Buying a Bus or Train Ticket
Theory
Interrogative Adjectives
In order to buy a bus, train or airline ticket you will need to know how to ask, "how much?" and, "how many?" The interrogative adjective cuánto has four forms according to gender and number:
Masculine Feminine Cuánto Cuánta Cuántos Cuántas
Let's look at some questions that you might need to ask in order to purchase a bus or train ticket. Notice that when cuánto precedes a noun it must match that noun in gender and number.
¿Cuánto tiempo se hace de aquí a Guadalajara?
How long does it take (to go) from here to Guadalajara?
How long does it take (to go) from here to Guadalajara?
¿Cuánta gente viaja por autobús en México?
How many people travel by bus in Mexico?
How many people travel by bus in Mexico?
¿Cuántos asientos quedan?
How many seats are left?
How many seats are left?
¿Cuántas maletas me permiten traer conmigo?
How many bags am I allowed to bring with me?
How many bags am I allowed to bring with me?
If cuánto precedes a verb it is always in the single masculine form.
¿Cuánto cuesta un boleto a Córdoba?
How much does a ticket to Cordoba cost?
How much does a ticket to Cordoba cost?
Vocabulary
autobús (m) - bus
carretera (m) - highway
central de autobuses (f) - bus station
estación (f) - station
horario (m) - schedule
bilette (m) - ticket
pasajero (m) - passenger
puntual - on time
retraso (m) - delay
vagón (m) - train car
vía del tren (f) - railroad track
Conversation
¿Cuánto cuesta un boleto para Acapulco?
How much is a ticket to Acapulco?
How much is a ticket to Acapulco?
Es probable que el tren llegue con retraso.
The train will probably arrive late.
The train will probably arrive late.
No es necesario que compres los pasajes con anterioridad.
You don't need to buy the tickets in advance.
You don't need to buy the tickets in advance.
Ojalá que las inundaciones no hayan estropeado las vías del tren.
Hopefully the floods haven't affected the train tracks.
Hopefully the floods haven't affected the train tracks.
¡Cómo es posible que la carretera esté cerrada por el mal tiempo!
How can the freeway be closed due to bad weather!
How can the freeway be closed due to bad weather!
¿A qué hora es la salida del próximo tren?
What time does the next train depart?
What time does the next train depart?
¿Cuánto tiempo hace el autobús de Lima a Arequipa?
How long does the bus ride take from Lima to Arequipa?.
How long does the bus ride take from Lima to Arequipa?.
Hace mucho tiempo que la estación está abandonada.
The station has been abandoned for a long time.
The station has been abandoned for a long time.
El chofer espera que todos los pasajeros sean puntuales.
The driver expects all passengers to be on time.
The driver expects all passengers to be on time.
Normalmente se hacen cinco horas de aquí a la fronter.
It's usually a five hour trip from here to the border.
It's usually a five hour trip from here to the border.
Category: General Spanish