50 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Mi aiuta con questa valigia pesante?
Can you help me with this heavy suitcase?
Ask a fellow passenger when you are struggling to lift a large or heavy suitcase into the overhead rack on the train.
Posso fare una foto con lei? Sto documentando il viaggio.
Can I take a photo with you? I am documenting the journey.
Ask this of a friendly conductor, fellow passenger, or someone you have been chatting with when you want to capture the memory of your Italian train journey.
Ho perso il treno. Quando parte il prossimo?
I have missed the train. When does the next one leave?
Say this at the ticket desk or information point immediately after missing your scheduled train, to find out when the next available service is.
Quanti passeggeri può trasportare questo treno?
How many passengers can this train carry?
Ask a conductor or fellow passenger when you are curious about the specifications of the Frecciarossa and want to learn about Italy's flagship train.
Scusi, è libero questo posto?
Excuse me, is this seat free?
When looking for a seat on a regional train where seating is open (no reservations).
A che fermata devo scendere per il centro storico?
At which stop do I get off for the historic centre?
When riding a train through an unfamiliar city and needing to know the right station to disembark.
Mi scusi, sto scendendo alla prossima fermata.
Excuse me, I am getting off at the next stop.
When you need to pass other passengers to reach the door before your station.
Il biglietto, prego.
The ticket, please.
This is what the inspector (controllore) says — understanding it means you can immediately present your ticket.
C'è il Wi-Fi su questo treno?
Is there Wi-Fi on this train?
After boarding when you want to work or stream content during the journey.
C'è una presa di corrente al mio posto?
Is there a power socket at my seat?
When you need to charge your phone or laptop during a long train journey.
Quanto manca alla prossima fermata?
How long until the next stop?
When you are unsure how much time remains before your station and want to prepare.
Posso aprire il finestrino?
Can I open the window?
On regional trains in warm weather when the carriage is hot and ventilation is needed.
Questo è il mio posto — il suo biglietto dice quale numero?
This is my seat — what number does your ticket say?
When someone is sitting in your reserved seat and you need to politely sort out the confusion.
Sto soffrendo il mal di viaggio. Può aprire un po' il finestrino?
I am suffering from travel sickness. Can you open the window a little?
When experiencing motion sickness on a winding train route and needing fresh air.
Posso mettere le valigie qui sopra?
Can I put the suitcases up here?
When boarding with luggage and asking to use the overhead rack above other passengers.
Posso comprare il biglietto sul treno?
Can I buy the ticket on the train?
When you have boarded without a ticket and need to regularise your situation immediately.
Ho sbagliato vagone. Posso andare al vagone 3?
I got the wrong carriage. Can I go to carriage 3?
When you board the wrong carriage and need to walk through the train to reach your assigned seat.
Scusi, posso passare?
Excuse me, may I pass?
When you need to get past someone blocking the aisle or exit.
Puoi tenermi il posto? Vado al bagno.
Can you keep my seat? I'm going to the toilet.
When sitting next to a friendly fellow passenger and needing to leave temporarily.
Che vista meravigliosa! Siamo sulle Alpi?
What a wonderful view! Are we in the Alps?
When travelling through scenic Italian landscapes and wanting to share the experience with a fellow passenger.
Siamo in ritardo di quanto?
How late are we running?
During the journey when the train has slowed or stopped unexpectedly and you suspect a delay.
Mi porta qualcosa da mangiare? Ho dimenticato di comprare qualcosa in stazione.
Can you bring me something to eat? I forgot to buy something at the station.
When you realise you are hungry after boarding and the train has a trolley or bar service.
Dove si trova il vagone bar?
Where is the bar carriage?
When you want to go to the bar car for coffee or food during the journey.
Questo è il vagone silenzio?
Is this the quiet carriage?
When boarding and looking for the carriage designated for quiet travel.
Il treno è strapieno — devo stare in piedi?
The train is packed — do I have to stand?
When boarding a very crowded regional train without a reserved seat.
Mi sono addormentato e ho saltato la mia fermata!
I fell asleep and missed my stop!
When you wake up and realise you have gone past your destination.
Dov'è il compartimento famiglia su questo treno?
Where is the family compartment on this train?
When travelling with children and looking for the designated family area.
Mi scusi, mio figlio è un po' vivace. Speriamo non disturbi.
