Anyone know the best way for a student to travel from Florence to Turin? Can it be done by train, rather affordably and quickly? It looks like about 200 miles between the two towns, and I'm wondering how long it takes, assuming there's a train. Since my daughter and a couple of friends will be studying in Florence during the Olympics, maybe they can get to Turin and see some of the activities. Although I read that hotels are full, maybe there are still hostels available... Or maybe the students will have to train there, see the sights, then just train home again to Florence... They're young and can take it!
I'll also contact Budget Europe Travel, my favorite resource for purchasing tickets. But I'm sure one of you Fodorites knows right off. Thanks!

Train schedules for most of Europe are on www.bahn.de. Schedules and fares for Italy are on www.trenitalia.com. Note that "Florence" is Firenze and "Turin" is Torino.

Maureen - It's about 5 hrs each way, so too far for a day-trip ...

There's a good hostel in Turin. An alternative overnight might be Milan ... or Genova.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thank you, Geoff and Steve. Does the train go from Florence to Genova, then change trains at Genova to Turin? I didn't see any direct routes Turin to Florence.
Spending the night at Genova could make more sense, as it might not be sold out mid-February during the Olympics.
Steve, do you know the name of any hostels, or if they take reservations, at either Turin or Genova?

InterCity #523 is direct and leaves Florence at 7:51 AM and arrives in Turin at 12:50 PM...no changes required.

Voyager, thank you so much. That's exactly what I need to know.
Do you think that train will be sold out during the February dates of the Olympics?

I am assumimg this timing will be running as currently scheduled when your daughter wants to actually travel. I would advise her to check the schedules closer to the actual travel date.

If there is any question as to the train's being full then seat reservations, should they be available and they usually are on IC trains, would be advisable. Those can generally be made up to 60 days in advance.

There is yet another strategy assuming that not every seat has been reserved. Since this particular train starts out in Florence the best idea is to be on the platform when the train is pulled into the station and be one of the first to get on and claim any unreserved seats. But seat reservations are so cheap I'd go that route if that is even necessary.

Maureen - Here are the links to the hostels:

Turin:

http://www.ostellionline.org/ostello.php?idostello=520

Genova:

http://www.ostellionline.org/ostello.php?idostello=284

Both are good. You can book online.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Voyager and Steve, thanks so much. Your input is a big help!

hey, I'm a student that is traveling to Florence, Italy this spring semester and I was wonder what school your daughter is attending. I'm going to be at New Richmond school and I'm also planning on going to the Olympics. Did you buy tickets already for the games, hostels, and train?
all smiles- kt

Hi, Kathryn. My daughter will be at the Hopkins' Villa Spelman, a very small program of her school. Another friend will be at the Gonzaga program, but I don't know exactly where that is. We have not bought any tickets, as we don't know what her schedule will be. Have you made any reservations?

Hi all!
I AM going to the Olympics to see the Curling Men's and Women's Bronze and Gold games (GO CANADA!!!). Anyways, I originally thought of day-tripping from Firenze but it is too far. I am staying in Milano and will train from there. It is about 1.5 hours away, and is within easy range for both days of competition. Most of Torino is out of my price range, and most of the local private accommodations (i.e. bed and breakfast) are located some 8 to 10 miles away from the major Olympic sites, so a car would be necessary. Try www.hostelworld.com for cheap, safe, clean accommodation in Milano, and all the hotels listed have been rated for safety, location, cleanliness, etc, by people who have stayed there. As for youth hostels, the Italian website is www.ostellionline.org, and according to them, there is only one youth hostel in Torino, and it will not be open for the Olympic timeframe (I think that it will be turned over to either atheletes or press-types...). Also, be aware that Trenitalia will be adding a significant number of trains to and from Torino for the Olympics, and that there will be local public transportation that will take you to and from the remoter Olympic venues. The website for the Torino Olympics is www.torino2006.com, and it is available in English. Here you can find the most relevant facts pertaining to the upcoming Olympics.
I hope your daughter has a great time!!!

Freiamaya, thank you so much for all the information. It would have been hard to find out about it without your help.