135 Basic Italian Phrases for Travel with Audio and PDF

Basic Italian phrases for travel can transform your Italian adventure from ordinary to extraordinary. Welcome to your ultimate guide to sounding like a local in Italy!

👉 Andiamo! Jump straight to the Italian phrases!

We’ve compiled 135 essential Italian phrases, complete with crystal-clear audio recordings for each one. Whether you’re ordering a cappuccino in Rome or asking for directions in Florence, these phrases will help you confidently navigate Italy.

But why stop at just phrases? Truly immersing yourself in Italian culture means going beyond memorization. That’s why this guide is powered by ItalianChat, where you’ll master real-world Italian conversations in just 10 minutes a day.

Ready to add some Italian flair to your travels? Let’s dive in!

Basic Italian Phrases and Words

Let’s start with a handful of essential Italian phrases and words that will prove invaluable in daily interactions with native Italian speakers. 

These simple Italian phrases, representing the essential Italian vocabulary, will showcase your attempts to connect with locals in their language, enriching your Italian adventure.

Audio Italian English
Play Yes
Play No No
Play Per favore Please
Play Grazie Thank you
Play Prego You’re welcome
Play Non capisco I don’t understand
Play Non parlo Italiano I don’t speak Italian
Play Parla Inglese? Do you speak English?
Play Mi scusi Excuse me (to get someone’s attention)
Play Permesso Excuse me (to navigate through)
Play Mi dispiace I’m sorry
Play Ciao Hello/Goodbye

Suggested Read: Discover the 21 safest cities in Italy for an unforgettable experience, whether you’re a traveler or an expat.

Common Italian Greetings

common Italian greetings

Italians are known for their warm and animated nature. Here are some Italian greetings to get you off to a fantastic start. Tossing out a heartfelt “buon giorno!” with a bright smile can go a long way. 

To help you nail these greetings, we’ve listed the most popular key phrases, useful Italian words, and their appropriate use cases.

Formality is typically reserved for strangers and elders, while casual greetings are shared among friends.

Audio Italian English
Play Buongiorno Good morning
Play Buon pomeriggio Good afternoon
Play Buona sera Good evening
Play Buona notte Good night
Play Ciao! Hi / Bye (informal)
Play Arrivederci Goodbye (formal)
Play Mi chiamo__ My name is__
Play Come ti chiami? What is your name?
Play Piacere di conoscerti Nice to meet you
Play Come stai? How are you? (informal)
Play Come sta? How are you? (formal)
Play Bene grazie Good, thank you
Play Buona giornata Have a good day

Want to learn more about Italian verbs? Explore our comprehensive guide: Italian Verb Conjugation Made Easy with a handy PDF. chart.

Days of the Week and Times of the Day in Italian

Knowing the days of the week and how to tell time in Italian can enhance your travel experience

This knowledge comes in handy while booking tours, checking opening times, or even planning your daily itinerary.

Here are the days of the week and some useful phrases related to time.

Audio Italian English
Play Lunedì Monday
Play Martedì Tuesday
Play Mercoledì Wednesday
Play Giovedì Thursday
Play Venerdì Friday
Play Sabato Saturday
Play Domenica Sunday
Play Che ora è? What time is it?
Play È l’una It’s one o’clock
Play Sono le due It’s two o’clock
Play Mezzogiorno Noon
Play Mezzanotte Midnight
Play Mattina Morning
Play Pomeriggio Afternoon
Play Sera Evening
Play Notte Night

Suggested Read: Learn how to count in Italian in no time.

Useful Italian Phrases at the Restaurant

useful phrases at the Italian restaurant

Immerse yourself in Italy’s famed gastronomy with these common phrases designed to enhance your dining experiences. 

If your Italian escapade includes savoring local cuisines or sampling delectable gelato (which it definitely should!), these essential basic phrases will be your greatest ally.

Audio Italian English
Play Un tavolo per due, per favore A table for two, please
Play Il menu, per favore The menu, please
Play Acqua, per favore Water, please
Play Sono allergico/a a__ I’m allergic to__
Play Latticini / Glutine / Pesce Dairy / Gluten / Fish
Play Sono vegetariano/a I am vegetarian
Play Che cosa ci consiglia? What do you recommend?
Play Antipasto Appetizer
Play Primo First course
Play Secondo Second course
Play Dolci Dessert
Play Buon appetito! Enjoy your meal!
Play Vino della casa House wine
Play Vino rosso / bianco Red / white wine
Play Una bicchiere / una bottiglia A glass / bottle
Play È delizioso This is delicious
Play Posso avere il conto? Can I have the check?
Play Posso pagare con la carta? Can I pay by card?
Play Dov’è il bagno? Where’s the bathroom?
Play Grazie per il servizio Thank you for the service

Useful Italian Phrases at the Hotel

Your hotel serves as your sanctuary while you traverse the landscapes of Italy. Here’s a list of Italian phrases with their English equivalent to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

Audio Italian English
Play Ho una prenotazione I have a reservation
Play Vorrei una camera per due I would like a room for two
Play Potrei avere asciugamani extra? Could I have extra towels?
Play Posso avere il servizio in camera? Can I have room service?
Play Dov’è la palestra? Where is the gym?
Play Dove è l’ascensore? Where is the elevator?
Play A che ora è la colazione? What time is breakfast?
Play Potrei avere la password del Wi-Fi? Can I have the Wi-Fi password?
Play Potrei fare il check-out più tardi? Could I have a late check-out?
Play Ho bisogno di aiuto con i miei bagagli I need help with my luggage

Useful Italian Phrases When Visiting Attractions

useful Italian phrases when visiting Italian attractions

Italy’s rich culture and legendary landmarks are a significant part of any travel itinerary. 

