Skip to content
AYARUX

How do you buy bus and train tickets abroad? Travelling without the language

Taking the train between cities or the bus from the airport into town is often cheaper and faster than a taxi abroad. The hard part is that the ticket machine, the counter and the announcements are all in the local language. You do not need to speak it to buy the right ticket, find the right platform and know what to do when something goes wrong; a few clear questions are enough.

Last updated:

What to ask at the ticket counter

Short, clear sentences at the counter get you short, clear answers. Questions that help:

  • “One single ticket to Florence for tomorrow morning, please.”
  • “Is a return cheaper?”
  • “Is this train direct, or do I need to change somewhere?”
  • “Is there a seat number, or can I sit anywhere?”
  • “Is there a discount for children, students or seniors?”

Reading what the ticket says

Once you have the ticket, check what is printed on it: departure and arrival station, date, time, coach (Wagen / carrozza / voiture) and seat number. The platform is often not on the ticket; it appears on the departures board at the station shortly before the train leaves.

In some countries a ticket is valid only for one specific train, in others for any train that day. Asking at the counter tells you up front whether missing a train means buying a new ticket.

Don't forget to validate

In some countries, especially on regional trains and city buses, a paper ticket has to be stamped in a small machine on the platform or on board before you travel. Being caught with an unvalidated ticket can mean a fine even though you paid.

If you are not sure, ask the staff at the counter or the conductor: “Do I need to validate this ticket before boarding?”

Connections, delays and cancellations

On a journey with a change, find out beforehand where you get off and which train you take next; if the connection is tight, ask whether the platforms are close to each other.

Delay and cancellation announcements are often made only in the local language. If you cannot follow one, ask a fellow passenger or a member of staff: “Is this train cancelled? When is the next one?” Some countries refund part of the fare when a train is late, which is also worth asking about.

Things to know on the bus

On intercity coaches, luggage usually goes in the hold underneath, and some companies charge extra for it. Telling the driver your stop and asking “Could you tell me when we get there?” stops you missing a stop whose name you cannot read.

On city buses, tickets are often not sold on board; you buy them in advance from a kiosk or machine near the stop. Asking a local where to buy one before you get on is the easiest way.

More to read

All posts