Turin Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

If you want to explore the must-see sights of Turin without missing a single detail, a tour on the tourist bus is for you. It is an independent route, which offers free stops so you can organise the itinerary as you wish. Moreover, the ticket activation is very simple, because it is done automatically when you scan your ticket to get on the bus. From that moment you will have between 24 and 48 hours to use the service, depending on the type of pass you have chosen.

Which route is right for you depends on what you want to see. In general, the red route takes you on an enriching tour of the old town and the best local museums. Blue, on the other hand, explores the more innovative buildings, such as the museum housing Italy's first self-driving car. Green is useful for those who enjoy the natural surroundings, while yellow concentrates on a trip aboard an old tram full of fascinating stories.

The City Sightseeing Torino tourist bus is the best option to enjoy a self-guided tour of the city, ideal for you to organise your visit independently. It starts from 21 euros and allows you to choose between 4 daytime routes with 24 or 48 hour options. It is an economical alternative for getting to know the city without rushing, as you can take advantage of the free stops to get on and off at your own pace.

It's ideal if you want to get the full experience, either with your family or on your own. It has everything you need to get to know the city at your own pace, as you can take the most classic route, the A, or combine the A, B and C routes for a varied tour. Another option is to add a visit to the Automobile Museum or the Royal Palace of Venaria, so you can save time and money.

It all depends on the time you have available, but in general I recommend you consider it if you plan to spend at least 2 days in Turin. Some qualities of this bus are that it has WiFi on board and an audio guide available in English, as well as five other languages. In addition, it has a free mobile app that offers entertainment for children, and useful information for choosing your stops.

During the tour you'll have the opportunity to visit iconic sites such as the Egyptian Museum, the Royal Palace and the Basilica of Superga, located in different areas of Turin. It's definitely one of the best things to do in the city if you're looking for a complete and satisfying itinerary.

The main advantage of this attraction is that you can choose between four routes, according to the places you want to visit. The classic line is the red one, but if you plan to stay more than 2 days in Turin, I recommend you to take advantage of all the available options. Specifically, you can alternate between:

Line A or Red Line

Line A or Red Line is the most used because of its privileged route, which runs through the centre of Turin and takes you to the best local museums. For example, you will have the opportunity to visit the Egyptian Museum, where I recommend stopping for a tour inside. It can be done in about an hour, but it all depends on what you want to see and how much time you spend at each stop. This line can connect with:

• Cinema Museum: where you can appreciate an impressive collection of Italian cinema, as well as go up to the 360° dome which is reached via a panoramic lift.
• Egyptian Museum: ideal for a guided tour if you are looking for things to do in Turin with children.
• Risorgimento Museum: discover the history of the unification of Italy, with rich collections that will allow you to travel back in time.
• Royal Palace: the ultimate expression of the immortal legacy of the Savoy dynasty, its gardens and gallery will leave you speechless.
• Po River: a fluvial promenade that can be visited through elegant bridges, surrounded by the Italian Alps.
• Valentino Park: it is a natural environment, close to the Po River. You can stroll through its labyrinths or enjoy outdoor activities. Here you can also see the Borgo, a reproduction of a medieval village.

Line B or Blue Line

Line B or Blue Line takes you to the more modern and innovative side of Turin, with tours of the city's striking landscapes and buildings dedicated to technology. This is the option that can be combined with the National Automobile Museum, for an enriching experience through collections of over 200 cars. Generally, some of the stops usually included are:

• Automobile Museum, ideal if you want to see the first car ever driven in Italy. For this attraction you can buy combined tickets for the museum and the tourist bus.
• Eataly: it is considered the temple of Turin's gastronomy, as it offers tastings of national and international dishes.
• Olympic Park: it is a multipurpose stadium, where the 2006 Olympic Games were held.
• Museum of Radio and Television: discover the history and curiosities of the Italian media.
• Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli: it is an art gallery with hundreds of modern and ancient paintings, ideal for those who love art. You will find works by Canaletto, Renoir, Picasso and Matisse.

