Torino Porta Susa

How to Get to Torino Porta Susa

Torino Porta Susa is the city’s primary high-speed rail hub. Located west of the historic center, it is highly accessible via the local transit network.

From Turin Airport (TRN)

• Train: Take the Trenitalia regional train (SFM4, SFM6, or SFM7 lines) directly from the "Torino Aeroporto di Caselle" station, located opposite the terminal.
  • Journey Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
  • Cost: €3.70.
  • Tickets: Purchase at machines in the arrivals hall or the station. These accept credit/debit cards and cash.
  • Important: If using a paper regional ticket, you must validate it in the green/yellow machines before boarding to avoid fines.
• Note: Train services are occasionally suspended for maintenance (e.g., late January/early February). Always check the Trenitalia website for real-time alerts.

From City Center

• Metro (M1 Line): This is the fastest, most reliable option. The "XVIII Dicembre" station is located immediately adjacent to the Porta Susa complex.
  • Journey Time: About 5–10 minutes from central points like Porta Nuova.
  • Payment: You can tap your contactless credit card or smartphone directly at the turnstiles—no need to buy a physical ticket.
• Tram/Bus: Lines 10 and 13 are excellent options for reaching the station from various parts of the city.
  • Journey Time: 15–20 minutes depending on traffic.

By Taxi

• Journey Time: 10–15 minutes from Piazza Castello or the historic heart.
• Cost: Approximately €10–€15, depending on traffic and starting point.
• Tip: Official taxi ranks are located at major piazzas and directly outside the station at Corso Bolzano.

Pro-Tip: Ticket machines throughout the station feature English language options and accept both cards and cash. If you are a first-time visitor, utilizing the contactless tap-and-go system on the Metro is the most stress-free way to travel.

Torino Porta Susa is a modern, through-style railway station designed as an elongated glass-and-steel gallery. Unlike older, sprawling terminal stations, Porta Susa is compact and efficient, built primarily underground beneath the busy Corso Inghilterra. While some sources may reference historical platform counts, the current active station features six through-tracks and platforms located at level -3.

Think of the station as a three-tier vertical sandwich. You enter at the street-level gallery, which serves as the main concourse. Beneath this, the intermediate level (level -1) contains ticketing, passenger services, and waiting areas. From this level, you descend via one of four transversal pedestrian passageways—equipped with escalators and elevators—that run over the tracks to reach your specific platform at the lowest level (level -3).

Because the station is a through-station, all platforms handle a mix of high-speed (Frecciarossa, Italo, TGV) and regional (SFM) trains. There is no permanent "high-speed zone" platform; instead, always check the digital departure screens in the main concourse to confirm which of the six platforms your train is using. The station’s linear design makes it straightforward to navigate; the platforms are arranged in a single row, so you cannot get lost in different wings or distant terminal bays.

For first-time visitors, the most common point of confusion is the vertical transition. Do not expect to walk directly from the street onto a platform; you must first descend to the intermediate concourse to access the stairs or lifts leading down to the track level. Because the station is relatively compact, you do not need to worry about extreme walking distances or complex transfers between distant platforms. However, since the station features limited seating and can become quite warm under its glass roof, it is best not to arrive excessively early. If you have heavy luggage, prioritize the elevators located within the four central pedestrian passageways, as these provide the most direct, step-free route from the concourse down to the platform level. Keep an eye on the screens, head to your designated passageway, and you will find your train waiting in the modern, light-filled underground hall.

Tips for First-Time Visitors: Torino Porta Susa

Navigating a major Italian station for the first time can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—Porta Susa is modern, well-lit, and very manageable once you know the ropes. I wish someone had told me these things before I arrived!

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

• Download the apps: Grab the Trenitalia or Italo app for booking, and download To Move for all local public transport (buses, trams, and metro) tickets. It saves you from hunting for kiosks.
• Buy online: Book your main train tickets online in advance. It avoids the long queues at station ticket machines and often secures you a better fare.
• Station layout: Porta Susa is a long, glass-covered gallery. It’s spacious, but if you have heavy luggage, note that elevators and escalators are available to reach the platforms.

AT THE STATION

• Connectivity: There is free Wi-Fi in the station. Select the "WiFiStation" network and follow the prompts to register with your mobile number to receive a verification text.
• Facilities: Paid toilets are available in the station; keep some coins handy, as they are not always free. You will find ATMs located in various spots throughout the main hall.
• Dining: For a quick, affordable bite, stick to the cafés inside the glass gallery. If you have extra time, head outside to Corso Inghilterra—you’ll find authentic local trattorias that are much better than the station kiosks.

COMMON MISTAKES

• The "Validation" Trap: If you buy a paper ticket for a regional train or local transport (bus/tram/metro), you must validate it in the yellow or green machines before boarding. Forgetting this is a common mistake that leads to instant fines.
• Platform Checking: Do not check your platform two hours early. Platforms at Porta Susa can change; check the digital departure screens around 20–30 minutes before your scheduled departure.
• Ticket Machine Payments: Some older machines at stations only accept coins or specific cards. If you’re using a foreign credit card, use the official ticket office or the newer, red Trenitalia kiosks in the main hall which are more reliable for international cards.

Through station serving Turin, Italy. Opened in 2013, the current structure is a modern, underground facility that serves as a critical link in the city's rail network. While the original station opened in 1868, the modern, glass-and-steel terminal was built to accommodate high-speed rail, regional, and metropolitan services. It functions as a major hub, connecting travelers to high-speed lines (Frecciarossa and Italo) and international routes, including services to France.

First-time visitors often worry that such a modern facility might be overwhelming, but the layout is straightforward and functional. The station features six platforms located underground, accessed via escalators and elevators from the main concourse. It is not an massive, labyrinthine terminal; it is designed for efficient movement. Signage is clear, and digital displays provide real-time information.

To navigate with confidence, allow extra time for your arrival, as platforms are typically assigned 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Keep an eye on the departure screens, which are well-positioned throughout the station. While the architecture is striking, the facility is primarily a working transit hub, so expect standard station amenities rather than a complex shopping destination. If you are ever unsure, staff and digital information boards are available to guide you to the correct platform.