Preguntar por horarios y precios del transporte público

James: Good morning, is this the right place to ask about train tickets?
Anna: Good morning, yes, this is the ticket office, how can I help you today?

James: I need to go to Central Station this afternoon, could you tell me the train times, please?
Anna: Of course, trains to Central Station leave every 30 minutes.

James: When is the next one?
Anna: The next train is at 2:15, and after that at 2:45 and 3:15.

James: I think 2:45 is good for me, how long is the journey?
Anna: It takes about 25 minutes from here to Central Station.

James: Great, and how much is a single ticket to Central Station?
Anna: A single ticket is 3.80 euros.

James: Do you also have return tickets?
Anna: Yes, we do, a return ticket for the same day is 6.50 euros.

James: I’ll be coming back this evening, is the return ticket valid on any train today?
Anna: Yes, the same-day return is valid on any off-peak train until the last service tonight.

James: What time is the last train back from Central Station?
Anna: The last train returns at 11:30 p.m.

James: That’s perfect, I’ll definitely be back before then.
Anna: Good, then the same-day return is probably the best option for you.

James: Are there any discounts, for example for students or tourists?
Anna: We have reduced fares for students and seniors, but you need an ID or student card.

James: I’m not a student, but I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.
Anna: No problem, we also have a day pass if you plan to use buses or trams today.

James: Oh, really, what does the day pass include?
Anna: The day pass includes unlimited travel on trains, buses and trams in the city zone until midnight.

James: And how much is the day pass?
Anna: It’s 9.50 euros for an adult.

James: If I only go to Central Station and back, is the return ticket cheaper than the day pass?
Anna: Yes, for just one return trip, 6.50 euros is cheaper than the day pass.

James: I see, but I might also take a bus later to visit the museum.
Anna: In that case, the day pass could be a better choice, because a single bus ticket is 2.40 euros.

James: So if I take the train and one or two buses, the day pass is more convenient.
Anna: Exactly, and it’s easier because you don’t need to buy separate tickets each time.

James: That sounds good, I think I’ll take the day pass then.
Anna: Perfect, I’ll issue one adult day pass for you.

James: Do I need to validate the ticket before I get on the train?
Anna: Yes, please validate it in the orange machine on the platform before boarding.

James: And when I use the bus, do I show the same ticket to the driver?
Anna: That’s right, just show the ticket and the driver will let you on.

James: Can I pay by card, or do I need cash?
Anna: You can pay by card, cash, or contactless, whichever you prefer.

James: I’ll pay by card, please.
Anna: No problem, you can insert your card here and enter your PIN.

James: Done, thank you, could I also have a small map of the lines?
Anna: Of course, here is a free city transport map with all the routes and timetables.

James: That’s really helpful, thank you very much for the information.
Anna: You’re welcome, your day pass is valid immediately, and remember the next train is at 2:15.

James: Perfect, I’ll go to the platform now so I don’t miss it.
Anna: Have a nice trip, and enjoy your day in the city.

En el diálogo aparece un inglés muy típico para viajeros, con palabras que conviene tener muy claras.

Vocabulario de lugares y servicios: ticket office (taquilla), train tickets, Central Station, platform, bus, tram, city zone, routes, timetables, city transport map. Todo esto te sitúa en el mundo del transporte público.

Vocabulario de billetes: single ticket (billete sencillo, solo ida), return ticket (ida y vuelta), same-day return (ida y vuelta en el mismo día), day pass (abono diario con viajes ilimitados), adult day pass. Son términos muy frecuentes en países anglófonos.

Vocabulario de tiempos y horarios: this afternoon, every 30 minutes, the next train is at 2:15, last train, last service tonight, until midnight, how long is the journey?. Fíjate en journey para hablar del trayecto, y en takes about 25 minutes como forma típica de hablar de la duración.

Vocabulario de precios y descuentos: how much is…?, 3.80 euros, 6.50 euros, 9.50 euros, cheaper, reduced fares, discounts, valid on any off-peak train (off-peak = fuera de hora punta).

Vocabulario de uso del billete: valid on any train today, validate the ticket, validate it in the machine, before boarding, show the ticket to the driver, unlimited travel. La palabra validate es clave en muchos sistemas europeos: validar el billete antes de subir.

El viajero usa frases muy sencillas y reutilizables.

Para empezar la conversación:
“Is this the right place to ask about train tickets?”; muy útil cuando no estás seguro de si estás en la ventanilla correcta.
“How can I help you today?” es la respuesta estándar del empleado.

