This post is an extensive guide for Erasmus students planning to study in Turin. It covers: expected cost of living, best areas to live, best places for cheap lunch, where to enjoy Aperitivo and where to go clubbing. Furthermore, we provide tips on the best Day-trips as well as the best festivals nearby!

Here is all you need to know if you are an Erasmus students going to Turin.

1. Top 5 reasons for choosing Turin for Erasmus
2. Cost of Living in Turin vs Erasmus grant
3. How to get to Turin?
4. Accommodation: cost, tips & tricks
5. The best way to get around the city
6. Useful Student-to-student tips
7. Best places for Aperitivo
8. Best places for quick & cheap Lunch bites
9. Best Restaurants with affordable local food
10. Best Pizza places in Turin
11. Best Place: Beers & Burgers
12. Best Cocktail bars in Turin
13. Best Day trips from Turin
14. Best Festivals in Turin
15. Cheap things to see
16. Turin must see: Free of Charge !!
17. Work with us

1. Top 5 reasons to do your Erasmus in Turin?

All the students & tourists coming to Turin agree on one thing, Turin in is underrated. Here are the top 5 reasons for choosing Turin as a student-exchange destination:

1.1 High University Standards

The Polytechnic of Turin is ranked #1 in Italy and #4 in Europe for Engineering.

The Faculty of Economics at University of Turin held some former Italian Ministers as professors such as Mario Monti (Italy Prime Minister in 2011-13), Franco Reviglio and Elsa Fornero.

The prestigious ESCP Business School (Top 10 in Europe) has its only Italian Campus in Turin.

1.2 Rich in Culture and Architecture

Two important things to remember about Turin:

• It was the capital of the House of Savoy – back when Italy was a Kingdom
• It was the first capital of Italy when Italy became a Republic (although now it moved to Rome)

This explains why the city’s architecture is so elegant with its Baroque palaces, gardens and squares and why it holds many important Museums.

Last but not least, Turin has also some stunning “Gallerias” just like in Milan or Paris. It hosts luxury shops, offices, bars & restaurants. There is also a high-end supermarket “FiorFood Coop.”

1.3 Turin is affordable!

Turin is really affordable if compared to other main Italian cities: Milan, Rome or Venice. Here you can read a post quoting Turin among their “5 Italian Cities that are cheap to live in“

1.4 Turin: Shortlisted as European Green Capital

Turin has been shortlisted for 2022 European Green Capital award together with Tallin, Grenoble & Dijon.

It is definitely one of the greenest cities in Italy. It is surrounded by the beautiful Alps on the northern side and by its green hills on the Eastern side.

In addition to that, Italy’s longest river (the Po river) and it passes through the city center, along which you can find many parks the biggest. A stunning one in the city center is the Parco del Valentino.

Outside the city-center there is Parco della Mandria, the biggest park in Europe! It is hosting wild life such as wild-boars and horses. You can rent a bike there and spend a full day in nature (read my other post).

1.5 Fantastic Day Trips: The Alps, The Beach, Milan & More

Turin is strategically located:

• 50 mins away from the Alps mountains
• 1:20 hours away from the beach
• 45 minutes to Milan, 2h 20 to Bologna and 3h to Florence

To learn more, read my post on The best 5 Day trips from Turin. Here is a couple of pictures from the best beach nearby, if you want to learn more have a look at my post on the Best Beach-trip from Turin.

In addition, some of the best ski resorts are only 1h away (i.e Sestriere or Courmayeur)! My favorite spot in the Alps is the charming ski village of Sauze d’Oulx, you can read more on this post.

Lastly, it is well connected with fast trains to some of Italy’s most beautiful cities such as Milan, Florence, Bologna, Venezia. For Fast trains you need to look for Italo or FrecciaRossa.

2. Cost of Living vs Erasmus grant

With the SAAS loan and Erasmus grant you could expect to receive between 300-400€ per month which could cover your entire rent .

The cost of living in Turin is not high compared to other cities in Italy.

If you like cooking, the cheapest option is going to the market of Porta Palazzo and cook yourself.

If you don’t cook, the best option is to eat at the University canteen which is abundant and cheap, you can have an additional 40% discounted price as an Erasmus student if you show your student card.

