You are at a station or ticket counter in a French-speaking city. You need to buy a ticket, ask how much it costs, and understand the answer. This page helps you practise the exact phrases from three beginner lessons: asking for a single ticket, asking for a return ticket, and asking the price. You will speak aloud in realistic scenarios, respond to follow-up questions, and check whether you communicated the key information. The focus is on clear, polite requests and on handling the moment when the seller asks you something you did not expect.
Prepare your ticket request before you reach the counter
Before you speak, decide two things: the destination and the ticket type. For a single ride, use 'Un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.' or the more formal 'Je voudrais un aller simple, s'il vous plaît.' For a return, use 'Un aller-retour pour l'aéroport, s'il vous plaît.' If you also need a return date or time, add 'pour le 15 juin' and 'à 18 heures'. Practise saying the destination clearly, because that is the word the seller listens for first. If you are unsure about the price, have 'C'est combien ?' ready. Rehearse the whole request as one short sentence so you do not freeze when it is your turn.
Handle the harder turn when the seller asks you a question
The difficult moment is rarely your first sentence; it is the seller's reply. They may ask 'Un aller simple ou un aller-retour ?' or 'Le retour est pour quand ?' or 'Pour où ?' You need to recognise the key words: 'aller simple', 'aller-retour', 'retour', 'pour quand', 'pour où'. If you miss the question, you can say 'Pardon, je n'ai pas compris.' Then repeat your destination or ask 'C'est combien ?' again. If they give a price you did not catch, ask them to repeat it politely. Keep your answer short: 'Un aller simple, s'il vous plaît.' or 'Pour le centre-ville.' This keeps the exchange moving even when you are nervous.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.
One ticket to the city center, please.
uh(n) tee-kay poor luh sahn-truh veel, seel voo pleh
C'est combien ?
How much is it?
seh kom-byen
Je voudrais un aller simple, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a one-way ticket, please.
zhuh voo-dreh uh(n) ah-leh san-pluh, seel voo pleh
Le ticket est valable combien de temps ?
How long is the ticket valid for?
luh tee-kay eh va-lah-bluh kom-byen duh tahn
Un aller-retour pour l'aéroport, s'il vous plaît.
A return ticket to the airport, please.
uh(n) ah-lay ruh-toor poor lah-ay-roh-por, seel voo pleh
Je voudrais un aller-retour pour Paris.
I would like a return ticket to Paris.
zhuh voo-dreh uh(n) ah-lay ruh-toor poor pah-ree
Le retour est pour quand ?
When is the return for?
luh ruh-toor eh poor kah(n)
Je reviens le 15 juin.
I'm coming back on June 15.
zhuh ruh-vyan luh kanz joo-an
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, je voudrais un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.
Hello, I would like a ticket to the city center, please.Un aller simple ? C'est deux euros.
One-way? That's two euros.D'accord. Je peux payer par carte ?
Okay. Can I pay by card?Oui, bien sûr. Voilà votre ticket. Il est valable une heure.
Yes, of course. Here is your ticket. It is valid for one hour.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Buying a single ticket at a busy station
You are at a ticket counter in a French city. There is a queue behind you. You want one ticket to the city centre. You have a bank card and you are not sure if the machine accepts it, so you decide to ask at the counter.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Bonjour, un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.' Then ask 'C'est combien ?' and 'Je peux payer par carte ?' Make sure you say the destination clearly and use 's'il vous plaît' at least once.
Requesting a return ticket with a specific date
You are at a train station. You need a return ticket to the airport. You plan to come back on 15 June at 6 p.m. The seller looks at a screen and waits for your details.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Bonjour, un aller-retour pour l'aéroport, s'il vous plaît.' Then add 'Le retour est pour le 15 juin, à 18 heures.' If the seller asks 'Le retour est pour quand ?', answer with the date and time again.
Asking the price for two different tickets
You are at a ticket office. You first want to know the price of a ticket to Lyon. Then you want to know the price of a ticket for the museum. The seller is friendly but speaks quickly.
Your task: Say aloud: 'Excusez-moi, combien coûte un billet pour Lyon ?' After the answer, ask 'Et c'est combien, un billet pour le musée ?' Make sure you use 'combien coûte' for the first question and 'c'est combien' for the second.
Common questions
What if I mix up 'un ticket' and 'un billet'?
In many French cities, 'un ticket' is used for a single ride on local transport, while 'un billet' is common for train or event tickets. If you use the wrong one, you will usually still be understood. You can also say 'un aller simple' or 'un aller-retour' to make your request clear without choosing between 'ticket' and 'billet'.
How do I ask someone to repeat the price without sounding rude?
Say 'Pardon, vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît ?' with a polite tone. You can also repeat the number you think you heard and ask for confirmation. This shows you are listening and gives the seller a chance to confirm or correct the price.
Sources and further reading
- french: buy a single ticketChecked September 2026
- french: buy a return ticketChecked September 2026
- french: ask for the price of a ticketChecked September 2026
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