PIEMONTISSIMO READING

How to Visit Piemonte, Italy by Train and public transport

A Slow Travel Guide

Piemonte, Italy by train slow travel

Piemonte, Italy, is a dream destination for lovers of wine, food, and stunning landscapes. While many visitors rent a car to explore this northern Italian region, it’s entirely possible to travel around Piemonte by train and public transport. With its well-connected railway system, charming villages, and even a direct train to the Ligurian coast, Piemonte offers a relaxed and scenic way to explore without the stress of driving.

Getting to Piemonte by Train

Piemonte’s capital, Turin (Torino), is one of Italy’s most accessible cities by rail. High-speed trains connect Turin to Milan in just one hour, while Florence, Rome, and even Paris are reachable within a few hours. Trenitalia and Italo operate frequent services to Torino Porta Nuova and Torino Porta Susa, the two main stations in the city.

If your first leg of the journey is by flight there are several options to arrive in Piemonte. Firstly, you can easily fly in to Turin from many main airports in Europe. From Milan you can take the train to Tortona and continue to Asti. Or you can fly to Nice (France) and take the coastline train to Savona or Genova and exchange for a the train to Piemonte. 

For those heading straight to the wine country, Alba and Asti—two key hubs in Piemonte’s Langhe wine region—are also well connected by regional trains. You can catch a direct train from Turin to Asti in about 35 minutes, while reaching Alba requires a quick transfer at Bra or Asti

Exploring Piemonte’s Villages by Public Transport

Many of Piemonte’s picturesque villages and towns can be explored using trains and buses. The regional rail network connects major destinations, and bus services cover smaller villages nestled in the hills.

  • Alba: The heart of the Langhe region, Alba is famous for truffles, Barolo wine, and historic charm. The train station is centrally located, making it easy to explore the town on foot.
  • Bra: Known as the birthplace of the Slow Food movement, Bra has excellent connections by train. From here, a short bus ride takes you to Barolo, La Morra, or Serralunga d’Alba—three stunning wine villages.
  • Asti: Famous for its sparkling wines and the Palio di Asti horse race, this city is a great base for visiting the Monferrato region by bus.
  • Cuneo: With its beautiful arcaded streets and close proximity to the Alps, Cuneo is reachable by train and offers bus routes to mountain villages like Limone Piemonte.
  • New Asti-Alba Train Line: A recently reopened railway line now connects Asti with Alba via Castagnole delle Lanze and Neive, providing a much-needed direct route between these important wine regions. This scenic train ride makes it easier than ever to explore the charming villages of Neive, one of Italy’s most beautiful borghi, and Castagnole delle Lanze, known for its Barbera wines, without needing a car.

For visiting smaller wine-producing villages, consider using the GTT (Gruppo Torinese Trasporti) bus network, which connects many key destinations in the Langhe and Roero regions. Buses depart from Alba and Asti, making stops at major wineries and hilltop villages.

A Day Trip to the Ligurian Coast from Asti

One of Piemonte’s hidden gems is the direct train from Asti to the Ligurian coast, offering an effortless day trip to the Italian Riviera. In just under two hours, you can go from Piemonte’s rolling vineyards to the seaside towns of Portofino, Camogli, Savona, Finale Ligure, or Alassio.

  • Savona: A charming port town with historical sites and a relaxed beachfront.
  • Finale Ligure: Known for its scenic coastline and hiking trails.
  • Alassio: A classic Ligurian beach town, ideal for a leisurely day of sun and seafood.

  • Camogli: A picturesque fishing village with colorful buildings and excellent seafood restaurants

  • Portofino: An iconic and luxurious coastal village, famous for its stunning harbor and chic atmosphere.

These destinations make for a perfect escape, especially in the summer, when the contrast between Piemonte’s vineyard-covered hills and Liguria’s azure waters is most striking.

Visiting Wineries Without a Car

One of the biggest challenges of exploring Piemonte without a car is visiting wineries, as many are located in the countryside. However, some renowned producers, like Pio Cesare in Alba, are easily accessible on foot from the town center.

Pio Cesare is a historic winery that has been producing Barolo and Barbaresco for over 140 years. Their cellars, located beneath the streets of Alba, offer an immersive wine-tasting experience without needing to drive. Since it’s just a short walk from the Alba train station, you can enjoy a tasting of Barolo without worrying about transportation.

Another excellent option is Dogliotti Winery in Castagnole delle Lanze, conveniently located in the town center and accessible via the new Asti-Alba train line. Dogliotti is renowned for its Moscato d’Asti and Barbera wines, offering an intimate tasting experience in a historic setting. Visitors can easily explore this charming village and its wine culture without the need for a car. If you are happy to walk 2km through Castagnoles stunning landscapes, you can easily visit world known wine producer La Spinetta by foot as well. 

For those eager to visit wineries outside Alba, several tour companies offer shuttle services and guided wine tours departing from Alba or Asti, making it possible to experience Piemonte’s wine culture responsibly.

How to book and buy tickets to trains in italy

To simplify planning your train journeys in Piemonte and beyond (actually across all of europe), consider using Trainline. This user-friendly platform allows you to search schedules, compare ticket prices, and book your journey seamlessly on your phone and desktop. Trainline integrates both Trenitalia and Italo services, ensuring that you can find the best routes and ticket options in one place. The app also provides real-time updates and digital tickets, making travel more convenient and efficient.

Tips for Navigating Piemonte by Train and Bus

  • Use Trenitalia’s app for real-time train schedules and easy ticket booking.
  • Check regional bus schedules in advance, as some routes run infrequently, especially on weekends.
  • Consider a multi-day travel pass for regional trains and buses to save money.
  • Stay in towns with good transport links, such as Alba, Asti, or Turin, to make day trips easier.
  • Be patient—public transport in rural areas can sometimes be slower than expected, but it’s all part of the relaxed charm of traveling in Piemonte.

Conclusion

Traveling through Piemonte by train and public transport offers a stress-free, scenic, and sustainable way to experience the region’s breathtaking landscapes, world-class wines, and rich history. Whether you’re exploring charming villages, taking a seaside detour to Liguria, or savoring a glass of Barolo at Pio Cesare in Alba, you’ll find that Piemonte is perfect for slow, immersive travel—no car required.

More reading about piemonte and italy

Scroll to Top