This is where you board the historic train up to the Basilica of Superga. The schedule is…read morestraightforward: departures on the hour going up, and on the half hour coming down.
The ticketing system is a little unconventional, but cleverly so. You purchase your ticket at a vending machine with the help of an attendant, who shuts it off once enough tickets have been sold to fill the train. Once the train departs, the machine reopens for the next round. This guarantees that everyone who has bought a ticket can board (though it doesn't necessarily guarantee a seat) and it eliminates the misery of standing in a long line/queue under the sun. Simple, but effective.
While you wait, the station has a bar and small restaurant to keep you comfortable, plus a charming little museum dedicated to the train's history[1].
The ride itself is a delight: 20 minutes of a straight climb through the hills, with sweeping views of Turin and the Po river unfolding below you. The old wooden carriages are full of character.
If you're visiting Turin, this is well worth your time: a fun, family-friendly outing with a payoff at the top. Just come prepared in summer: ventilation is virtually nonexistent, and the carriages can get genuinely hot.
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[1] The train is affectionately nicknamed la dentiera ("the denture") by locals. Once you see how the train moves, it will become obvious why.
