How to move around Italy: essential phrases for trains, buses and taxis

You’re walking through the streets of a medieval Italian village, but the alleys are so narrow that the GPS on your phone stops working: you can’t figure out where you are or how to reach the train station. Situations like this are far from unlikely, and it’s always useful to know at least a few phrases for asking for directions in Italian.

In this article you’ll find a variety of Italian expressions grouped by situation: how to take a taxi, how to use public transport, useful phrases at the airport, at the train or bus station, for renting a car, and for asking for directions.

Taking a Taxi (In Taxi)

Dove posso trovare un taxi? Where can I find a taxi?

Può chiamarmi un taxi, per favore? Can you call me a taxi, please?

Vorrei andare a… I would like to go to…

Quanto costa andare in centro? How much does it cost to go downtown?

Può portarmi all’aeroporto? Can you take me to the airport?

Si fermi qui, per favore Stop here, please

Può aspettare? Can you wait?

Tenga il resto Keep the change

Ha il tassametro? Do you have a meter?

Using Public Transport (Trasporti Pubblici)

Dove posso comprare i biglietti? Where can I buy tickets?

Quanto costa un biglietto? How much does a ticket cost?

Devo timbrare il biglietto? Do I need to validate the ticket?

Che autobus va a…? Which bus goes to…?

A che ora parte il prossimo autobus? What time does the next bus leave?

È questo l’autobus per…? Is this the bus to…?

Dove devo scendere per…? Where should I get off for…?

At the Airport (In Aeroporto)

Dov’è il check-in per…? Where is the check-in for…?

Ecco il mio passaporto Here is my passport

Ho una valigia da imbarcare I have a suitcase to check in

Bagaglio a mano Carry-on luggage

Dov’è il gate / la porta d’imbarco…? Where is gate…?

Il volo è in ritardo? Is the flight delayed?

Dov’è il ritiro bagagli? Where is baggage claim?

La mia valigia è persa My suitcase is lost

Dove sono i taxi? Where are the taxis?

At the Train/Bus Station (Alla Stazione)

Vorrei un biglietto per Roma I would like a ticket to Rome

Andata e ritorno Round trip

Solo andata One way

A che ora parte il treno? What time does the train leave?

Da che binario? From which platform?

Dov’è il binario numero…? Where is platform number…?

Il treno è in ritardo? Is the train delayed?

Dove devo cambiare? Where do I need to change?

Car Rental (Noleggio Auto)

Vorrei noleggiare una macchina I would like to rent a car

Per quanti giorni? For how many days?

Che documenti servono? What documents do I need?

È inclusa l’assicurazione? Is insurance included?

Dov’è il parcheggio? Where is the parking?

Benzina o diesel? Gas or diesel?

Asking for Directions (Chiedere Indicazioni)

Mi sono perso/a I’m lost

Dove si trova…? Where is…?

Come arrivo a…? How do I get to…?

È lontano? Is it far?

Può mostrarmi sulla mappa? Can you show me on the map?

Vada dritto Go straight

Giri a destra Turn right

Giri a sinistra Turn left

È qui vicino It’s nearby

Prenda la prima strada a destra Take the first street on the right

Want a Hand?

This article gives you the phrases to get around Italy, but the best way to make them stick is to practice them with a real teacher before you leave: someone who can correct your pronunciation, act out real travel situations with you, and get you speaking with confidence the moment you land.

Book a free trial lesson and get ready for your Italian adventure!