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PhrasesBuying TicketsVorrei un posto finestrino.
A2formal

Vorrei un posto finestrino.

I would like a window seat.

Pronunciation

'Finestrino' — 'fi-nes-TRI-no'. Four syllables; stress on the third.

When to use it

Specify your seat preference when buying a reserved-seat ticket. On Italian high-speed trains, seat reservation is mandatory.

What it means

'Vorrei' is the polite conditional of 'volere' (I would like). 'Posto finestrino' is window seat; 'posto corridoio' is aisle seat. On Italian 'regionali' (regional trains) seats are not reserved — this applies mainly to intercity and high-speed services.

Variations

Preferisco il corridoio.

I prefer the aisle.

Alternative preference — better for frequent movement.

C'è un posto vicino all'uscita?

Is there a seat near the exit?

Practical for those needing to disembark quickly.

Possiamo avere due posti vicini?

Can we have two seats together?

Request for adjacent seats when travelling as a pair.

Mini Dialogue

— Vorrei un posto finestrino. — Direzione di marcia o indifferente? — Direzione di marcia, grazie. — Ecco il suo posto: carrozza quattro, sedile 22A.

— I would like a window seat. — Facing the direction of travel or no preference? — Facing the direction of travel, please. — Here is your seat: carriage four, seat 22A.

Cultural Note

Italians take their seat preferences seriously. On long Frecciarossa journeys, window seats on the right (going south towards Naples) offer better views of the countryside. Seats facing backwards ('contromano') can cause motion sickness for some passengers.