First Phrases

Train and bus phrases · Italiano

Train and bus phrases in Italian: 15 phrases

Buy a ticket, ask which platform or stop, check the next departure, ask about delays and changes, pay by card, find your seat, get off at your stop, find the exit or taxi rank, deal with a missed train and say thank you. Short, polite phrases for trains and buses in a new country. Pair them with Meet & Mint once you are settled.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Neutral. With ticket staff, drivers and strangers, "Lei" and "per favore" are the safe default in Italy; "Scusi" gets attention. Ticket rules differ between Trenitalia regional trains, high-speed trains and city buses, so check your operator's rules before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How to read the sounds: Italian is spoken as written. Double consonants (tt, ll, zz) are held longer. c before e/i = ch, g before e/i = j, gn = ny, gli = ly, sc before e/i = sh. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Un biglietto per ..., per favore.
    Say it like: oon beel-YET-toh per ..., per fah-VOH-reh
    One ticket to [place], please.
    Register: Put the place name where the dots are.
  2. 02Neutral
    Un biglietto di andata e ritorno, per favore.
    Say it like: oon beel-YET-toh dee an-DAH-tah eh ree-TOR-noh, per fah-VOH-reh
    A return ticket, please.
    Register: "Andata e ritorno" = there and back.
  3. 03Neutral
    Da quale binario parte?
    Say it like: dah KWAH-leh bee-NAH-ryoh PAR-teh
    Which platform does it leave from?
    Register: "Binario" = platform / track.
  4. 04Neutral
    È questo il treno per ...?
    Say it like: eh KWES-toh eel TREH-noh per ...
    Is this the train to ...?
    Register: Say the destination after "per".
  5. 05Neutral
    Questo autobus ferma a ...?
    Say it like: KWES-toh OW-toh-booss FAIR-mah ah ...
    Does this bus stop at ...?
    Register: "Fermare" = to stop.
  6. 06Neutral
    Quando passa il prossimo?
    Say it like: KWAN-doh PAS-sah eel PROS-see-moh
    When is the next one?
    Register: "Passa" suits a bus; for a train say "parte".
  7. 07Neutral
    Il treno è in ritardo. Quanto?
    Say it like: eel TREH-noh eh een ree-TAR-doh. KWAN-toh
    The train is delayed. How long?
    Register: "In ritardo" = late.
  8. 08Neutral
    Dove devo convalidare il biglietto?
    Say it like: DOH-veh DEH-voh kon-vah-lee-DAH-reh eel beel-YET-toh
    Where do I validate my ticket?
    Register: Look for the small validating machines; electronic tickets may not need it.
  9. 09Neutral
    Posso pagare con la carta?
    Say it like: POS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Useful at ticket desks and with drivers.
  10. 10Neutral
    È libero questo posto?
    Say it like: eh LEE-beh-roh KWES-toh POS-toh
    Is this seat free?
    Register: Asked before you sit next to someone.
  11. 11Neutral
    Scusi, devo scendere qui.
    Say it like: SKOO-zee, DEH-voh SHEN-deh-reh kwee
    Excuse me, I need to get off here (this is my stop).
    Register: "Scendere" = to get off.
  12. 12Neutral
    Devo cambiare treno?
    Say it like: DEH-voh kam-BYAH-reh TREH-noh
    Do I need to change trains?
    Register: "Una coincidenza" = a connection.
  13. 13Neutral
    Dov'è l'uscita / il posteggio dei taxi?
    Say it like: doh-VEH loo-SHEE-tah / eel pos-TEJ-joh day TAK-see
    Where is the exit / the taxi rank?
    Register: Choose one: "l'uscita" or "il posteggio dei taxi".
  14. 14Neutral
    Ho perso il treno. Cosa posso fare?
    Say it like: oh PAIR-soh eel TREH-noh. KOH-zah POS-soh FAH-reh
    I missed my train. What can I do?
    Register: Say it at the ticket desk or to staff.
  15. 15Neutral
    Grazie, buon viaggio.
    Say it like: GRAHT-syeh, bwon VYAJ-joh
    Thank you, have a good trip.
    Register: "Buon viaggio" is the standard send-off.

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a train ticket in Italian?

Say: "Un biglietto per ..., per favore." (One ticket to [place], please.)

Should I use formal or informal Italian with ticket staff and drivers?

With ticket staff, drivers and strangers, "Lei" and "per favore" are the safe default in Italy; "Scusi" gets attention. Ticket rules differ between Trenitalia regional trains, high-speed trains and city buses, so check your operator's rules before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How do I ask which platform a train leaves from in Italian?

Say: "Da quale binario parte?" (Which platform does it leave from?)

How do I say I missed my train in Italian?

Say: "Ho perso il treno. Cosa posso fare?" (I missed my train. What can I do?)

Train and bus phrases in another language

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