A2Spanish

Buying Train Tickets

Use these practical phrases at the train station to buy your tickets and find your train.

Key Phrases

Voice
Requesting a ticket · 2 ways to say it

Un billete para Madrid.

neutral

A ticket to Madrid.

A direct, standard way to ask a ticket agent; usually followed by 'por favor'.

¿Me puede dar un billete para Madrid?

polite

Can you give me a ticket to Madrid?

A softer, more polite alternative when speaking to station staff.

Specifying a one-way trip

Solo ida.

neutral

One way.

Short and functional, exactly what the ticket agent expects to hear.

Specifying a round trip

Ida y vuelta.

neutral

Round trip.

Literally translates to 'going and return'.

Asking about the next train

¿A qué hora sale el próximo?

neutral

What time does the next one leave?

Very natural; you do not need to repeat the word 'tren' (train).

Asking the price

¿Cuánto cuesta el billete?

neutral

How much does the ticket cost?

Use this to confirm the price before paying.

Asking to pay by card

¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?

neutral

Can I pay with a card?

Card payments are very common, but it is useful to confirm.

Asking about the platform

¿De qué andén sale?

neutral

Which platform does it leave from?

Essential for finding your train after buying the ticket.

Asking about delays

¿Tiene retraso?

neutral

Is it delayed?

A standard question for station staff if your train is not arriving.

Practice Dialogue

Traveler
Hola, buenos días. Un billete para Madrid, por favor.
Ticket Agent
¿Para hoy? ¿Solo ida o ida y vuelta?
Traveler
Para hoy, sí. Solo ida.
Ticket Agent
Muy bien. El próximo tren va a salir a las once.
Traveler
Perfecto. ¿Tiene retraso?
Ticket Agent
No, sale puntual. Son veinticinco euros.
Traveler
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
Ticket Agent
Sí, claro. Y sale del andén número tres.
Traveler
Muchas gracias. Adiós.

More Travel & Transport (A2)

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