In this workshop, you will practice a short exchange at a ticket counter. You will learn how to ask for a ticket to the city center, ask the price, choose a one-way ticket, ask about payment, and check how long the ticket is valid. Each French example comes from the supplied recordings. Listen, repeat, and then try the three tasks. You can play both roles with the dialogue audio and use the answer keys to check yourself.
Asking for a ticket and the price
Start with a polite request. The line «Un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.» means 'One ticket to the city center, please.' Use it when you want a single ticket to the center. After that, ask the price with «C'est combien ?», which means 'How much is it?' This is a short, common question. If you prefer a more formal way to say 'one-way ticket', use «Je voudrais un aller simple, s'il vous plaît.»: 'I would like a one-way ticket, please.' The phrase 'aller simple' means a single journey, not a return. Practice saying each line slowly, then a little faster. Keep your voice calm and polite.
Understanding the seller and checking validity
The seller may ask a question or give information. In the dialogue, the seller says «Un aller simple ? C'est deux euros.», which means 'One-way? That's two euros.' Notice the question 'Un aller simple ?' and the price. You can then ask about payment. The line «D'accord. Je peux payer par carte ?» means 'Okay. Can I pay by card?' The seller answers with «Oui, bien sûr. Voilà votre ticket. Il est valable une heure.»: 'Yes, of course. Here is your ticket. It is valid for one hour.' This tells you the ticket is valid for one hour. If you want to ask about validity yourself, use «Le ticket est valable combien de temps ?»: 'How long is the ticket valid for?' Listen for the time expression in the answer.
Putting the exchange together
A full exchange can follow this order: greet, ask for a ticket, ask the price, choose one-way, ask about payment, and check validity. The opening line «Bonjour, je voudrais un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.» means 'Hello, I would like a ticket to the city center, please.' The seller then says «Un aller simple ? C'est deux euros.». You can reply with «D'accord. Je peux payer par carte ?» to ask about card payment. The seller confirms with «Oui, bien sûr. Voilà votre ticket. Il est valable une heure.». If you need to ask about validity, use «Le ticket est valable combien de temps ?». Practice both roles: first as the customer, then as the seller. This helps you understand the questions and the answers.
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
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.
Guided exchange: buy a ticket
You are at a ticket counter. You want one ticket to the city center. The seller is ready to help.
Your task: Say your request using the polite line from the recordings: «Un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.» Then ask the price with «C'est combien ?» After the seller gives the price, ask if you can pay by card with «D'accord. Je peux payer par carte ?» Use only the lines you have practiced.
Reply comprehension: choose the right answer
Play the recorded seller line «Un aller simple ? C'est deux euros.». You need to understand the question and the price.
Your task: Listen to «Un aller simple ? C'est deux euros.». Decide what the seller is asking and what the price is. Then choose the correct response from these options: (a) ask for a one-way ticket, (b) ask if you can pay by card, (c) ask how long the ticket is valid. Say your choice aloud.
Recall and role-play: customer and seller
You will now recall the full exchange without looking at the lines. Imagine you are at the counter again.
Your task: First, play the customer. Say the full recorded opening «Bonjour, je voudrais un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.», ask the price with «C'est combien ?», ask about card payment with «D'accord. Je peux payer par carte ?», and ask how long the ticket is valid with «Le ticket est valable combien de temps ?». Then play the seller. Answer using the recorded lines «Un aller simple ? C'est deux euros.» and «Oui, bien sûr. Voilà votre ticket. Il est valable une heure.»
Common questions
What is the difference between 'un ticket' and 'un aller simple'?
'Un ticket' is a general word for a ticket, often a single ride ticket. 'Un aller simple' specifically means a one-way ticket, a single journey. In the recordings, you hear both: «Un ticket pour le centre-ville, s'il vous plaît.» uses 'un ticket', and «Je voudrais un aller simple, s'il vous plaît.» uses 'un aller simple'. Use 'un aller simple' when you want to be clear that you are not asking for a return ticket.
How do I ask how long the ticket is valid?
Use the line «Le ticket est valable combien de temps ?»: 'How long is the ticket valid for?' The seller may answer with a time expression, such as 'une heure' (one hour) as in «Oui, bien sûr. Voilà votre ticket. Il est valable une heure.». Listen for the number and the word for the time unit.
Sources and further reading
- french: buy a single ticketChecked September 2026
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