“Where is the bathroom?” in Italian: Phrases for banks, laundry and post offices

It’s surprising how often we ask for a bathroom, rather than the location of a museum, when traveling. We have needs to satisfy, when we travel: an ATM that will take your card, and somewhere to wash a week of clothes before you move on.

In this guide you’ll find a variety of Italian expressions grouped by situation: how to ask for a bathroom and find out whether you have to pay, the phrases that get you through a bank or an ATM, what to say at the laundromat, how to mail a postcard, and how to sort out a SIM card and the Wi-Fi.

Public Restrooms (Il Bagno)

Dov’è il bagno? Where is the bathroom?

Dov’è il bagno più vicino? Where is the nearest bathroom?

Posso usare il bagno? Can I use the bathroom?

Si paga? Do I have to pay?

Dov’è il bagno delle donne? / degli uomini? Where is the women’s / men’s bathroom?

At the Bank (In Banca)

Dov’è una banca? Where is a bank?

Vorrei cambiare dei dollari / delle sterline I would like to exchange dollars / pounds

Qual è il tasso di cambio? What’s the exchange rate?

Il bancomat non funziona The ATM doesn’t work

Laundry and Dry Cleaning (Lavanderia)

Dov’è una lavanderia? Where is a laundry?

Quanto costa lavare? How much does washing cost?

Quando sarà pronto? When will it be ready?

Solo lavare o anche asciugare? Just wash or also dry?

At the Post Office (All’Ufficio Postale)

Dov’è l’ufficio postale più vicino? Where is the nearest post office?

Vorrei spedire una cartolina I would like to send a postcard

Quanto costa un francobollo? How much is a stamp?

Dove posso comprare i francobolli? Where can I buy stamps?

Vorrei spedire questo pacco I would like to send this parcel

Quanto costa spedire in America? How much does it cost to ship to America?

SIM Cards and Wi-Fi (SIM e Wi-Fi)

Dove posso comprare una SIM italiana? Where can I buy an Italian SIM card?

Quanto costa il traffico dati? How much is the data plan?

Qual è la password del Wi-Fi? What’s the Wi-Fi password?

Il Wi-Fi non funziona The Wi-Fi doesn’t work

Want a Hand?

This guide gives you the words for the everyday errands of a trip, the ones that fill an afternoon when you’d rather be sightseeing.

A teacher can practice all of it with you, from saying “Dov’è il bagno?” without tripping over the vowels to acting out a whole conversation at the bank counter until you stop translating in your head.

Book a free trial lesson and get ready for daily life in Italy.