Using Buses & the Metro
Essential phrases for navigating public transport, buying tickets, and asking for directions in Italy.
Key Phrases
Un biglietto per la metro, grazie.
neutralOne metro ticket, please.
A simple and direct way to ask for a ticket at a kiosk.
Buongiorno, avrei bisogno di un abbonamento settimanale per la rete urbana, per favore.
politeGood morning, I would need a weekly pass for the urban network, please.
Uses the conditional 'avrei bisogno' for a polite request.
Ragazzi, sapete per caso quale autobus dobbiamo prendere per arrivare in centro?
casualGuys, do you happen to know which bus we need to take to get downtown?
Informal phrasing to use with friends or peers.
Scusi, che autobus prendo per il centro?
neutralExcuse me, which bus do I take for the center?
Standard way to ask a stranger or staff member.
Mi scusi, saprebbe indicarmi la linea migliore per raggiungere la stazione centrale?
politeExcuse me, would you be able to point out the best line to reach the central station?
Very polite, using the conditional 'saprebbe'.
Questo autobus va verso lo stadio?
neutralDoes this bus go towards the stadium?
Direct and standard question to a driver or waiting passenger.
Mi scusi, potrebbe confermarmi se questa è la direzione giusta per il museo?
politeExcuse me, could you confirm if this is the right direction for the museum?
A polite way to double-check you are waiting on the correct side of the road.
La macchinetta è rotta. Posso fare il biglietto a bordo?
neutralThe machine is broken. Can I buy a ticket on board?
Essential when dealing with broken ticket machines.
Scusate ragazzi, devo scendere alla prossima. Mi fate passare un attimo?
casualExcuse me guys, I have to get off at the next one. Can you let me pass for a second?
Informal way to navigate through a crowd.
Permesso, devo scendere.
neutralExcuse me, I need to get off.
'Permesso' is the standard polite word to use when moving past strangers.
Scusi, saprebbe dirmi quante fermate mancano per arrivare all'università?
neutralExcuse me, would you know how many stops are left to get to the university?
A standard question to keep track of your journey.
Mi scusi, le dispiacerebbe avvisarmi quando arriviamo alla fermata dell'ospedale?
politeExcuse me, would you mind letting me know when we arrive at the hospital stop?
Polite request to a driver or fellow passenger when you are unsure where to get off.
Scusi l'informazione, ma questo biglietto vale anche per gli autobus notturni o solo di giorno?
neutralSorry for asking, but is this ticket also valid for night buses or only during the day?
Useful for clarifying transport rules.
Che sfortuna, abbiamo appena perso l'autobus! Speriamo che il prossimo passi presto.
casualWhat bad luck, we just missed the bus! Let's hope the next one comes soon.
Natural reaction among friends when missing transport.
Scusi, ma l'obliteratrice non funziona. Come faccio a convalidare il mio biglietto adesso?
neutralExcuse me, but the ticket machine isn't working. How do I validate my ticket now?
Important to avoid fines if the stamping machine is broken.