How to Say "I Need a Taxi" in Italian: Calling or Hailing One
Learn to request a taxi in Italian by phone or at a taxi stand, say where you are going, and understand the estimated arrival time.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you need a taxi in Italy, you rarely flag one down on the street. You either call a taxi company, use an app, or go to a taxi stand (posteggio). This lesson gives you the exact phrases to ask for a taxi, say where you are going, and understand the reply about how long it will take. It is not about giving directions once you are inside the car; it is about getting the car to you in the first place.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a taxi by phone or at a taxi stand.
- say where I need to go in a simple sentence.
- understand and ask about the estimated arrival time.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ho bisogno di un taxi.
I need a taxi.
oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon TAHK-see
The most direct way to state your need. Use it on the phone or when speaking to a driver at a stand.
Può mandare un taxi a via Roma?
Can you send a taxi to Via Roma?
pwoh mahn-DAH-reh oon TAHK-see ah VEE-ah ROH-mah
Polite request using the third person singular. Use it on the phone with the operator.
Devo andare in centro.
I need to go downtown.
DEH-voh ahn-DAH-reh een CHEN-troh
States your destination simply. Replace 'in centro' with your actual destination.
Quanto tempo ci vuole?
How long will it take?
KWAHN-toh TEM-poh chee VWOH-leh
Ask this after requesting the taxi to learn the estimated arrival time.
Arriva tra dieci minuti.
It will arrive in ten minutes.
ahr-REE-vah trah DYEH-chee mee-NOO-tee
A typical answer from the operator. 'Tra' means 'in' for future time.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say what you need, use 'Ho bisogno di...' followed by a noun. For a taxi: 'Ho bisogno di un taxi.' To say where you are going, use 'Devo andare...' plus a place: 'Devo andare in centro,' 'Devo andare all'aeroporto.' To ask about time, use 'Quanto tempo ci vuole?' The answer often uses 'tra' plus a time: 'Arriva tra cinque minuti.'
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are not yet in the taxi. On the phone, start with 'Buongiorno' or 'Buonasera,' then 'Ho bisogno di un taxi.' At a taxi stand, you can say 'Ho bisogno di un taxi' directly to the driver. If you are ordering through an app, the same phrases work in the notes field. Do not use these when you are already inside the taxi and giving directions; for that, use commands like 'Vada a destra' or 'Sempre dritto.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buonasera, ho bisogno di un taxi.
Good evening, I need a taxi.bwoh-nah-SEH-rah, oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon TAHK-seeCerto. Dove si trova?
Of course. Where are you?CHER-toh. DOH-veh see TROH-vahSono in piazza Garibaldi. Devo andare in centro.
I am in Piazza Garibaldi. I need to go downtown.SOH-noh een PYAHT-tsah gah-ree-BAHL-dee. DEH-voh ahn-DAH-reh een CHEN-trohVa bene. Arriva tra dieci minuti.
All right. It will arrive in ten minutes.vah BEH-neh. ahr-REE-vah trah DYEH-chee mee-NOO-teeA little context goes a long way
In Italy, taxis are usually white and cannot be hailed on the street in most cities; you must call or go to a stand. At a stand, you can take the first taxi in line. Tipping is not required but rounding up is common. The word 'taxi' is universally understood throughout the country.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Voglio un taxi' (I want a taxi) on the phone.
Try this instead: 'Voglio' can sound demanding. Use 'Ho bisogno di un taxi' or 'Vorrei un taxi' (I would like a taxi) for politeness. Example: 'Vorrei un taxi, per favore.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I need a taxi' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Ho bisogno di un taxi.
This is the standard polite phrase. 'Ho bisogno di' means 'I need' and is followed by a noun.
2Ask how long the taxi will take to arrive.
Show a sample answer
Quanto tempo ci vuole?
This literally means 'How much time does it take?' It is the natural way to ask for an estimated time.
3Say 'I need to go to the airport' in Italian.
Show a sample answer
Devo andare all'aeroporto.
'Devo andare' means 'I must go' and 'all'aeroporto' means 'to the airport.' You can replace the destination as needed.
Use 'Ho bisogno di un taxi' to request a taxi, 'Devo andare...' to state your destination, and 'Quanto tempo ci vuole?' to ask about arrival time. Keep it polite and clear.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Italian into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr