Italy has some truly amazing train rides. And soon enough, with summer approaching and itineraries taking shape, you may soon find yourself standing in an Italian station, perhaps feeling a bit confused while checking your phone, and feeling the growing suspicion you may be on the wrong platform.
So whether you’re hopping on a high-speed Frecciarossa to Venice or taking a charming regional train along the coast, this guide with some useful Italian train station vocabulary will help you navigate the experience. I’ve also included some great train-related sayings and idioms that we use all the time in Italian.
The basics of travelling by train in Italy
When you arrive at la stazione (the station), your first stop might be la biglietteria (the ticket office) to buy your biglietto (ticket), either di sola andata (one way) or di andata e ritorno (return). Sure, you could use le macchinette self-service (the self-service machines) or the apps on your phone, but the biglietteria (ticket office) gives you the full Italian experience. Give it a try!
So which treno (train) do you actually book? That depends on where you’re going. The fastest option between major cities are i treni ad alta velocità (the high-speed trains). Intercity trains cover big cities too, but with more stops along the way. And then there are the regionali (regional) or regionali veloci (fast regional) trains, which travel through smaller towns and villages.
Now, when buying your ticket, you might get to choose between la prima classe (first class) and la seconda classe (second class), though very local trains don’t usually bother with the distinction. And on treni ad alta velocità (high-speed trains) like Frecciarossa or Italo, you’ll find a whole menu of options, from Executive and Business to Premium and Standard.
If il posto (the seat) can be reserved, ask for one vicino al finestrino (by the window), highly recommended. You’ll also want to check whether your train is diretto (direct) or if you need to cambiare (change) somewhere along the way. Before you leave the counter, recap the details with the ticket officer, including which carrozza (coach) you are in.
Once you have your biglietto (ticket), look for il tabellone degli orari (literally, the timetable board), the giant screen that everyone stares at with the quiet intensity of people awaiting a verdict. It lists gli arrivi e le partenze (arrivals and departures) along with il binario (the platform number) for each train.
Lost? Confused? Not sure which binario (platform) to run toward? Every major stazione (station) has il banco informazioni (the information desk), where the staff can help you sort out l’orario (the time),le fermate intermedie (the intermediate stops), and where you need to be. In smaller stazioni (stations), there might not be a dedicated desk, so just join la fila (the line) at the ticket counter and ask there.
Of course, things don’t always go to plan. Sometimes, your train will be in ritardo (delayed). And every now and then, you’ll run into a sciopero (strike): that’s when you’ll check the departures board only to see the most heartbreaking words: treno cancellato (cancelled train).
If your train is in orario (on time), lucky you! Just remember, if you’ve got un biglietto cartaceo (a paper ticket), you need to obliterare il biglietto (validate the ticket) before boarding the train. Look for una obliteratrice (a validating machine… yes, quite a challenging word!). It’s usually a green or yellow box where you just slide your ticket in, listen for the clunk, and you’re validated. If you skip this step, il capotreno (the train conductor) may hand you una multa (a fine) when they check tickets a bordo (on board).
Speaking of il capotreno (the train conductor), if you need to change trains at some point during il viaggio (the journey) and you’re unsure what to do when you get off the train, just tell them you have una coincidenza(a connection). Yes, at the train station a coincidenza simply means your connecting train, as in Ho una coincidenza a Bologna (I have a connection in Bologna). Outside the station, it still means exactly what you’d guess: a coincidence.
But for all the ritardi (delays), scioperi (strikes), and chaotic platform changes, there’s something undeniably magical about Italian trains. One minute you’re stressed, checking the tabellone degli orari for the fifth time, and the next, rolling hills and medieval hilltop towns are streaming past il finestrino (the window).
Useful phrases at the train station in Italy
Now let’s look at the questions and phrases most likely to save you in an Italian train station.
1. Asking for information
A che ora parte il prossimo / l’ultimo treno per Roma?
What time does the next / the last train to Rome leave?
Da quale binario parte il treno per Roma?
Which platform does the train to Rome leave from?
(Tip: keep an eye on the departure boards too, as platforms can change, even at the last minute)
Ho perso il treno, cosa posso fare?
I missed the train, what can I do?
Quanto durerà lo sciopero?
How long will the strike last?
(Useful for deciding whether to wait or switch to plan B)
Il mio treno è stato cancellato, c’è un autobus sostitutivo?
My train has been cancelled, is there a replacement bus?
C’è un deposito bagagli?
Is there luggage storage?
C’è una sala d’attesa?
Is there a waiting room?
C’è un bar qui vicino?
Is there a bar nearby?
2. Buying train tickets
Vorrei un biglietto di sola andata per Napoli.
I would like a one-way ticket to Naples.
Vorrei un biglietto andata e ritorno per Firenze.
I would like a round-trip ticket to Florence.
C’è un treno diretto per Napoli?
Is there a direct train to Naples?
