Italian Train Phrases: Tickets, Validation and Strikes

Italian trains are fast and cheap compared with many countries, and the stations are busy. The key phrases are “Dov’è la stazione?” (Where is the station?), “Un biglietto per Firenze, per favore” (A ticket to Florence, please) and “Da quale binario parte?” (Which platform does it leave from?). This guide gives you those and more, with audio, and explains what to do before you board.

• Where is the train station?

  Dov'è la stazione dei treni?

  doh-VEH lah stah-tsee-OH-neh day TREH-nee
• One ticket, please

  Un biglietto, per favore

  oon bee-LYET-toh per fah-VOH-reh
• Which platform does this train leave from?

  Da quale binario parte questo treno?

  dah KWAH-leh bee-NAH-ree-oh PAHR-teh kwehs-toh TREH-noh

  Binario means platform.
• Do I need to change trains?

  Devo cambiare treno?

  DEH-voh kahmb-YAH-reh TREH-noh

  A change of train is a "cambio".
• Do I need to validate my ticket?

  Devo convalidare il mio biglietto?

  DEH-voh kohn-vah-lee-DAH-reh eel mee-oh bee-LYEH-toh

  Convalidare means to validate. This is the Italian rule that catches many visitors.

How Italian trains work

• Train types. Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) and Italo are high-speed trains with reserved seats. InterCity are in between. Regionale trains are slow, stop often and are the cheapest.
• Platforms (binari). Platforms are usually shown on the departures board (tabellone) only shortly before departure, often 10 to 15 minutes, in big stations.
• Validation. If your regional ticket has no date and time, validate it in the machine on the platform before you board. Online tickets with a date, and high-speed tickets with a seat, do not need it.
• Classes. Prima classe (first) and seconda classe (second).
• Delays and strikes. Ritardo is a delay and sciopero is a strike. Check your train on the day.
• Buses and trams. In most cities you buy a ticket at a tabaccheria (a shop with a “T” sign) or a machine, and validate it on board.

Buying tickets

You can use a machine (with English), an online app, or the ticket window. Buy early for high-speed trains, as seats are reserved and prices rise.

• How much is a ticket to...?

  Quanto costa un biglietto per...?

  KWAN-toh KOS-tah oon bee-LYET-toh per

  Say the destination in place of the dots.
• A one-way ticket to Rome, please

  Un biglietto di sola andata per Roma, per favore

  oon beel-LYEHT-toh dee SOH-lah ahn-DAH-tah pehr ROH-mah pehr fah-VOH-reh
• A return ticket to Florence, please

  Un biglietto di andata e ritorno per Firenze, per favore

  oon beel-LYEHT-toh dee ahn-DAH-tah eh ree-TOR-noh pehr fee-REHN-tseh pehr fah-VOH-reh
• Second class, please

  Seconda classe, per favore

  seh-KOHN-dah KLAHS-seh pehr fah-VOH-reh
• Is there an express train?

  Esiste un treno espresso?

  eh-ZEES-teh oon TREH-noh ehsp-REHS-soh

  Look for a "Frecciarossa" or an "Italo".
• Where can I buy a metro card?

  Dove posso acquistare una tessera della metropolitana?

  DOH-veh POHS-soh ahk-kwee-STAH-reh OO-nah TEHS-seh-rah DEHL-lah meht-roh-poh-lee-TAH-nah

  Metro and bus tickets are often sold in a tabaccheria.

Validating your ticket

This is the one rule that catches visitors out. A regional ticket without a date must be stamped before you board. Look for the small validation machine on the platform or at the station entrance, and insert the ticket.

• Do I need to validate my ticket?

  Devo convalidare il mio biglietto?

  DEH-voh kohn-vah-lee-DAH-reh eel mee-oh bee-LYEH-toh
• Where do I validate my ticket?

  Dove posso convalidare il mio biglietto?

  DOH-veh PAWS-soh kohn-vah-lee-DAH-reh eel mee-oh bee-LYEH-toh

  Ask staff, or look for the validation machine on the platform.
• Is this ticket valid for this train?

  Questo biglietto è valido per questo treno?

