So, you’re standing in Milan’s Centrale station, staring at that massive, clicking departure board. It’s overwhelming. Milan to Turin train routes are basically the backbone of Northern Italian travel, but if you just walk up to a kiosk and hit "buy," you’re probably overpaying or ending up on a regional slog that stops at every tiny village in Lombardy.
I’ve done this commute more times than I care to admit.
The distance is roughly 145 kilometers. By car, you’re looking at a stressful hour and forty-five minutes on the A4, battling aggressive semi-trucks and paying hefty tolls. On the high-speed rail? You’re there in under an hour. It’s a no-brainer. But there is a massive difference between the Trenitalia Frecciarossa and the Italo services, not to mention the "slow" trains that take twice as long for half the price.
The High-Speed Choice: Frecciarossa vs. Italo
Most people assume all fast trains are the same. They aren’t.
Trenitalia is the state-owned giant. Their Frecciarossa (the "Red Arrow") is the flagship. These trains are sleek. They’re fast. They hit speeds of 300 km/h. If you’re looking for the Milan to Turin train that feels like a flight, this is it. They usually depart from Milano Centrale and arrive at Torino Porta Nuova, though some stop at Torino Porta Susa first.
Porta Susa is actually better if you’re heading to the northern part of Turin or need to catch a local connection quickly. It’s a modern, glass-and-steel station that feels way less chaotic than the grand, 19th-century terminal of Porta Nuova.
Then you’ve got Italo.
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Italo is the private competitor. Their trains are burgundy and look like Ferraris on tracks. Honestly, sometimes they’re cheaper because they’re constantly trying to undercut Trenitalia. They offer four classes of service: Smart, Prima, Club Executive, and Salotto. If you find a "Prima" seat on sale, grab it. You get free coffee and a snack, and the leather seats are wide enough to actually work on a laptop without elbowing your neighbor.
Why the Regional Train is Kinda a Trap
Unless you are on a literal shoestring budget, avoid the Regionale Veloce (RV).
It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. You’ll save maybe 10 or 15 Euros compared to a last-minute high-speed ticket, but you lose an hour of your life. Plus, these trains don't have assigned seating. If it's a Friday afternoon, you might be standing in the vestibule next to a guy with a mountain bike for the entire trip. Not fun.
Booking Secrets Nobody Tells You
Don't wait.
Italian train prices function exactly like airline tickets. If you book a Milan to Turin train three weeks out, you might pay €14. If you buy it five minutes before departure at the station, you could pay €45.
Use the apps. Download both the Trenitalia app and the Italo app.
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- Check the "Extra" or "Special" fares: Trenitalia often has "Bimbi Gratis" (kids free) or "A/R in giornata" (same-day return) discounts that don't show up clearly on third-party booking sites.
- The Ticket Validation Myth: If you have a digital ticket for a high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo), you do not need to validate it. You just show the QR code to the conductor. However, if you bought a paper ticket for a regional train at a machine, you must stamp it in those little green or yellow machines before boarding. If you don't, and the conductor is having a bad day, that’s a €50 fine on the spot.
The Station Shuffle: Centrale vs. Garibaldi
Milan is tricky.
While Milano Centrale is the main hub, many Italo trains and some Trenitalia services also stop at Milano Porta Garibaldi.
Garibaldi is located in the Isola district. If you’re staying near the Bosco Verticale or the Corso Como area, don't trek all the way to Centrale. Just go to Garibaldi. It’s much easier to navigate, and the security lines (yes, there are now gates to get onto the platforms at major Italian stations) move significantly faster.
What to See Out the Window
Honestly? The scenery between Milan and Turin is pretty flat. You’re crossing the Po Valley.
In the winter, it’s often covered in a thick, cinematic fog. In the spring, you’ll see the rice paddies of Vercelli flooded with water, reflecting the sky like giant mirrors. This is where Italy grows its risotto rice. If you look North on a clear day, the Alps rise up like a wall of granite and snow. It’s breathtaking, but it’s fleeting.
Arriving in Turin: Porta Nuova vs. Porta Susa
When your Milan to Turin train pulls into the station, you need a plan.
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Torino Porta Nuova is the end of the line. It puts you right at the top of Via Roma, the luxury shopping street. You can walk from the station to the Egyptian Museum (the best one outside of Cairo, seriously) in about 10 minutes.
Torino Porta Susa is the "underground" station. It’s much closer to the Quadrilatero Romano, which is the old part of the city filled with tiny wine bars and Roman ruins. If you’re going to a game at the Juventus Stadium, getting off at Porta Susa and grabbing a bus or tram is usually faster.
Common Misconceptions About Italian Trains
People think they are always late.
That’s a stereotype from the 90s. The high-speed network (Alta Velocità) is remarkably punctual because it runs on dedicated tracks. If there is a delay, it’s usually because of a "guasto alla linea" (track failure) or a strike (sciopero).
Speaking of strikes, they are a real thing. They usually happen on Fridays. Always check the Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti website or just look for the word "Sciopero" on news sites the day before you travel. Usually, high-speed trains are "guaranteed" during certain peak hours (6:00-9:00 and 18:00-21:00), but regional trains will just disappear from the schedule.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
- Compare prices instantly: Use an aggregator like TheTrainLine or Omio to see Italo and Trenitalia side-by-side, but always try to do the final booking on the carrier's official app to avoid service fees.
- Pick your side: Sitting on the right side of the train when heading from Milan to Turin gives you the best view of the Alps (if the weather is clear).
- Validate regional tickets: If you go the cheap route and use a paper ticket, find the machine on the platform and stamp it. No excuses.
- Know your station: Check your ticket carefully. Does it say "Centrale," "Garibaldi," or "Rogoredo"? Milan has many stations, and going to the wrong one will ruin your morning.
- Food hack: Don't buy the soggy sandwiches on the train. Milano Centrale has a Mercato Centrale inside the station with incredible artisanal food. Grab a porchetta sandwich or some fresh focaccia there before you board.
- Luggage: There are no weight limits on Italian trains, but you have to lift your bag onto the rack yourself. If you have a 30kg suitcase, try to find the luggage stacks at the end of the carriage rather than trying to hoist it over your head.
The Milan to Turin train journey is the easiest "city hop" in Italy. You leave the fashion capital and, 60 minutes later, you’re in the heart of the Savoia kingdom, ready for a bicerin (a layers-of-chocolate-and-coffee drink) at Caffè Al Bicerin. Just buy your tickets at least a week early and you’ll be golden.