150 Essential Italian Travel Phrases to Travel Italy with Confidence

Italy is a country synonymous with ancient history, art that has defined epochs, a cuisine that’s sparked global love affairs, and landscapes that leave you breathless. From the bustling streets of Rome to the serene canals of Venice, each corner of Italy has its own unique charm. But there’s one element that binds these experiences and enriches them tenfold: the Italian language.

We were lucky to spend three months immersing ourselves in the richness of Italy. We quickly learned that speaking even a few phrases completely transformed our travel experience, giving us countless opportunities to connect with people in ways we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. We’ve distilled the most essential Italian travel phrases (with audio!) you’ll need for a truly memorable trip.

Basic Italian Travel Phrases

If learning all of the phrases in this post seems daunting, this section is a great place to start. Familiarizing yourself with these basic Italian phrases will be incredibly useful as you’ll use almost all of these expressions on a daily basis. With these basics in your arsenal, you’re setting yourself up for a memorable experience.

Italian	English
Ciao!	Hello/Bye!
Buongiorno!	Good morning/Good day!
Buonasera!	Good evening!
Arrivederci!	Goodbye!
Sì	Yes
No	No
Per favore	Please
Grazie	Thank you
Prego	You’re welcome
Mi Scusi	Excuse me (formal)
Parla inglese?	Do you speak English?

Common Italian Greetings

A warm greeting can set the tone for any interaction. Whether it’s “Buongiorno” (Good morning) or “Buona sera” (Good evening), offering a friendly hello in Italian is a simple way to show respect and make connections.

A note on greeting etiquette: It is polite to always say hello before beginning any interaction. When you enter a store, you should address and greet employees or store owners. While in many English-speaking countries, if you need to ask someone a question, you might say “excuse me” to get their attention, in Italy, you should always say hello first. No one will be offended or will be rude if you forget, but it will just make your interaction much smoother.

Italian	English
Buongiorno!	Good morning/Good day!
Buonanotte!	Good night!
Ciao!	Hello
Salve!	Hello! (formal)
Come va?	How’s it going?
Come stai?	How are you? (informal)
Piacere	It’s a pleasure (to meet you)
Tutto bene?	Everything alright?
Stai bene?	Are you well?
Pronto	Hello (on the phone)

Common Italian Farewell

Saying goodbye is just as important as the initial greeting. “Arrivederci” (Goodbye) or “Ciao” (Bye) leaves a lasting impression of your politeness. Part ways with grace and a promise to return.

Italian	English
Ciao!	Bye!
Arrivederci!	Goodbye!
A presto!	See you soon!
Buona giornata	Have a good day
Buona serata	Have a good night
Buon viaggio!	Have a good trip!
Ci vediamo!	See you later!
Italian Farewell Phrases	See you soon!
Stai bene	Take care
A più tardi!	See you later!
A domani!	Until tomorrow!

Polite Italian Phrases

Politeness in Italy goes a long way. Basic Italian phrases like “Per favore” (Please) and “Grazie mille” (Thank you very much) show your appreciation and good manners. When in doubt, always opt for courtesy.

Italian	English
Mi dispiace	I’m sorry (to express remorse, but it isn’t your fault)
Scusa	Excuse me (informal)
Permesso	Excuse me (when requesting to let you pass in a crowd)
Non fa niente	Don’t worry about it / It doesn’t matter (you’re welcome)

Common Travel Questions

Asking questions like “Quanto costa?” (How much is it?) or “Dove è il bagno?” (Where is the bathroom?) can be essential during your travels. Being equipped with these questions will make navigating Italian cities and towns a breeze. Here are some of the Italian travel phrases we use frequently.

