Planning a trip to Turin, Italy? If it’s possible, do it by train. I’m saying this because traveling to Turin by train is one of the nicest and easiest ways to get to this incredible city. I’ve done it many times and it’s one of my favorite ways to reach my home in Italy.
Traveling by train is comfortable, scenic, and efficient, especially if you’re coming from other cities in Italy or from European countries. The best part is that you arrive at the heart of the city, easily and hassle-free.
Now let me walk you through everything you must know about traveling to Turin by train.
How to travel to Turin by train
People often think train trips are for short distances or nearby cities, but you can cover longer distances by train, like traveling from Paris to Turin or Naples to Turin.
It might take longer than flying, but if you book in advance, high-speed train tickets may be cheaper than a flight fare, and you won’t have to go through all the airport hassle. We’ll talk more about how to buy your train ticket to Turin later on.
Talking about flying, if you are in doubt about traveling to Turin by train or plane, read our guide on how to travel to Turin by air and how to get to Turin by bus and choose the best option for you.
So, here is what you need to know to plan your train trip to Turin.
Turin train stations
Turin has three major train stations where you’ll likely arrive:
- Torino Porta Nuova: is the main station and the most commonly used for both domestic and international routes. Located in the city center, it’s just a short walk from many hotels, restaurants, and attractions like Turin Royal Palace and The Holy Shroud Chapel. It’s a historical station with a beautiful facade and a small shopping mall inside.
- Torino Porta Susa: this station is a bit farther from the city center, but it is also well-connected and often serves as the departure or arrival point for high-speed trains, especially those coming from Milan or other cities in northern Italy. It’s modern and huge. There are not many shops here, but it has a cafe and McDonald’s.
- Torino Lingotto: it’s a station that serves as a key transit point for regional and long-distance trains. It connects various towns and cities within the Piedmont region. It’s a hub for travelers attending events and fairs at Lingotto Fiere and Pala Alpitour Arena.
All Turin train stations have amenities like ticket counters, ticket machines, waiting areas, restaurants, luggage storage, and bathrooms.
Also, they are connected to public transportation: metro, tram, and bus lines. It does not matter which one is your arrival point, you can get around Turin easily.
Popular train routes to Turin
Whether you’re coming from within Italy or abroad, there are many options for train routes to Turin.
PIC – print das rotas do freccia
Traveling by train in Italy
- Milan – Turin by train: the train from Milan to Turin is quick and easy, taking about 1 hour. You can opt for high-speed journeys like the Frecciarossa or Italo trains, which offer frequent departures daily. Here is a guide on traveling from Milan to Turin by train and bus.
- Rome – Turin by train: if you’re traveling from Rome, you find high-speed trains like the Frecciarossa and Italo running regularly. The journey time is around 4.5 to 5 hours.
- Genova – Turin by train: is a popular route for those who want to visit Turin, the Alps, and the Ligurian Coast (you probably saw the pictures of Cinque Terre, which is stunning). You can go from one city to another in 1h45 minutes by fast trains. Be aware this route is packed during summer, so book your ticket in advance.
You can travel from any Italian city to Turin by train, most of the major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, Bologna, and Naples will have high-speed direct trains.
Small towns will probably have only regular trains with a few connections on the way.
Traveling by train to Turin from other countries
- Paris – Turin by train: most people have no idea, but you can travel from Paris to Turin by direct train with the TGV train company. The ride takes about 6h58 minutes and offers a comfortable and scenic journey through the French and Italian countryside. You can also plan this trip using regular trains but the journey would be from 10h to 12h depending on the train connections.
- Lyon – Turin by train: a beautiful journey between the Alps. There is a direct service with fast trains connecting Lyon to Turin. The journey takes only 4 hours and is operated by TGV & Frecciarossa.
- Bernina Express – Turin by train: yes, you can connect your Bernina Express trip to Turin. The iconic Bernina Express links Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, it is considered one of the most scenic European train journeys. Getting from Tirano to Turin is easy: you hop on a bus to Morbegno, then a train to Milan, and from there a fast train to Turin. The total journey takes about 4 hours.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a direct train or a trip with many connections, you can travel from any destination in Europe to Turin by train. You just need to plan the route wisely and search for efficient connections. The trip will probably be long and you might need to buy tickets separately (more about tickets soon), but it’s doable.
Once I traveled from Berlin, Germany, to Barcelona, Spain, by train with a one-night layover in Lyon, France. A bit tiring, I won’t lie, but it was an amazing experience. I’m telling you this, so you know a train adventure is possible and you can do it when visiting Turin.
High-Speed Trains vs. Regular Trains
Turin is served with both, and here are the differences.
High-Speed Trains
Are you in a hurry or looking for extra comfort? Then high-speed trains are your best bet. It’s also good for business trips as you have individual tables and complimentary wi-fi on board.
Frecciarossa and Italo are the main operators of high-speed trains in Italy. These trains are fast, and modern, and provide excellent amenities, including air conditioning, power outlets, and restaurants.
If you are traveling from/to other countries the high-speed train service might be operated by different companies like TGV for France or OBB for Austria.
