How do I read the train timetable?
'Orario' — o-RA-ryo. Three syllables; stress on the second. The 'io' is a diphthong at the end.
Ask at the train station or tourist office when you need help understanding the Italian train timetable format, especially when using paper timetables which are less intuitive than digital boards.
'Orario dei treni' (train timetable) — 'orario' as a noun means timetable or schedule. It also means 'time' in the sense of working hours: 'orario di lavoro'. 'Leggere l'orario' (to read the timetable) uses the same verb as reading a book.
Qual è il prossimo treno per Venezia?
What is the next train to Venice?
Practical question that avoids reading the timetable.
Come funziona il tabellone?
How does the departure board work?
Ask about the digital departure display.
'R' sul tabellone cosa significa?
What does 'R' on the board mean?
'R' stands for 'Regionale' (regional train).
Trenitalia's departure boards use codes: R (Regionale), RV (Regionale Veloce), IC (Intercity), FR (Frecciarossa), FA (Frecciargento), FB (Frecciabianca). The Frecciarossa is Italy's flagship high-speed train reaching 300 km/h between Rome and Milan.