Italian	English
Quanto costa?	How much does it cost?
Dov’è il bagno?	Where is the bathroom?
Qual è la password del Wi-Fi?	What is the wifi password?
Avete WiFi?	Do you have WiFi?
C’è una mappa della città?	Is there a city map?
Dove posso trovare un taxi?	Where can I find a taxi?
Ha una camera libera?	Do you have a room available?
Questo posto è libero?	Is this seat free?
Che ore sono, per favore?	What time is it, please?
Dove posso comprare i biglietti?	Where can I buy tickets?
Dov’è il bagno?	Where is the bathroom?

Italian Dining Phrases

Dining in Italy is an experience like no other. Enhance your meals by knowing how to say “Posso avere il conto?” (Can I get the bill?) or “È delizioso!” (It’s delicious!). Savor the culture and cuisine with confidence.

Italian	English
Mi può dare il conto?	Can I have the bill?
Un tavolo per due, per favore.	A table for two, please.
Il menu, per favore.	The menu, please.
Vorrei…	I would like…
Il conto, per favore.	The bill, please.
Sono allergico/a a…	I am allergic to…
Posso vedere il menù dei vini?	Can I see the wine menu?
Che cosa mi consiglia?	What do you recommend?
Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per stasera.	I’d like to book a table for tonight.
Un tavolo all’aperto, per favore.	A table outside, please.
Avete opzioni vegetariane/vegane?	Do you have any vegetarian/vegan options?
Questo piatto è piccante?	Is this dish spicy?
Una bottiglia d’acqua	Bottle of water
Una bicchiere di vino	Glass of wine

Sightseeing Italian Phrases

When visiting iconic landmarks, phrases like “Che orario chiude?” (What time does it close?) or “Dove si compra il biglietto?” (Where can I buy a ticket?) will enhance your sightseeing adventures. Dive deep into Italy’s rich history with these handy expressions.

Italian	English
Dov’è il museo?	Where is the museum?
Quanto costa l’ingresso?	How much is the entrance fee?
È aperto oggi?	Is it open today?
Vorrei una guida in inglese.	I’d like a guide in English.
Dove posso acquistare i biglietti?	Where can I buy tickets?
C’è una visita guidata?	Is there a guided tour?
Può farmi una foto?	Can you take a picture of me?
Mi può dare una mappa?	Can I have a map?
È possibile fare delle foto qui?	Is it possible to take photos here?
Che ore sono le visite guidate?	What time are the guided tours?
Quando chiude?	When does it close?

Market Italian Phrases

Navigating local markets is a treat for the senses. Be ready to ask “Posso provare?” (Can I try?) or exclaim “Bellissimo!” (Beautiful!). Engage with local vendors and immerse yourself in the vibrant market scene.

Italian	English
Vorrei comprare…	I’d like to buy…
Quanto costa al chilo?	How much per kilo?
Posso assaggiare?	Can I taste?
È fresco?	Is it fresh?
Cosa sono questi?	What are these?
Avete…?	Do you have…?
Mi può dare un sacchetto?	Can I have a bag?
Questo è fatto a mano?	Is this handmade?
Accettate il pagamento con carta?	Do you accept card payment?
A che ora chiude il mercato?	What time does the market close?

Shopping Italian Phrases

Shopping in Italy is a dream come true for many. With phrases like “Avete una taglia più grande?” (Do you have a larger size?) or “Posso vedere quello?” (Can I see that?), you’ll be well-prepared for any shopping spree.

Italian	English
Quanto costa questo?	How much is this?
Accettate carte di credito?	Do you accept credit cards?
Pago con carta	I’ll pay with card
Sto cercando..	I’m looking for…
Sto dando un’occhiata	I’m just looking, browsing
Ho bisogno di…	I need…
Avete taglia…?	Do you have size…?
Posso provarlo?	Can I try it on?
Dove sono i camerini?	Where are the fitting rooms?
Ha qualcosa di meno costoso?	Do you have something less expensive?
Posso pagare in contanti?	Can I pay with cash?
Avete altri colori?	Do you have any other colors?

