A1French

Using Buses & the Metro

Use these practical phrases to navigate public transit, confirm your route, and interact with staff or fellow passengers.

Key Phrases

Voice
Finding the right line · 2 ways to say it

Excusez-moi, je cherche la ligne pour le centre.

polite

Excuse me, I am looking for the line for the center.

A polite way to ask a transit worker or stranger for directions.

Pour le centre, c'est quelle ligne ?

neutral

Which line is it for the center?

Common spoken syntax where the destination is stated first.

Checking the destination · 2 ways to say it

Excusez-moi, le bus va à la gare ?

polite

Excuse me, does the bus go to the station?

C'est le bon bus pour la gare ?

neutral

Is this the right bus for the station?

A very natural way to confirm you are boarding the right vehicle.

Asking the price

C'est combien pour un ticket ?

neutral

How much is a ticket?

Validating a ticket

Je valide où ?

neutral

Where do I validate?

In France, you must usually scan or stamp your ticket before riding.

Asking about schedule

Le prochain bus arrive quand ?

neutral

When does the next bus arrive?

Checking distance

C'est à combien d'arrêts ?

neutral

How many stops away is it?

Exiting · 2 ways to say it

Pardon, je descends ici.

polite

Excuse me, I am getting off here.

Use this politely when you need to squeeze past someone.

C'est mon arrêt.

neutral

This is my stop.

Often said while moving toward the doors so people let you pass.

Practice Dialogue

Traveler
Bonjour. C'est le bon bus pour la gare ?
Passenger
Non. Pour la gare, c'est la ligne douze.
Traveler
D'accord. Le prochain bus arrive quand ?
Passenger
Il arrive dans cinq minutes.
Traveler
Parfait. C'est à combien d'arrêts ?
Passenger
La gare ? C'est à sept arrêts.
Traveler
Et je valide où ?
Passenger
Dans le bus, à l'avant.
Traveler
Merci beaucoup. Bonne journée.

More Travel & Transport (A1)

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