You are standing at a ticket window in a Chinese-speaking city. The clerk is waiting, other travellers are behind you, and you need to say what you want without freezing. This page helps you practise the exact phrases from three beginner lessons: asking for one ticket to the city centre, buying a return ticket to the airport, and asking how much a ticket costs. You will rehearse short, clear requests, listen for prices, and respond when the clerk asks a follow-up question. The aim is not to memorise a script but to build a small set of reliable phrases you can adjust to different destinations and ticket types.
Prepare your ticket request before you reach the window
Before you join the queue, decide two things: your destination and whether you need a one-way or return ticket. For a one-way ticket, the core phrase is 一张到市中心的票，谢谢 (yì zhāng dào shì zhōng xīn de piào, xiè xie). If you want to be explicit, add 单程票 (dān chéng piào) after the request. For a return ticket, use 我要一张去机场的往返票 (wǒ yào yì zhāng qù jī chǎng de wǎng fǎn piào). Notice that 到 (dào) and 去 (qù) both work in these patterns, and 的 (de) links the destination to 票 (piào). Say your destination clearly and keep the phrase short. If you are not sure of the exact station name, point to it on your phone map and use the source phrase 一张到市中心的票，谢谢 as a model, replacing 市中心 with the place you need. Practise saying the phrase aloud three times before you travel so the measure word 张 (zhāng) and the destination flow together.
When the clerk asks a question you did not expect
The hardest moment is often not your first sentence but the clerk's reply. They may ask 去哪儿？(qù nǎr?, 'Where to?') or 单程票吗？(dān chéng piào ma?, 'A one-way ticket?'). If you catch only part of the question, do not panic. You can answer the most likely question with 我要去市中心 (wǒ yào qù shì zhōng xīn) or confirm with 对，单程票 (duì, dān chéng piào). If you truly did not understand, say 请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn, 'Please say it again'). This is polite and gives you another chance to listen. If the clerk gives a price and you miss the number, repeat 多少钱？(duō shao qián?) or say 请再说一遍. You can also repeat the number you think you heard as a question: 五十块？(wǔ shí kuài?, 'Fifty yuan?'). The clerk will confirm with 对 (duì, 'correct') or correct you. Keep your tone calm and your sentences short; a clear, simple question is better than a long, uncertain one.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
我要一张票。
I want one ticket.
wǒ yào yì zhāng piào
一张到市中心的票，谢谢。
One ticket to the city center, please.
yì zhāng dào shì zhōng xīn de piào, xiè xie
我要去市中心。
I want to go to the city center.
wǒ yào qù shì zhōng xīn
多少钱？
How much is it?
duō shao qián
我要一张去机场的往返票。
I want a round-trip ticket to the airport.
Wǒ yào yī zhāng qù jīchǎng de wǎngfǎn piào.
回程是明天下午三点。
The return trip is tomorrow at 3 p.m.
Huíchéng shì míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn.
往返票多少钱？
How much is a round-trip ticket?
Wǎngfǎn piào duōshao qián?
我要一张单程票。
I want a one-way ticket.
Wǒ yào yī zhāng dānchéng piào.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你好，我要一张到市中心的票，谢谢。
Hello, I want one ticket to the city center, please.好的。单程票吗？
Okay. A one-way ticket?对，单程票。多少钱？
Yes, a one-way ticket. How much is it?五块。
Five yuan.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Buying a one-way ticket to the city centre
You are at a bus ticket window in a Chinese-speaking city. You need one ticket to the city centre. The clerk looks at you and waits. There is a queue behind you, so you want to be clear and quick.
Your task: Say aloud the source dialogue line: 你好，我要一张到市中心的票，谢谢 (nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yì zhāng dào shì zhōng xīn de piào, xiè xie). Then add 单程票 (dān chéng piào) to make clear you do not need a return ticket. After that, ask 多少钱？(duō shao qián?) and wait for the price.
Buying a return ticket to the airport
You are at an airport ticket counter. You need a round-trip ticket to the airport, leaving today and returning tomorrow at 3 p.m. The clerk asks for your return time.
Your task: Say aloud the source dialogue line: 你好，我要一张去机场的往返票 (nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào yì zhāng qù jī chǎng de wǎng fǎn piào). When the clerk asks 回程是什么时候？(huí chéng shì shén me shí hou?), answer 回程是明天下午三点 (huí chéng shì míng tiān xià wǔ sān diǎn). Then ask 往返票多少钱？(wǎng fǎn piào duō shao qián?).
Asking the price and checking an unclear number
You are at an information desk asking about a ticket to Beijing. You do not need to buy yet, but you want to know the price. The clerk speaks quickly and you miss the first number.
Your task: Say aloud the source dialogue line: 请问，到北京的票多少钱？(qǐng wèn, dào běi jīng de piào duō shao qián?). Listen to the answer. If you do not catch it, say 请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn). Then repeat the number you think you heard as a question, for example 五十块？(wǔ shí kuài?).
Common questions
What if I cannot remember the measure word 张?
Use 一张 (yì zhāng) as a fixed chunk with 票. If you forget it, you can say 我要票 (wǒ yào piào), but the clerk may ask how many. Practising 一张票 (yì zhāng piào) as one unit helps you keep it fluent.
How do I ask for a return ticket if I already said 单程票 by mistake?
Simply correct yourself using the source contrast: 不是单程票，是往返票 (bú shì dān chéng piào, shì wǎng fǎn piào). This means 'Not a one-way ticket, a return ticket.' Then repeat your destination and return time if needed.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: buy a single ticketChecked September 2026
- chinese: buy a return ticketChecked September 2026
- chinese: ask for the price of a ticketChecked September 2026
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