Car Hire Turin

As you’d expect from a major Italian city, Turin boasts excellent road connections with its surrounding region. If you’re arriving by air, you’ll find that Turin Airport is just a 20km drive from the city via the airport motorway link known as the Raccordo Autostradale Torino – Caselle.

One of Italy’s major motorways, the Autostrada A4, connects Turin to other must-visit destinations including Milan and Bergamo, and runs all the way across the north of the country to Venice on the Adriatic coast.

If you’re planning to use the Autostrade during your visit, remember that there are tolls and you will need to pay a charge depending on how far you travel. Take a ticket as you enter the motorway and pay at the booth as you leave – there are different lanes for paying by cash, card and the Telepass, an electronic card used by local drivers.

The rules for driving in Italy are similar to other countries in Europe – you’ll use the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. The maximum speed limit on Autostrade is 130kmh, with lower limits in wet conditions, while in towns and cities the limit typically drops to 50km/h.  Always ensure you check signs for the route that you are on, as limits can vary.

Like many other Italian cities, some parts of Turin’s historic centre are subject to a limited traffic area, called a Zona Traffico Limitato or ZTL in Italian. This zone is in force on weekdays between 7.30am and 10.30am, and if you enter without permission within these times you will face a fine.

However, there are plenty of convenient parking spots where you can leave your car if you wish to explore the historic parts of the city during these times. Look out for on-street parking spaces which costs around €2 per hour, signalled by blue lines, but remember you will need to purchase a ticket. Alternatively, there are several car parks close to attractions such as the Piazza Castello.

Turin is a great base for exploring the Piedmont region, with plenty of day trips on offer when you hire a car.

But before you head out of the city, there are plenty of essential highlights to explore first.

Heart of Turin

Start your journey at Piazza Castello, the picturesque square that lies at the heart of Turin and is home to many of its most famous buildings. Here you’ll find the Palazzo Madama, once the home of the dukes of Savoy and later of Italy’s first Senate.

Step through the doors to admire its lavishly decorated interior, complete with ornate staircases and impressive frescoes. You’ll need to purchase a ticket if you want to visit the museum of art and artefacts that’s housed within the building– but it is well worth doing so.

Not far away you’ll find the Palazzo Royale and its gardens. Originally built in the 16^th century, this is another key building in Turin’s history – wander around and admire the magnificent collections of artwork and armour on display.

A short walk away lies the Mole Antonelliana, a former synagogue that is perhaps the most famous sight of the city’s skyline. Take the lift, or if you’re feeling active the stairs, to the viewing terrace at 85 metres to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the snow-capped Alps beyond.

Secrets of the Pharaohs

A short journey from Piazza Castello is Turin’s Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of Egyptian artefacts anywhere in the world outside Cairo – with four floors of spectacular treasures, and both human and animal mummies on display.

Its centrepiece is the Tomb of Kha, himself a tomb-builder to the pharaohs, which dates back 3,500 years.

Guided tours are available, or you can opt for the self-guided audio tour. Either way, marvel at the extraordinary exhibits and soak up the spellbinding atmosphere.

Parks and recreation

No visit to Turin would be complete without exploring Parco del Valentino. This is the city’s oldest public park, boasting a picturesque location on the banks of the River Po.

Spend an afternoon here enjoying its many attractions, including Castello del Valentino, the historic royal residence of the House of Savoy and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. you’ll also find a beautiful botanical garden and a charming medieval castle and village, built for the Italian World Fair in 1884.

For football fans, meanwhile, there’s a highlight in Turin that really can’t be missed. The Juventus Stadium, known as the Allianz Stadium since 2017, is home to one of the most celebrated clubs in Europe – and lies just a short drive out of the city.

If you don’t have tickets for a match, or are visiting outside of the footballing season, you can still get a taste of the atmosphere with a stadium tour or trip to the museum, where you can see photos, videos, memorabilia and the trophy room. Tickets for the museum and tour can be booked online in advance.

With car hire in Turin, all these incredible attractions and much more is within easy reach. Book now and start planning your Italian adventure.