How to Buy and Activate Your Torino Card (Step-by-Step)

Step-by-step guide to buying the Torino Card online, receiving your QR code, and activating it at your first museum — plus what to do if something goes wrong.

7/19/20262 min read

Short answer: Buy your Torino Card online, choose your duration, and you'll receive a QR code by email or in-app immediately. The card only activates — and its 24/48/72/120-hour countdown only begins — the first time you scan that QR code at a participating museum or attraction, not at the moment of purchase.

Key Takeaways

Buy online in advance; no need to print anything, digital QR code works from your phone.
The clock starts at first use, not at purchase — so you can buy days ahead with no risk of wasting validity.
The card is personal and non-transferable; each QR code is uniquely tied to one visitor.
In-person purchase is also available at official Turismo Torino tourist offices if you prefer.
Keep your phone charged, or bring a printed copy as backup for museum entry.

Step 1: Choose your duration

Decide between the 1, 2, 3, or 5-day card based on how many sights you plan to see. Remember the 1-day version caps you at three free museum entries — see our price guide to compare.

Step 2: Buy online

Purchase directly on the Torino Card website. You'll enter traveler details and payment information, and receive your digital card (QR code) by email, ready to use on any smartphone. There's no need to activate it right away — buy it before your trip and use it whenever you land in Turin.

Step 3: Activate at your first venue

Present the QR code at the ticket desk or entry scanner of the first museum, castle, or attraction you visit. This is the moment validity begins; from here, your 24/48/72/120-hour window counts down continuously (it does not pause overnight).

Step 4: Use it at every subsequent site

Show the same QR code at each participating venue for the rest of your validity window — no need to re-register or re-download anything.

What to do if something goes wrong

If the QR code won't scan, ask staff to check the ID number manually — each code has a unique identifier that staff can look up even if the scanner fails. If you bought the card with details for a different visitor than the one using it, that's fine: it's the QR code's unique ID that matters for entry, not the name printed on it.

FAQ

Do I need to print my Torino Card? No — a phone screen works at virtually every venue, but a printed copy is a smart backup in case of a dead battery.

When does the countdown actually start? At your very first scan at any participating attraction — not at the moment you complete your online purchase.

Can I buy the card in person instead of online? Yes, at official Turismo Torino tourist offices, which is also where you can pick up the discounted multi-day GTT transport ticket.

Is the card refundable if I don't use it? No — like most activated museum passes, it is non-refundable once purchased, so buy the duration you're confident you'll use.