A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "What time does it leave" in Italian
Ask about departure times for trains, buses, or flights in Italy with this essential travel phrase.
A che ora parte?
ah keh OH-rah PAR-tehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you need to know the departure time of a train, bus, plane, or even a ferry. It's perfect for asking at a train station, bus terminal, or airport information desk.
Alternatives
- A che ora si parte?Use when the subject is less specific, like 'when does one depart?'
- Quando parte?A bit more general, meaning 'when does it leave?'
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'partire' with 'partito'
'Partire' is the infinitive verb for 'to leave'; 'partito' is a past participle or noun.
Forgetting the preposition 'a'
You need 'a che ora' (at what hour), not just 'che ora'.
A small cultural note
Italians are generally punctual about transportation schedules, so asking this question is perfectly normal and expected.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'parte' and 'partono'?
'Parte' is used for a singular departure (e.g., 'il treno parte' - the train leaves). 'Partono' is used for plural departures (e.g., 'i treni partono' - the trains leave).
Can I use this for a specific train number?
Yes, you can say 'A che ora parte il treno [number]?' (At what hour does train [number] leave?).
How do I ask about arrival time instead?
You would ask 'A che ora arriva?' (At what hour does it arrive?).
