Car Hire Turin - Lingotto

Car Hire

Few cars have been as iconic as Fiat, and no other Fiat factory was as innovative as the 1923 Lingotto building on Via Nizza. At the time, this five-storey automobile factory complex was revolutionary. When it finally closed in 1982, the city of Turin decided to transform the property into a public space that reflected its forward thinking and creativity. Today, the Turin Lingotto is a modern space featuring theatres, concert halls, a convention centre, a hotel and upscale shopping. Lingotto is a destination in itself, and whether you rent a Fiat or not, car hire is an apt way to travel to this popular Turin social hub.

Who to Book With
Lingotto is home to a railway station, a metro stop and a major hospital. Many people who come to this district of Turin from outside the city opt to rent a car from one of the car rental companies in the area, like Avis and Top Rent Italia. There are offices around the train station and near the hospital, and rentals from all of the firms can be arranged beforehand with convenient online booking.

Best Time to Go
Unlike in Mediterranean Italy, the climate in Turin more closely resembles that of the rest of continental Europe. Its location on the eastern slopes of the Alps gives it warm, sunny summers where temperatures push into the upper 20s (ºC). Most of the rain falls in the spring and the autumn, while the cold winters get snow every once in a while. Turin is busy most the year with tourism, business travellers and special events like the November Torino Film Festival. Rental rates drop a little in spring and late autumn, but online research can often yield special deals.

Need to Know Essentials
Be prepared with these documents to collect your rental in Lingotto:

- An International Driving Permit or an EU or UK driving licence
- A second piece of picture ID, such as a passport
- A valid credit card to use as a security deposit
- A print out of your booking confirmation, if possible

For more info read our FAQs.

Driving
Turin is a city made for walking. But to venture into the outlying districts like Lingotto, you will need to rely on the public transport or a car rental. The driving gets more congested the closer you go to the historic city centre. Parking downtown is also nigh impossible on the street, so stick to the many public car parks. In Lingotto, the parking and driving conditions are easier. There is a large parking lot at the popular Lingotto Building where the old Fiat factory once stood.

Our Guide to Italy contains more detailed driving information

Transport

An efficient, extensive network of GTT buses and trams makes it easy to move around the different sections of Turin. Both forms of public transport are useful ways to get to Lingotto from other parts of the city, while Lingotto Railway Station, one of the three major terminals in Turin, provides another option. A car will prove useful for exploring the alpine countryside surrounding Turin as well as for moving between the city’s districts. But it’s also totally feasible to use public transportation and your feet to see Turin.

Trains
Torino Lingotto Railway Station is one the city’s three main railway terminals. This is a great station for regional train travel but not the best station for inner-city movement. Turin’s metro has a station right at Lingotto that provides much better movement within the city itself. A single trip on the metro costs just over £1 and tickets are valid for 1 hour, 30 minutes. GTT also offers a money-saving day pass for £4 that is good for 24 hours of travel.

Buses
Buses and trams make up the bulk of Turin’s public transport network using the same integrated fares as the trains. With one tram stop and several bus stations in Lingotto, it’s easy to get anywhere in the city. GTT also has a city / suburban ticket for just a little more that allows for more distant travel using the trains and the buses.

Taxis
There are many taxi companies to choose from in Turin, and the meter starts running the moment you step into a cab. After that you pay by the distance travelled. It is not normal to hail a taxi on the streets of Turin so carry a couple of phone numbers around for a quick pick up or look for cabs parked in front of the train station or the Lingotto Building. Fares from Lingotto quickly add up, with a trip to the airport costing around £30 and a trip into downtown at least £5.

Exploring

Turin sits right on the eastern doorstep of the Alps and therefore offers many day drive options to mountain hamlets, walking trails or just scenic cruises in the car. There are also several stunning palaces and mansions that were once used by the House of Savoy that make for great excursions from Lingotto. Even the Mediterranean coast is within striking distance for a daytrip.

Recommended Drives

The Alps – There are some outstanding drives from Turin into the eastern Alps to fit any mood or agenda. Easy cruising is available on large motorways like the A32 west and the A5 north, while slower, windier mountain fun is waiting on the back roads to alpine villages like Ceres, Traves or Corio.

House of Savoy palaces – Quick and casual excursions are possible to the old hunting parks, mansions and palaces of the Savoys. Get out into nature at spots like Stupinigi Park or La Mandria Park, or marvel at the opulence of Racconigi Castle and Rivoli Castle. All of these historic attractions are within a 30-minute drive of Lingotto.

Mediterranean Coast – In just a couple of hours, you can be sunning your legs on the Mediterranean Sea. Turin has direct highway access to the town of Savona and the legendary E80 coastal road runs in both directions. Genoa is not far away to the east, while Nice and other French resort spots are waiting to the west.