Do I have to stamp the ticket?
'Timbrare' — 'tim-BRA-re'. Stress the second syllable. The double 'r' is trilled.
Ask a fellow passenger before boarding if you are unsure whether the ticket needs to be validated. Critical question to avoid fines.
'Timbrare' means to stamp or validate. Italian tickets purchased in advance must be stamped in the yellow/orange machine (obliteratrice) on board to be valid. An unstamped ticket, even if bought, is considered invalid.
Dove si timbra?
Where do you stamp it?
Short form asking for the location of the validator on board.
La macchina per timbrare funziona?
Is the stamping machine working?
Useful when the validator appears broken; if so, tell the driver immediately.
Il biglietto è già valido?
Is the ticket already valid?
For pre-loaded contactless cards that activate on tap.
Ticket inspectors ('controllori') operate without warning and are strict. If the validator is broken, write the time and date on the ticket in pen and inform the driver — this is the official advice in most Italian cities.