Metro, trains and buses

Tickets, lines, changes and gates on the metro, high-speed trains and city buses.

The Latin line is pinyin: it shows how to say the phrase. If you are not understood, show the characters. …… is a place for a name: say it or point to it on the map.

One ticket to …… 一张去……的票 yì zhāng qù …… de piào
Where is the ticket office? 售票处在哪里？ shòupiàochù zài nǎlǐ?
Which line goes to ……? 去……坐几号线？ qù …… zuò jǐ hào xiàn?
Does this train go to ……? 这趟车去……吗？ zhè tàng chē qù …… ma?
Does this bus go to ……? 这路公交车去……吗？ zhè lù gōngjiāochē qù …… ma?
Where do I change? 在哪里换乘？ zài nǎlǐ huànchéng?
What is the next stop? 下一站是哪里？ xià yí zhàn shì nǎlǐ?
Where do I get off for ……? 去……在哪站下车？ qù …… zài nǎ zhàn xià chē?
Where is the staffed gate? 人工通道在哪里？ réngōng tōngdào zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the ticket gate? 检票口在哪里？ jiǎnpiàokǒu zài nǎlǐ?
This is my seat 这是我的座位 zhè shì wǒ de zuòwèi
When is the last train? 末班车几点？ mòbānchē jǐ diǎn?
High-speed railway station 高铁站 gāotiězhàn

Good to know

Metro signs and announcements in big cities are also in English. Station names are written in pinyin too, so you can match them to your map.
In many cities you can ride the metro by scanning a QR code in Alipay or WeChat instead of buying tickets each time.
For trains, your passport is your ticket. If the automatic gate doesn't read it, use the staffed gate (人工通道). Arrive 30–40 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance.
Big cities have several railway stations, and high-speed trains (高铁) often leave from a different one. Check the station name on your ticket.

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Save it to your phone before the trip: it opens without the internet, and it prints on A4 or A5.