3. How to get to Turin?

If you live in countries nearby such as France, Switzerland and Germany you could easily drive there. If not, the best way is:

• Ryanair flight to Turin airport- it is called Sandro Pertini, it’s in Caselle
• Easyjet flight to Milan (Malpensa) or Bergamo. Take the bus called SADEM to get to Turin city center, it takes 2-hour and it costs 20€.

4. Accommodation: Cost, Tips & Tricks

4.1 How much does accommodation cost?

The cost of accommodation in the city-center, inclusive of charges, is the following:

1. Single room: 300-450€
2. Double room: 200-250€

4.2 Should I book accommodation before getting to Turin or after?

Both options are feasible it really depends on how flexible you are in terms of location.

I recommend booking a two-weeks temporary accommodation in case you want to wait until you get to Turin before booking an apartment.

4.3 What are the best accommodation websites for short stays?

Below is a short list of best locations to consider for short stays:

1. Ostello Torino
2. Tomato
3. Open 011
4.  Sharing Hotel Residence

4.4 What are the best accommodation websites for long stays ?

If you want peace of mind and prefer booking your accommodation upfront online you have two options: 1) apply for a University residence or 2) apply for a private residence.

4.4 a) University Residence

Below is a short list of the main University residences:

1. Collegio Universitario Renato Einaudi: this association has five residences in Turin. They assign en-suit rooms to students based on merit
2. Camplus College: has two residences, Camplus Bernini and Camplus Lingotto. You need to apply online and pass an admission test to get a room assigned.

4.4. b) Private Residence

If you choose to go for a private solution, be aware that EDISU offers free counseling via which they will guide you through the research and contract signature.

I would advise you to regularize your contract with the owner and avoid the so called “contratto in nero” which is illegal. Regularizing your contract will give you more stability and it is a proof of the rights you have in case of anything goes wrong.

Make sure that you are offered a Student Contract, these are cheaper (their prices are capped by the Government) and in return provide tax advantages to the owners. It’s a win-win.

Below is a short list of the best places to find private apartments in Turin:

1. Popular websites
2. Cercoalloggio
3. Housing anywhere
4. Turin House
5. Uniplaces
6. Erasmusu
7. University notice boards: these are inside in the University
8. Facebook groups
9. Fondazione Falciola

Few official websites to keep top of mind where you can find further guidance and updated news:

• https://en.unito.it/international-relations/students-mobility/exchange-students-and-erasmus-mobility
• https://didattica.polito.it/guida/2020/en/erasmus?cds=39&sdu=32

5. What’s the best way to get around Turin?

There are several means of transportation in Torino, each of which suitable for students. If you live in the center, the fastest is by bike.

5.1 Bike Sharing

You should definitely register to the TO-BIKE bike sharing program.

There are more than 100 stations around the city where you can easily pick-up bikes and drop them off. The first 30 mins free and the yearly subscription costs 25€.

5.2 Public Transportation

If you live in the city-center there is a range of buses, trams and of course the Metro (subway) which are quite reliable & cheap.

They belong to the same transport provider called GTT Gruppo Transporti Torinese which makes it easier as the same ticket is valid across all means of transportation.

Cost of ticket is 1.70€ and it is valid 100 minutes and one Metro ride; daily ticket is 3€. Make sure you validate the ticket once you get on-board or you may risk getting a fine.

Regular buses and trams start at 5 a.m and go on until midnight.

Regarding transport by night, there are specific GTT buses called “Night Busters” which start at 0:30 and continue until 4:30. Check out the GTT website for more details.

5.3 Electric Scooters

The city of Turin recently introduced the use of electric scooters in the city. The most popular apps are the following:

• BIT Mobility, Helbiz, Dott: rent is 1€ at the start plus 0.15€/minute
• Lime: cost for rent is 1€ at the start of rent plus 0.25€/minute
• Bird: cost for rent is 1€ at the start of rent plus 0.29€/minute

5.4 Car Sharing

An interesting option is the one of hiring cars for short periods of time.

The advantage is you can drive in the ZTL traffic restricted areas and park the car for free in the paid areas.

The most popular providers are Enjoy and Car2go.

The cost is 0.25€ per minute and it includes also fuel and insurance.

5.5 Taxi – they are extremely expensive and most accept only cash payment.

5.6 Uber – unfortunately in Italy and other EU countries it is banned for now

6. Top student-to-student tips

7. Best places for Aperitivo in Turin?

Turin is the city of happy-hour and where the Italian Aperitivo was created.

