How to get to Turin?

December 5, 2005 9:18 AM

I'll be in Europe during the Winter Olympics in Turin, so I thought I'd swing by to catch an event or two. I got online to book a hotel today, and there's nothing available (big surprise). However, I still want to go... should I stay in Milan or Genova and catch a train into town for a day trip or something? I've never been to Italy... so I don't know how complicated it would be to "catch a train" for a day trip.
posted by bamassippi to travel & transportation (2 comments total)

I've never been to Turin, but Italian trains in general are reasonably good. Lots of coverage, etc. The Turin Olympics website has more info about transportation.

I doubt you're just going to be able to "swing by" any of the events, though. You might want to get more information about ticketing.
posted by occhiblu at 12:54 PM on December 5, 2005

Day trips might be feasible in terms of time (2 hrs max on the slowest trains from Milano), but a lot of other people will be doing the same thing.

Check the Trenitalia website for train schedules & advance purchase. From slowest to fastest/cheapest to most expensive:

- Diretto: Stops at every podunk station on the way
- Regionale: Stops at almost every podunk station on the way
- InterCity: Seat reservation not required, but if it's full you'll be spending an unconfortable journey standing in the corridors or by the WC
- EuroStar: Fastest option, seat reservations required.

There are self-service ticket machines with an option for English in most of the major stations now (Cash or Credit card accepted) if you don't feel like waiting in line at for the ticket window.
posted by romakimmy at 4:50 AM on December 6, 2005