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PhrasesAt the Bus StopScusi, oggi vale l'orario feriale o festivo?
B1formal

Scusi, oggi vale l'orario feriale o festivo?

Excuse me, does the weekday or holiday timetable apply today?

Pronunciation

'Feriale' — 'fe-RYAL-e'. 'Festivo' — 'fes-TI-vo'. Two very important words for Italian transport.

When to use it

Ask on public holidays, Sundays, or eves of holidays when you are unsure which timetable applies. Critical for avoiding long waits.

What it means

'Feriale' means weekday (working day). 'Festivo' means holiday/Sunday. Italian transport runs significantly reduced services on 'giorni festivi'. Many routes have a third 'sabato' (Saturday) timetable too.

Variations

Oggi è giorno festivo?

Is today a public holiday?

Simple check before assuming reduced service.

Il sabato c'è un orario diverso?

Is there a different timetable on Saturdays?

Saturday often has its own schedule, between weekday and Sunday.

Le corse sono ridotte oggi?

Are services reduced today?

'Corse' means scheduled runs; 'ridotte' means reduced.

Mini Dialogue

— Scusi, oggi vale l'orario feriale o festivo? — Festivo, perché è il 15 agosto. — Quindi viene meno spesso? — Sì, ogni ora invece di ogni venti minuti.

— Excuse me, does the weekday or holiday timetable apply today? — Holiday, because it's the 15th of August. — So it comes less often? — Yes, every hour instead of every twenty minutes.

Cultural Note

August 15th (Ferragosto) is Italy's biggest public holiday. Almost all of Italy shuts down — shops, offices, and transport runs at absolute minimum. Plan ahead if travelling on or around this date.