Phrasebook

English Phrases for Public Transport

Buses, trains and the subway are easier when you know what to ask. These phrases cover tickets, routes, changing lines and what to say when things go wrong.

34 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated October 14, 2026

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Tickets and fares

English	Turkish	You might hear
Where can I buy a ticket? A1	Bileti nereden alabilirim?	From the machine over there. You can buy one on the app.
A one-way ticket to Boston, please. A1 UK: a single to... A return = round-trip.	Boston'a tek yön bir bilet, lütfen.	That'll be twelve dollars. Is that for today?
How much is a round-trip ticket? A2 UK: How much is a return?	Gidiş-dönüş bilet ne kadar?	It's cheaper if you buy online. Off-peak or peak?
Can I pay with my card on the bus? A2	Otobüste kartla ödeyebilir miyim?	Yes, just tap it on the reader. No, cash only, exact change.
Is there a day pass? A2	Günlük kart var mı?	Yes, it's good for unlimited rides. There's a weekly pass too.
Do you have a student discount? A2	Öğrenci indirimi var mı?	Only with a local student card. Yes, show me your ID.
The machine isn't taking my card. B1	Makine kartımı kabul etmiyor.	Try the other machine. You can pay at the window.
Do I need to validate my ticket? B1 Validate = stamp or scan it before you ride.	Biletimi okutmam gerekiyor mu?	Yes, use the yellow machine on the platform. No, it's already valid.

Finding the right bus or train

English	Turkish	You might hear
Which bus goes to the city center? A1 UK: city centre or town centre.	Şehir merkezine hangi otobüs gidiyor?	The number 12. Any bus from this stop.
Where is the nearest subway station? A1 UK: underground or tube station; the metro in many cities.	En yakın metro istasyonu nerede?	Go straight and turn left. About two blocks from here.
Which platform does the train to Leeds leave from? A2 US also: track.	Leeds treni hangi perondan kalkıyor?	Platform four. Check the departures board.
Does this train stop at Central Station? A2	Bu tren Central Station'da duruyor mu?	Yes, it's the third stop. No, you need the local train.
Is this the right bus for the airport? A2	Havalimanına giden otobüs bu mu?	Yes, hop on. No, you want the express bus.
How often do the buses run? A2	Otobüsler ne sıklıkla geçiyor?	Every ten minutes. Every half hour on Sundays.
What time is the last train? A2	Son tren saat kaçta?	Just after midnight. At eleven forty.
Which line should I take? A2	Hangi hatta binmeliyim?	Take the red line. The blue line is faster.

On board

English	Turkish	You might hear
Is this seat taken? A1	Bu koltuk dolu mu?	No, go ahead. Sorry, it's taken.
Could you tell me when we get to Park Street? A2	Park Street'e gelince bana söyler misiniz?	Sure, it's in four stops. I'll let you know.
How many stops is it to the museum? A2	Müzeye kaç durak var?	Five or six. It's the next one.
Excuse me, this is my stop. A2 Polite way to ask people to let you pass.	Pardon, ineceğim.	Oh, sorry. Go ahead.
Would you like to sit down? A2	Oturmak ister misiniz?	That's very kind, thank you. No thanks, I'm getting off soon.
Do I get off here for the hospital? A2	Hastane için burada mı inmeliyim?	No, the next stop. Yes, it's across the road.
Could you move your bag, please? A2	Çantanızı çekebilir misiniz, lütfen?	Oh, sorry about that. Sure.

Changing lines and directions

English	Turkish	You might hear
Do I have to change trains? A2 US also: transfer.	Aktarma yapmam gerekiyor mu?	Yes, change at Union Square. No, it's a direct train.
Where do I transfer to the green line? B1	Yeşil hatta nerede aktarma yapıyorum?	At the next station. Follow the green signs.
Which exit is closest to the stadium? B1	Stadyuma en yakın çıkış hangisi?	Exit B. Take the north exit.
Am I going in the right direction? A2	Doğru yönde mi gidiyorum?	No, you need the other side of the platform. Yes, you're fine.
Is it faster to take the bus or the train? B1	Otobüse mi binmek daha hızlı, trene mi?	The train, definitely. The bus at this time of day.

