Universal Transportation Vocabulary
Words you need for any Italian journey
These words work for trains, buses, taxis, metro—every transportation type in Italy. Master these first, then learn the specific vocabulary for each system.
Core Transportation Words
TREH-noh
Most common transport
ow-toh-BOOS
City and intercity
MEH-troh
Underground train
bee-LYEH-toh
Most important word!
stah-TSYOH-neh
Train or bus
par-TEN-tsah
When it leaves
ahr-REE-voh
When it arrives
ahn-DAH-tah
Single journey
Andata e ritorno
Round-trip
↻ahn-DAH-tah eh ree-TOR-noh
Return ticket
deh-stee-nah-TSYOH-neh
Where you're going
KAHM-byoh
Switch trains/buses
koh-een-chee-DEN-tsah
Connecting transport
Key Transportation Verbs
Partire (to depart): Il treno parte alle otto - The train leaves at eight
Arrivare (to arrive): Arriviamo a Roma - We arrive in Rome
Prendere (to take): Prendo l'autobus - I take the bus
Scendere (to get off): Dove devo scendere? - Where should I get off?
Salire (to get on): Salgo sul treno - I get on the train
Paolo's Core Vocabulary Tip:
The difference between "stazione" (station) and "fermata" (stop) is crucial. Trains use stazione, buses/trams use fermata. Say the wrong one and you'll confuse everyone!
Booking & Essential Questions
How to ask about tickets, times, and travel
These questions work everywhere—ticket counters, machines, asking strangers. Master how to ASK and you can navigate any situation.
Booking Vocabulary
Vorrei un biglietto
I'd like a ticket
↻vor-RAY oon bee-LYEH-toh
Start phrase
KWAN-toh KOH-stah
Price question
A che ora parte?
What time does it leave?
↻ah keh OH-rah PAR-teh
Departure time
A che ora arriva?
What time does it arrive?
↻ah keh OH-rah ahr-REE-vah
Arrival time
Da quale binario?
From which platform?
↻dah KWAH-leh bee-NAH-ryoh
Platform question
Dov'è la biglietteria?
Where's the ticket office?
↻doh-VEH lah bee-lyeh-teh-REE-ah
Finding tickets
Posso pagare con carta?
Can I pay by card?
↻POH-soh pah-GAH-reh kohn KAR-tah
Payment method
C'è un treno prima?
Is there an earlier train?
↻cheh oon TREH-noh PREE-mah
Alternative options
Devo cambiare?
Do I need to transfer?
↻DEH-voh kahm-BYAH-reh
Important question!
kohn-vah-lee-DAH-reh
Must do this!
Forming Questions in Italian
Pattern 1 - A che ora + verb:
• A che ora parte il treno? - What time does the train leave?
• A che ora arriva l'autobus? - What time does the bus arrive?
Pattern 2 - Dove + verb/noun:
• Dove devo scendere? - Where should I get off?
• Dov'è la fermata? - Where is the stop?
Pattern 3 - Quanto + verb:
• Quanto costa? - How much does it cost?
• Quanto tempo ci vuole? - How long does it take?
Train Station Vocabulary
Words you see and hear at Italian train stations
Train stations have their own language. Learn these words and you'll understand announcements, signs, and what people are saying around you.
Train Station Essentials
bee-NAH-ryoh
Most important word!
Tabellone
Departure board
↻tah-beh-LOH-neh
Digital screens
PREE-mah KLAHS-seh
Premium seating
Seconda classe
Second class
↻seh-KOHN-dah KLAHS-seh
Standard seating
Sala d'attesa
Waiting room
↻SAH-lah dah-TEH-zah
Indoor waiting
Controllore
Ticket inspector
↻kohn-troh-LOH-reh
Checks tickets
Deposito bagagli
Luggage storage
↻deh-POH-zee-toh bah-GAH-lyee
Leave bags here
Understanding Announcements
Common phrase patterns:
• "Il treno per [destination] è in partenza dal binario [number]" - The train to [destination] is departing from platform [number]
• "È previsto un ritardo di [minutes] minuti" - A delay of [minutes] minutes is expected
• "Attenzione" - Attention (listen carefully after this!)
