How to Buy Train Tickets in Italy: The 10 Italian Phrases You Need (FREE PDF 📚)

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Are you planning your big trip to Italy and feeling a little anxious about buying train tickets? That’s understandable, figuring out how to buy train tickets in Italy can be intimidating at first: it’s not your first language, perhaps there are different processes, and then there’s the pressure of not holding up the line behind you. Plus you don’t want to buy the wrong ticket and get a fine!

But don’t worry, in this simple, step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly what to say and when. And the best part? These are all basic Italian phrases you can memorize and use right away—no need to stress about grammar, verbs, or which preposition goes where. Just practice a little, and you’ll be buying tickets like a true viaggiatore italiano (Italian traveller) in no time!

As always, we’re going to use my 80/20 method and approach to learning Italian. That means, we’ll focus on the top 20% of vocabulary you’ll need 80% of the time, so you won’t waste any time learning what you don’t need!

But first, make sure to download your free PDF cheat-sheet, which includes everything we’ll cover in this guide. Just enter your email below and I’ll send it to you straight away.

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Table to Contents

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide. Click on any title to jump to each section.

• Basic Italian train vocabulary
• How to buy train tickets in Italy in 10 easy steps
• A sample dialogue
• Types of trains in Italy
• Names of major train stations

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Watch this lesson on my YouTube channel

First, we’ll go over some essential vocabulary to help you get comfortable with the key terms you’ll encounter. Then, we’ll walk through the typical steps involved in buying a train ticket, highlighting the most useful phrase to remember at each stage. Then, we will put it all into practice with a real-world short dialogue so you can practice. By the end, you’ll be ready to handle a real-life conversation with a ticket seller in Italy.

Basic Italian train vocabulary

Before we dive into the phrases, let’s get familiar with a few key words that will help you navigate any train station in Italy with confidence:

**Travel tip: Starting in 2025, Trenitalia offers faster, refunds for delays, not just on high-speed trains, but on regional ones too, as long as the ticket was purchased digitally (you can buy them at the ticket counter, not just online:

• for delays of 60–119 minutes, you’re entitled to 25% of the ticket price
• for delays of 120 minutes or more, the refund increases to 50%. 

If you’re using a traditional paper ticket, you’ll need to submit a formal refund request, you can ask for information at the biglietteria (ticket counter).

How to buy train tickets in Italy in 10 easy steps

Now that you have the basic vocabulary, let’s see how to actually use it, specifically when speaking with a member of staff at the ticket counter. These 10 simple steps will guide you through a typical in-person interaction, so you’ll know exactly what to say and what to expect. They are all easy phrases you can memorize and practice out loud, so when the moment comes, you’ll feel prepared.

Step 1 – Start with a greeting

Before making your ticket request, begin with a warm smile and a classic Italian greeting, something simple like:

#1 Salve! / Buongiorno! 
(SAHL-veh! / BWOHN-jor-noh!)
Hi! / Good morning!

Tip: Whether you’re at a ticket counter or speaking to a staff member, this small gesture sets the right tone and shows you’re not just another rushed tourist. Check out my guide to Italian greetings for more tips and variations to sound natural.

Step 2 – Ask for a ticket and say where you’re going 

Time to get to the point! Be clear and direct when asking for your ticket. Here’s the go-to phrase:

#2 Vorrei un biglietto per [Firenze], per favore. 
(Vor-ray oon bee-lyet-toh pair fee-REN-tsay, pair fah-voh-ray)
I would like a ticket to [Florence], please.

If you’re buying more than one ticket, just replace the article un (a) with the number you need: Vorrei [due] biglietti per [Firenze], per favore – I would like [two] tickets to [Florence], please.

Tip: Vorrei (I would like) is a great word to memorize. It’s the present conditional of the verb volere and is a polite, all-purpose expression that works in almost any request, whether you’re shopping, ordering a gelato, ordering at the restaurant, and more.

Step 3 – State the time you’d like to travel 

Once you’ve said where you’re going, the ticket seller may ask something like: Per quando? (For when?) or Quando desidera partire? (When would you like to travel?). No panic, just keep it simple. Here are a few easy ways to respond:

#3 Oggi. A che ora è il prossimo treno?
(OH-gee. Ah keh OH-rah eh eel PROH-ssimo TREH-no?)
Today. At what time does the next train leave?

Naturally, you can adjust the time of day depending on your plans, for instance:

• Questo pomeriggio alle 16.—This afternoon at 4PM.
• Domani mattina.—Tomorrow morning.
• Venerdì sera.—On Friday evening.

Tip: Ticket agents often assume you want the next available train, unless you say otherwise. So if you plan to travel later in the day or on another day, be sure to mention it to avoid surprises. To do that, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with how Italians say the days of the week and the time.

