#233 Buying a Round-Trip Ticket at a Train Station｜French Shopping Phrases

When traveling abroad, you will often need to purchase a round-trip train ticket. Railways are a convenient and widely used means of transportation, especially in France.

In such situations, it is essential to communicate your destination and travel dates accurately at the station ticket counter. By familiarizing yourself with the appropriate French expressions, you can purchase your ticket smoothly and confidently.

In this article, I will explain useful French phrases for buying a round-trip ticket at a train station, along with key grammatical points.

Dialogue

A

Bonjour. Je voudrais un billet aller-retour pour Lyon, s’il vous plaît.
(Hello. I would like a round-trip ticket to Lyon, please.)

B

Pour quelle date souhaitez-vous partir ?
(What date would you like to depart?)

A

Je voudrais partir le 15 juin et revenir le 18 juin.
(I would like to depart on June 15 and return on June 18.)

B

Très bien. Cela fera 120 euros.
(Very well. That will be 120 euros.)

A

D’accord. Puis-je payer par carte ?
(All right. May I pay by card?)

B

Bien sûr. Voici votre billet.
(Of course. Here is your ticket.)

A

Merci beaucoup.
(Thank you very much.)

1. Stating Your Destination and Type of Ticket

When purchasing a ticket at a station counter, you should first state your destination and the type of ticket you need.

The expression “Je voudrais” is the conditional form of the verb “vouloir” (to want) and conveys a polite and courteous request.

The phrase “un billet aller-retour” means “a round-trip ticket.” Here are some useful related expressions:

The term “aller-retour” combines “aller”(to go) and “retour” (return) and functions as a noun phrase describing the type of ticket.

In French, such descriptive elements often follow the noun, so it is best to memorize the expression as a set phrase.

2. Specifying Your Departure and Return Dates

When buying a round-trip ticket, you need to specify both your departure and return dates clearly.

The structure “Je voudrais + infinitive” expresses a polite intention or request. In this sentence, the infinitives “partir” (to depart) and “revenir” (to return) provide information about the outbound and return journeys.

The conjunction “et” (and) connects the two actions, allowing you to convey your travel schedule concisely.

If the dates are already fixed, you may also use the present tense:

In French, the present tense can express scheduled future events.

However, using the conditional form “Je voudrais” sounds more polite and appropriate when speaking at a ticket counter.

3. Confirming the Fare and Payment Method

Finally, you may need to confirm the price and payment method. At the ticket counter, you will often hear the fare quoted or ask about payment options yourself.

The verb “fera” is the simple future form of “faire.” In this context, it means “to amount to” or “to come to.” The pronoun “cela” refers to the total cost.

To ask about payment, you can say:

The form “Puis-je” is the inverted interrogative of “je peux” (I can) from the verb “pouvoir.” Note the distinction:

While both are understood, the inverted form sounds more polite and refined.

Summary