I'm sorry, my son is a bit lively. I hope he doesn't disturb you.
When sitting with children in a carriage with other passengers — a proactive, courteous gesture.
Ha sentito il mio nome? Penso ci sia un annuncio.
Did you hear my name? I think there was an announcement.
When you heard an announcement on the train but couldn't understand what was said.
Fa molto caldo qui. L'aria condizionata funziona?
It's very hot here. Is the air conditioning working?
On a hot day when the carriage temperature is uncomfortably high.
Piacere di aver viaggiato con lei!
It was a pleasure to travel with you!
When saying goodbye to a fellow passenger at journey's end after a pleasant conversation.
Posso fotografare dal finestrino?
Can I take photos through the window?
When passing through a scenic area and wanting to photograph the landscape.
Questo è davvero il Frecciarossa? È enorme!
Is this really the Frecciarossa? It's enormous!
When boarding a high-speed train for the first time and being impressed by its size.
Posso dormire durante il viaggio? Il treno è silenzioso?
Can I sleep during the journey? Is the train quiet?
On a long journey when you want to sleep and are checking if conditions are suitable.
Grazie, è stato molto gentile.
Thank you, you were very kind.
When saying thank you to the inspector or cabin crew after they have helped you.
Devo fare il cambio a Bologna per Venezia?
Do I need to change at Bologna for Venice?
Ask a fellow passenger or conductor when your route involves potential connections and you want to confirm whether a change is needed.
Il treno è strapieno! Dove mi metto?
The train is packed! Where do I put myself?
Use this in an informal, exasperated way to a fellow passenger when you board a regional train that is completely overcrowded.
Non ho capito il motivo del ritardo. Ha sentito lei?
I didn't understand the reason for the delay. Did you hear?
Ask a fellow passenger when the driver announces a delay reason over the PA but the announcement was unclear or too fast to follow.
È meglio prendere Italo o Trenitalia per Milano?
Is it better to take Italo or Trenitalia to Milan?
Ask a fellow traveller who looks experienced when you are deciding between the two competing high-speed rail operators on the Rome-Milan route.
Posso sedermi in prima classe se il mio biglietto è standard?
Can I sit in first class if my ticket is standard?
Ask the conductor when you are considering upgrading or when first class appears empty and you want to know if you can use it.
Mi sono perso in stazione. Come si esce?
I got lost in the station. How do you get out?
Ask any staff member or fellow passenger when you are disoriented in a large Italian railway station and cannot find the exit.
A questa velocità non riesco a vedere il paesaggio.
At this speed I cannot see the landscape.
Say this humorously to a fellow passenger when the Frecciarossa is travelling at high speed and the countryside is a blur through the window.
Ha un giornale di oggi da cui legge le notizie?
Do you have today's newspaper you're reading the news from?
Ask a fellow passenger if they have a newspaper to share, especially on a long train journey when you want to catch up on Italian news.
Ho fame. C'è qualcosa da mangiare vicino al mio posto?
I am hungry. Is there something to eat near my seat?
Ask a fellow passenger or use this to locate the bistro car or trolley service when you are hungry on a train journey.
Dalla stazione, si può andare al centro a piedi?
From the station, can you walk to the centre?
Ask a local fellow passenger near the end of your journey to find out whether walking is a viable option from the arrival station to the historic centre.
I cani piccoli possono salire senza pagare?
Can small dogs board without paying?
Ask at the ticket counter or to the conductor when travelling with a small dog and wanting to clarify the fare rules.
Questo è il treno notturno per Palermo?
Is this the overnight train to Palermo?
Confirm this at the platform or when boarding an overnight train, especially when multiple trains share the same platform at night.
La connessione internet è molto lenta su questo treno.
The internet connection is very slow on this train.
Say this to a fellow passenger or conductor to commiserate about poor Wi-Fi, or to set expectations before lending someone a hotspot.
Come giudica il governo attuale?
How do you judge the current government?
Use this to open a political discussion with a fellow passenger — Italians are generally very happy to share political opinions on trains, often at length.
Scusi, vorrei segnalare un problema.
Excuse me, I would like to report a problem.
Use this to get a conductor's attention when something is wrong on the train — a broken seat, a dirty toilet, a suspicious situation, or any other issue.