Trains in France run on a schedule, and figuring out your platform, ticket, or a delay announcement in French can throw off your whole trip. Here are the phrases you actually need — from buying your ticket to finding your platform.
At the ticket office
- Je voudrais un billet pour Paris, s’il vous plaît. (I would like a ticket to Paris, please. )
- Un aller-retour. (A round-trip ticket. )
- Combien coûte un billet ? (How much does a ticket cost? )
- Je dois changer de train. (I have to change trains. )
- Le prochain train part à 15 heures. (The next train leaves at 3pm. )
- À quelle heure part le dernier train ? (What time does the last train leave? )
- Où puis-je trouver les horaires ? (Where can I find the timetable? )
- Je voudrais réserver un siège. (I would like to reserve a seat. )
- Puis-je avoir un siège côté fenêtre ? (Can I have a window seat? )
Find the way
- De quelle plateforme part le train ? (What platform does the train leave from? )
- Où est la plateforme numéro cinq ? (Where is platform number five? )
- Puis-je avoir une carte de la gare ? (Can I have a map of the station? )
- Où est la salle d’attente ? (Where is the waiting room? )
- Où déposer les bagages ? (Where to store the luggage? )
- Où est la sortie ? (Where is the exit? )
On the platform
- Est-ce que ce train va à Paris ? (Does this train go to Paris? )
- À quelle heure arrive le train ? (What time does the train arrive? )
- Le train est à l’heure ? (Is the train on time? )
- Le train est en retard ? (Is the train late? )
On the train
- Est-ce que ce siège est libre ? (Is this seat free? )
- Ce siège est pris. (The seat is taken. )
- Pardon, je pense que c’est ma place. (Excuse me, I think this is my seat. )
- Le train est complet. (The train is full. )
- Le train est sur le point de partir. (The train is about to depart. )
- Y a-t-il une voiture-bar dans le train ? (Is there a bar car on the train? )
- Quel est le prochain arrêt ? (What is the next stop ? )
- Je dois descendre à la prochaine station. (I need to get off at the next stop. )
- le train s’arrête ici ? (Does the train stop here? )
- J’ai un train de correspondance. (I have a connecting train. )
Now, your turn to practice on your own
Head to practice.parlez.app and follow these steps:
- After you log in, select Card 2: “French Fluency Boost.”
- When your AI tutor greets you, you say: “Je veux pratiquer le thème à la gare.”
- Your AI tutor will say a phrase in English, and you will respond aloud in French.
- The AI tutor will listen to your response and correct your pronunciation in real time.
Because the exercises are dynamic, you’ll discover fresh train phrases every time you practice. Very soon, you’ll be speaking them correctly and naturally! Watch the demo.