Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Buying a Bus Ticket
Check the destination and fare, buy a ticket and ask where to get off.
Your speaking goal
Check that a bus goes to your destination, ask the fare and confirm your stop.
Before you start: Choose an imaginary destination and stop. Practise saying a price clearly.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Passenger and Driver
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Passenger: Hello. Does this bus go to Green Park?
Driver: Yes, it does.
Passenger: One ticket to Green Park, please. How much is it?
Driver: Two pounds fifty.
Passenger: Can I pay by card?
Driver: Yes. Tap your card here, please.
Passenger: Thank you. Which stop should I get off at?
Driver: The Museum stop. It’s the next stop after the bridge.
Passenger: The Museum stop, after the bridge. Is that right?
Driver: That’s right.
Passenger: Thank you for your help.
Useful phrases and what they do
- Does this bus go to ___? — Check the route before travelling.
- One ticket to ___, please. — Ask for a ticket to a destination.
- How much is it? — Ask the price.
- Which stop should I get off at? — Ask where to leave the bus.
Say it clearly
Say “two pounds / fifty” in two short groups while practising. Make the destination and stop name clear. You can repeat a price or stop name to check it.
Build your own replies
Does this bus go to ___? → Yes, it does. / No, you need a different bus.
Ask and check
Did you say the Museum stop? → Yes, the stop after the bridge.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Say “get on the bus” and “get off the bus”. Use “Does this bus go …?”, rather than “Does this bus goes …?”. This fictional fare and payment method are examples; services differ.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
How much is the ticket in this dialogue?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Two pounds fifty (£2.50). This is an example fare, not a claim about real bus prices.
Question 2
Should the passenger get off before or after the bridge?
Show answer 2 and explanation
After the bridge, at the Museum stop. Repeating both details helps check the instruction.
Question 3
The driver says this bus does not go to your destination. What could you ask?
Show answer 3 and explanation
“Which bus do I need?” or “Where can I catch the right bus?” asks for useful next information.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Ask about the route and price, buy a ticket and confirm the stop.
Role B
Give a fictional fare and stop name. Answer a question about payment.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: The bus does not go to your destination. Ask which bus you need and where to catch it.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can check a destination before boarding.
- I can ask a fare and payment question.
- I can confirm where to get off.