  KWEH-stoh beel-LYEHT-toh eh VAH-lee-doh pehr KWEH-stoh TREH-noh

Finding the right train

• Does this train go to (place)?

  Questo treno va a (luogo)?

  KWEH-stoh TREH-noh vah ah

  Say the station in place of the dots.
• Where do I transfer?

  Dove devo cambiare?

  DOH-veh DEH-voh kahm-BYAH-reh

  Useful at a junction station.
• What's the next stop?

  Qual è la prossima fermata?

  KWAHL eh lah PROHS-see-mah fehr-MAH-tah

  Fermata is a stop.
• Where do I get off for...?

  Dove devo scendere per...?

  DOH-veh DEH-voh SHEHN-deh-reh PEHR

  Say the station name in place of the dots.
• Which line do I take?

  Quale linea devo prendere?

  KWAH-leh LEE-neh-ah DEH-voh PREHN-deh-reh

  For choosing a metro line.
• Where is the exit?

  Dov'è l'uscita?

  doh-VEH loo-SHEE-tah

Delays, strikes and the last train

Trains can be late, and strikes happen. Check the board, ask staff, and have a plan if you are on a tight schedule.

• Are there any delays today?

  Ci sono ritardi oggi?

  chih soh-noh ree-TAHR-dih AW-jih

  Ritardo means delay.
• What time is the last train?

  A che ora parte l'ultimo treno?

  ah keh OH-rah PAHR-teh LOOL-tee-moh TREH-noh
• What time is the first train?

  A che ora parte il primo treno?

  ah keh OH-rah PAHR-teh eel PREE-moh TREH-noh
• Is there a strike today?

  C’è uno sciopero oggi?

  cheh OO-noh SHOH-peh-roh OHD-jee
• Is there luggage storage?

  È disponibile un deposito bagagli?

  eh dees-poh-NEE-bee-leh oon deh-PAW-zee-toh bah-GAH-lyih

  Deposito bagagli is the left-luggage office.

Taxis

Use official white taxis, from a stand or by phone. They have a meter (tassametro). Do not accept rides from people who approach you in the station.

• I would like a taxi

  Vorrei un taxi

  vor-REH-ee oon TAHK-see
• Where is the taxi stand?

  Dov’è il posteggio dei taxi?

  doh-VEH eel poh-STEHD-joh DAY TAHK-see
• Please use the meter

  Usi il tassametro, per favore

  OO-zee eel tahs-sah-MEH-troh pehr fah-VOH-reh

A short scene: at the ticket window

1. YouBuongiorno. Un biglietto per Firenze, per favore.bwohn-JOR-noh oon beel-LYEHT-toh pehr fee-REHN-tseh pehr fah-VOH-rehGood morning. A ticket to Florence, please.
2. Ticket clerkAndata o andata e ritorno?ahn-DAH-tah oh ahn-DAH-tah eh ree-TOR-nohOne way or return?
3. YouSolo andata, seconda classe.SOH-loh ahn-DAH-tah seh-KOHN-dah KLAHS-sehOne way, second class.
4. Ticket clerkIl treno parte alle dieci. Binario sette.eel TREH-noh PAR-teh AHL-leh DYEH-chee bee-NAH-ryoh SEHT-tehThe train leaves at ten. Platform seven.
5. YouDevo convalidare il biglietto?DEH-voh kohn-vah-lee-DAH-reh eel beel-LYEHT-tohDo I need to validate the ticket?
6. Ticket clerkNo, ha già la data e il posto.noh ah JAH lah DAH-tah eh eel POH-stohNo, it already has the date and the seat.

Common mistakes

1. Not validating a regional ticket that has no date. You can be fined.
2. Waiting at the wrong platform. In big stations the platform is announced late. Wait near the board.
3. Boarding a Frecciarossa or Italo without a seat reservation. Tickets are for a specific seat and train.
4. Not checking for a strike. Check on the day.
5. Accepting a taxi from a tout. Use a stand or a phone booking.

For the rest of the phrases you will need on a trip, see our Italian phrases for travel and, if you are asking how much something costs, how much is it in Italian.