Line C or Green Line

Line C or Green Line explores the surroundings of Turin, with a wonderful route through emblematic neighbourhoods, must-see museums and natural parks. It can connect to the Royal Palace of Venaria, as it is included in the itinerary. It has several stops, among which the following stand out:

• Lavazza Museum: here you can learn about the journey of the emblematic coffee brand Lavazza, which has marked the lives of the Turinese with its aromas and flavours.
• Parco Dora: it is an urban park located in the Spina 3 neighbourhood, where the Fiat factories used to be located. Here you can appreciate old chimneys and sport courts.
• Royal Palace of Venaria: an elegant building, with different sceneries that will delight your senses such as the stables of the Scuderie Juvarriane and the royal gardens. For this attraction you can buy combined tickets for the palace and the tourist bus.
• Allianz Stadium and Juventus Museum: this is one of the best local museums dedicated to football fans, where you can see jerseys of the Italian national team and VIP rooms such as the press area. You can also take a guided tour of the stadium facilities, including the changing rooms.

Yellow Line

The Yellow Line is the least sought after, as some people are unaware of its existence. It's a pity, because its route is a real wonder. It is different because it circles the Turin Alps on a historic journey aboard an ancient tram. You can go around the majestic Po River, or visit the Basilica of Superga nearby. This religious site is notable for housing the tombs of the Savoy family.

To learn about the history of the tramway, you can make a stop at the Railway Museum with interesting railway exhibits, as well as old newspapers and photos. Another stop to look forward to is the Tramway Museum.

It all depends on the route you choose, usually the time per tour is set by you. Just make sure you take advantage of the current hours on your ticket. As such, Line A can be completed in 60 minutes, Line B in 75 minutes and Line C in 80 minutes. To savour every landscape, monument and local history at your leisure, I recommend purchasing a ticket for at least 48 hours, ideal if you plan to spend at least 2 days in Turin.

As for waiting times (which should also be considered when putting together an itinerary), it all depends on the route. The red route has buses with a frequency of 60 minutes, the blue one runs every 80 minutes and the green one, having a more distant route, you can expect to wait for it every two hours.

The Turin sightseeing bus is one of the best things to do in the city, as it allows you to get a quick glimpse of the main sights. This way, you'll get to know Turin and make sure you don't miss any detail. Depending on the route you choose, you will have privileged views of certain destinations, a trick to consider is that the red line is perfect for those who want to see the centre and the best local museums.

Meanwhile, the blue line takes you to lesser-known sites of great cultural and historical value. As for the green line, it is ideal for exploring the suburbs, while the tramway or yellow line runs along the Alps that cover Turin.

You can book this experience from 21 euros for line A or for line A, B and C, the price varies a little depending on the length of the ticket and the season. Of course, the 48-hour option is more expensive than the 24-hour option. However, the difference is minimal and well worth it, considering all the sites you can visit. Discounts are sometimes offered for children under five, which can be ideal if you're looking for things to do in Turin with kids.

You can also take advantage of a combined ticket from 42 euros, which allows you to take advantage of lines A, B and C with a tour of the Royal Palace of Venaria or the Turin Automobile Museum. This way, you'll save money and be able to insert yourself into fascinating historic buildings. Additionally, the yellow line or Sassi-Superga tramway must be purchased separately and offers routes from 10 euros.

The sightseeing bus allows you to enjoy the best things to do in Turin, so you're sure to make the most of its timetable. As there are several routes divided by season, each has its own timetable. Your operator can provide you with all the information you need, although it is usually indicated in the booking details that arrive in your inbox. In the meantime, for your guidance, here are the timetables usually offered by the bus:

• Line A: is active from November to March from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Line A, B and C: only available from April to October from 10:00 to 18:00 hours.
• Yellow line: every day except Wednesdays.

The Turin bus has 24 and 48 hour tickets, for Route A or for lines A,B,C. It is activated automatically after the first use, all you have to do is scan your digital ticket when boarding the carriages. From then on, make the most of every minute of the experience. If you will be in Torino for 1 day or more, you definitely need to book this experience.

The ticket can be easily purchased online, so you can secure the experience in advance. I suggest you opt for a reliable agency, to save yourself a hard time. If you forgot to buy your pass when you arrived in the city, you can buy it at the authorised sales points in hotels, tourist offices or directly on board the bus. On the other hand, the stops are completely free and you don't need a guide, although in the cabin you can find recorded commentary, free Wi-Fi and assistance.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the bus has a free mobile app known as the "Tourist Experience". It has valuable information and dynamic games, quite useful if you are looking for things to do in Turin with kids. Additionally, the audio tour is offered in English and five other languages. As for waiting times, buses run between an hour and two hours depending on the line, so you can time it to give you time to get back on.