Regular Trains:
If travel times are not a problem, or if you want to save money, regular trains are your friends. They’re slower, but they’re still comfortable and reliable.
Trenitalia, the Italian train company, offers regular trains throughout the country. They have different train types called Regionale Veloce (a bit faster than the regular trains), InterCity, and Intercity Notte (trains with sleeping cabins), and some train lines named after regions, artists, or important landmarks. But it doesn’t matter the name, it will take you from point A to point B.
How to buy your train ticket to Turin
Buying train tickets for Turin is easy, and you have several options:
Buy it online:
You can purchase tickets in advance via Trenitalia or Italo High-Speed Train official websites. From my experience, both websites don’t run well in English, it might be a bit confusing to find information about routes, train stops and fares.
An easier option is to search for your travel route on OMIO or Rail Europe. What I like about them is that once you type your destinations from/to they give you several options of transportation, not only trains. It’s good to compare prices between trains, buses, and flights when available. You will have a better picture of the trip duration and costs and then choose the best option.
I recommend buying tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season or holidays, as prices can go up and trains may fill up quickly.
Buy at the train station
If you prefer buying tickets in person, there are ticket machines at Torino Porta Nuova and Torino Porta Susa stations. Both stations also have a ticket counter with an agent who can give you information about routes, timetables, and so on.
You can buy your ticket at Turin stations days in advance or just before the trip.
Some international routes offered by international railway companies might not be available for purchase online, in this case, go to a train station in Turin or in your city of departure and talk to the customer service. You might be able to buy it from the counter or via the call center. This happened to me when booking a night train from Vienna, Austria, to Milan, Italy.
Mobile Apps
Trenitalia and Italo offer mobile apps where you can easily buy tickets, check timetables, and even store your tickets digitally, making it a convenient option for tech-savvy travelers.
When to book train tickets to Turin
In advance:
I love to travel spontaneously, but I also LOVE to save money. My recommendation is always to buy your train tickets to Turin in advance.
If you’re traveling during high season or on popular routes it’s best to book tickets at least a few weeks in advance. This will help you secure the best prices and ensure availability.
Always keep an eye on the Trenitalia and Italo websites for seasonal sales, especially in summer. I already saw them offering super cheap train tickets when you book a month in advance, or if you buy return tickets.
You will be surprised that Turin train prices can be up to 70% cheaper when booked three or more weeks in advance instead of the day of your trip.
You can book your train tickets here!
Last-minute tickets:
If you’re flexible with your travel plans, you can often find last-minute tickets at the station or on mobile apps. But as I said before, prices can be higher and availability may be limited, especially for high-speed trains.
For routes like Turin to Milan, or to ski resorts near Turin, the last-minute tickets are not that expensive because of the frequent departures. Those destinations are good options for a spontaneous day trip from Turin.
What to expect from your train trip to Turin
Train travel in Italy is a good experience overall, especially on high-speed trains. You’ll find spacious seats, air conditioning, and often a food trolley offering snacks and drinks. If you’re traveling on a regional or slower train, the journey may be a bit more basic, but it’s still comfortable.
If you’re traveling from abroad, like from France or Switzerland, expect stunning views of the Alps and Italian countryside during the ride. It’s a scenic experience that will make your trip memorable.
Plan your trip to Turin easily:
Tips for traveling by train in Italy
Italian train service can be a bit different from the one you have in your country, so here are a few tips to make it smoother and safer.
- Don’t forget to validate your ticket: if you have a paper ticket, make sure to validate it at the validation machines before you board the train. Validation machines are spread along the train platforms. If you fail to do so, you can be fined by the ticket inspector on board. This is required only for regional trains, not for high-speed ones.
- Keep your ticket handy: when you board, you’ll need to keep your ticket with you until the end of the trip. The inspector might come to check it a couple of times. For mobile tickets, make sure your phone is charged and ready.
- Arrive early: train stations can be busy, so I recommend arriving at least 20-30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. This will give you enough time to navigate the station, grab a coffee, find your platform, and board as soon as the train arrives.
- Keep an eye on your belongings: I’m sad to say but in Italy, especially at Milano Centrale, gangs are operating to rob unattended bags and luggage from inside the trains. When you place your suitcase in the luggage compartment keep an eye on it until the train departs and at every stop. It’s better to keep your belongings close to you at all times. This advice is for big suitcases, backpacks, and small bags.
- Only accept help from authorized staff: at major stations, you can find people offering help to buy tickets at the machines or helping you find the correct platform. Some people will also ask you to change money for them. Be aware that those people are probably trying to scam or harass you by asking for money because you accept their help.
Getting around Turin once you arrive
Once you arrive at one of Turin’s stations, you’ll find it easy to get around the city. Torino Porta Nuova and Torino Porta Susa are well-connected to the city’s public transportation network, including metro, buses, trams, and taxis.
For those traveling light with a small backpack, try the shared bikes or electric scooters, they work great and it’s an awesome way to get around the city. I know this is not traditional travel advice, but I love to cycle around Turin, and I believe you should try it.
Have fun!