Car Hire in Turin

About Turin

Turin, or Torino in the national language, is the fourth largest city in Italy and an important business and cultural centre in northern Italy, located below the Alps by the Po River. It is famous for its baroque architecture, the finest chocolate, rare white truffles and car industry. Turin translates as "little bull" and was the first Italian capital, ahead of Florence and Rome. It became famous in 2006 when Turin hosted the Winter Olympics. The city has excellent restaurants, beautiful churches and palaces, opera houses, piazzas, parks, art galleries and theatres. Turin is suitable for a city break all year round. Winters are relatively dry but cool with average temperatures around 2 degrees. Summers are delightfully warm, with highs around 30 degrees.

Basic info and car hire in Turin

• Location: North Italy
• Population: 843.235
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Continental Climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Turin are in good condition.
• Car hire in Turin:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Turin is Turin Airport. It is also a great idea to pick it up from Porta Nuova Station if you arrive by train. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Florence!

 Driving in Turin

If you rent a car in Turin, you will be able to get around quickly as the city is quite large, however, it is a relatively easy city to get around. As in other Italian cities, you should avoid driving in the ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato), for which you need a permit. If you are taking a road trip to Italy by car, you should plan a visit to Turin. Before renting a car in Italy, remember that all passengers must wear seat belts at all times. A blood alcohol level of more than 0.05 per cent is considered intoxicated in Italy. Drivers with a level of 0.05 to 0.08 face fines, up to one month in jail and community service.

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and one if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not mandatory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 12 may only be taken in the back seat, and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although, in certain areas, the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

What to see in Turin

Visit the Museo Egizio
This museum, founded in 1824, is the oldest Egyptian museum in the world. It has one of the most extensive collections of Egyptian artefacts outside of Egypt. Highlights include the papyri of the Drovetti collection, artefacts from the tomb of Kha and Merit, and the statue of Ramses II.

Turin Cathedral; Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista
The Shroud of Turin is a centuries-old sheet that features the faint imprint of a crucified man. Many believe it to be Jesus Christ, although this is unlikely. It has been kept in Turin Cathedral since 1578. Normally the shroud is not on display, only a large replica of it.

Mole Antonelliana
The Mole Antonelliana, named after its architect Alessandro Antonelli, was originally intended to be a synagogue. Today it houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, which of course celebrates Italian cinema.

Piazza Castello
Piazza Castello is, of course, Turin's main square. From here you can see the Baroque and Neoclassical Palazzo Reale, a palace from the House of Savoy that dates back to 1600.

Royal Crypt in the Basilica of Superga
This Catholic church is located just outside Turin on Superga Hill and was designed by Filippo Juvarra for Victor Amadeus II of Savoy. Here you can visit the royal crypt, which houses several tombs of kings from the House of Savoy.

Drive your rental car beyond Turin

If you want to discover the nearby cities, this is the place to be. Turin is the place to discover Italy and an ideal base for travelling abroad, as it is only a few hours from the border with France and Switzerland. In the summer months, do not miss taking a dip at the beach near Genoa, which is only an hour and a half away, or the beautiful Lake Como near Milan. If you have enough time, you can also visit the beautiful French Côte d'Azur or take a break in the Alps. If you are travelling in winter, do not miss the famous hot chocolate of Gianduia. If you love winter sports, Turin is also a very popular choice, as you will find many ski resorts, cross-country ski trails and numerous starting points for hiking nearby. Life in Turin is beautiful all year

Where to eat, drink, and party in Turin

Turin is a city of world cuisine. You can choose from restaurants for every taste and budget. The most popular dish is pizza, otherwise, locals prefer truffle dishes, fritto misto or agnolotti pasta with a glass of excellent local wines like Barbera, Barbaresco, Barolo and Brachetto. If you have a sweet tooth, do not miss the biscuits Baci di dama, Bonet Pudding or Panna Cotta, famous sweets from Piedmont. Try drinking the brandy San Simone after dinner, and the sweetest enjoy the coffee Bicerin (espresso with liquid chocolate and cream). Turin is famous for its coffee and chocolate, as it is home to the Lavazza factory and many chocolate shops that make Gianduia chocolate with Piedmontese hazelnuts. Turin also has a rich offer of gastronomy, bars, clubs and discos in the charming districts of San Salvaria and Quadrilateral Romana. Turinese and young people meet there, so it's always fun until late at night.

Best restaurant in Turin

Ristorante Del Cambio
Ristorante Consorzio
Al Gatto Nero
Spazio7
Gaudenzio Vino e Cucina
Vintage 1997
Al Garamond