Beginner Level Conversations- Series 1- Lesson 5
Traveling in an English-speaking country can be an exciting adventure, but navigating public transport might seem challenging if you’re not familiar with the language. This lesson will help you learn essential phrases and tips for buying tickets and asking for information, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable.Whether you’re catching a bus, train, or any other mode of public transport, these handy expressions will ensure you get to your destination with ease.
Previous Conversation Lesson
Conversation Questions for Making Reservations
How to Buy Tickets in English
Buying a ticket
To buy a ticket for the public transportation like a bus or a train, you can use below expressions:
- I’d like (+ noun / + infinitive)
- I’d like a return ticket…
- I’d like to buy a return ticket…
Or you can use a “Can I” question:
- Can I have a ….. (single / return to Bath) please?
On the bus, when you need to be quick, the question can be short:
- A single to London Bridge, please.
Ask for information
- How much is … (a one day travel card)
- How much does a one day travel card cost?
Tips for understanding native English speakers
It isn’t always easy to understand native speakers at train stations or on the bus. This is because people are often in a hurry – you need to ask a question quickly on the bus, for example.
- Before you ask something, think about what you actually need to know. Like, are you trying to figure out where the bus goes or do you want to know when to hop off? Keep it simple, use basic grammar like this:
- Does this bus stop at …… (name of place)
Does this bus stop at London Bridge?
- Do you stop anywhere near ….. (name of place)
Do you stop anywhere near London Bridge?
Here is a question asking the bus driver to help you:
- Can you tell me where to get off for …. (name of place)
Can you tell me where to get off for the shopping center?
- Pay attention to the information words. These words are stressed in a sentence, while the grammar words (articles, prepositions etc) usually are unstressed.
For example:
- Do you stop anywhere near London Bridge?
- ‘Yeah, on the ‘other ‘side of the ‘road.
Daily conversations for public transportation!
Here are some sample daily conversations for using public transportation in an English speaking country.
Conversation 1
- Can I help you?
- Yes, I’d like a return ticket to DC, please.
- A day return is $10.
Conversation 2
- Yes Madam?
- How much is a one-day trip pass?
- $5 for four zones.
Conversation 3
- Yes?
- Can you tell me where to get off for the shopping center?
- No problem.
Conversation 4
- Yes Madam?
- Do you stop anywhere near the Library?
- Yep. It’s the first stop on the High Street.
Conclusion
Now that you learn how to buy a ticket and use public transportation, you can make the most of your next trip in an English speaking country. By using public transportation, you can save money and the environment. Just remember to be clear, polite, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Happy traveling!
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Conversation Questions in Airport
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