A2 · Elementary · Travel
Buy a train ticket
4 short A2 English scripts to practise how to buy a train ticket. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase Which platform does it leave from?
At the ticket office
Hi, can I have a single to York, please? For the next train. Is there a discount for students? Here's my student card.
Which platform does it leave from? Platform four, OK. And do I need to change trains? At Leeds. How long do I wait there? Twenty minutes, fine. Is there a lift at Leeds station? My suitcase is really heavy.
Sorry, one more question. The timetable on the app says ten fifteen, but the screen says ten forty. Is the train late? Oh no. Is there a coffee shop on the platform? Great, then I'll survive. Thanks for your help!
American English
Hi, can I get a one-way ticket to Boston, please? For the next train. Is there a discount for students? Here's my student card.
Which platform does it leave from? Platform four, OK. And do I need to change trains? In New Haven. How long do I wait there? Twenty minutes, fine. Is there an elevator in New Haven? My suitcase is really heavy.
Sorry, one more question. The schedule on the app says ten fifteen, but the screen says ten forty. Is the train late? Oh no. Is there a coffee shop on the platform? Great, then I'll survive. Thanks for your help!
Voice note: train chaos
Hi Mum, it's me. Bad news. My train is delayed, again. There was an announcement, but I only understood the words "signal problem" and "sorry".
Now they say the train to Leeds is cancelled, so I'm going to miss my connection to York. The man at the information desk says there's a bus at six. Six! That's two hours from now.
Good news: I'm in the quiet carriage now with a hot chocolate, and the Wi-Fi works. So don't wait for me for dinner. Keep me some soup, though. I'll message you when I know more. Love you!
American English
Hi Mom, it's me. Bad news. My train is delayed, again. There was an announcement, but I only understood the words "signal problem" and "sorry".
Now they say the train to Hartford is canceled, so I'm going to miss my connection to Boston. The guy at the information desk says there's a bus at six. Six! That's two hours from now.
Good news: I'm in the quiet car now with a hot chocolate, and the Wi-Fi works. So don't wait for me for dinner. Keep me some soup, though. I'll text you when I know more. Love you!
Singing in carriage C
Hi Aylin, it's me. I'm on the train to Manchester, and I'm in the wrong carriage. Or the right carriage with the wrong people. About thirty football fans are singing, and one of them is wearing a chicken hat.
We left the platform ten minutes late. Then there was an announcement: "Please keep the noise down." Nobody listened. The man next to me gave me a sandwich, so now I'm quite happy.
I can't move because the train is full. They're nice, just very loud. I'm going to learn their song before we arrive. Call me later, and bring earplugs to the station! Don't worry, I'm safe. The chicken says hello.
American English
Hey Aylin, it's me. I'm on the train to Boston, and I'm in the wrong car. Or the right car with the wrong people. About thirty baseball fans are singing, and one guy is wearing a hot dog costume.
I waited on the platform for an hour, and then we left ten minutes late. Then the conductor made an announcement: "Folks, please keep it down." Nobody listened. The guy next to me gave me half his sandwich, so now I'm pretty happy.
I can't move because the train is packed. They're nice, just really loud. I'm going to learn their song before we get there. Call me later, and bring earplugs to the station! Don't worry, I'm safe. The hot dog says hi.
Grandad versus the machine
Grandad, wait. Don't touch the screen yet. First, do you want a single or a return? A single? OK. We press this button here. See? It says "Single".
Now the timetable. There's a train at ten past two from platform six. But you have to change at Reading. Don't worry, the connection is easy: ten minutes, and it's the same platform.
Now put your card in. No, Grandad, the other way! There. The machine is printing your ticket. See? It isn't magic. And look, it says "Thank you." You say "You're welcome." It's only polite. Good job, Grandad. Next time you can do it alone, OK?
American English
Grandpa, wait. Don't touch the screen yet. First, do you want a one-way or a round trip? One-way? OK. Press this button right here. See? It says "One-way".
Now the schedule. There's a train at 2:10 from platform six. But you have to change in Albany. Don't worry, the connection is easy: ten minutes, and it's the same platform.
Now insert your card. No, Grandpa, flip it! There. The machine is printing your ticket. See? It's not magic. And look, it says "Thank you." You say "You're welcome." It's just being polite. Nice work, Grandpa. Next time you can do it by yourself, OK?
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| single / one-way (US) noun | a ticket to go somewhere, not come back |
| platform noun | where you get on a train at a station |
| timetable / schedule (US) noun | a list of times when trains or buses leave |
| change verb | to get off one train and on to another |
| late adjective | after the right or planned time |