Travelling to Italy is a dream of many. As someone who has done it (and someone who liked it so much that they moved to Italy), I can tell you that you will have a lot more fun on your trip if you speak some Italian.
Yes, there are many Italians, especially in big cities like Rome, who speak at least a bit of English, but you can’t always count on that to get by. What you can count on, however, is yourself. By learning these 88 simple Italian phrases for travel, you can feel more confident and get more out of your Italian trip.
How to Learn Italian Phrases for Travel
Before we get to the list of 88 Italian phrases for travel, let’s talk about some learning strategies. While it is always possible to walk around with this article open on your phone, wouldn’t it be better to commit at least a few of these phrases to memory? Here are some tips for how to do just that.
Use Language Learning Apps and Websites
Thanks to modern technology, we don’t have to get all of our information from books anymore. You can learn Italian by doing something you probably do multiple times a day anyway: using your phone. Language learning apps and websites like Jolii, for example, can help you to learn new phrases and to make them memorable. With Jolii in particular, you can learn Italian phrases using videos with subtitles, making it easy to perfect your Italian pronunciation (to learn more, check out our article on how to learn Italian fast).
Use an Italian Phrasebook
I just told you that you don’t need to get your information from a book anymore, but for some people, this is still a great way to learn. There is something about having the information in paper form that makes it feel more real and accessible in the moment. Furthermore, some people just learn better if they can read the Italian words in a book as opposed to only hearing them. If that appeals to you, toss an Italian phrasebook into your backpack for your travels.
Start Preparing in Advance
Don’t save your studying for the last minute. You don’t want to be scrambling to learn a bunch of Italian phrases on the plane! Instead, start at least a few weeks in advance of your trip and study a few useful phrases every day. Try to use them in your daily life or at least just say them out loud. This way, you get used to saying them and they will come more naturally to you when you are traveling.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed
If you are traveling to Italy for a trip of a few weeks or even a month, you don’t need to learn the entirety of the Italian language. Instead of learning everything from grammar to vocabulary to irregular verbs, start with the things you know you will need to say. Think about what you will be doing in Rome or whichever other cities you will be visiting and learn the specific phrases you will need to do those things.
If you want to go to the Colosseum, for instance, practice asking someone how to get to the Colosseum in Italian. To get ready for eating that amazing Italian cuisine, learn how to order the foods you like in Italian. If you love Italy and the Italian language, you can focus on learning the rest later.
Takeaway: When learning Italian for a trip, focus on learning just the phrases and vocabulary you will need using apps and phrasebooks.
62 Useful Italian Travel Phrases
Ready to get traveling? Here are 62 of the phrases you will use most often when you’re visiting Italy.
Italian Phrases to Use in Conversations
If you are chatting with the locals in Italian, you want to get off on the right foot. These short and sweet phrases range from Italian greetings to clarifications about your level of Italian, so commit these to memory first.
- Ciao – Hi/Bye (informal)
- Salve – Hello (formal)
- Buongiorno – Good morning in Italian
- Buonasera – Good evening
- Buonanotte – Goodnight
- Arrivederci – Goodbye
- A presto – See you soon
- Come stai? – How are you? (informal)
- Come sta? – How are you? (formal)
- Sto bene, grazie – I’m good, thank you
- Mi chiamo [name]. – My name is [name].
- Piacere di conoscerti. – Nice to meet you. (informal)
- Piacere di conoscerla. – Nice to meet you. (formal)
- Parli inglese? – Do you speak English?
- Non parlo molto bene l’italiano. – I don’t speak Italian very well.
- Posso parlare in inglese? – Can I speak in English?
- Per favore – Please
- Grazie – Thank you in Italian
- Prego – You’re welcome
- Scusa – Excuse me (informal)
- Mi scusi – Excuse me (formal)
- Mi dispiace. – I’m sorry.
- Capisco. – I understand.
- Non capisco. – I don’t understand.
- Puoi ripetere? – Can you repeat? (informal)
- Può ripetere? – Can you repeat? (formal)
- Quanto costa? – How much does it cost?
Italian Phrases to Help You Get Around
Now for the most important part: the phrases you will need to use when actually going around Italy. Before learning these phrases, we recommend having a basic knowledge about Italian question words. Here is how to ask where things are and get help finding crucial things like the bathroom.
- Dove si trova…? – Where is…?
- Dove è la stazione/albergo/museo/ristorante/etc.? – Where is the station/hotel/museum/ristorante/etc.?
- Dove è la fermata dell’autobus? – Where is the bus stop?
- A che ora parte il treno? – What time does the train leave?
- Ho perso il mio treno! – I missed my train!
- È lontano da qui? – Is it far from here?