Il treno delle 10 ferma anche a Livorno?
Does the 10 o’clock train also stop in Livorno?
Devo fare un cambio?
Do I need to transfer?
Quanto costa un biglietto per Milano?
How much is a ticket to Milan?
Vorrei un posto vicino al finestrino / al corridoio.
I would like a window seat / an aisle seat.
Vorrei un posto in prima / seconda classe.
I would like a seat in first / second class.
Il biglietto è modificabile o cancellabile?
Can the ticket be changed or cancelled?
Ci sono sconti per studenti?
Are there student discounts?
Posso pagare con la carta di credito?
Can I pay by credit card?
Posso avere un rimborso?
Can I get a refund?
3. Asking for directions at the station
Scusi, dove sono i bagni?
Excuse me, where are the bathrooms?
(Tip: Keep some coins on you, as station bathrooms in Italy sometimes charge admission)
Da dove parte il treno per Venezia?
Where does the train to Venice depart from?
Come arrivo al binario 5?
How do I get to platform 5?
Dov’è l’uscita?
Where is the exit?
Dov’è la fermata dell’autobus / del taxi?
Where is the bus stop / taxi stand?
4. Once you’re on board
Scusi, questo treno va a Bologna?
Excuse me, does this train go to Bologna?
(For that last little check before the train departs, just to be sure you’re on the right one)
È libero questo posto?
Is this seat free?
Scusi, questo è il mio posto.
Excuse me, this is my seat.
Il treno è in orario?
Is the train on time?
Quanto ritardo abbiamo?
How much delay do we have?
A che ora arriviamo a Bari?
What time do we arrive in Bari?
A che binario arriviamo?
What platform do we arrive at?
(Very useful if you need to catch a connection and need to plan your sprint through the station)
Ho una coincidenza a Bologna. Riesco a prenderla?
I have a connection in Bologna. Will I make it?
Se perdo la coincidenza, cosa posso fare?
If I miss my connection, what can I do?
Posso prendere il prossimo treno con questo biglietto?
Can I take the next train with this ticket?
Qual è la prossima fermata?
What is the next stop?
(A useful question on some local trains, where announcements sometimes are nonexistent)
Scusi, dove siamo?
Excuse me, where are we?
(Super handy when the gentle rocking of the train worked a little too well and you suddenly wake up with no idea where you are, panicking that your stop is already three towns behind you)
Some Italian expressions related to trains
Among the many Italian sayings and idioms, a few involve trains. Here are some common ones:
Andare come un treno
Literally: To go like a train.
We use this to describe someone or something going at full speed, either literally or figuratively. It can be a compliment (you’re killing it today!) or a gentle plea (for the love of God, slow down!).
Ma perchè corri sempre come un treno, fermati un attimo e ascoltami.
Why are you always rushing like crazy? Just stop for a second and listen to me.
Salire/Scendere dal treno
Literally: To get on/off the train.
Beyond the literal meaning, we love using these phrases metaphorically:
- Salire sul treno means jumping on an opportunity, usually one that won’t wait around forever.
- Scendere dal treno, on the other hand, means walking away from a situation, usually because you can tell where things are heading and you’d rather not be on board for that ride.
Ho deciso di salire sul treno delle startup tecnologiche.
I’ve decided to jump on the tech startup wave.
A un certo punto abbiamo capito che era meglio scendere dal treno.
At a certain point we realized it was better to walk away.
Perdere il treno
Literally: To miss the train
The train here represents a big opportunity, especially one that is unlikely to come back. Like that job you didn’t apply for or that person you didn’t call back… yep, you missed the train!
Ti avevo detto di comprare quelle azioni. Ormai è tardi, hai perso il treno!
I told you to buy those stocks. It’s too late now, you missed your chance!
Certi treni passano una volta sola
Literally: Some trains pass only once
We often use this saying when someone is overthinking or hesitating over a golden opportunity and just needs some encouragement to go for it.
Non farti bloccare dalla paura; lo sai che certi treni passano una volta sola!
Don’t let fear hold you back; you know some chances only come once!
Uscire dai binari
Literally: To go off the rails
Just like in English, this is about straying from what is considered the right path, whether it’s a project losing direction or someone acting a bit out of character.
Mi dispiace se sono stato brusco, ma non volevo che la conversazione uscisse dai binari.
Sorry if I was a bit harsh, but I didn’t want the conversation to go off the rails.
Trovarsi su un binario morto
Literally: To find yourself on a dead track
This refers to being stuck in a situation with no clear way out, just like an old railway track that simply leads nowhere. It’s basically the Italian way of saying you’ve hit a dead end.
La trattativa si è arenata: siamo su un binario morto.
The negotiation has stalled: we’re at a dead end.
Fare il trenino
Literally: To make a little train.
You know that moment at a party when everyone lines up, holds on to the person in front, and dances their way around the room like a little train? That’s fare il trenino, what you’d call doing the conga!
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