Para preguntar horarios:
“I need to go to Central Station this afternoon, could you tell me the train times, please?”
“When is the next one?”; forma cortísima y natural de preguntar por el próximo tren.
“How long is the journey?”; perfecto para preguntar cuánto tarda.
“What time is the last train back from Central Station?”; importante para no quedarte tirado.

Para preguntar precios y tipos de billete:
“How much is a single ticket…?”
“Do you also have return tickets?”
“Is the return ticket valid on any train today?”
“Are there any discounts, for example for students or tourists?”

Para elegir entre opciones:
“If I only go to Central Station and back, is the return ticket cheaper than the day pass?”
“So if I take the train and one or two buses, the day pass is more convenient.”
El uso de if + frase sencilla te permite comparar de forma muy clara.

Para instrucciones de uso:
“Do I need to validate the ticket before I get on the train?”
“And when I use the bus, do I show the same ticket to the driver?”
Son preguntas clave para no cometer errores típicos.

Uso de PRESENTE SIMPLE para horarios y normas
Los horarios y reglas se expresan en presente simple:
“Trains to Central Station leave every 30 minutes.”
“The next train is at 2:15.”
“The day pass includes unlimited travel… until midnight.”
“A single ticket is 3.80 euros.”
Es el tiempo estándar para cosas que son “siempre así” o forman parte del sistema.

Uso de MODALES CAN / COULD para pedir y ofrecer información
“Could you tell me the train times, please?” suena más cortés que Can you tell me.
“Can I pay by card, or do I need cash?”
“You can pay by card, cash, or contactless.”
Can y could sirven para pedir y explicar posibilidades de forma muy natural.

Comparativos para hablar de precio y conveniencia
“Is the return ticket cheaper than the day pass?”
“For just one return trip, 6.50 euros is cheaper than the day pass.”
“The day pass could be a better choice.”
El comparativo cheaper y expresiones como better choice son muy útiles para hablar de opciones de transporte.

Condicionales con IF para decidir
“If I only go to Central Station and back, is the return ticket cheaper…?”
“If I take the train and one or two buses, the day pass is more convenient.”
Son condicionales de tipo 1: If + present simple, (is / is it / is X more…); muy fáciles y muy potentes para hablar de situaciones reales.

Uso de “single” y “return”
En muchos contextos anglófonos se habla de single ticket (solo ida) y return ticket (ida y vuelta). En español solemos decir “billete de ida” y “ida y vuelta”. Es buena idea acostumbrarse mentalmente a estas dos palabras porque las verás en carteles y máquinas.

Validar el billete
La idea de validate the ticket in the machine before boarding es muy típica en muchos países de Europa. Si vienes de contextos donde no se valida siempre (o solo al subir al vehículo), esta instrucción en inglés es clave.

Day pass y transporte combinado
El day pass que incluye trains, buses and trams in the city zone es muy común en ciudades europeas. El diálogo muestra bien la lógica: si solo haces ida y vuelta, compensa el billete de ida y vuelta; si vas a usar más transporte, el abono diario es mejor.

Tono cortés pero directo
La conversación es muy educada: “please”, “thank you very much”, “that’s really helpful”. Pero al mismo tiempo el viajero pregunta directamente lo que necesita: precios, horarios, descuentos. En inglés esto se considera normal y apropiado.

Frases que merece la pena memorizar tal cual:
Para empezar: “Is this the right place to ask about bus/train tickets?”, “I need to go to [place] this afternoon.”
Para horarios: “When is the next train/bus?”, “How long is the journey?”, “What time is the last train back?”
Para precios: “How much is a single ticket?”, “Do you have return tickets?”, “Are there any discounts for students or tourists?”

Para comparar opciones:
Usa if y cheaper/better:
“If I only go there and back, is the return ticket cheaper than the day pass?”
“If I take the train and a bus, is the day pass a better option?”

Para evitar problemas con el uso del billete:
Pregunta siempre:
“Do I need to validate the ticket before I get on?”
“Is this ticket valid on any train today?”

Con estas estructuras sencillas puedes preguntar prácticamente todo lo necesario sobre horarios y precios de transporte público en inglés, sin necesidad de frases complicadas.

Este tipo de diálogo te entrena en:
Vocabulario de transporte (single ticket, return ticket, day pass, platform, validate, last train, timetable, routes).
Estructuras muy reutilizables (“When is the next…?”, “How long is the journey?”, “How much is…?”, “Is it cheaper than…?”, “If I…, is it better/cheaper…?”).