Europe > 🇮🇹 Italy > Turin (TRN)
🚆 🚌⛴️ Do you need to rent a car in Turin ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t strictly need to rent a car.
- For all transport modes, a score of 0 = very poor or none available; 10 = outstandingly good.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Turin?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
- For all factors, a score of 0 = very poor; 10 = outstandingly good
Turin Car Rental Costs
Price bands:
- From 1 ($0-10 per day) to 10 ($90-100 per day);
- For typical cheapest available economy hire car;
- Jan - Mar 2027 / Apr - Dec 2026.
- Prices correct as of Feb 2026 - estimates only, not a guarantee.
Once in the city, Turin works beautifully on foot 🚶♀️. The historic centre is flat and laid out on a rational grid, with long arcaded streets that make walking pleasant in all weather. Major sights such as the Mole Antonelliana, Egyptian Museum, Royal Palaces, and Piazza Castello all sit close together. Traffic restrictions and limited parking mean that driving adds little value inside the city itself.
🕊️ The Turin Shroud and the historic centre
One of Turin’s most significant and controversial attractions is the Turin Shroud 🕊️, housed in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, right in the heart of the historic centre. Whether approached as a religious relic, a historical mystery, or a cultural artefact, its location reinforces the no-car argument. The cathedral sits within easy walking distance of major squares, museums, and cafés, and it is also well served by buses. A rental car offers no advantage here and would only complicate access due to traffic restrictions and limited parking.
🚇 Public transport and rail connections
Turin has a compact but efficient public transport network 🚊, including trams, buses, and a short automated metro line. While the metro is limited in scope, it is modern and reliable. More importantly, Turin excels as a rail hub 🚄.
High-speed trains connect Turin to Milan in under an hour, making day trips effortless. Services also run to Genoa, Bologna, and Florence, while international trains link directly to France, including routes towards Lyon and Paris. This makes Turin an excellent base for wider exploration without needing a car.
🎬 Film connections: The Italian Job and beyond
Turin also has a special place in film history thanks to The Italian Job (1969) 🎬. The original and, in many eyes, far superior version was very much a Turin film.
Key locations, including streets, piazzas, and riverside scenes, are concentrated within the city and are easily explored on foot or by public transport. Visiting these sites does not require a car, but you will need one to explore the apline passes made most famous by the bus cliff-hanger scene at the end of the film.
A later adaptation moved the action elsewhere, notably to Venice, but the classic Mini Cooper chase remains inseparable from Turin’s identity. Today, this makes the city ideal for a self-guided film walk, combining cinema, architecture, and everyday street life without any need to drive.
🏔️ Alpine routes and Switzerland connections
Beyond the city, Turin sits at the gateway to the Alps 🏔️. While rail links into France are strong, access into Switzerland is often more flexible by road, especially when crossing mountain passes. These routes appeal more to travellers interested in scenic driving rather than point-to-point transport. In contrast, for purely urban or cultural visits, Turin remains firmly in the no-car category.
🚗 When renting a car becomes useful
A rental car starts to make sense once you look beyond the city 🌄. The Piedmont region offers vineyards 🍷, alpine valleys, and quieter towns that are harder to reach by public transport. The Alps rise quickly to the west, and scenic mountain roads open up opportunities for hiking, skiing, and countryside stays.
Some travellers choose to rent a car for just part of their trip, collecting it after time in the city and returning it before heading elsewhere by train.
🚗 Conclusion: should you rent a car in Turin?
For the city itself, no ❌ — Turin is walkable, well connected, and rail-friendly. However, if you plan to explore Piedmont’s countryside or alpine landscapes, a short-term rental car can add real flexibility without being essential for the urban experience.
Search for Car Rental in Turin with Economy Bookings .com
🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table
This summary score brings together how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, and an overall recommendation.
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👍🏾 / 👎🏻 Will You Rent a Car in Turin?
Would you rent a car in Turin, or would you rely on tours or public transport instead?
Everyone travels differently, and the right choice often depends on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and what kind of trip you’re planning.
Hopefully this page has given you a quick, practical overview of the pros and cons of renting a car in Turin, and whether it’s really necessary or not. Maybe it’s helped you make up your mind — or maybe you’ve already visited and have insights to share.
We always welcome comments, questions, and comparisons with other cities.
All feedback is read, and any questions or clarifications are usually replied to within 24 hours.