We’ve gathered some of the most important phrases to help you secure tickets and ask common questions at attractions to aid you.

Audio Italian English
Play Dov’è il museo? Where is the museum?
Play Quando apre/chiude? When does it open/close?
Play Entrata Entrance
Play Uscita Exit
Play Posso comprare un biglietto qui? Can I buy a ticket here?
Play Un biglietto/due biglietti One/two ticket/s
Play Due adulti/un bambino Two adults/one child
Play Quanto costa l’ingresso? How much is the entrance fee?
Play Vorrei una guida I would like a guide
Play Avete una guida in inglese? Do you have an English guide?
Play Posso fare foto? Can I take photos?
Play Dov’è il bagno? Where is the toilet?
Play Come arrivo a__? How do I get to__?
Play È a distanza di cammino? Is it within walking distance?

How to Ask for Directions in Italian

Avoid getting disoriented in Italy’s labyrinth-like cities with these phrases designed to guide you through your journey.

Audio Italian English
Play Dov’è __? Where is __?
Play Come arrivo a__? How do I get to__?
Play È lontano? Is it far?
Play Sinistra Left
Play Destra Right
Play Dritto Straight ahead
Play Gira Turn around
Play All’angolo At the corner
Play Mappa Map
Play Vicino Near
Play Stazione dei treni Train station
Play Aeroporto Airport
Play Fermata dell’autobus Bus stop
shopping in Italy

Shopping in Italy is an absolute treat, whether you’re hunting for the latest fashion, unique food items, or charming souvenirs. Here are some phrases to aid you on your shopping spree.

Audio Italian English
Play Quanto costa? How much does it cost?
Play Vorrei comprare__ I would like to buy__
Play Accettate carte di credito? Do you accept credit cards?
Play Aperto Open
Play Chiuso Closed
Play Saldi Sale
Play Negozio Shop
Play Taglia Size
Play Ricevuta Receipt
Play Resto Change

Venturing through Italy with your little ones? These phrases will prove immensely helpful in expressing their needs and ensuring they’re catered to.

Audio Italian English
Play Bambino/a Baby
Play Pannolino Diaper
Play Biberon Bottle
Play Seggiolino Child seat
Play Ho bisogno di un pediatra I need a pediatrician
Play Parco giochi Playground
Play Menu per bambini Kids’ menu
Play Potrei avere un seggiolone? Can I have a high chair?
Play Avete un servizio di babysitter? Do you have babysitting service?
Play Adatto ai bambini Child-friendly

How to Ask for Help in Italian

how to ask for help in Italian

Should you require aid while exploring Italy, these phrases will be lifesavers in emergencies.

While we hope you never have to use them, it’s always wise to remember the old saying, “Better safe than sorry.”

Audio Italiano Inglese
Play Aiuto! Help!
Play Ho bisogno di un dottore I need a doctor
Play Chiamate la polizia! Call the police!
Play Ho perso il mio passaporto I lost my passport
Play Dov’è l’ospedale? Where is the hospital?
Play Mi sono perso/a I’m lost
Play Mi sento malato/a I feel sick
Play È un’emergenza It’s an emergency
Play Ho bisogno di aiuto I need help
Play Fai attenzione Be careful

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Basic Italian Phrases for Travel FAQ

Answers to commonly asked questions about basic Italian phrases and words for travel.

Why should I learn basic Italian phrases before traveling to Italy?

Learning key Italian phrases demonstrates respect for Italian culture, makes your interactions with locals more meaningful, and can enhance your overall travel experience.

Suggested Read: Dive into the world of language learning with our top picks for the best 10 websites and apps to learn Italian through games.

How should I practice these phrases?

Regular practice is key. Listen to the audio, try repeating the phrases aloud, writing them down, or using them in conversation. The provided audio and PDF can be a handy resource for practice.

Where can I find a handy reference for basic Italian phrases as a PDF?

Within this article, you can download our basic Italian phrases PDF cheat sheet, which is ideal for travelers. This extensive guide is designed to assist you in communicating with ease throughout your adventures in Italy.

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up this guide, remember that language is a beautiful gateway to culture. 

By learning and using these essential Italian travel phrases, you’ll make your Italian adventure even more enriching and memorable. So, embrace the language, enjoy the journey to this beautiful country, and buon viaggio—have a great trip!

Suggested Read: How to Understand Spoken Italian: Practical Strategies for Better Comprehension