Sarah and Jeremy

QUESTION & ANSWER

It is not necessary to rent a car, but it could be nice if you want to have more freedom to explore the surrounding area. You can rent both manual or automatic cars (though automatic is more expensive) at both Milan and Turin airport. If you decide not to rent a car, you will need to organize your own transport to the wedding area, or coordinate with others who are renting a car to get a ride from the nearest train station to the wedding area (see the next question). In the wedding area, there is no Uber and limited local taxi service. Please let us know if you need any help!

There are 3 options:

1) Rent a car - This is a great option that gives you more freedom to explore the surrounding area. You can rent both manual or automatic cars (though automatic is more expensive) at both Milan and Turin airports.

2) Book private transport - This is also an easy and fast way to get directly to your accommodation, though it can be a little pricey. Taxis from Milan airport to the venue region start from around € 400 for up to 3 people and vans start from €450 for up to 8 people. Prices are lower from Turin - taxis start from around € 200 for up to 3 people and vans start from €300 for up to 8 people. These prices are for one-way trips only. For those arriving to Milan, another option is to take the bus to Turin, which is very easy, and then book a private taxi from Turin. More information on how to reserve private taxis will be posted later.

3) Public transport - It is easy to take the bus to Turin, and from there to take a train to the town of Alba which is near the venue area. However, Alba is a small (and beautiful!) town, with no easy taxi options and only one bus to Barolo or Monforte d'Alba that only runs twice a day. What you could do is take the train to Alba and then, if there are others in your party renting a car, have one of them pick you up.
From Milan airport to Alba:
First, take the bus from Milan airport to the downtown Turin train station of “Torino Porta Susa”. It takes around 2 hours and runs at least every hour for most of the day. It is advisable to book in advance (info and booking here: www.omio.com/buses/milan-malpensa-airport-mxp/turin).
Second, take the SFM4 train from Torino porta Susa to Alba, which runs roughly every hour and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Booking in advance is possible but not necessary as you can buy the tickets at the station (schedule and tickets here: www.trenitalia.com/en.html. FROM: Torino Porta Susa, TO: Alba).
From Turin airport to Alba: [THIS IS A RECENT UPDATE SINCE THEY JUST ADDED THIS TRAIN ROUTE]
The same SFM4 train now runs all the way from the Turin airport to Alba. It runs roughly every hour and takes around 2 hours. Booking in advance is possible but not necessary as you can buy the tickets at the station (schedule and tickets here: www.trenitalia.com/en.html. FROM: Torino Aeroporto di Caselle , TO: Alba).
The timetables for the SFM4 train (as of Sep 6) can also be found here (page 1 for airport to Alba, page 2 for return): www.sfmtorino.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.06_sfm4.pdf. (Note that the last train to Alba leaves at 7pm from the airport or 7:35 if you get on at Torino Porta Susa. The later train is a "FEST" column which is only Sundays and holidays.)

There are some amazing areas to enjoy in the region. Here is some inspiration, and please reach out if you have questions!

Le Langhe - This is the wine region of Piedmont where the wedding is happening. It is a beautiful place to visit in September when the weather is nice and many foods are in season (think truffles, hazelnuts, mushrooms, and red wine). Notable towns include Barbaresco, Barolo, and Alba. You can easily spend a few days driving around these towns for wine tasting, delicious Piedmont cuisine, medieval castles, and gorgeous views. There are plenty of “agriturismo” style accommodations as well, but book in advance as September is still quite busy. Having a car is recommended to enjoy this area! Another idea for getting between the towns is by bicycle, but the region is hilly!

Torino - This is one of Italy’s most underrated cities, though we are admittedly biased since it is also Sarah's home city. There is a lot of history, great restaurants, and beautiful neighborhoods to wander with a mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture and the Alps panorama overhead on a clear day. In addition to the main palace and museums, notable highlights include the luxurious Savoy palace La Reggia di Venaria Reale and the Sacra di San Michele abbey overlooking the city.

Ligurian Coast - Just a few hours drive to the south of the wedding venue and you will be on the coast of Liguria, where you can enjoy to-die-for focaccia, picturesque fishing villages, typical beaches, and coastal roads. Notable sites include the historic city of Genoa, the famous towns of Cinque Terre, and plenty of other beautiful towns to explore. Just pick a direction and drive! It is possible to travel the coast by train from Genoa or Cinque Terre as well.

The mountains to the North: Valle d’Aosta - The alps surround the area to the west and the north. If big snowy mountains are what you seek, we suggest going north to Valle d’Aosta. This tiny region is a jewel in Italy. It borders France and Switzerland and is known for alpine towns, stunning hikes, and fairytale castles. It is just a 2.5 hour drive from the wedding area. You can also get from Turin to Aosta by train.

The lakes - The lake region stretching from Milan to Verona is another great option. Tourist crowds should be down by September-October and the climate is still warm enough to enjoy a lakeside bubbly. Lago Maggiore is closest to the venue and perfect for 2-3 days of ferrying around its many islands and villages. Lago d’Orta is another beautiful lake nearby. Further east, there is the famous Lago di Como, as well as Lago di Garda near Verona. This region is relatively navigable by train (and ferry). Don’t forget to spend some time in Milan as well!

Of course, you can also expand to other regions of Italy. The north is well-connected by road and train. Cities like Pisa, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Verona, or Rome are all doable without flying.