A few practical notes to help you feel at home in Turin during the Congress.
Getting around Turin
Turin is a compact, green city, and the easiest way to move around is on foot and by public transport.
- GTT (Gruppo Torinese Trasporti) runs the trams, buses, local trains and Metro Line 1 — the first fully automatic, driverless metro in Italy (to.it).
- Tickets: buy and validate on GTT’s official app TO Move, at machines and tobacconists, or simply tap a contactless card or phone on board. Visitors can buy a Tour ticket — unlimited travel for 48 or 72 hours — ideal for the Congress days.
- Journey planning: the free Moovit app covers all GTT lines with live times; the city’s Muoversi a Torino (MATO) portal adds real-time info and the location of shared-mobility vehicles.
- Shared mobility: free-floating shared bikes (Cooltra, Dott, Lime, RideMovi) and e-scooters (Bird, Dott, Lime, Voi), each bookable through its own app.
- To the Congress venue: trams 4 and 10 stop right beside it — see Getting to the Venue for details.
A gateway to Italy and Europe
Turin is remarkably well connected, so it’s easy to extend your trip before or after the Congress. By high-speed rail (Frecciarossa and Italo) you can reach practically every major Italian city — Milan in about an hour, then Bologna, Florence, Venice, Rome and Naples — while international trains and the two airports (Turin and nearby Milan Malpensa) put the whole of Europe, and long-haul destinations worldwide, within easy reach. Closer by, the Alps, the Langhe wine country and the Ligurian coast make perfect day trips. See Getting to Turin for routes and operators.
Good to know before you arrive
- Currency: the euro (€). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted and ATMs (“Bancomat”) are easy to find; carry a little cash for small cafés, markets and taxis.
- Language: Italian is the official language, but English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and at the Congress. The official language of the Congress is English.
- Time zone: Central European Time; in late May, Turin is on Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2).
- Electricity: 230 V, 50 Hz, with Type L and Type F/C sockets — bring a travel adapter if needed.
- Tap water: safe to drink; you’ll also find the cast-iron public drinking fountains (the “toret”) all over the city.
- Tipping: not obligatory; rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated.
Health & emergencies
- Emergency number: 112 — the single European number for police, ambulance and fire, with English-speaking operators.
- Pharmacies (farmacia, green cross) are plentiful; some stay open late or around the clock on a rota.
- Insurance: EU/EEA visitors should bring their EHIC/GHIC; all delegates are advised to arrange travel and health insurance.
Weather & what to pack
Late May in Turin is usually pleasant and mild, with average highs around 23–24°C and lows around 13–14°C, and the occasional spring shower. Pack light layers, something a little smarter for the social programme, and a compact umbrella or light rain jacket just in case.
Everyday rhythms
- Opening hours: shops generally open ~9:00–19:30, and some smaller ones still close for a midday break; many museums close on Mondays.
- Meals: lunch is typically 12:30–14:30 and dinner from ~19:30–20:00. Don’t miss the Turin aperitivo — a pre-dinner drink served with generous snacks, usually from around 18:00.
Safety
Turin is a welcoming and generally safe city. As anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas, around the stations and on busy transport, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
