Can I pay for the ticket with a card?
'Carta' — 'CAR-ta'. In Italian context this means payment card (carta di credito/debito).
Ask at a ticket machine or vending point when you have no cash and want to use contactless or chip-and-pin payment.
'Pagare con la carta' means 'to pay by card'. Many Italian ticket machines now accept contactless (NFC) payment. Tobacconists typically require cash for single tickets.
Accetta pagamenti contactless?
Does it accept contactless payment?
Specific to NFC/tap payment.
Ci vuole contante?
Do I need cash?
'Ci vuole' means 'it takes/requires'; contante means cash.
C'è un bancomat qui vicino?
Is there an ATM nearby?
If card payment is not possible, find cash.
Italy was historically a cash-heavy country, but card acceptance has improved dramatically since 2020. However, in rural or smaller towns, always carry some cash as a backup for transport tickets.