 5 am.
If you are just looking to get between the city and the Turin airport you will be using the SADEM bus service which will bring you directly there from the Porta Nuova stations. Some tourists also like to sign up for the hop-on, hop-off tourist buses which will bring you to all of the main attractions and is a great way to sightsee around the city.
How to get around Turin by car
Some people who visit Turin like to bring their own car, and this is definitely a possibility. The roads and traffic regulations around the city centre are fairly easy to understand so you should not have too much trouble driving around, although having your own car is not necessary and you can just as easily travel using the public transportation networks.
Be aware that there is a Limited Traffic Zone in the historic centre of Turin and the streets everywhere else will get busy during rush hours. Lastly, finding parking can sometimes be a nightmare depending on where you need to go so give yourself some extra time to find a spot if you are following a tight schedule.
The Limited Traffic Zones, or LTZ, mentioned above means that you will not be allowed to drive in certain parts of town at specific hours. All drivers who are not residents of the area are forbidden from driving around the zone between 7:30am and 10:30am every day of the week, except for Saturdays. There is also the Central Limited Traffic Zone which includes three different areas in the city centre and they all follow their own schedules and regulations.
There is the Roman Quarter LTZ that focuses on the area around the Piazza Emanuele Filiberto where you aren't allowed to drive or park between 9pm and 7:30am. Stay away from the Pedestrian LTZ and the Valentino LTZ, which is found beside the beautiful Valentino Park, since you aren't allowed to use a car here at any point of the day, every day of the week.
If you didn't bring your own car you can always rent from one of the local car rental companies, or pay for a taxi to get you from one point to another. Taxi Torino, Radio Taxi and Pronto Taxi are three options to get where you need to go.
Can I get around Turin by foot?
Did you know there are 7 miles of porticoes in Turin? Yes, you can walk the lovely shopping streets on a rainy day and not even worry about the weather! Bologna is another one of the European cities with porticoes (about 38 miles of them), but we love the adorable Turin cafés nestled under the porticoes around the city.
Getting around Turin by foot is fun because of these elegant arches, a display of the rich culture here, that are unique in that they cover 2 and often 3 floors, giving a view as well as coverage from the elements. Head to Via Palazzo di Citta and Piazza Palazzo di Citta to see the oldest of these structures in the city. Looking for shopping? Enjoy Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, dedicated to the first king of Italy. You can spend a day wandering through the porticoes between subway, train and bus rides from attraction to attraction!
If you want to use pedal power, consider [TO]Bike, a 24 hour a day service with over 100 stations at your disposal. It's a good alternative to public transport and with easy parking, this bike sharing service is good for the environment too. You may add a little to your journey time but it's worth the effort because you will see Turin like a local.
Public Transport in Turin City Centre and Beyond
Flying into Turin? When you reach the arrivals level, look for taxis or a bus and get ready to start your holiday! When in Turin, why not learn more about the history of the automobile? Head to the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile and take a look around. Wander Piazza Castello (the city's most central square) and marvel at the wonderful architecture and history. You'll have no problem getting around Turin, seeing every inch!
