First Phrases

Train and bus phrases · Español

Train and bus phrases in Spanish: 15 phrases

Buy a ticket, ask which platform or stop, check the next departure, ask about delays and changes, pay by card, find your seat, get off at your stop, find the exit or taxi rank, deal with a missed train and say thank you. Short, polite phrases for trains and buses in a new country. Pair them with Meet & Mint once you are settled.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Neutral. With ticket staff, drivers and strangers on a train or bus, "usted" is the safe default in Spain ("perdone", "¿puede...?"); young people often use "tú" with each other. Short questions with "por favor" are normal. Ticket rules differ between Renfe long-distance, Cercanías and city buses, so check the rules of your operator before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How to read the sounds: Spanish is mostly read as written. In Spain, c before e/i and z sound like English th. h is silent. ñ = ny. rr is rolled. Stress is marked in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Un billete para ..., por favor.
    Say it like: oon bee-YEH-teh PAH-rah ..., por fah-BOR
    One ticket to [place], please.
    Register: Put the place name where the dots are. "Billete" is the ticket in Spain.
  2. 02Neutral
    Un billete de ida y vuelta, por favor.
    Say it like: oon bee-YEH-teh deh EE-dah ee BWEL-tah, por fah-BOR
    A return ticket, please.
    Register: "Ida" = outward, "vuelta" = back.
  3. 03Neutral
    ¿De qué andén sale?
    Say it like: deh keh an-DEN SAH-leh
    Which platform does it leave from?
    Register: "Andén" = platform. "Vía" is the track number, also used.
  4. 04Neutral
    ¿Es este el tren a ...?
    Say it like: es ES-teh el tren ah ...
    Is this the train to ...?
    Register: Say the destination after "a".
  5. 05Neutral
    ¿Este autobús para en ...?
    Say it like: ES-teh ow-toh-BOOS PAH-rah en ...
    Does this bus stop at ...?
    Register: "Parar" = to stop.
  6. 06Neutral
    ¿Cuándo sale el próximo?
    Say it like: KWAN-doh SAH-leh el PROK-see-moh
    When is the next one?
    Register: Works for a train or a bus.
  7. 07Neutral
    El tren lleva retraso. ¿Cuánto tiempo?
    Say it like: el tren YEH-bah reh-TRAH-soh. KWAN-toh TYEM-poh
    The train is delayed. How long?
    Register: "Llevar retraso" = to be running late.
  8. 08Neutral
    ¿Dónde tengo que validar el billete?
    Say it like: DON-deh TEN-goh keh bah-lee-DAR el bee-YEH-teh
    Where do I validate my ticket?
    Register: Some tickets do not need validating; if in doubt, ask.
  9. 09Neutral
    ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
    Say it like: PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: Useful at ticket windows and with drivers.
  10. 10Neutral
    ¿Está libre este asiento?
    Say it like: es-TAH LEE-breh ES-teh ah-SYEN-toh
    Is this seat free?
    Register: Polite, and expected before you sit next to someone.
  11. 11Neutral
    Perdone, esta es mi parada.
    Say it like: per-DOH-neh, ES-tah es mee pah-RAH-dah
    Excuse me, this is my stop.
    Register: Said to get past people to the door.
  12. 12Neutral
    ¿Tengo que hacer transbordo?
    Say it like: TEN-goh keh ah-THER trans-BOR-doh
    Do I need to change trains?
    Register: "Transbordo" = a change; for a bus say "cambiar de autobús".
  13. 13Neutral
    ¿Dónde está la salida / la parada de taxis?
    Say it like: DON-deh es-TAH lah sah-LEE-dah / lah pah-RAH-dah deh TAK-sees
    Where is the exit / the taxi rank?
    Register: Choose one: "la salida" or "la parada de taxis".
  14. 14Neutral
    He perdido mi tren. ¿Qué puedo hacer?
    Say it like: eh per-DEE-doh mee tren. keh PWEH-doh ah-THER
    I missed my train. What can I do?
    Register: Say it at the ticket desk or to staff.
  15. 15Neutral
    Gracias, buen viaje.
    Say it like: GRAH-thyas, bwen BYAH-heh
    Thank you, have a good trip.
    Register: "Buen viaje" is the standard send-off.

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a train ticket in Spanish?

Say: "Un billete para ..., por favor." (One ticket to [place], please.)

Should I use formal or informal Spanish with ticket staff and drivers?

With ticket staff, drivers and strangers on a train or bus, "usted" is the safe default in Spain ("perdone", "¿puede...?"); young people often use "tú" with each other. Short questions with "por favor" are normal. Ticket rules differ between Renfe long-distance, Cercanías and city buses, so check the rules of your operator before you travel. Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How do I ask which platform a train leaves from in Spanish?

Say: "¿De qué andén sale?" (Which platform does it leave from?)

How do I say I missed my train in Spanish?

Say: "He perdido mi tren. ¿Qué puedo hacer?" (I missed my train. What can I do?)

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