Learn Japanese: Ask About Shuttle Services (Beginner)
Learn to ask if there is a shuttle to the hotel and understand schedule details in Japanese, with essential phrases and a sample dialogue.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you arrive at an airport or station in Japan, you may need to find a shuttle bus to your hotel. This lesson teaches you how to ask if a shuttle exists, where to catch it, and how to understand its schedule. You will learn the key question 'Is there a shuttle to the hotel?' and follow-up phrases for departure times and frequency. The focus is on practical, polite Japanese that you can use immediately. We will use the pattern 'hoteru e no basu wa arimasu ka' and related expressions. By the end, you will be able to get the information you need to board the right shuttle.
By the end, you can…
- ask if there is a shuttle to a specific hotel.
- ask what time the shuttle departs and how often it runs.
- understand simple schedule answers in Japanese.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
ホテルへのシャトルバスはありますか。
Is there a shuttle bus to the hotel?
Hoteru e no shatoru basu wa arimasu ka.
Use this to ask if a shuttle service exists for your hotel. 'Hoteru' means hotel, 'e no' means 'to' (direction toward), and 'shatoru basu' is shuttle bus.
シャトルバスはどこで乗りますか。
Where do I catch the shuttle bus?
Shatoru basu wa doko de norimasu ka.
Ask this to find the boarding location. 'Doko de' means 'where at', and 'norimasu' means 'ride/get on'.
何時に出発しますか。
What time does it depart?
Nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka.
Use this to ask for the departure time. 'Nanji' means 'what time', and 'shuppatsu shimasu' means 'depart'.
どのくらいの間隔で来ますか。
How often does it come?
Donokurai no kankaku de kimasu ka.
Ask this to find out the frequency. 'Donokurai' means 'how much/about', and 'kankaku' means 'interval'.
次のは何時ですか。
What time is the next one?
Tsugi no wa nanji desu ka.
Use this to ask for the next departure. 'Tsugi no' means 'next', and 'nanji desu ka' means 'what time is it'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern for asking about existence is '〜はありますか' (〜 wa arimasu ka). Place the thing you are asking about before 'wa arimasu ka'. For example, 'シャトルバスはありますか' (Shatoru basu wa arimasu ka) means 'Is there a shuttle bus?'. To specify the destination, add '〜への' (〜 e no) before the noun: 'ホテルへのシャトルバス' (Hoteru e no shatoru basu) means 'shuttle bus to the hotel'. So the full question becomes 'ホテルへのシャトルバスはありますか' (Hoteru e no shatoru basu wa arimasu ka). You can replace 'ホテル' with other places, like '空港' (kuukou, airport) or '駅' (eki, station).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at an airport, train station, or hotel front desk and need shuttle information. They are polite and suitable for speaking to staff. For example, at the airport information counter, ask 'ホテルへのシャトルバスはありますか' (Hoteru e no shatoru basu wa arimasu ka). If the answer is yes, follow up with '何時に出発しますか' (Nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka) to get the time. If you need to know how often it comes, ask 'どのくらいの間隔で来ますか' (Donokurai no kankaku de kimasu ka). These questions are standard and will be understood anywhere shuttle services operate.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、ホテルへのシャトルバスはありますか。
Excuse me, is there a shuttle bus to the hotel?Sumimasen, hoteru e no shatoru basu wa arimasu ka.はい、あります。どのホテルですか。
Yes, there is. Which hotel?Hai, arimasu. Dono hoteru desu ka.さくらホテルです。何時に出発しますか。
It's Sakura Hotel. What time does it depart?Sakura hoteru desu. Nanji ni shuppatsu shimasu ka.9時と10時です。次のバスは9時です。
At 9 o'clock and 10 o'clock. The next bus is at 9.Kuji to juuji desu. Tsugi no basu wa kuji desu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, shuttle bus services are often clearly marked and punctual. When asking staff, it is polite to begin with 'すみません' (sumimasen) to get their attention. Staff may use humble language when speaking about their company's shuttle, but your polite question form is appropriate. If you are unsure about the schedule, repeating the time back for confirmation is a good practice, e.g., '9時ですね' (Kuji desu ne, 'It's 9 o'clock, right?').
One thing to watch for
Saying 'ホテルにシャトルバスはありますか' (Hoteru ni shatoru basu wa arimasu ka) using 'ni' instead of 'e no'.
Try this instead: Use 'ホテルへのシャトルバスはありますか' (Hoteru e no shatoru basu wa arimasu ka). The particle 'e' indicates direction, and 'no' connects it to the noun. 'Ni' would imply location of existence, not destination.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is there a shuttle bus to the station?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
駅へのシャトルバスはありますか。 (Eki e no shatoru basu wa arimasu ka.)
This uses the same pattern: place + 'e no' + shatoru basu + 'wa arimasu ka'. 'Eki' means station. You could also say '駅行きのシャトルバスはありますか' (Eki yuki no shatoru basu wa arimasu ka), which is equally correct.
2What does '何時に出発しますか' mean?
Show a sample answer
What time does it depart?
'Nanji' means what time, 'ni' is the particle for time, and 'shuppatsu shimasu ka' means 'does depart?'. This is a standard way to ask for departure time.
3You want to know how often the shuttle comes. Which phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
どのくらいの間隔で来ますか。 (Donokurai no kankaku de kimasu ka.)
This directly asks about frequency. 'Donokurai' means 'how much/about', 'kankaku' means 'interval', and 'kimasu ka' means 'does come?'. Alternatively, you could ask '何分おきに来ますか' (Nanpun oki ni kimasu ka), meaning 'How many minutes apart does it come?'.
Use '〜へのシャトルバスはありますか' to ask if a shuttle exists, then '何時に出発しますか' for departure time and 'どのくらいの間隔で来ますか' for frequency. Always start with 'すみません' to be polite.
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