Spanish Train Phrases: Renfe Tickets, Platforms and the Metro

Trains and metros are an easy way to travel, and a few phrases help with tickets, platforms and transfers. The key phrases are “¿Dónde está la estación de tren?” (Where is the train station), “Un billete, por favor” (One ticket, please) and “¿Desde qué andén sale este tren?” (Which platform does this train leave from).

• Where is the train station?

  ¿Dónde está la estación de tren?

  DOHN-deh es-TAH lah es-tah-see-OHN deh trehn
• One ticket, please

  Un billete, por favor

  oon bee-YEH-teh por fah-VOR
• Which platform does this train leave from?

  ¿Desde qué andén sale este tren?

  dehs-theh KEH ahn-DEHN SAH-leh EHS-teh TREHN
• Do I need to change trains?

  ¿Necesito cambiar de tren?

  neh-theh-SEE-toh kahmb-YAHR theh TREHN
• What time is the last train?

  ¿A qué hora sale el último tren?

  ah KEH OH-rah SAH-leh ehl OOL-tee-moh TREHN

How trains work

• Spain. Trains run by Renfe include fast AVE trains and slower regional ones. On long-distance trains you usually need a seat reservation, and there is a security check at the station.
• Platforms and tracks. The platform is often announced shortly before departure, so watch the board.
• Metros. Madrid, Barcelona, Mexico City and many other cities have metros with cheap tickets or cards.
• Latin America. Long-distance passenger trains are less common, and buses are the usual choice.

Buying tickets

• How much is a ticket to...?

  ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete a...?

  KWAN-toh KWES-tah oon bee-YEH-teh ah
• Is there an express train?

  ¿Hay tren expreso?

  EYE TREHN ehksp-REH-soh
• Where can I buy a metro card?

  ¿Dónde puedo comprar una tarjeta de metro?

  DOHN-deh PWEH-thoh kohmp-RAHR OO-nah tahr-KHEH-tah theh MEHT-roh

Finding the right train

• Where do I transfer?

  ¿Dónde hago transbordo?

  DOHN-deh AH-goh trahns-BOHR-doh
• What's the next stop?

  ¿Cuál es la siguiente parada?

  KWAHL EHS lah seegh-YEHN-teh pah-RAH-thah
• Where do I get off for...?

  ¿Dónde me bajo para...?

  DOHN-deh meh bah-khoh PAH-rah
• Which line do I take?

  ¿Qué línea debo tomar?

  keh LEE-neh-ah DEH-boh toh-MAHR
• Where is the exit?

  ¿Dónde está la salida?

  DOHN-deh ehs-TAH lah sah-LEE-thah

Delays and the last train

• Are there any delays today?

  ¿Hay algún retraso hoy?

  EYE ahl-GHOON reht-RAH-soh oy
• What time is the last train?

  ¿A qué hora sale el último tren?

  ah KEH OH-rah SAH-leh ehl OOL-tee-moh TREHN
• What time is the first train?

  ¿A qué hora sale el primer tren?

  ah KEH OH-rah SAH-leh ehl pree-MEHR TREHN
• Is there luggage storage?

  ¿Hay consigna de equipaje?

  EYE kohn-SEEG-nah theh eh-kee-PAH-kheh

Taxis

• I would like a taxi

  Quisiera un taxi

  kee-see-EH-rah oon TAHK-see
• Where can I find a taxi stand?

  ¿Dónde puedo encontrar una parada de taxis?

  DOHN-deh PWEH-thoh ehn-kohnt-RAHR OO-nah pah-RAH-thah theh TAHK-sees

At the ticket machine and on the platform

• A return ticket, please

  Un billete de ida y vuelta, por favor

  oon bee-YEH-teh deh EE-dah ee BWEHL-tah pohr fah-BOR

  In Latin America many people say "boleto".
• Which platform does it leave from?

  ¿De qué andén sale?

  deh keh ahn-DEHN SAH-leh
• Is this seat taken?

  ¿Está ocupado este asiento?

  eh-STAH oh-koo-PAH-doh EHS-teh ah-SYEHN-toh
• Does this train stop in Sevilla?

  ¿Este tren para en Sevilla?

  EHS-teh trehn PAH-rah ehn seh-BEE-yah
• Where do I validate the ticket?

  ¿Dónde valido el billete?

  DOHN-deh bah-LEE-doh ehl bee-YEH-teh

A short scene: buying a ticket

1. YouBuenos días. Un billete a Valencia para mañana.BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs oon bee-YEH-teh ah bah-LEHN-syah PAH-rah mah-NYAH-nahGood morning. One ticket to Valencia for tomorrow.
2. Ticket agent¿A qué hora quiere salir?ah keh OH-rah KYEH-reh sah-LEERWhat time do you want to leave?
3. YouPor la mañana, sobre las diez.pohr lah mah-NYAH-nah SOH-breh lahs dyehsIn the morning, around ten.
4. Ticket agentHay uno a las diez y cuarto. Son treinta euros.eye OO-noh ah lahs dyehs ee KWAHR-toh sohn TREYN-tah eh-OO-rohsThere is one at a quarter past ten. It is thirty euros.
5. YouPerfecto, gracias.pehr-FEHK-toh GRAH-syahsPerfect, thank you.

Common mistakes

1. Arriving at the last minute. Allow time for the security check at big Spanish stations.
2. Not checking the platform. It changes, so watch the board.
3. Sitting in the wrong seat. Check the carriage and seat on your ticket.

For more, see our Spanish phrases for travel and Spanish emergency phrases. All phrases here have audio; ask a native speaker if you need a particular nuance.