Ask the Price of a Ticket in Japanese

Asking the price with a destination

The most useful pattern for buying a ticket is to put the destination before the question word. The recorded line «〜までいくらですか。» means 'How much is it to 〜?' You can replace the destination with the place you want to go. For example, if you want to go to Kyoto, you say the destination first, then the question. The recorded dialogue line «すみません、京都までいくらですか。» shows this in a full polite sentence: 'Excuse me, how much is it to Kyoto?' Notice that the destination comes before the price question. When you speak, keep a steady rhythm and make the question rise slightly at the end. This pattern works at train stations and ticket counters. If the destination is already clear, you can use a shorter question. The recorded line «切符はいくらですか。» means 'How much is a ticket?' Use this when the person already knows where you are going. Another useful line is «大人一枚いくらですか。», which means 'How much is one adult ticket?' The word for 'one flat object' is used for tickets. Practice saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed.

Understanding the price answer

When you ask the price, the answer usually ends with the word for yen. The recorded line «五百円です。» means 'It is 500 yen.' The number comes first, then the word for yen, then the polite ending. Listen for the number and the word for yen. In the recorded customer–staff exchange, the staff member answers the Kyoto question with «千四百円です。», which means 'It is 1,400 yen.' Notice that the number is said in Japanese, and the word for yen comes at the end. If you do not catch the price, you can ask for a repeat. The recorded dialogue line «すみません、もう一度お願いします。» means 'Excuse me, one more time, please.' This is a polite way to ask someone to say it again. After you ask, the staff member may repeat the price. The recorded dialogue line «はい、千四百円です。» means 'Yes, it is 1,400 yen.' Listen for the same number again. When you practice, try to write down the number you hear, then check it against the recording.

Putting the exchange together

Now you will combine the question and the answer. Imagine you are at a station ticket counter. You want to go to Kyoto. You ask the price using the pattern from «〜までいくらですか。» with the destination. The staff member answers with a price. If you miss it, you use the polite request from «すみません、もう一度お願いします。». The staff member repeats the price. Use the recorded lines as your model. When you are the customer, focus on clear pronunciation and a polite tone. When you are the staff member, focus on saying the price clearly and slowly. Remember that the price always ends with the word for yen. You can also practice with the shorter question from «切符はいくらですか。» when the destination is already known. Repeat the recorded lines until you can say them without looking, then try the exercises below.

Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.

Checking available voices…

Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.

Common questions