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PhrasesAt the TobacconistVorrei un biglietto dell'autobus.
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Vorrei un biglietto dell'autobus.

I would like a bus ticket.

Pronunciation

bi-GLIET-to — the 'gli' sound is a palatal lateral; it does not exist in English but resembles a soft 'ly' in 'million'.

When to use it

Use this whenever you need to buy a single-journey bus ticket. In most Italian cities, bus tickets cannot be bought on board and must be purchased in advance at a tabaccheria, edicola, or machine.

What it means

'Vorrei' is the conditional of 'volere' and is more polite than 'voglio' (I want). 'Dell'autobus' is 'di + l'autobus'. In Italy, urban bus tickets are typically valid for 75–90 minutes and must be validated on board.

Variations

Un biglietto per il tram, per favore.

A tram ticket, please.

Same ticket often valid for tram and bus in the same city

Avete carnet da dieci corse?

Do you have a book of ten rides?

'Carnet' (from French) = booklet of tickets at a discount

Un abbonamento settimanale per i mezzi.

A weekly public transport pass.

'Abbonamento' = subscription/pass; 'mezzi' = public transport

Mini Dialogue

— Vorrei un biglietto dell'autobus. — Singolo o carnet? — Singolo, grazie. — Un euro e cinquanta.

— I would like a bus ticket. — Single or booklet? — Single, thank you. — One euro fifty.

Cultural Note

In Italian cities, buying a ticket on board is either impossible or costs significantly more. The tabaccheria is the most convenient point of sale for urban transport tickets, especially before 8 a.m. when machines may be out of service.