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PhrasesSaying GoodbyeBuon viaggio!
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Buon viaggio!

Have a good journey!

Pronunciation

'Viaggio' — VIA-gio. The 'ggio' sounds like 'jo'. Stress on the first syllable. 'Buon' — BUO-n (final 'n' is not strongly pronounced).

When to use it

Use when someone is departing for a journey — by car, train, plane, or any travel. One of the warmest and most used Italian departure wishes.

What it means

'Buon viaggio' (good journey) is the standard Italian farewell for travelers. It combines 'buono' (good — elided to 'buon' before consonants) with 'viaggio' (journey/travel). The whole 'buon + noun' construction creates wellwishes for specific activities.

Variations

Buon rientro!

Safe return! / Have a good journey back!

'Rientro' (return home) — said when someone is returning rather than departing

Viaggia bene!

Travel well!

Imperative — more active, wishes good travel experience rather than just a good journey

Arrivi sano/a e salvo/a!

Arrive safe and sound!

'Sano e salvo' (safe and sound) — classical expression for wishing safe arrival

Mini Dialogue

— Partiamo domani mattina presto. — Buon viaggio! Vi mandate un messaggio quando arrivate? — Certo, non preoccuparti. — Viaggiate bene e godete!

— We're leaving tomorrow morning early. — Have a good journey! Will you send a message when you arrive? — Of course, don't worry. — Travel well and enjoy!

Cultural Note

Italian families have a strong tradition of following travellers with wellwishes and requests for updates on arrival ('fammelo sapere quando arrivi' — let me know when you arrive). This is an expression of love, not anxiety. Not sending an arrival message is considered inconsiderate.