More about: Turin Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
If you want to explore the must-see places in Turin without missing any detail, a tour on the tourist bus is for you. It is an independent route, which offers free stops for you to organize the itinerary as you wish. Moreover, the ticket activation is very simple, because it is done automatically when you scan your ticket to get on the bus. From that moment you will have between 24 and 48 hours to use the service, depending on the type of pass you have chosen.
The right route will depend on what you want to see, in general the red one takes you on an enriching walk through the old town and the best local museums. The blue one, on the other hand, explores the most innovative buildings, such as the museum housing the first car to be driven in Italy. The green one is useful for those who enjoy the natural surroundings, while the yellow one concentrates on a trip aboard an old streetcar full of enthralling stories.
The best tourist bus in town
The City Sightseeing Torino tourist bus is the best option to enjoy a self-guided tour of the city, ideal for you to organize your visit independently. It starts at 21 euros and allows you to choose between 4 daytime routes with 24 or 48 hour options. It is an economical alternative to get to know the city without rushing, as you can take advantage of the free stops to get on and off at your own pace.
It is ideal if you want to take advantage of a complete experience, either with your family or on your own. It has everything you need to get to know the city at your own pace, since you can take advantage of the most classic route, which is the A, or combine routes A, B and C for a varied tour. Another option is to add a visit to the Automobile Museum or the Royal Palace of Venaria, so you can save time and money.
It will all depend on the time you have available, in general I recommend you consider it if you plan to spend at least 2 days in Turin. Some qualities of this bus, is that it has WiFi on board and an audio guide available in Spanish, as well as five other languages. In addition, it has a free mobile app that offers entertainment for children, and useful information to choose your stops.
During the tour you will have the opportunity to visit landmarks such as the Egyptian Museum, the Royal Palace and the Basilica of Superga, located in different areas of Turin. It is certainly one of the best things to do in the city, if you are looking for a complete and satisfying itinerary.
Different Turin tourist bus routes
The main advantage of this attraction is that you can choose between four routes, according to the places you want to visit. The classic line is the red one, but if you plan to stay more than 2 days in Turin I recommend you to take advantage of all the available options. Specifically, you can alternate between:
Line A or Red Line
Line A or Red Line is the most used because of its privileged route, which runs through the center of Turin and takes you to the best local museums. For example, you will have the opportunity to visit the Egyptian Museum, where I recommend stopping for a tour inside. It can be done in an hour, but it all depends on what you want to see and how much time you spend at each stop. This line can connect with:
- Cinema Museum: where you can appreciate an impressive collection of Italian cinema, as well as go up to the 360° dome which is reached through a panoramic elevator.
- Egyptian Museum: ideal for a guided tour if you are looking for things to do in Turin with children.
- Risorgimento Museum: discover the history of the unification of Italy, with rich collections that will allow you to travel back in time.
- Royal Palace: the ultimate expression of the immortal legacy of the Savoy dynasty, whose gardens and gallery will leave you speechless.
- Po River: a river walk that can be visited through elegant bridges, surrounded by the Italian Alps.
- Valentino Park: it is a natural environment, near the Po River. You can stroll through its labyrinths or enjoy outdoor activities. Here you can also see the Borgo, a reproduction of a medieval village.
Line B or Blue Line
Line B or Blue Line takes you to the more modern and innovative side of Turin, with tours of its breathtaking landscapes and buildings dedicated to technology. This is the option that can be combined with the National Automobile Museum, for an enriching experience through collections of more than 200 cars. Generally, some of the stops usually included are:
- Automobile Museum, ideal if you want to learn about the first car that was driven in Italy. For this attraction you can buy combined tickets for the museum and the tourist bus.
- Eataly: it is considered the temple of Turin's gastronomy, as it offers tastings of national and international dishes.
- Olympic Park: it is a multipurpose stadium where the 2006 Olympic Games were held.
- Museum of Radio and Television: discover the stories and curiosities of the Italian media.
- Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli: it is an art gallery with hundreds of modern and ancient paintings, ideal for those who love art. You will find works by Canaletto, Renoir, Picasso and Matisse.
Line C or Green Line
Line C or Green Line explores the surroundings of Turin, with a wonderful route through emblematic neighborhoods, must-see museums and natural parks. It can be connected to the Royal Palace of Venaria, as it is included in the itinerary. It has several stops, among which stand out:
- Lavazza Museum: here you can learn about the journey of the iconic coffee brand Lavazza, which has marked the lives of the Turinese with its aromas and flavors.
