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

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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
	Buongiorno	Good morning
	Buon pomeriggio	Good afternoon
	Buona sera	Good evening
	Buona notte	Good night
	Ciao!	Hi / Bye (informal)
	Arrivederci	Goodbye (formal)
	Mi chiamo__	My name is__
	Come ti chiami?	What is your name?
	Piacere di conoscerti	Nice to meet you
	Come stai?	How are you? (informal)
	Come sta?	How are you? (formal)
	Bene grazie	Good, thank you
	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
	Lunedì	Monday
	Martedì	Tuesday
	Mercoledì	Wednesday
	Giovedì	Thursday
	Venerdì	Friday
	Sabato	Saturday
	Domenica	Sunday
	Che ora è?	What time is it?
	È l’una	It’s one o’clock
	Sono le due	It’s two o’clock
	Mezzogiorno	Noon
	Mezzanotte	Midnight
	Mattina	Morning
	Pomeriggio	Afternoon
	Sera	Evening
	Notte	Night

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

Useful Italian Phrases at the 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
	Un tavolo per due, per favore	A table for two, please
	Il menu, per favore	The menu, please
	Acqua, per favore	Water, please
	Sono allergico/a a__	I’m allergic to__
	Latticini / Glutine / Pesce	Dairy / Gluten / Fish
	Sono vegetariano/a	I am vegetarian
	Che cosa ci consiglia?	What do you recommend?
	Antipasto	Appetizer
	Primo	First course
	Secondo	Second course
	Dolci	Dessert
	Buon appetito!	Enjoy your meal!
	Vino della casa	House wine
	Vino rosso / bianco	Red / white wine
	Una bicchiere / una bottiglia	A glass / bottle
	È delizioso	This is delicious
	Posso avere il conto?	Can I have the check?
	Posso pagare con la carta?	Can I pay by card?
	Dov’è il bagno?	Where’s the bathroom?
	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
	Ho una prenotazione	I have a reservation
	Vorrei una camera per due	I would like a room for two
	Potrei avere asciugamani extra?	Could I have extra towels?
	Posso avere il servizio in camera?	Can I have room service?
	Dov’è la palestra?	Where is the gym?
	Dove è l’ascensore?	Where is the elevator?
	A che ora è la colazione?	What time is breakfast?
	Potrei avere la password del Wi-Fi?	Can I have the Wi-Fi password?
	Potrei fare il check-out più tardi?	Could I have a late check-out?
	Ho bisogno di aiuto con i miei bagagli	I need help with my luggage

Useful Italian Phrases When Visiting 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
	Dov’è il museo?	Where is the museum?
	Quando apre/chiude?	When does it open/close?
	Entrata	Entrance
	Uscita	Exit
	Posso comprare un biglietto qui?	Can I buy a ticket here?
	Un biglietto/due biglietti	One/two ticket/s
	Due adulti/un bambino	Two adults/one child
	Quanto costa l’ingresso?	How much is the entrance fee?
	Vorrei una guida	I would like a guide
	Avete una guida in inglese?	Do you have an English guide?
	Posso fare foto?	Can I take photos?
	Dov’è il bagno?	Where is the toilet?
	Come arrivo a__?	How do I get to__?
	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
	Dov’è __?	Where is __?
	Come arrivo a__?	How do I get to__?
	È lontano?	Is it far?
	Sinistra	Left
	Destra	Right
	Dritto	Straight ahead
	Gira	Turn around
	All’angolo	At the corner
	Mappa	Map
	Vicino	Near
	Stazione dei treni	Train station
	Aeroporto	Airport
	Fermata dell’autobus	Bus stop

Shopping-Related Italian Phrases and Words

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

Kids-Related Phrases in Italian

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

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

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!

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