As a matter of fact, Turin is where the Vermouth spirit was invented and the Martini & Rossi company was founded. After 6pm every bar will offer you complimentary snacks with your drink.

APERITIVO AT DROGHERIA

One of the coolest places to have aperitivo is Drogheria, in the middle of Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

During aperitivo you have two options:

1. If you add 4 euros to your cocktail they will give you a big plate of Italian appetizers
2. You can buy some specific Tapas on top your cocktail for about 3-4 euro each

In the picture below, we bought two tapas one was the fried egg with Parmesan cheese while the other one were two Gyozas with teriyaki sauce. They offered us complimentary focaccia & crisps.

APERICENA OPTION

There are places that go one step further and offer “Apericena” which is basically an open buffet that you can access if you buy a drink. This allows you to have dinner with less than 10€.

One of such places that I recommend is called KM5:

• It offers an “apericena” for 10 € and it includes a drink and as many food plates as you want.
• Food buffet is open 18:30 -22:00 and it is replenished regularly with cold & warm dishes .
• On Friday & Saturday night you can go also after dinner for music & drinks (cocktails 7€ /beers 5 €)

Below is a short list of best places for Apericena:

• Km5 – Great apericena buffet in quadrilatero district
• Dahu – Great Burgers & Tapas in San Salvario district
• San Salvario district – basically any place in this area

8. Best places for quick & cheap lunch bites

• Mollica Piccoli produttori – best sandwiches in town for only 6.5 € 
• Tipica Focacceria Ligure– for yummy grab & go pizza slices from 2.5€ 
• La Piadina Romagnola – for tasteful Piadinas from  3.0€ 

Here I will show talk a bit more about Mollica sandwhiches, the place is run by locals and their suppliers are from the region. This guarantees provision of fresh & genuine ingredients and low carbon footprint.

What I loved the most about Mollica is that they are quite generous with the portions. You can take either the regular sandwich at 6.5€ or the “esagerato” (with double the portion) for only 8.5€.

If you want to spend a bit less, then very valid alternative options are the Focacceria ligure, Piadine or the Trapizzino. They offer very tasty & warm bites with a starting price of 2.5-3.0 € per portion.

9. Best affordable local food

Great restaurants to eat local food at affordable prices:

• La Piola da Cianci– local & affordable food, one of the most popular places among the locals
• Sfashion Café’– for affordable pre-set lunch menus below 10€
• Porto di Savona – local food in the beautiful Piazza Vittorio, slightly pricier than the above
• Mercato Centrale Torino – many stands next to another offering great food variety

Below some pictures from a quick lunch at Piola da Cianci one of the best places for quality/price very among the locals. The can easily eat a proper local lunch for 10 Euros.

We had 2x appetizers, 2x first courses , 1x glass of wine , 1x Coke, 1x water, 2x coffee for 33 EUR !

This Piola is located in a beautiful but hidden square called “Piazza IV Marzo”. Below is a quick 10 seconds video showing you the Piazza and its great vibes & atmosphere.

10.Best Pizza places in Turin

Below is the list of my favorite places for Pizza in Turin

• Cammafa’ – real neapolitan pizza (with large pizza borders) BUT no reservation taken
• Fratelli Pummaro’ – real neapolitan pizza
• Bottega Baretti

The picture below refers to a pizza that I took at Bottega Baretti, I chose Pizza Burrata!

11. Best Place: Beers & Burger

It is no secret that the best beers in Turin are at Baladin (in Piazza Valdo Fusi).

Here you’ll find a variety of 40 draft beers and 100 bottled ones with particular focus on local ones. In addition, you can have tasty Burgers with prestigious local cattle breed meat (La Granda Beef).

12. Best cocktail bars

Below you will find what are the my three favorite places cocktails. If you want to try something different & impress your friends, try the Mad Dog Social Club.

