In this workshop, you will practice asking what time a bus or train arrives and how long a trip takes. You will listen to short recordings and repeat them, then use them in simple conversations. The focus is on two useful questions: one about arrival time and one about duration. You will also learn to tell the difference between arriving and departing. By the end, you should feel more confident asking for travel information in Spanish.
Asking About Arrival Time
To ask what time a bus arrives, use the question «¿A qué hora llega el autobús?». The word 'llega' means 'arrives'. For a train, simply change the noun: «¿A qué hora llega el tren?». Notice that the verb 'llega' stays the same. To answer, use 'a las' before a clock time. For example, «El autobús llega a las tres.» means 'The bus arrives at three o'clock.' If you need to ask about a specific destination, you can add it after the noun, as in «Disculpe, ¿a qué hora llega el autobús a Oaxaca?». The reply gives a time with 'de la mañana' for morning. Listen carefully to the pattern: question word, verb, subject.
Asking About Trip Duration
To ask how long a trip takes, use the question «¿Cuánto tarda el viaje?». The verb 'tarda' means 'takes time'. This is different from asking about a clock time. In a conversation, you might ask this after asking about arrival. For example, «¿Y cuánto tarda el viaje?» means 'And how long does the trip take?' A common reply uses 'unas' before a number of hours, as in «Tarda unas seis horas, más o menos.», which means 'It takes about six hours, more or less.' Remember that 'tarda' is about duration, while 'llega' is about the specific time something arrives.
Arriving vs. Departing
In Spanish, 'llegar' means 'to arrive' and 'salir' means 'to depart' or 'to leave'. The recordings here focus on arrival. When you hear 'llega', it is about arriving. If you need to ask about departure, you would use 'sale' instead. For example, to ask what time the bus departs, you would say '¿A qué hora sale el autobús?' But in this workshop, we practice arrival. Pay attention to the verb in each question. The answer will also use the same verb. This helps you understand whether someone is talking about coming or going.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿A qué hora llega el autobús?
What time does the bus arrive?
ah keh OH-rah YEH-gah el ow-toh-BOOS
¿A qué hora llega el tren?
What time does the train arrive?
ah keh OH-rah YEH-gah el tren
El autobús llega a las tres.
The bus arrives at three o'clock.
el ow-toh-BOOS YEH-gah ah lahs tres
¿Cuánto tarda el viaje?
How long does the trip take?
KWAHN-toh TAR-dah el BYAH-heh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Disculpe, ¿a qué hora llega el autobús a Oaxaca?
Excuse me, what time does the bus arrive in Oaxaca?Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.
It arrives at ten thirty in the morning.¿Y cuánto tarda el viaje?
And how long does the trip take?Tarda unas seis horas, más o menos.
It takes about six hours, more or less.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer
You will play both roles in a short conversation. First, you are a traveler asking about a bus to Oaxaca. Then, you are the person answering.
Your task: Listen to recording «Disculpe, ¿a qué hora llega el autobús a Oaxaca?» and repeat it aloud. Then listen to «Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.» and repeat it. Now, imagine you are the traveler. Say the question from «Disculpe, ¿a qué hora llega el autobús a Oaxaca?» out loud. Then, imagine you are the person answering. Say the reply from «Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.» out loud. Do this twice, switching roles each time.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Correct Time
You will hear a question and a reply. Then you will choose the correct time from two options.
Your task: Listen to «Disculpe, ¿a qué hora llega el autobús a Oaxaca?» and «Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.». The question asks about the bus to Oaxaca. The reply gives a time. Now, choose the correct time: Is it 10:30 AM or 3:00 PM? Say your answer out loud. Then listen to «El autobús llega a las tres.» and «Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.» again to check. «El autobús llega a las tres.» says the bus arrives at three, but that is a different bus. «Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.» says the bus to Oaxaca arrives at ten thirty in the morning.
Recall with Correct Roles: Who Says What?
You will recall who says which line in a conversation. The speakers are A (traveler) and B (staff).
Your task: Listen to the conversation from «Disculpe, ¿a qué hora llega el autobús a Oaxaca?» to «Tarda unas seis horas, más o menos.». Then, without listening again, say who says each line: A or B. Line 1: «Disculpe, ¿a qué hora llega el autobús a Oaxaca?». Line 2: «Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.». Line 3: «¿Y cuánto tarda el viaje?». Line 4: «Tarda unas seis horas, más o menos.». Say your answers out loud. Then listen again to check.
Common questions
What is the difference between 'llega' and 'sale'?
'Llega' means 'arrives' and 'sale' means 'departs' or 'leaves'. In the recordings, you hear 'llega' because the focus is on arrival. If you want to ask about departure, you would use 'sale' instead. For example, '¿A qué hora sale el autobús?' means 'What time does the bus leave?'
How do I answer with a specific time?
Use 'a las' before the hour. For example, «El autobús llega a las tres.» says 'El autobús llega a las tres.' For half past, use 'y media', as in «Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.»: 'Llega a las diez y media de la mañana.' For morning, add 'de la mañana'. For afternoon or evening, you can use 'de la tarde' or 'de la noche'.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: ask about arrival timeChecked September 2026
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