Travel and buying tickets (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Travel and buying tickets
This topic covers essential vocabulary and grammar for discussing transport and travel in French. You'll learn how to talk about different modes of transport, buy tickets, and tell the time using the 24-hour clock system commonly used in France.
Mastering transport vocabulary and time expressions is crucial for real-world communication in French-speaking countries. These skills are frequently tested in language exams and are essential for everyday travel situations.
Transport vocabulary
Understanding transport vocabulary is crucial for discussing travel plans and buying tickets. Here are the key terms you need to know:
Modes of transport
| French | English |
|---|---|
| l'avion (m) | plane |
| le train | train |
| le bus | bus |
| le car (m) | coach |
| le bateau (m) | boat |
| la voiture (f) | car |
| le vélo | bike |
| à pied | on foot |
Travel and tickets
| French | English |
|---|---|
| le billet (m) | ticket |
| le passeport (m) | passport |
| la gare (f) | railway station |
| le port (m) | harbour, port |
| l'aéroport (m) | airport |
| la station (f) | station |
| le quai (m) | platform |
| la valise (f) | suitcase |
| le retard (m) | delay |
| à l'heure | on time |
Example sentences:
- Je voudrais un billet pour Paris. (I would like a ticket to Paris.)
- Le train part de quel quai? (Which platform does the train leave from?)
- Mon vol a du retard. (My flight is delayed.)
Using prepositions with transport
When talking about how you travel, French uses specific prepositions with different modes of transport. This is an important grammar point that often appears in exams.
Critical Grammar Rule: French prepositions with transport don't always translate directly from English. Learning these patterns is essential for accurate communication.
The general rule: "en"
For most modes of transport, French uses en without the definite article (le, la, l'):
- J'y vais en car. (I'm going by coach.)
- J'ai voyagé en avion. (I travelled by plane.)
- J'y suis allé en voiture. (I went by car.)
The exception: "à pied"
When travelling on foot, use à pied:
- Je suis rentré à pied. (I came home on foot.)
Special case: "à vélo" or "en vélo"
For cycling, you can use either preposition:
- Je suis arrivé à vélo. (I arrived by bike.)
- Je suis arrivé en vélo. (I arrived by bike.)
Practice translation:
- I like travelling by train. → J'aime voyager en train.
- My brother prefers to take the plane. → Mon frère préfère prendre l'avion.
Telling the time
The 24-hour clock system is used much more frequently in France than in Britain, especially for official timetables, appointments, and travel schedules.
In France, the 24-hour clock is the standard for all official communications, including train schedules, flight times, and business appointments. This differs significantly from informal conversation, where the 12-hour system may still be used.
Key time expressions
| French | English |
|---|---|
| du matin | in the morning |
| de l'après-midi | in the afternoon |
| du soir | in the evening |
| Quelle heure est-il? | What time is it? |
24-hour clock examples
When reading timetables or hearing announcements, you'll encounter the 24-hour system:
Time Reading Examples:
- 03h00 - Il est trois heures. (It's 3 o'clock [3am].)
- 15h30 - Il est quinze heures et demie. (It's half past three [3:30pm].)
- 20h45 - Il est vingt heures quarante-cinq. (It's twenty to nine [8:45pm].)
Exam tip: When dealing with large numbers in French, take extra care with complex numbers like quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (99). Break them down: quatre (4) + vingt (20) + dix (10) + neuf (9) = 99.
Common travel questions
| French | English |
|---|---|
| À quelle heure part le train? | What time does the train leave? |
| De quel quai part le train? | Which platform does the train leave from? |
Example dialogue:
- À quelle heure part le train? (What time does the train leave?)
- Il part à dix-huit heures quinze. (It leaves at 6:15pm.)
Practice exercises
Translation practice
French to English:
- Mon frère préfère prendre l'avion.
- Je vais en ville à pied.
English to French:
- Yesterday I went to school by bus with my friends.
- If the weather is fine, I go cycling.
Answers:
French to English:
- My brother prefers to take the plane.
- I go to town on foot.
English to French:
- Hier je suis allé à l'école en bus avec mes amis.
- S'il fait beau, je fais du vélo.
Key Points to Remember:
- Most transport modes use en (en train, en avion, en voiture)
- Use à pied for walking and à vélo or en vélo for cycling
- France commonly uses the 24-hour clock system for timetables
- Learn key question phrases: "À quelle heure...?" and "De quel quai...?"
- Practice numbers carefully, especially complex ones like quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (99)