Buying Tickets
Buying tickets in French involves key vocabulary for types of tickets, ways to pay, and useful expressions for asking and confirming details. This guide goes over common market and event terms.
Vocabulary
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| un billet | a ticket |
| une place | a seat / a spot |
| un tarif réduit | a reduced fare / discount |
| la caisse | the ticket office / box office |
| un guichet | a ticket window / counter |
| réserver | to reserve / to book |
| payer | to pay |
| une file d'attente | a queue / line |
| un concert | a concert |
| un marché | a market |
| un musée | a museum |
| une date | a date |
| une heure | a time |
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Je voudrais un billet pour Paris, s’il vous plaît. | I would like a ticket to Paris, please. |
| 🕒 Un aller simple pour Lyon, départ demain matin. | A one-way ticket to Lyon, leaving tomorrow morning. |
| 🔄 Je prends un aller-retour pour Nice, départ vendredi. | I’m taking a round-trip to Nice, leaving Friday. |
| 🧑🎓 Y a-t-il un tarif étudiant pour le train de 14h ? | Is there a student fare for the 2pm train? |
| 🧳 Combien coûte un billet avec bagages supplémentaires ? | How much is a ticket with extra luggage? |
| 🪪 Je peux payer par carte ? | Can I pay by card? |
| 📧 Pouvez-vous m’envoyer les billets par e-mail ? | Can you send me the tickets by email? |
| 🖨️ Je voudrais des billets papier, s’il vous plaît. | I would like paper tickets, please. |
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Asking for Tickets
To ask for tickets, use polite phrases like Je voudrais, Est-ce que vous avez, and specify the type and quantity. Adding s'il vous plaît keeps it courteous.
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🧑✈️ Bonjour, je voudrais réserver deux billets pour Marseille. | Hello, I would like to book two tickets to Marseille. |
| 🗓️ Quel est le prochain train pour Bordeaux ? | When is the next train to Bordeaux? |
| 🏷️ Y a-t-il des promotions pour les départs ce week-end ? | Are there any discounts for weekend departures? |
| 🛤️ Quel est le temps de trajet pour Strasbourg ? | What is the travel time to Strasbourg? |
| 💺 Peut-on choisir les places à l’avance ? | Can we choose seats in advance? |
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Buying Tickets
When buying tickets, confirm the price, ask about reductions if needed, and state how you will pay. Expressions like Je prends and Puis-je payer par carte ? are helpful at the counter.
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🧾 Voici ma carte bancaire. | Here is my credit card. |
| 🥖 Deux billets en première classe, s’il vous plaît. | Two first-class tickets, please. |
| 🧑💻 Je vais payer en ligne. | I will pay online. |
| 📱 Voici le code de ma réservation. | Here is my booking code. |
| ✔️ La transaction a bien été enregistrée. | The transaction has been successfully recorded. |
| 🎫 Voici vos billets. Bon voyage ! | Here are your tickets. Have a good trip! |
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Market Vocabulary
Markets often sell tickets for events or tastings. Useful words include un billet d'entrée for an admission ticket and un pass for a multi-day or priority ticket.
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🥖 Un baguette, s’il vous plaît. | One baguette, please. |
| 🧀 Je voudrais du fromage de chèvre. | I would like some goat cheese. |
| 🍓 Des fraises, combien ça coûte ? | Strawberries, how much is it? |
| 🥚 Une douzaine d’œufs, s’il vous plaît. | A dozen eggs, please. |
| 🍞 Deux pains au chocolat, s’il vous plaît. | Two chocolate croissants, please. |
| 🥬 Avez-vous de la laitue ? | Do you have lettuce? |
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Useful Expressions
Set phrases speed up transactions, such as À quelle heure commence... ?, C'est pour quel jour ?, and Je voudrais deux billets, s'il vous plaît. Cashiers often ask En plein tarif ou tarif réduit ?
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ⏳ C’est pour quel jour ? | For which day is it? |
| 🧍 Combien de personnes ? | How many people? |
| 💬 Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? | Can you repeat, please? |
| 🗝️ Y a-t-il une consigne pour les bagages ? | Is there luggage storage? |
| 🚉 À quelle heure arrive le train ? | What time does the train arrive? |
| 🕵️ Y a-t-il des correspondances ? | Are there any transfers? |
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Summary
Buying tickets in French is straightforward if you know key vocabulary for types of tickets, how to ask politely, and market expressions for events. Practicing short dialogues helps these phrases become automatic.
Usage
Market and event contexts reward preparedness: learn to ask for dates, times, and prices so you can buy tickets quickly and politely.
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025