Italian Travel Phrases About Getting Around

Navigating Italian streets and public transport is smoother with the right phrases. “Dove si trova la fermata dell’autobus?” (Where is the bus stop?) or “Quanto tempo ci vuole?” (How long does it take?) will help you traverse the city effortlessly.

Italian	English
Dov’è la stazione?	Where is the station?
Un biglietto per…, per favore.	One ticket to…, please.
Quanto tempo ci vuole per arrivare a…?	How long does it take to get to…?
A che ora parte il treno?	What time does the train leave?
A che ora è il prossimo autobus/treno?	What time is the next bus/train?
Quale fermata è per…?	Which stop is for…?
Questo posto è occupato?	Is this seat taken?
Dove è la fermata dell’autobus?	Where is the bus stop?
Questo autobus ferma a…?	Does this bus stop at…?
Quanto costa un biglietto per…?	How much is a ticket to…?

Italian Phrases Directions

Avoid getting lost by asking “Dove si trova…?” (Where is…?) or “È lontano da qui?” (Is it far from here?). Familiarize yourself with these directions and confidently explore every corner of Italy.

Italian	English
Mi può spiegare come si fa per andare a …?	Can I have directions to…?
Quanto dista…da qui?	How far is…from here?
È questo il percorso giusto per…?	Is this the right way to…?
Dove si prende l’autobus?	Where can I catch the bus?
Sto cercando questa indirizzo.	I’m looking for this address.
È lontano da qui?	Is it far from here?
Posso raggiungerlo a piedi?	Can I get there on foot?
Quale strada dovrei prendere?	Which road should I take?
Dritto	Straight
A sinistra	To the left
A destra	To the right
Vicino	Near
Lontano	Far

Conversational Italian Phrases

Italians in less touristy towns are very open and warm. You’ll undoubtedly come across people who want to chat. Arming yourself with sentences like “Mi piace l’Italia” (I love Italy) or “Come si chiama?” (What’s your name?), you’ll find yourself bonding with locals in no time.

Italian	English
Come si chiama?	What’s your name?
Di dove sei?	Where are you from? (informal)
Di dove è Lei?	Where are you from (formal)
Mi chiamo…	My name is…
Grazie!	Thank you!
Che lavoro fai?	What do you do for a living?
Mi piace…	I like…
Scusi, non ho capito	Sorry, I don’t understand.
Può ripetere, per favore?	Can you repeat, please?
Che tempo fa?	How’s the weather?
Ti piace qui?	Do you like it here?
Che cosa fai nel tempo libero?	What do you do in your free time?
Parlo un po’ di italiano	I speak a little Italian

Italian Phrases Asking for Help

It’s essential to know when and how to seek assistance. “Potrebbe aiutarmi?” (Can you help me?) or “Mi sono perso” (I am lost) are crucial phrases that can ensure your safety and well-being.

Italian	English
Mi sono perso(a).	I’m lost.
Mi può aiutare	Can you help me?
Potrebbe aiutarmi?	Could you help me?
C’è una farmacia qui vicino?	Is there a pharmacy nearby?
C’è qualcuno che parla inglese?	Is there anyone who speaks English?
Posso aiutarti?	Can I help you?

Other Important Italian Travel Phrases

Beyond the basics, phrases like “Parla inglese?” (Do you speak English?) or “Ho una prenotazione” (I have a reservation) cover diverse scenarios. Equip yourself with a range of these essential Italian travel phrases to make every moment of your Italian adventure seamless and enjoyable.

Italian	English
Non lo so	I don’t know
C’è	There is/There are
Non c’è di che	Don’t mention it/Not at all (response to thank you)
Andiamo!	Let’s go!
Dai!	Come on!
Allora	So/Then
Forse/Magari	Maybe
Va bene	Okay/Fine/All right
Ho capito	I understand
Con	With
Senza	Without
Anche	Also/Too
Sempre	Always
Mai	Never
Molto	Very/Much
Poco	Little/Not much
e	and