A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How much is the fare" in Italian
Learn how to ask for the price of a ticket in Italy with this simple, standard phrase perfect for buses, trains, and trams.
Quanto costa il biglietto?
KWAN-toh KOS-tah eel beel-YET-tohneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you are at a ticket window or boarding a bus where you need to buy a ticket from the driver. It is the most direct way to ask for the cost of a single fare.
Alternatives
- Qual è il prezzo del biglietto?A slightly more formal way to ask for the price.
- Quanto viene il biglietto?A very common, conversational way to ask for the price.
- Mi scusi, il costo del biglietto?Useful when you want to be extra polite before asking.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'costo' with 'prezzo'
While 'costo' means cost, Italians almost always use 'quanto costa' (verb) or 'prezzo' (noun) when asking for a price.
Mispronouncing the double 't'
In 'biglietto', make sure to hold the 'tt' sound slightly longer than a single 't' to sound natural.
A small cultural note
In many Italian cities, you cannot buy tickets on the bus, so asking this might lead to the driver pointing you toward a local 'tabaccheria' (tobacco shop) instead.
Frequently asked
Can I use this phrase for a taxi fare?
It is better to ask 'Quanto viene la corsa?' for a taxi. 'Biglietto' specifically refers to a physical ticket.
Is it rude to ask the price before boarding?
Not at all, it is expected if you do not already have a ticket. Just be quick so you do not hold up the line.
How do I ask how much something costs in general?
Simply say 'Quanto costa?' followed by the item name. It is the universal way to ask for a price in any shop.
