How to Ask 'What's the Next Stop?' in French on Buses and Trains
Learn to ask the next stop in French, understand the driver's answer, and recognise stop names on buses and trains.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you ride a bus or train in a French-speaking country, the announcement you hear may not match the stop you need. The fastest fix is one short question: 'Quel est le prochain arrêt ?' This lesson teaches you to ask that question politely, to understand the answer, and to recognise the words for 'stop', 'station' and 'terminus' so you can get off at the right place. You will practise a small set of phrases you can reuse on buses, trams and trains in France and other French-speaking regions.
By the end, you can…
- ask what the next stop is on a bus, tram or train.
- understand a short answer naming the next stop.
- recognise the words arrêt, gare and terminus in announcements.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Quel est le prochain arrêt ?
What is the next stop?
kel‿eh luh pro-SHAN ta-REH
Standard polite question for buses and trams. Use it with the driver or a fellow passenger.
Quelle est la prochaine station ?
What is the next station?
kel‿eh la pro-SHEN sta-SYON
Use station for metro, tram and train stops; arrêt is more common for buses.
C'est quel arrêt ?
Which stop is it?
say kel‿a-REH
Short, informal and very common in everyday speech. Good with a driver when the bus is moving.
Le prochain arrêt, c'est ... ?
The next stop is ...?
luh pro-SHAN ta-REH, say ...
Useful when you want to confirm a name you think you heard.
Je descends au prochain arrêt.
I'm getting off at the next stop.
zhuh day-SAHN‿oh pro-SHAN ta-REH
Say this to the driver or to people near the door so they let you through.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Quel est le prochain arrêt ?' for a masculine noun and 'Quelle est la prochaine station ?' for a feminine noun. French adjectives agree with the noun: prochain (masculine) becomes prochaine (feminine). Compare 'le prochain arrêt' and 'la prochaine station'. In fast speech, 'Quel est' often sounds like 'kel eh' and may blend into 'Quel est le' as 'kel eh luh'. If you only remember one form, 'C'est quel arrêt ?' works in most buses and trams.
When to use it
Use 'Quel est le prochain arrêt ?' on a bus or tram when you are unsure where you are. Use 'Quelle est la prochaine station ?' on the metro or a train. If the vehicle is noisy or the driver is busy, a shorter 'C'est quel arrêt ?' is easier to hear and answer. When you already know the name, confirm it: 'Le prochain arrêt, c'est République ?' The driver may answer with just the name, for example 'République' or 'Terminus'. Listen for 'C'est le terminus' to know the line ends there.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Excusez-moi, quel est le prochain arrêt ?
Excuse me, what is the next stop?ek-skew-zay mwah, kel‿eh luh pro-SHAN ta-REHLe prochain arrêt, c'est République.
The next stop is République.luh pro-SHAN ta-REH, say ray-poo-BLEEKMerci. Je descends au prochain arrêt.
Thank you. I'm getting off at the next stop.mair-SEE. zhuh day-SAHN‿oh pro-SHAN ta-REHD'accord, je vous préviens.
All right, I'll let you know.da-KOR, zhuh voo pray-VYENA little context goes a long way
In France, bus drivers usually answer briefly and may not chat while driving, so keep the question short and ask before you pull the cord or press the button. On trains, 'arrêt' is less common than 'gare' for a station building, while 'station' is standard for metro stops. In Quebec, 'arrêt' is also used for bus stops, but announcements and signage may differ. Politeness matters: start with 'Excusez-moi' and finish with 'Merci'.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Quel est le prochain arrêt ?' for a metro or train station.
Try this instead: For metro and train stations, say 'Quelle est la prochaine station ?' because station is feminine, so the adjective becomes prochaine. Use 'arrêt' mainly for buses and trams: 'Quel est le prochain arrêt ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are on a bus and want to know the next stop. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Quel est le prochain arrêt ?
This is the standard polite question for a bus or tram. 'C'est quel arrêt ?' is also correct in informal speech.
2The driver says 'Terminus'. What does that mean for you?
Show a sample answer
It means the line ends here, so you must get off.
'Terminus' is the final stop. If you need to continue, ask for directions or another line.
3How do you say 'I'm getting off at the next stop' in French?
Show a sample answer
Je descends au prochain arrêt.
This tells the driver or nearby passengers that you need the door. 'Je descends à la prochaine station' also works for metro or train.
Ask 'Quel est le prochain arrêt ?' on buses and trams, and 'Quelle est la prochaine station ?' on metro and trains, then listen for the stop name or 'terminus'.
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