How to Ask About Public Transport Near an Apartment in French
Learn to ask if there's a metro station nearby, understand distance, and talk about transport access in French.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you're looking at an apartment in a French-speaking city, one of the first things you'll want to know is how close public transport is. In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask 'Is there a metro station nearby?' and understand the answer. You'll practice key phrases for asking about transport access and distance, so you can confidently find your way around.
By the end, you can…
- ask if there is a metro station or bus stop near an apartment.
- understand and ask about distance in terms of walking time.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce qu'il y a une station de métro près d'ici ?
Is there a metro station near here?
ess keel ya ün stah-syɔ̃ duh may-troh preh dee-see
Use this to ask about a metro station within walking distance. 'Près d'ici' means 'near here'.
Où est la station de métro la plus proche ?
Where is the nearest metro station?
oo eh lah stah-syɔ̃ duh may-troh lah plü prosh
Ask this if you want to know the exact location of the closest station.
C'est à quelle distance ?
How far is it?
seh tah kel dee-stahns
Use this to ask about distance after someone mentions a station or stop.
C'est à combien de minutes à pied ?
How many minutes is it on foot?
seh tah kɔ̃-byɛ̃ duh mee-nüt ah pyay
This asks for walking time, which is often more useful than distance in meters.
Il y a un arrêt de bus juste devant l'immeuble.
There is a bus stop right in front of the building.
eel ya un ah-reh duh büs zhoost duh-vɑ̃ lee-muhbl
Use this to state that a bus stop is very close, right in front of the apartment building.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask if something exists, use 'Est-ce qu'il y a...?' (Is there...?). For example, 'Est-ce qu'il y a une station de métro ?' means 'Is there a metro station?'. To ask about proximity, add 'près d'ici' (near here) or 'dans le coin' (in the area). To ask about distance, use 'C'est à quelle distance ?' or 'C'est à combien de minutes à pied ?'. The response often uses 'C'est à...' (It's at...). For example, 'C'est à dix minutes à pied' means 'It's a ten-minute walk'.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are visiting an apartment or a new neighborhood and need to know about public transport. 'Est-ce qu'il y a une station de métro près d'ici ?' is polite and works in any situation. If you are speaking with a landlord or real estate agent, you might ask 'Est-ce que le métro est proche ?' (Is the metro close?). When you get an answer like 'C'est à cinq minutes', you can follow up with 'À pied ?' (On foot?) to clarify. In Quebec, people also say 'métro' in Montreal, but elsewhere they often say 'autobus' rather than 'bus'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a une station de métro près d'ici ?
Hello, is there a metro station near here?bɔ̃-zhoor, ess keel ya ün stah-syɔ̃ duh may-troh preh dee-seeOui, il y a une station à cinq minutes à pied.
Yes, there is a station five minutes away on foot.wee, eel ya ün stah-syɔ̃ ah sɛ̃k mee-nüt ah pyayC'est à quelle distance exactement ?
How far is it exactly?seh tah kel dee-stahns eg-zakt-mɑ̃C'est à environ 400 mètres, juste après la boulangerie.
It's about 400 meters, just after the bakery.seh tah ɑ̃-vee-rɔ̃ katr sɑ̃ metr, zhoost ah-preh lah boo-lɑ̃-zhreeA little context goes a long way
In France, asking about public transport is common when apartment hunting. The metro is often the preferred mode in Paris, while other cities may rely more on buses or trams. In Quebec, 'métro' is used in Montreal, but elsewhere buses are more common. It's polite to start with 'Bonjour' before asking. When someone gives a distance, they often use walking time rather than meters. If you need to confirm, you can ask 'À pied ?' to clarify.
One thing to watch for
Using 'proche' instead of 'près' when asking about proximity. For example, saying 'Est-ce qu'il y a une station proche d'ici ?'
Try this instead: The correct phrase is 'près d'ici' (near here). 'Proche' is an adjective and can be used like 'la station est proche' (the station is close), but when saying 'near here', use 'près d'ici'. So say 'Est-ce qu'il y a une station près d'ici ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is there a bus stop nearby?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce qu'il y a un arrêt de bus près d'ici ?
This uses the pattern 'Est-ce qu'il y a...' and 'près d'ici' for 'nearby'. You could also say 'dans le coin' for 'in the area'.
2What does 'C'est à combien de minutes à pied ?' mean?
Show a sample answer
How many minutes is it on foot?
This question asks for walking time. 'À pied' means 'on foot'. You can answer with 'C'est à dix minutes à pied' (It's a ten-minute walk).
3Translate: 'The metro station is five minutes away on foot.'
Show a sample answer
La station de métro est à cinq minutes à pied.
This uses 'est à' to express distance. You could also say 'C'est à cinq minutes à pied' if the context is clear.
Use 'Est-ce qu'il y a... près d'ici ?' to ask about nearby transport, and 'C'est à combien de minutes à pied ?' to ask walking time. Remember to start with 'Bonjour' for politeness.
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