Step 4 – Check the price

As the ticket seller lists your options, you might hear things like Il prossimo treno parte tra 10 minuti (The next train leaves in 10 minutes) or C’è un treno ogni ora (There’s a train every hour). Before you choose, it’s smart to confirm the price of a specific train—especially if you’re comparing departure times or want to stay within a certain budget. Just ask:

#4 Quanto costa il biglietto per il treno [delle 3]? 
(KWAHN-toh KOH-sta eel bee-lyet-toh pehr eel TREH-noh deh-leh treh?)
How much is the ticket for the 3 o’clock train?

Tip: Train prices can vary depending on when you travel, with peak hours and major holidays often meaning higher fares. If you’re traveling on a budget, it’s always worth asking if any discounts apply, like C’è qualche offerta? (Are there any offers available?) or C’è uno sconto per studenti/senior/famiglie? (Is there a student/senior/family discount?). 

Step 5 – Choose Between One-Way or Round Trip

After you’ve shared your destination and travel time, the ticket seller will ask: Andata e ritorno? (Round trip?). This is the time to confirm the type of ticket you want:

#5 Solo andata, per favore. 
(SOH-loh ahn-DAH-tah, pehr fah-VOH-ray)
Only one way, please.

Tip: Sometimes discounts are available on same-day round-trip tickets on high-speed trains, so it’s worth asking the ticket seller if you’re planning a quick day trip to Venice or Florence.

Step 6 – Check if the train is direct

Once the ticket seller gives you the next available train, it’s always a good idea to double-check if you’ll need to change trains along the way. To ask if it’s a direct route, you can say:

#6 È diretto o devo cambiare?
(Eh dee-REH-toh oh DEH-voh kahm-BYAH-reh?)
Is it direct, or do I need to change?

If they say you need to change, you can ask for more details on where (Dove?) and if you’ll have enough time in between the two trains (Quanto tempo ho per il cambio? —How much time do I have to change trains?).

Tip: Direct trains are definitely more convenient, but sometimes a train change can give you a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy a new place. If you’re not in a rush, it might even be a fun detour. For example, some Trenitalia trains going from Milan to Trieste require a change in Venezia Mestre. Just saying…

Step 7 – Which travel class?

Italian trains often offer different classes, especially on high-speed routes, so it’s helpful to know your preference before the ticket is issued. The ticket seller might ask: Che classe facciamo? (Which travel class would you like?). To reply, you can say:

#7 Prima classe / Seconda classe, per favore. 
(Pree-ma clah-se / Se-kohn-da clah-se, pehr fah-voh-ray)
First class, please.

Tip: On high-speed trains, there are multiple classes with varying levels of comfort and services (you can compare them in detail on the Trenitalia and Italo websites). However, on local trains, all carriages are quite similar, and some don’t even have class distinctions. In those cases, you can just ask for a biglietto standard (standard ticket).

Step 8 – Choosing your seat 

Depending on the type of train, your ticket might include a reserved seat or you might be free to sit wherever you like. The ticket seller might ask: Ha preferenze di posto? (Do you have a seat preference?) or simply Corridoio o finestrino? (Aisle or window?). To express your choice, just say:

#8 Un posto vicino al finestrino / corridoio, per favore.  
(Un pos-to vee-CHEE-no al fee-nes-TREE-no / cor-ree-DOY-o, per fa-VO-re)
A seat near the window / aisle, please.

Tip: On high-speed trains, a reserved seat is always included. On regional trains, though, seating is usually open (senza prenotazione — without reservation), so you can just board and take any available spot. If you’re unsure whether seats are assigned, you can always ask the ticket seller: Posso scegliere il posto a sedere? (Can I choose a seat?).

Step 9 – Time to pay

Now that you’ve selected your ticket and confirmed the details, the ticket seller will likely say Sono 55 euro (It’s 55 euros), and may add Paga con carta o contanti? (Do you pay by card or cash?).

Most train stations in Italy accept credit and debit cards, but it’s best to check if specific payment methods, like American Express or Apple Pay, are accepted. To ask, just use:

#9. Posso pagare con [American Express / Apple Pay / Google Pay]? 
(POHS-soh pah-GAH-reh con American Express / Apple Pay / Google Pay?)
Can I pay with [American Express / Apple Pay / Google Pay]?

Tip: This is your last chance to ask any details you’ve forgotten to ask earlier, for instance: Il biglietto è valido solo per questo treno? (Is the ticket only valid for this train?) or Il biglietto è rimborsabile? (Is the ticket refundable?).

Step 10 – Double check the platform

With your ticket in hand, there’s just one last thing to confirm: where exactly your train is departing from. So, before you say arrivederci (goodbye), make sure to ask:

#10. Da quale binario parte il treno? 
(Dah KWAH-leh bee-NAH-ryoh PAR-teh eel TREH-noh?)
From which platform does the train leave?

