A1 · Beginner · Travel
Buy a bus ticket
6 short A1 English scripts to practise how to buy a bus ticket. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase How much is a ticket to…?
Two adults, one little brother
Okay, the ticket machine. One day pass, please. Wait, is it for an adult or a child? Both! I'm with my little brother.
Which zone? One, two, three? I don't know! The machine says: "Zone 1 and 2." Fine. Press, press... Oh, now I have two adult day passes. Sorry, little brother, you're an adult today.
American English
Okay, the ticket machine. One day pass, please. Wait, is it for an adult or a child? Both! I'm here with my little bro.
Which zone? A, B, C? I don't know! The machine says: "Zone A and B." Fine. Tap, tap... Oh, now I have two adult day passes. Sorry, little bro, you're an adult today.
Half price, please
Hi! Is there a discount for students? I'm a student at the university. Here's my card. Oh, great, half price!
I need to top up my travel card, too. Twenty pounds, please. Now I validate it on the bus. Beep. Is that an inspector? Quick, where's my card? Oh, it's in my hand. Phew!
American English
Hi! Is there a student discount? I'm a student at State. Here's my ID. Oh, great, half price!
I need to top up my transit card, too. Twenty dollars, please. Now I validate it on the bus. Beep. Is that an inspector? Quick, where's my pass? Oh, it's in my hand. Whew!
Pay you in biscuits?
Excuse me, where can I buy a ticket? Here? Oh good. How much is a ticket to the castle? Three pounds fifty.
Do you take cards? No? Only coins? I've got one coin. Fifty pence. Sorry, can I pay you in biscuits? No? Okay, I'll go to the shop. Don't leave without me!
American English
Excuse me, where can I buy a ticket? Here? Oh good. How much is a ticket to the stadium? Three fifty.
Do you take cards? No? Only coins? I've got one coin. A quarter. Sorry, can I pay you in cookies? No? Okay, I'll go to the store. Don't leave without me!
Machine number one is out of order
The first machine is out of order. Of course. The second machine works! I choose English. Good. Now I choose my ticket.
A single is two pounds. A day ticket is cheaper if I'm out all day. And I'm out all day. The machine says: "Please wait." I'm waiting. It's waiting too.
American English
The first machine is out of order. Of course. The second machine works! I choose English. Good. Now I choose my ticket.
A one-way ride is two dollars. A day pass is cheaper if I'm out all day. And I'm out all day. The machine says: "Please wait." I'm waiting. It's waiting too.
Mum, show your phone
Mum, you can buy a monthly pass in advance. Look, it's cheaper. Then you don't need to queue every morning.
When the driver says "show your ticket," just show your phone. And keep your ticket until the end! Last time you threw it away, and the inspector was waiting. Remember?
American English
Mom, you can buy a monthly pass in advance. Look, it's cheaper. Then you don't have to wait in line every morning.
When the driver says "show your pass," just show your phone. And keep your ticket until the end! Last time you threw it away, and the inspector was right there. Remember?
Forty pence and a button
Morning! Can I have a single to the station, please? The driver says, "Exact change only." Oh no. I only have coins: forty pence and a button. Yes, a button, from my coat.
Okay, I'll use my travel card. Do I swipe it here? Beep! Oh, it says full price. But I'm a student! Can you change it? No? Fine. Cheers, driver!
American English
Morning! Can I get a one-way to downtown, please? The driver says, "Exact change only." Oh no. I only have coins: forty cents and a button. Yes, a button, from my coat.
Okay, I'll use my transit card. Do I swipe it here? Beep! Oh, it says full price. But I'm a student! Can you change it? No? Fine. Thanks, driver!
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ticket machine noun | a machine where you buy tickets |
| day pass noun | a ticket you can use all day |
| adult noun | a grown-up person |
| child noun | a young boy or girl |
| zone noun | one area of a city for bus and train prices |