Taking Public Transportation in Spanish
In addition to the web version, you can download the lesson as a PDF, found at the bottom of the page.
Be sure to listen and practice with the audio throughout the lesson.
Taking Public Transportation in Spanish
If you’re tired of spending money on ride-share apps or were ripped off in a taxi, the bus or metro might be more to your liking.
Translations for conversations can be found at the end.
First, locate the metro. I’d use Google Maps, but if that’s not working, you can always ask someone and practice your Spanish.
Finding the Metro
¿Disculpa, sabes si el transporte público está cerca?
Excuse me, do you know if public transport is nearby?
¿Dónde está la parada de metro más cercana?
Where is the nearest metro stop?
¿Dónde puedo tomar el bus?
Where can I take the bus?
Once you’ve found your way, you’ll have to purchase a ticket. Look for the taquilla—the ticket window.
Buying a Ticket
¿Buenos días, puedo comprar un pasaje para el metro?
Sí. ¿Cuántos desea?
Solo un pasaje, por favor.
¿Y cuánto es?
Es seis mil.
If you need help locating the correct platform or want to know how to arrive at a certain spot, you can ask these questions.
Where to Go
¿Disculpa, me puedes decir cómo llegar acá?
Excuse me, can you tell me how to arrive here?
¿Puedes decirme cuántas paradas hay para llegar acá?
Can you tell me how many stops there are to arrive here?
With limited vocabulary and understanding, you can use acá and then point at your destination on your map or cellphone.
Once you’ve made it into the car you need, here are a few keywords that can help you.
Helpful Phrases Inside the Car
¿Puedo sentarme acá?
Can I sit here?
¿Hay alguien acá?
Is there anyone here?
Próxima parada
Next stop
If it’s crowded, you can use these.
Helpful Phrases Inside a Crowded Car
Con permiso
Excuse me (to pass someone)
Me voy en esta parada
I’m leaving at this stop
Me bajo acá
I get off here
Other helpful keywords to look for:
Keywords in Metro
Subirse
To get on, in
Bajarse
To get off, out
Línea
Line, route
Entrada
Entrance
Salida
Exit
Dirección
Direction
More Helpful Phrases
Me subo acá
I get on here
Me bajo acá
I get off here
Ella se sube acá
She gets on here
Él se baja acá
He gets off here
¿Dónde está la entrada?
Where is the entrance?
¿Dónde está la salida?
Where is the exit?
Estoy perdido/ perdida.
I’m lost
perdido is for guys and perdida is for girls
¿Me ayuda?
Can you help me?
Me ayuda = you help me, but when it’s used as a question, the (can you) part is inferred.
¿Me ayuda? = “Can you help me?”/ “Will you help me?”
Literally, it translates to “You help me?”
You’ll find that in Spanish, oftentimes you don’t have to include a subject pronoun (you, in this case) because the verb already indicates it. More on this in the grammar lessons.
This is also part of the intonation we went over in the Sounds of Spanish lesson.
¿Me puede ayudar? = Can you help me?
But, ¿Me ayuda? is easier to use—just throw in a por favor at the end
After taking your taxi or using public transportation, head on over to the next lesson to learn about hotel check-ins and outs.
Translations
Buying a Ticket
¿Buenos días, puedo comprar un pasaje para el metro?
Good morning, can I buy a ticket for the metro?
Sí. ¿Cuántos desea?
Yes. How many?
Solo un pasaje, por favor.
Just one ticket, please.
¿Y cuánto es?
And how much is it?
Es seis mil.
It is six thousand.