Tip: I binari (train platforms) can sometimes change unexpectedly, especially at busy stations. Even if you were told a number at the counter, it’s smart to keep an eye on the big digital boards labeled Partenze (Departures). They’ll show the train number, destination, and the most up-to-date platform info. If you’re unsure, you can also show your ticket to a station staff member and ask: È questo il binario giusto? (Is this the right platform?). 

Bonus tip: Don’t forget to validate your ticket!

If you’re traveling with a paper ticket for local and regional train, there’s one more crucial step before you hop on board: you must validate your ticket. This means stamping it at one of the machines near the platforms. Forgetting to do this can result in a multa (fine), even if you have a paid ticket. If you need help, you can ask:

Dove posso obliterare il biglietto? 
(DOH-veh POHS-so kohn-vah-lee-DAH-re eel beel-YEHT-toh?)
Where can I validate the ticket?

Tip: The obliteratrice (validating machine) is typically a small green or yellow machine. All you need to do is insert one end of the ticket into it until you hear its stamp, and that’s it: validated and ready to travel!

A sample dialogue

Here’s what a typical conversation might sound like when buying train tickets in Italy:

B: Buongiorno, mi dica (Good morning, how can I help?)
A: Salve! Vorrei tre biglietti per Venezia, per favore. (Hi! I would like three tickets to Venice, please)
B: Certo. Per quando? (Certainly. For when?)
A: Per domani mattina, intorno alle nove. (For tomorrow morning, around 9 o’clock)
B: C’è un treno alle 9:10. Può andare bene? (There’s a train at 9:10 AM. Would that work?)
A: Quanto costa il biglietto? (How much is the ticket?) 
B: 35 euro. (35 euros)
A: C’è qualche sconto per andata e ritorno in giornata? (Is there any discount for a same-day round trip?)
B: Sì, c’è uno sconto del 40%. (Yes, there’s a 40% discount).
A: Perfetto, allora 2 biglietti andata e ritorno per domani, grazie. (Perfect, then two round-trip tickets for tomorrow, please.
B: A che ora volete tornare? (What time would you like to return?)
A: Prima delle 20:00. (Before 8:00 PM).
B: C’è un treno alle 18:45, potrebbe andare bene? (There’s a train at 6:45 PM. Would that work?)
A: Sì, grazie! (Yes, thank you!)
B: In totale sono 110 euro. Carta o contanti? (That’ll be 110 euros total. Card or cash?)
A: Pago con carta. (I’ll pay by card).
B: Ecco i biglietti. Buon viaggio! (Here are your tickets. Have a good trip!)
A: Grazie, arrivederci. (Thank you, goodbye).

Types of trains in Italy

Italy has two major train operators:

• Trenitalia, the state-owned national rail service, covering everything from local routes to high-speed lines.
• Italo, a privately owned company focused on high-speed connections between major cities.

When traveling through Italy by train, you’ll have a few different options depending on your route (and budget). Here’s a quick overview of the main types of trains you’ll encounter:

• Treno ad alta velocità (High-speed train): Fast and sleek, these trains connect major cities, often with few or no stops in between. Both Trenitalia and Italo offer this type of train travel.
  And here’s a fun fact: Trenitalia’s high-speed trains come in three categories—Frecciarossa (Red Arrow), Frecciargento (Silver Arrow), and Frecciabianca (White Arrow). Together, they’re known as le Frecce (the Arrows). So if you hear someone say, Prendo una Freccia per Roma (literally, I’m taking an arrow to Rome), now you know what they mean. 
• InterCity (IC): A solid mid-range option, cheaper than high-speed trains but still quite fast (they’re even on Instagram: @intercity.official!). These trains stop in more towns and smaller cities, making them a great choice for scenic, flexible travel. For example, traveling from Milan to Bologna on an InterCity train lets you stop and explore charming places like Piacenza, Parma, or Reggio Emilia.
• Regionale (R): Regional trains are cheaper but also slower, as they also stop in smaller towns and often involve a change or two, especially on longer routes. They are ideal if you want a scenic ride and don’t mind a longer journey. For instance, a regional train from Florence to Rome takes about 4 hours, with a change at Orte and stops in beautiful towns like Arezzo and Orvieto.
• Regionale Veloce (RV): Fast regional trains are an express version of the Regionale—same price range, but fewer stops. A great choice for medium-distance travel, for instance between Florence and Bologna, without the cost of a high-speed ticket.

Names of major Italian train stations

When buying train tickets in Italy, it’s important to know that big cities often have multiple train stations, some of which are located far from the city center, in industrial areas or suburbs. And the last thing you want is to step off the train in the middle of nowhere. So, to make sure you arrive in the right place, here are the main stations to look for in Italy’s major cities:

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