Buying a ticket at a tabaccheria in Italian

1. 1
   biglietto/biʎˈʎetto/

   ticketnoun

   A slip of paper or card you buy to be able to travel or get into somewhere.
2. 2
   tabaccheria/tabakkeˈria/

   tobacconist'snoun

   A shop licensed to sell tobacco.
3. 3
   corsa/ˈkorsa/

   single ridenoun

   A single trip on public transport.
4. 4
   metropolitana/metropoliˈtana/

   metronoun

   A city train that runs mostly underground.
5. 5
   giornaliero/dʒornaˈljɛro/

   dailyadjective

   Relating to a single day.
6. 6
   ridotto/riˈdotto/

   reducedadjective

   Lowered compared with the normal amount.
7. 7
   validare/valiˈdare/

   to validateverb

   To confirm that something is valid.
8. 8
   costare/kosˈtare/

   to costverb

   To have a certain price.
9. 9
   vendere/ˈvendere/

   to sellverb

   To give something in exchange for money.
10. 10
    resto/ˈrɛsto/

    changenoun

    The money you get back when you give more than something costs.

The sentences

1. Buongiorno, vorrei un biglietto per la metro, per favore.

   Good morning, I'd like a metro ticket, please.

2. Scusi, sa se la tabaccheria in fondo alla strada è aperta?

   Excuse me, do you know if the tabaccheria at the end of the street is open?

3. Il biglietto vale per una sola corsa o per novanta minuti?

   Is the ticket valid for a single ride or for ninety minutes?

4. Questo biglietto va bene anche per la metropolitana?

   Is this ticket also good for the metro?

5. Allora prendo un biglietto giornaliero, così giro tutto il giorno.

   Then I'll take a day ticket, so I can get around all day.

6. Avete anche un biglietto ridotto per i ragazzi sotto i dodici anni?

   Do you also have a reduced ticket for kids under twelve?

7. Scusi, devo validare il biglietto prima di scendere in stazione?

   Excuse me, do I have to validate the ticket before going down to the station?

8. Scusi, quanto viene a costare il biglietto giornaliero?

   Excuse me, how much does the day ticket cost?

9. Mi hanno detto che anche le edicole possono vendere i biglietti.

   I've been told newsstands can sell tickets too.

10. Mi scusi, non ho spiccioli, ha il resto da venti euro?

    Excuse me, I have no small change. Can you give change for a twenty?

Pronunciation

• biglietto/biʎˈʎetto/

  The gli sounds like the lli in million, and the double t is held long.

• tabaccheria/tabakkeˈria/

  The stress falls on the final i of -ria, not on the e.

• giornaliero/dʒornaˈljɛro/

  The e of -liero is open, as in bello.

• ridotto/riˈdotto/

  Hold the double t long, as in tutto.

• resto/ˈrɛsto/

  The e is open, like in the English word 'bed'.

Good to know

tabaccheria

In Italy, tabaccherie, recognisable by the sign with a T, often sell bus and metro tickets too. They are usually a good alternative to the ticket machine.

edicola

Many newsstands also sell public transport tickets. If the tabaccheria is closed, try there.

validare

On many services a paper ticket has to be validated in a machine before you board or at the entrance. The rules change from city to city, so check the signs at the station.

biglietto ridotto

Many cities offer reduced fares, for example for young people. The conditions vary from city to city, so ask at the counter.

Questions

How do I ask for a metro ticket in Italian?

You can say "Buongiorno, vorrei un biglietto per la metro, per favore." Biglietto means ticket.

How do I ask what a day ticket costs in Italian?

Say "Scusi, quanto viene a costare il biglietto giornaliero?" Giornaliero means valid for a single day.

What do I say if I have no small change?

Say "Mi scusi, non ho spiccioli, ha il resto da venti euro?" Resto is the money you get back when you give more than the price.