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PhrasesAsking DirectionsQuanto tempo ci vuole a piedi?
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Quanto tempo ci vuole a piedi?

How long does it take on foot?

Pronunciation

ci VUO-le — stress on 'vuo'. PIE-di — stress on first syllable.

When to use it

After getting directions, to estimate the walking time.

What it means

'Ci vuole' (it takes) + time expression is the standard Italian way to express duration. For walking: 'ci vogliono venti minuti a piedi' (it takes twenty minutes on foot). 'A piedi' (on foot) specifies the mode of travel.

Variations

Sono più di venti minuti a piedi?

Is it more than twenty minutes on foot?

Setting a threshold for what you consider acceptable walking time

Ci vuole meno di un quarto d'ora?

Does it take less than a quarter of an hour?

'Quarto d'ora' is the Italian quarter hour

È meglio andare a piedi o in taxi?

Is it better to walk or take a taxi?

Asking for a recommendation

Mini Dialogue

— Quanto tempo ci vuole a piedi per arrivare al ponte Vecchio? — Circa quindici minuti dal centro. — È troppo per i miei bambini? — Dipende dalla loro età. Ma il percorso è bello — passa per piazza della Repubblica.

— How long does it take on foot to get to the Ponte Vecchio? — About fifteen minutes from the centre. — Is it too much for my children? — Depends on their age. But the route is beautiful — it goes through Piazza della Repubblica.

Cultural Note

Florence is very compact and almost entirely walkable — the distance from the train station to the Uffizi Gallery is about 15 minutes on foot. Rome is larger and walking between major sights can take 30-45 minutes. Using Rome's metro (linee A and B) between distant attractions is highly recommended in summer heat.