Delays and problems

English	Turkish	You might hear
Is the train running late? A2	Tren rötarlı mı?	Yes, about fifteen minutes. No, it's on time.
The train has been cancelled. B1 US spelling is often canceled.	Tren iptal edildi.	There's a replacement bus outside. The next one is in an hour.
I missed my stop. A2	Durağımı kaçırdım.	Get off at the next one and go back. No problem, it's not far.
I left my bag on the bus. A2 Use left, not forgot, when you say the place.	Çantamı otobüste unuttum.	Contact lost and found. Which bus number was it?
Can I get a refund for a delayed train? B1	Rötarlı tren için para iadesi alabilir miyim?	You can claim it online. Only if it's over an hour late.
Is there a replacement bus service? B2 Common in the UK when a line is closed for work.	Yerine çalışan otobüs servisi var mı?	Yes, from outside the station. Not tonight, I'm afraid.

Sample dialogues

Buying a ticket

You: Hi. A return ticket to Brighton, please.; Merhaba. Brighton'a gidiş-dönüş bir bilet, lütfen.
Clerk: Coming back today?; Bugün mü dönüyorsunuz?
You: Yes, this evening.; Evet, bu akşam.
Clerk: Then a same-day return is cheapest.; O zaman günübirlik dönüş en ucuzu.
You: Great. Which platform does it leave from?; Harika. Hangi perondan kalkıyor?
Clerk: Platform six, in ten minutes.; Altıncı peron, on dakika sonra.
You: Do I have to change trains?; Aktarma yapmam gerekiyor mu?
Clerk: No, it's a direct train.; Hayır, direkt tren.

On the bus

You: Excuse me, is this the right bus for the museum?; Pardon, müzeye giden otobüs bu mu?
Driver: Yes, it is. Tap your card here.; Evet. Kartınızı buraya okutun.
You: How many stops is it?; Kaç durak var?
Driver: About eight. It takes twenty minutes.; Sekiz kadar. Yirmi dakika sürüyor.
You: Could you tell me when we get there?; Oraya gelince bana söyler misiniz?
Driver: Sure, sit near the front.; Tabii, öne yakın oturun.
Driver: This is the museum stop.; Müze durağı burası.
You: Thank you so much!; Çok teşekkür ederim!

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

I will get down at the next stop.

I'm getting off at the next stop.

You get off a bus or train, not get down. Get on to board.

Where is the metro station nearest?

Where is the nearest metro station?

The adjective goes before the noun in English.

I go with bus to work.

I go to work by bus.

Use by with transport: by bus, by train. But on the bus when you are inside.

I forgot my bag in the train.

I left my bag on the train.

Use leave with a place, and on for trains and buses.

Where do I make transfer to line 2?

Where do I change to line 2?

Use change (US also: transfer) as a verb. "Make transfer" copies Turkish "aktarma yapmak" and is not natural.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

1. In British English, a round-trip ticket is called a...
2. "I go to work ___ bus."
3. Which phrase means you leave the bus?
4. What does "validate your ticket" mean?
5. How do you ask about frequency?
6. What is the London subway usually called?
7. "Is this seat ___?"
8. Where do you go for a bag you left on a train?

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers

return
by
get off
Stamp or scan it
How often do the buses run?
the tube
taken
Lost and found

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

English Phrases for Public Transport

Tickets and fares

Finding the right bus or train

On board

Changing lines and directions

Delays and problems

Sample dialogues

Buying a ticket

On the bus

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

Quick quiz

People also ask

Related reading

English for Travel: The Essential Guide

Airport English: Phrases for Travel

Prepositions of Place in English

How to Tell the Time in English

More phrasebook topics