This page covers the various transport modes in French, grouped by category. Each section includes example sentences to show you how to use the vocabulary in context. By the end, you’ll be able to talk about getting around in French with confidence.
- Motorized transport
- Public transit
- Air and sea travel
- Non-motorized transport
Motorized Transport
Motorized transport includes vehicles powered by engines, commonly used for personal or commercial travel.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la voiture | les voitures | car / car | cars | La voiture est garée devant la maison. | The car is parked in front of the house. |
| le bus | les bus | bus | buses | Le bus arrive à 8 heures. | The bus arrives at 8 o’clock. |
| le taxi | les taxis | taxi | taxis | J’ai pris un taxi pour aller à l’aéroport. | I took a taxi to go to the airport. |
| la moto | les motos | motorcycle | motorcycles | Il roule en moto tous les jours. | He rides a motorcycle every day. |
| le camion | les camions | truck | trucks | Le camion transporte des marchandises. | The truck carries goods. |
| le train | les trains | train | trains | Le train part à 10 heures. | The train leaves at 10 o’clock. |
| le vélo | les vélos | bicycle | bicycles | Je vais au travail en vélo. | I go to work by bicycle. |
| le tramway | les tramways | tramway | tramways | Le tramway passe toutes les 10 minutes. | The tramway runs every 10 minutes. |
Public Transit
Public transit includes shared transportation options typically found in cities.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le métro | les métros | subway / metro | subways / metros | Je prends le métro pour aller au centre-ville. | I take the metro to go downtown. |
| le bus | les bus | bus | buses | Le bus est en retard ce matin. | The bus is late this morning. |
| le tramway | les tramways | tram | trams | Le tramway traverse la vieille ville. | The tram goes through the old town. |
| le train de banlieue | les trains de banlieue | suburban train | suburban trains | Le train de banlieue est bondé aux heures de pointe. | The suburban train is crowded during rush hour. |
| le ticket | les tickets | ticket | tickets | J’ai acheté un ticket de métro. | I bought a metro ticket. |
| la carte Navigo | — | Navigo pass | — | J’ai une carte Navigo pour voyager en Île-de-France. | I have a Navigo pass to travel in Île-de-France. |
I have a Navigo pass to travel in Île-de-France. — J’ai une _____ pour voyager en Île-de-France.
carte Navigo
The « carte Navigo » is a specific kind of transport pass used in the Paris region.
Air and Sea Travel
Vocabulary for traveling by plane, boat, and other modes over water or long distances.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| l’avion | les avions | airplane | airplanes | L’avion décolle à midi. | The airplane takes off at noon. |
| l’aéroport | les aéroports | airport | airports | Nous arrivons à l’aéroport Charles de Gaulle. | We arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport. |
| le bateau | les bateaux | boat | boats | Le bateau fait une croisière sur la Seine. | The boat takes a cruise on the Seine. |
| le ferry | les ferries | ferry | ferries | Le ferry traverse la Manche. | The ferry crosses the English Channel. |
| le vol | les vols | flight | flights | Mon vol est en retard. | My flight is delayed. |
| la cabine | les cabines | cabin | cabins | Notre cabine est au quatrième étage. | Our cabin is on the fourth floor. |
My flight is delayed. — Mon _____ est en retard.
vol
« Vol » means flight, so it's the correct word for this sentence.
Non-Motorized Transport
Modes of transport powered by human effort or simply by walking.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la marche | — | walking | — | Je préfère la marche pour les petites distances. | I prefer walking for short distances. |
| le vélo | les vélos | bicycle | bicycles | Elle fait du vélo dans le parc. | She rides her bicycle in the park. |
| le roller | les rollers | roller skate | roller skates | Il fait du roller le samedi. | He roller skates on Saturdays. |
| la trottinette | les trottinettes | scooter | scooters | La trottinette électrique est très populaire en ville. | The electric scooter is very popular in the city. |
| le skate | les skates | skateboard | skateboards | Il fait du skate au skatepark. | He skateboards at the skatepark. |
Useful Phrases
Common phrases to help you talk about transportation in French.
| French Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Comment puis-je aller à… ? | How can I get to…? |
| Où se trouve la station de métro ? | Where is the metro station? |
| Le billet aller-retour, s’il vous plaît. | A round-trip ticket, please. |
| À quelle heure part le train ? | What time does the train leave? |
| Puis-je avoir un plan du métro ? | Can I have a metro map? |
| Ce bus va-t-il à la gare ? | Does this bus go to the train station? |
Now you have a comprehensive overview of transport modes in French, complete with example sentences to guide you. Happy travels!
Flashcards (1 of 31)
- English Singular: car / car
- English Plural: cars
- English Example: The car is parked in front of the house.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
