Using Buses & the Metro
Use these practical phrases to buy tickets, find your route, and confidently navigate buses or the metro.
Key Phrases
Buenos días. Quiero comprar un abono de diez viajes.
politeGood morning. I want to buy a ten-ride pass.
A polite and clear way to buy a multi-trip ticket at a metro booth.
Un billete sencillo, por favor. ¿Cuánto es?
neutralA single ticket, please. How much is it?
In Latin America, it is much more common to say 'un boleto' or 'un pasaje' instead of 'un billete'.
Buenos días, ¿este autobús va al centro de la ciudad?
politeGood morning, does this bus go to the city center?
¿Vas a la estación de tren?
casualAre you going to the train station?
Very direct, common when quickly asking the driver while boarding.
Disculpe, ¿dónde tengo que validar el billete?
neutralExcuse me, where do I have to validate the ticket?
In Spain, you might also hear people say 'picar el billete'.
¿Cuántas paradas faltan para el hospital?
neutralHow many stops are left until the hospital?
Voy al aeropuerto. ¿Tengo que cambiar de línea aquí?
neutralI'm going to the airport. Do I have to change lines here?
Voy a bajar en el museo. ¿Puede decirme cuándo?
politeI'm going to get off at the museum. Can you tell me when?
A simple way to ask the driver to alert you, avoiding complex grammar.
¿Me avisa en la parada del museo, por favor?
casualCan you let me know at the museum stop, please?
A bit more direct, but still very common and acceptable.
Perdón, voy a salir. ¿Puede dejarme pasar?
neutralExcuse me, I'm going to get out. Can you let me pass?
Essential for crowded buses or metros when your stop is coming up.