- Vorrei andare a [place]. – I would like to go to [place].
- Quanto tempo ci vuole? – How long does it take?
- Dove si trova il bagno? – Where is the bathroom?
- Mi può portare a [place]? – Can you take me to [place]?
- Sto cercando [place]. – I’m looking for [place].
- C’è una farmacia qui vicino? – Is there a pharmacy nearby?
- Come arrivo a [place]? – How do I get to [place]?
Note: Remember that you can replace words in these phrases with others. For example, instead of asking “C’è una farmacia qui vicino?”, you could ask “C’è un ristorante qui vicino?” (Is there a restaurant nearby?)
Italian Phrases Related to Food
You can’t visit Italy without trying out all the delicious food! When in Rome, eat as the Romans do and use these phrases to get what you need.
- Quanto costa questo? – How much is this?
- Posso pagare con la carta di credito? – Can I pay with a credit card?
- Dove posso comprare [item]? – Where can I buy [item]?
- Un tavolo per [number], per favore. – A table for [number], please. (You should also take a look at Italian numbers, just in case)
- Cosa mi consiglia? – What do you recommend?
- Cosa c’è nel piatto? – What’s in the dish?
- Sono vegetariano/a. – I’m vegetarian.
- Non mangio carne. – I don’t eat meat.
- Un caffè, per favore. – A coffee, please.
- Acqua naturale o frizzante – Still or sparkling water
- Il conto, per favore. – The check, please.
- Posso avere il menu? – Can I have the menu?
- C’è un ristorante vicino? – Is there a restaurant nearby?
Italian Phrases to Use in an Emergency
Unfortunately, accidents and problems happen, even on a dream trip to Italy. Here’s how to ask for help and explain your situation if you need to.
- Aiuto! – Help!
- Chiama un’ambulanza! – Call an ambulance!
- Ho bisogno di un medico. – I need a doctor.
- Ho perso il mio passaporto. – I’ve lost my passport.
- Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio! – My wallet has been stolen!
- C’è una farmacia qui vicino? – Is there a pharmacy nearby?
- Dove si trova l’ospedale? – Where is the hospital?
- Mi sono fatto male. – I’ve hurt myself.
- C’è un problema. – There is a problem.
How to Pronounce 26 Famous Italian Landmarks in Italian
If you are on a sightseeing trip in Italy, the most common thing you are going to be asking for is directions. To make it easier, here are the Italian names for landmarks and their English translations.
Hint: When asking for directions, start with “Dove è…” and complete the question with the landmark you are looking for.
Roma e Città del Vaticano (Rome and Vatican City)
- Colosseo – Colosseum
- Pantheon – Pantheon
- Fontana di Trevi – Trevi Fountain
- Castel Sant’Angelo – Castle of the Holy Angel
- Cappella Sistina – Sistine Chapel
- Piazza Navona – Navona Square
- Piazza del Popolo – Piazza del Popolo
- Museo Nazionale Romano – National Roman Museum
- Basilica di San Pietro – St. Peter’s Basilica
- Città del Vaticano – Vatican City
Venezia (Venice)
- Piazza San Marco – St. Mark’s Square
- Palazzo Ducale – Doge’s Palace
Firenze (Florence)
- Ponte Vecchio – Old Bridge (Florence)
- Piazza del Duomo – Cathedral Square (Florence)
- Galleria degli Uffizi – Uffizi Gallery
Pisa
- Torre di Pisa – Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Duomo di Pisa – Pisa Cathedral
Milano (Milan)
- Duomo di Milano – Milan Cathedral
- Teatro alla Scala – La Scala Opera House
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
Napoli (Naples)
- Pompei – Pompeii
- Vesuvius Volcano – Vesuvio
- Museo Sansevero – Sansevero Museum
- Castel Nuovo – New Castle
Sicilia (Sicily)
- Valle dei Templi – Valley of the Temples
- Monte Etna (or l’Etna) – Mount Etna
FAQs
Which Italian phrases will I need when traveling in Italy?
Everyone’s experience will vary, but some of the most-used Italian travel phrases are “Dove è…?” (Where is…?), “Quanto costa?” (How much does it cost?”) and “Grazie” (Thank you in Italian).
Can I travel in Italy without speaking Italian?
If you are traveling to areas where many tourists go, it is possible to travel in Italy without speaking Italian because there will be people around who speak English. However, if you would like to be more self-sufficient and get more out of your trip (not to mention look more friendly to the locals), it is recommended to learn at least a few Italian words and phrases before you go.
Final Takeaway
Traveling in Italy becomes a lot easier and more fun if you know a few simple phrases. To practice travel-related vocabulary with videos, check out Jolii.ai today.
