Asking for directions in Italian
Last updated 29 October 2026
Italian streets are often old, winding and sometimes unmarked, so asking for directions is a useful skill even with a phone in your pocket. Italians tend to enjoy helping, and will often walk with you part of the way. This page covers the question, the answer and the words in between.
Getting someone's attention
- Scusi, può aiutarmi? Excuse me, can you help me? (formal)
- Scusa, mi puoi aiutare? Sorry, can you help me? (informal)
- Mi scusi, parla inglese? Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Sono perso. I am lost. (a man)
- Sono persa. I am lost. (a woman)
Start with scusi or mi scusi, and use Lei with strangers (see tu vs Lei). A friendly buongiorno before you ask is polite and expected.
Asking where something is
- Dov'è la stazione? Where is the station?
- Dov'è il bagno? Where is the toilet?
- Sa dov'è la farmacia? Do you know where the pharmacy is?
- C'è una banca qui vicino? Is there a bank nearby?
- Come si arriva al Duomo? How do I get to the cathedral?
- Quanto è lontano? How far is it?
- Posso andare a piedi? Can I go on foot?
Use dov'è for a single thing and dove sono for several: Dove sono i bagni? The word c'è means "there is", and ci sono means "there are". Both are very common in questions about what is nearby.
Understanding the answers
- Vada sempre dritto. Go straight ahead. (formal)
- Giri a destra. Turn right. (formal)
- Giri a sinistra. Turn left. (formal)
- Alla prima traversa. At the first side street.
- Al semaforo. At the traffic light.
- All'incrocio. At the crossroads.
- È dopo la chiesa. It is after the church.
- È di fronte al parco. It is opposite the park.
The formal commands vada, giri, prenda, attraversi are the Lei form of the imperative. Friends say vai, gira, prendi, attraversa. Italian answers also use landmarks more than street names, so listen for la chiesa, la piazza, il bar, il semaforo and il ponte.
Places in town
| Italian | English | Italian | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| la piazza | the square | il museo | the museum |
| la chiesa | the church | l'ospedale | the hospital |
| la stazione | the station | la farmacia | the pharmacy |
| il ponte | the bridge | la banca | the bank |
| il mercato | the market | il parcheggio | the car park |
Transport
- Dove si compra il biglietto? Where do you buy the ticket?
- Un biglietto per Firenze, per favore. A ticket to Florence, please.
- A che ora parte il treno? What time does the train leave?
- Da quale binario parte? From which platform does it leave?
- Quale autobus va in centro? Which bus goes to the centre?
- Dove devo scendere? Where do I need to get off?
On Italian trains, validate paper regional tickets in the small machines before boarding. Otherwise you may get a fine.
A short dialogue
Looking for the cathedral
Turista
Scusi, signora, come si arriva al Duomo?
Excuse me, madam, how do I get to the cathedral?
Passante
È facile. Vada sempre dritto per due minuti.
It is easy. Go straight ahead for two minutes.
Passante
Poi giri a sinistra, alla piazza grande.
Then turn left, at the big square.
Turista
È lontano? Posso andare a piedi?
Is it far? Can I go on foot?
Passante
No, è vicino. Cinque minuti a piedi.
No, it is near. Five minutes on foot.
Turista
Grazie mille, buona giornata!
Thank you very much, have a nice day!
Practice
How do you ask "Where is the station?"
Once you have found your way, you may want to order at a restaurant or stop at the bar for a coffee.
More in Phrases and vocabulary
Read the rule, then use it. Write your own sentences and get Pip's feedback on them.
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