• It is a hidden Italian Cocktail bar, difficult to find as it is very true to its “speakisi” nature
• Speakisi are the places who used to sell alcoholic illegally back in the days of Prohibitionsm
• The Mad Dog Social Club has no signs outside, on purpose. It looks like a regular house

Other Great places for drinks & Cocktails:

• Smile Tree– Best cocktails in town, creative drinks & good service
• Affini – Great cocktails in a stylish location & cool vibes. Good also for Tapas
• Mad Dog Social Club – Speakisi Italian Cocktail bar. #1 for atmosphere. Highly Recommended

13. Where to go out and Party

Below you will find a brief list of key neighborhoods in Turin for partying. Keep on mind tha typically clubs open at 11pm and get crowded at 1am.

13.1 San Salvario district

• Where is it: this is the district next to the Porta Nuova Train station
• Audience: students 18-25 years old
• Price: Cheap
• Mood: Very Easy-going/Alternative
• Top attractions: Restaurants, Bars and Clubs
• Cheap restaurants: Greek Food Lab, Horas (Pizza/Kebab), 100 Montaditos
• Club: Astoria

13.2 Piazza Carlina (Piazza Carlo Emanuele II)

• Where is it: this is between Via Po & Corso Vittorio Emanuele
• Audience: students 18-25 years old
• Price: Cheap
• Top attractions: Cheap Food & Bars —> Don’t miss Trapizzino and 100 Montaditos
• Bars: the cheap & reliable Mago di Oz or the pricier “Central Cocktail Bar”

13.3 Santa Giulia district

• Where is it: this is the district near Piazza Santa Giulia & Via Giulia di Barolo
• Audience: students 18-25 years old
• Price: Cheap
• Mood: Very Easy-going/Alternative
• Top attractions: Restaurants & Bars
• Bars: Mojo Bar, Margo’

13.4 Valentino district

• Where is it: this is the district inside the Parco del Valentino
• Audience: students and young professionals 18-30 years old
• Mood: Easy-going
• Price: Cheap- Mid
• Top attractions: Bars and Clubs
• Bars: L’imbarchino, Fluido
• Clubs: Chalet, Fluido,Rotonda

13.5 Piazza Vittorio Veneto

• Where is it: Along Piazza Vittorio Veneto
• Audience: 25-35 years old
• Price:  Medium
• Top attractions: Aperitivo and Cocktails
• Aperitivo: La Drogheria, Blanco
• Cheap Bars: Frighi Torino

13.6 Quadrilatero district

• Where is it: Along Piazza Vittorio Veneto
• Audience: 25-35 years old
• Price:  Medium/high
• Top attractions: Restaurants, Aperitivo and Cocktails
• Restaurants: Tre Galline
• Aperitivo: Lobelix, KM5
• Cocktail Bar: Smile Tree

14. Best Festivals in Turin

• Kappa Future Festival –Electronic Music Festival
• Club to Club – two days Electronic Music Festival
• Torino Jazz Festival – one-week Jazz music Festival in
• MITO Settembre Musica – Turin & Milan International jazz festival
• Collisioni – Agri-Rock Festival in the UNESCO Langhe vineyards
• Gru Village music Festival – Summer Rock/Pop Festival
• Cioccolato’ – Turin Chocolate Festival taking place in Piazza Vittorio
• La Sagra delle Sagre – Weekend Food festival in Asti
• Festa Dell’Uva Erbaluce di Caluso – Weekend Wine festival in Caluso

15. Cheapest Things to see

• Museo Pietro Micca– entertaining visit underground tunnels of Turin
• Villa Della Regina – Elegant Baroque Villa built in 17^th century
• Historic Tram Linea 7 – city sightseeing on a Tram from the 1930s
• Tranvia Sassi-Superga – Visit the Superga Basilica with the historic Tranvia
• Museo Diffuso della Resistenza – Museum on Italian Resistence to Fascism

16. Free of charge – Turin must see

16.1 The Chiesa di San Lorenzo- Baroque Masterpiece

In Piazza Castello, there is a hidden Baroque Gem called Chiesa di San Lorenzo.

It is by far my favorite monument in Turin. You’ll notice its Basilica from the Piazza but the entrance of the church is hidden so you really need to pay attention to it (see picture below). Don’t miss this one!

16.2 The Santuario della Consolata – Baroque Church

Near Piazza della Consolata, just in front of the famous “Al Bicerin cafe” there is a stunning church which you can visit free of charge. Don’t miss this one!

17. Work with us

If you would like to work with us, reach out to us at weekendinturin@gmail.com . You can contribute in improving the life of other fellow Erasmus students!