Asking for Directions
Use these phrases to ask for directions, understand the route you are given, and check you have the right details.
Key Phrases
Scusi, dov'è la stazione?
politeExcuse me, where is the station?
The most common way to politely stop a stranger to ask for directions.
Scusami, sai dov'è il museo?
casualExcuse me, do you know where the museum is?
Use this friendly form when asking someone your own age or younger.
Scusi, come arrivo in piazza?
politeExcuse me, how do I get to the square?
Literally 'how do I arrive', this is very natural in spoken Italian.
Come arriviamo al centro da qui?
neutralHow do we get to the center from here?
Use 'arriviamo' (we arrive) when traveling with others.
Deve andare sempre dritto.
politeYou have to keep going straight.
Listen for 'sempre dritto' (always straight).
Devi andare dritto fino al semaforo.
casualYou have to go straight until the traffic light.
A local might use 'devi' (you must) when speaking casually.
Poi deve girare a destra.
politeThen you have to turn right.
Left is 'sinistra' and right is 'destra'.
Gira a sinistra dopo la banca.
casualTurn left after the bank.
A common landmark instruction using the informal imperative.
È molto lontano da qui?
neutralIs it very far from here?
Helpful to decide if you need to take a bus or a taxi.
No, è vicino a piedi.
neutralNo, it's close on foot.
Means it is a short walk.
Quindi, dritto e poi la prima a sinistra?
neutralSo, straight and then the first left?
Repeat the key words back to confirm you understood.
Scusi, ha detto a destra o a sinistra?
politeExcuse me, did you say right or left?
Uses the past tense 'ha detto' (did you say) to check what you just heard.