How to find Housing for Exchange Students in Turin, Italy

Turin (Torino) is a northern Italian city that attracts thousands of international students every year, driven by top-tier academic institutions like the University of Torino (UniTo) and Politecnico di Torino (PoliTO). Despite its appeal, finding a short-term room is notoriously difficult. Many landlords prefer long-term tenants holding multi-year contracts, leaving temporary students with limited choices. Additionally, navigating remote housing searches leaves exchange students vulnerable to online rental scams. But housing hurdles shouldn't stand between you and your study abroad experience! Read on for tips and guidance.

Tips for finding exchange accommodation in Turin

1. Check host university services: (University of Torino (UniTo), Politecnico di Torino (PoliTO)) Check the official portals of UniTo or PoliTO for housing guidance. Look into lower-profile short-term housing options or contact international support offices directly. You can reach out to these offices for guidance even before your official registration is fully complete.
2. Review resources of your host city Turin.Local government pages frequently publish updates regarding housing initiatives and tenant resources.
3. Avoid scams on socials: While Facebook groups and social platforms are common tools for finding rooms, they carry significant risk and host numerous fake listings. Never send initial payments or deposits upfront before verifying a landlord. Cross-reference questionable listings with local student housing services or focus on verified platform options.
4. Dedicated exchange platforms: General real estate portals rarely cater to 5- to 10-month study leases. Exchange Rooms addresses this specific issue by offering short-term, student-to-student sublets from verified fellow exchange students.

Cost of living and student housing in Turin

Compared to major Italian hubs like Milan or Rome, Turin remains one of the country's most affordable university cities. A typical monthly student budget ranges between €700 and €1,100, covering rent, daily expenses, groceries, and leisure.

• Shared Room (Double): €250 – €350 - Lower cost option, often sharing space with another student.
• Private Single Room: €350 – €550 - Standard option in shared student apartments.
• Private Studio: €500 – €750 - Independent living space; higher monthly overhead.
• Groceries & Canteen: €150 – €250 - Budgeting for local markets (like Porta Palazzo) or EDISU dining halls.
• Utilities & Bills: €50 – €100 - Usually split among flatmates (gas, power, internet).

Student-Friendly Neighbourhoods in Turin

Choosing the right district depends on your university campus and preferred daily lifestyle:

• San Salvario: Situated near the Parco del Valentino and main UniTo science campuses, this lively area is famous for its nightlife, affordable cafes, and diverse community.
• Vanchiglia: Located close to UniTo's Campus Luigi Einaudi (CLE), this bohemian neighbourhood is popular among humanities, law, and politics students.
• Crocetta & Cenisia: These safe, structured residential districts directly border Politecnico di Torino, making them prime locations for engineering and architecture students who prefer a quick walk to class.
• Centro: The historical core offers proximity to monuments, shopping avenues, and transit lines, though single rooms here tend to carry slightly higher rent.

Getting Around: Public Transportation

Turin features a well-integrated public transit network operated by GTT (Gruppo Torinese Trasporti), consisting of a driverless metro line, extensive tram routes, and city buses.

• Student Transit Discounts: University students under 26 qualify for discounted GTT season passes, costing roughly €22 to €26 per month (or around €250–€300 annually).
• Regional Student Initiatives: Eligible students enrolled at UniTo or PoliTO may also access regional mobility schemes (such as Piemove) that reduce or fully subsidize local transit costs.
• Single Travel: Standard single-trip tickets cost €2.00 and remain valid for 100 minutes across urban transport lines.

A strategic way to find accommodation

An effective tactic for securing housing abroad is to offer your own room back home first. By listing your available room on Exchange Rooms and sharing the link with the international student office at your host institution in Turin, you create direct avenues for reciprocal sublets. Incoming Italian exchange students heading to your university might need the exact space you are leaving behind, and you could use theirs.

If you don't have a room to sublet, you can still sign up without listing one. Sharing Exchange Rooms with both your home institution and host university expands the active peer network, improving room availability for everyone involved.

Exchange Rooms

Exchange Rooms can help you secure housing in Turin. Search for rooms in the area or learn more and make an account!

Good luck finding housing, we’re rooting for you!