• "Viaggiatori diretti a [city]" - Passengers going to [city]
Paolo's Platform Tip:
Listen for "binario" in announcements - that's your platform number. Everything else is less important. "Il treno parte dal binario nove" - platform nine is all you need to know!
Urban Transit Vocabulary
Metro, buses, and trams in Italian cities
City transit has different vocabulary than trains. Learn these words for navigating metros, buses, and trams in Rome, Milan, Naples, and other cities.
Metro & Bus Vocabulary
LEE-neh-ah
Line A, Line B, etc.
dee-reh-TSYOH-neh
Which way it goes
Capolinea
End of the line
↻kah-poh-LEE-neh-ah
Final stop
trahns-BOR-doh
Change lines
Prossima fermata
Next stop
↻PROH-see-mah fehr-MAH-tah
Coming up
SHEN-deh-reh
Devo scendere
ah-boh-nah-MEN-toh
Multi-day pass
kohn-vah-LEE-dah
Stamp your ticket!
Obliteratrice
Validation machine
↻oh-blee-teh-rah-TREE-cheh
Yellow machine
ow-TEE-stah
Bus/tram driver
spor-TEH-loh
Ticket window
Modal Verbs for Transportation
Dovere (must/have to):
• Devo convalidare il biglietto - I must validate the ticket
• Devo scendere qui - I have to get off here
Potere (can/may):
• Posso comprare qui? - Can I buy here?
• Non posso trovare la fermata - I can't find the stop
Volere (want):
• Voglio andare al centro - I want to go downtown
Paolo's Validation Warning:
ALWAYS convalidate (validate) your ticket in the yellow machines before boarding! Inspectors fine heavily—€50 or more. No excuses accepted, even for tourists!
Problem-Solving Vocabulary
What to say when things go wrong
Problems happen to everyone. Learn these phrases so you can ask for help, explain issues, and get solutions—all in Italian.
Problem Phrases
Ho bisogno di aiuto
I need help
↻oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee ah-YOO-toh
Ask for assistance
Non capisco
I don't understand
↻nohn kah-PEE-skoh
Be honest!
Può ripetere?
Can you repeat?
↻pwoh ree-PEH-teh-reh
Ask again
Ho perso il treno
I missed the train
↻oh PEHR-soh eel TREH-noh
Common problem
mee SOH-noh PEHR-soh
Lost yourself
Dov'è l'ufficio informazioni?
Where's the info office?
↻doh-VEH loo-FEE-choh een-for-mah-TSYOH-nee
Get help here
Posso cambiare?
Can I change?
↻POH-soh kahm-BYAH-reh
Ticket/reservation
C'è un altro treno?
Is there another train?
↻cheh oon AHL-troh TREH-noh
Alternative option
reem-BOR-soh
Get money back
Questo treno va a...?
Does this train go to...?
↻KWEH-stoh TREH-noh vah ah
Confirm destination
Polite Request Phrases
Per favore (please): Always add this to requests
Mi scusi (excuse me): Get attention politely - "Mi scusi, dov'è...?"
Grazie mille (thanks so much): Show appreciation for help
Può aiutarmi? (Can you help me?): Direct request for assistance
Paolo's Help Tip:
The information office (ufficio informazioni) has people who speak English at major stations. Look for the blue "i" signs. Don't struggle alone—they're there to help!
Ready to Navigate Italy Confidently?
"Perfetto! Now you have the Italian vocabulary for trains, buses, metro, taxis—everything! Remember: 'binario' means platform, 'fermata' means stop, 'convalidare' means validate. These three words alone will save you from so much confusion. Practice with me and you'll sound like you've lived in Italy for years. Andiamo!"