- Parco Dora: is an urban park located in the Spina 3 district, where the Fiat factories were once located. Here you can appreciate old chimneys and sports courts.
- Royal Palace of Venaria: an elegant building, with different scenarios that will delight your senses such as the stables of the Scuderie Juvarriane and the royal gardens. For this attraction you can buy combined tickets for the palace and the tourist bus.
- Allianz Stadium and Juventus Museum: this is one of the best local museums dedicated to soccer fans, where you can see jerseys of the Italian national team and VIP rooms such as the press area. You can also take advantage of a guided tour of the stadium facilities, including the locker rooms.
Yellow Line
The yellow line is the least sought after, as some people are unaware of its existence. It is a pity, because its route is a real marvel. It differs because it circles the Turin Alps on a historic journey aboard an ancient tramway. You can go around the majestic Po River, or visit the Basilica of Superga nearby. This religious site is notable for housing the tombs of the Savoy family.
To learn about the history of the tramway, you can stop at the Railway Museum with interesting railroad exhibits, as well as old newspapers and photos. Another stop to look forward to is the Tramway Museum.
How long is the full tour of the sightseeing bus?
It all depends on the route you choose, usually the time per tour is set by you. Just make sure you take advantage of the current hours on your ticket. As such, Line A can be completed in 60 minutes, Line B in 75 minutes and Line C in 80 minutes. To savor every landscape, monument and local history at your leisure, I recommend purchasing a ticket for at least 48 hours, ideal if you plan to spend at least 2 days in Turin.
As for waiting times (which should also be considered when putting together an itinerary), it all depends on the route. The red one has buses with a frequency of 60 minutes, the blue one runs every 80 minutes and the green one having a more distant route, you can expect to wait for it every two hours.
What I will see from the tourist bus
The Turin sightseeing bus is one of the best things to do in the city, as it allows you to get a quick glimpse of the main tourist sites. This way, you'll get to know Torino and make sure you don't miss any details. Depending on the route you choose, you will have privileged views of certain destinations, a trick to consider is that the red line is perfect for those who want to know the center and the best local museums.
For its part, the blue line takes you to lesser known sites of great cultural and historical value. As for the green line, it is ideal for exploring the suburbs, while the tramway or yellow line runs along the Alps that cover Turin.
How much does the tourist bus ticket cost?
You can book this experience from 21 euros for line A or for line A, B and C, the price varies a bit depending on the length of the ticket and the season. Of course, the 48-hour option is more expensive than the 24-hour option. However, the difference is minimal and worth it, considering all the sites you can visit. Discounts are sometimes offered for children under five, which can be ideal if you are looking for things to do in Turin with children.
You can also take advantage of a combined ticket from 42 euros, which allows you to take advantage of lines A, B and C with a tour of the Royal Palace of Venaria or the Turin Automobile Museum. This way, you will save money and be able to insert yourself in fascinating historical buildings. Additionally, the yellow line or Sassi-Superga tramway must be purchased separately and offers routes from 10 euros.
Turin tourist bus timetable
The sightseeing bus allows you to enjoy the best things to do in Turin, so be sure to take advantage of its schedule. As there are several routes divided by season, each has its own schedule. Your operator can provide you with all the information you need, although it is usually indicated in the booking details that arrive in the mail. In the meantime, for your guidance, here are the schedules usually offered by the bus:
- Line A: is active from November to March from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Line A, B and C: only available from April to October from 10:00 to 18:00 hours.
- Yellow line: every day except Wednesdays.
How the tourist bus works
The Turin bus has 24-hour and 48-hour tickets, for Route A or for lines A,B,C. It is automatically activated after the first use, all you have to do is scan your digital ticket as you board the cars. From then on, make the most of every minute of this experience. If you will be in Torino for 1 day or more, you definitely need to book this experience.
The ticket can be easily purchased online, so secure the experience in advance. I suggest you opt for a reliable agency, to save yourself a hard time. If you forget to buy your pass when you arrive in the city, you can buy it at the authorized points of sale located in hotels, tourist offices or directly on board the bus. On the other hand, the stops are completely free and you don't need a guide, although in the cabin you can find recorded commentary, free Wi-Fi and assistance.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the bus has a free mobile application known as the "Tourist Experience". It has valuable information and dynamic games, quite useful if you are looking for things to do in Turin with kids. Additionally, the audio guide tour is offered in Spanish and five other languages. As for waiting times, the buses run between one hour and two hours depending on the line, so you can time it to give you time to get back on.