How to Say 'A Metro Ticket, Please' in French: Buying Subway Tickets
Learn to buy a metro ticket in French, ask for 'un ticket, s'il vous plaît', and understand zone and fare options like 'un ticket t+' or 'un carnet'.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Buying a metro ticket in French is a core travel skill. In this lesson, you will learn to say 'A metro ticket, please' and ask about zone or fare options. We focus on the Paris metro as a standard reference, but the phrases work in many French-speaking cities with local fare names. You will practice polite requests, understand the difference between a single ticket and a book of ten, and handle simple questions at the counter.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a metro ticket politely in French.
- ask for a book of ten tickets or a day pass.
- understand and answer simple questions about zones and fare options.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Un ticket, s'il vous plaît.
A ticket, please.
uh(n) tee-KEH, seel voo PLEH
Standard polite request at a ticket window or machine. In Paris, the single ticket is often called 'un ticket t+' (tee plus).
Un ticket pour le métro, s'il vous plaît.
A metro ticket, please.
uh(n) tee-KEH poor luh may-TROH, seel voo PLEH
Use this to be specific about the metro. In some cities, you might say 'un ticket de métro'.
Je voudrais un carnet, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a book of ten tickets, please.
zhuh voo-DREH uh(n) kar-NEH, seel voo PLEH
'Un carnet' is a pack of ten single tickets, usually cheaper per ride. Common in Paris.
C'est combien ?
How much is it?
seh kohm-BYEH(n)
Use this to ask the price. You can also say 'Ça coûte combien ?' (sah koot kohm-BYEH(n)).
Il y a des zones ?
Are there zones?
eel yah deh ZOHN
Ask this to find out if fares depend on travel zones. In Paris, zones 1-5 apply; in other cities, it may be different.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for something politely, use 'Je voudrais' + noun + ', s'il vous plaît.' For example: 'Je voudrais un ticket, s'il vous plaît.' (I would like a ticket, please.) You can also use 'Un ticket, s'il vous plaît.' without 'Je voudrais'. Both are polite. To ask about a specific type, add 'pour' + destination: 'Un ticket pour la Défense, s'il vous plaît.' (A ticket to La Défense, please.)
When to use it
Use these phrases at a ticket counter, a machine, or a bus driver. At a machine, you may not speak, but you still need to read the options. If you want a day pass, say 'Un ticket journée, s'il vous plaît.' (A day pass, please.) In Paris, a day pass is called 'un Navigo Jour' or 'un ticket Mobilis'. If you are not sure, ask: 'Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez ?' (What do you recommend?)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, un ticket pour le métro, s'il vous plaît.
Hello, a metro ticket, please.bohn-ZHOOR, uh(n) tee-KEH poor luh may-TROH, seel voo PLEHUn ticket simple ou un carnet ?
A single ticket or a book of ten?uh(n) tee-KEH sa(n)pl oo uh(n) kar-NEHUn carnet, s'il vous plaît. C'est combien ?
A book of ten, please. How much is it?uh(n) kar-NEH, seel voo PLEH. seh kohm-BYEH(n)C'est seize euros. Vous allez dans quelle zone ?
It's sixteen euros. Which zone are you going to?seh sehz uh-ROH. voo zah-LEH da(n) kel ZOHNA little context goes a long way
In France, politeness matters: always start with 'Bonjour' before asking for a ticket. In Paris, the metro ticket is called 'un ticket t+' and costs about 2.15 euros for a single ride as of 2024. A 'carnet' of ten costs about 17 euros. In other French-speaking cities like Montreal or Brussels, the system and names differ: Montreal uses 'un titre de transport' and zones, while Brussels uses 'un ticket' with a flat fare. Always check locally.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Un billet, s'il vous plaît' for a metro ticket.
Try this instead: 'Un billet' usually means a ticket for a train, plane, or event, not a metro ticket. For the metro, say 'un ticket' or 'un ticket de métro'. For example: 'Un ticket de métro, s'il vous plaît.' In some cities, 'un titre de transport' is the general term.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for a metro ticket politely in French?
Show a sample answer
Un ticket pour le métro, s'il vous plaît.
This is a polite request using 's'il vous plaît'. You can also say 'Je voudrais un ticket pour le métro, s'il vous plaît.' Both are correct.
2What is 'un carnet' and how do you ask for it?
Show a sample answer
Un carnet is a book of ten tickets. Ask: 'Je voudrais un carnet, s'il vous plaît.'
'Un carnet' is a common way to buy ten tickets at a discount. The phrase 'Je voudrais' makes it polite.
3How do you ask if there are zones?
Show a sample answer
Il y a des zones ?
This question asks about fare zones. You can also say 'Est-ce qu'il y a des zones ?' Both are correct and informal.
Always start with 'Bonjour' and use 's'il vous plaît'. Ask for 'un ticket' or 'un carnet', and check zones if needed. In Paris, say 'un ticket t+' for a single ride.
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