How to Ask About Shuttle Services in Italian: A Beginner's Guide
Learn to ask if there's a shuttle to your hotel, understand schedules, and get key information in Italian. Perfect for travelers.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you arrive at an airport or train station in Italy, you might need to find a shuttle to your hotel. This lesson teaches you how to ask if a shuttle service exists, where to find it, and how to understand the schedule. You'll learn essential phrases and a simple pattern to form questions. By the end, you'll be able to confidently ask about shuttle services in Italian.
By the end, you can…
- ask if there is a shuttle to a specific place.
- ask about the shuttle schedule and frequency.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
C'è una navetta per l'hotel?
Is there a shuttle to the hotel?
cheh OO-nah nah-VET-tah pehr loh-TEL
Use 'C'è' for 'there is'. 'Navetta' is the common word for shuttle. 'Per' means 'to' or 'for'.
Dove posso prendere la navetta?
Where can I catch the shuttle?
DOH-veh POS-soh PREN-deh-reh lah nah-VET-tah
Use this to ask for the location of the shuttle stop. 'Prendere' means 'to take' or 'to catch'.
A che ora parte la navetta?
What time does the shuttle leave?
ah keh OH-rah PAR-teh lah nah-VET-tah
Ask for departure time. 'Parte' is from 'partire' (to depart).
Ogni quanto passa la navetta?
How often does the shuttle come?
OHN-yee KWAHN-toh PAHS-sah lah nah-VET-tah
Use this to ask about frequency. 'Ogni quanto' means 'how often'.
La navetta è gratuita?
Is the shuttle free?
lah nah-VET-tah eh grah-TWEE-tah
Ask if the service is free. 'Gratuita' means 'free of charge'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask if there is a shuttle to a place, use: C'è una navetta per + [place]? For example, C'è una navetta per il centro? (Is there a shuttle to the center?) or C'è una navetta per l'aeroporto? (Is there a shuttle to the airport?). Note that 'per' is used to indicate destination. For 'the hotel', you can say 'per l'hotel' (for the hotel). If you want to ask about a specific hotel, you can say 'per l'Hotel Roma' (for Hotel Roma).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at an airport, train station, or hotel and need information about shuttle services. For example, after arriving at the airport, you might ask an information desk: C'è una navetta per il centro? If you are at a hotel and want to go to the airport, you can ask: C'è una navetta per l'aeroporto? It's also common to ask about the schedule: A che ora parte la navetta? and Ogni quanto passa la navetta? These questions help you plan your trip.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, c'è una navetta per l'hotel?
Excuse me, is there a shuttle to the hotel?SKOO-zee, cheh OO-nah nah-VET-tah pehr loh-TELSì, c'è una navetta gratuita ogni trenta minuti.
Yes, there is a free shuttle every thirty minutes.see, cheh OO-nah nah-VET-tah grah-TWEE-tah OHN-yee TREHN-tah mee-NOO-teeDove posso prendere la navetta?
Where can I catch the shuttle?DOH-veh POS-soh PREN-deh-reh lah nah-VET-tahFuori dall'uscita 3, a destra.
Outside exit 3, on the right.FWOH-ree dahl-loo-SHEE-tah treh, ah DEHS-trahA little context goes a long way
In Italy, shuttle services are common at airports and some train stations, often called 'navetta' or 'bus navetta'. They may be free or require a small fee. It's polite to use 'Scusi' (Excuse me) to get attention before asking a question. In formal situations, use 'Lei' forms like 'Scusi' and 'può' (can you). With friends, you can use 'Scusa' and 'puoi'. The pronunciation of 'navetta' is generally consistent across regions, with a clear double 't'; slight regional variations may occur, so listen for context.
One thing to watch for
Using 'a' instead of 'per' when asking about destination, e.g., 'C'è una navetta a l'hotel?'
Try this instead: The correct preposition is 'per': 'C'è una navetta per l'hotel?' 'Per' indicates the destination or purpose. 'A' is used for locations like 'a Roma' (in Rome), but with 'navetta', 'per' is standard.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask 'Is there a shuttle to the airport?' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
C'è una navetta per l'aeroporto?
This uses the pattern 'C'è una navetta per + place'. 'Aeroporto' means airport. You could also say 'per l'aeroporto' with the article.
2What does 'Ogni quanto passa la navetta?' mean?
Show a sample answer
How often does the shuttle come?
'Ogni quanto' means 'how often', 'passa' means 'passes' or 'comes', and 'la navetta' is 'the shuttle'. This question asks about frequency.
3Translate: 'The shuttle is free.'
Show a sample answer
La navetta è gratuita.
'La navetta' is the shuttle, 'è' is 'is', and 'gratuita' means free (feminine form because 'navetta' is feminine). You could also say 'La navetta è gratis' informally.
Remember to use 'C'è una navetta per...?' to ask about shuttle services, and 'A che ora parte?' or 'Ogni quanto passa?' for schedules. Practice these phrases to navigate Italian transportation smoothly.
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