Vocabulary for transportation and commuting

Core words

Start with the most useful words for this topic. Read the meaning, notice the example, and reuse the phrase in your own sentence.

fare

Meaning: the amount of money you pay for a trip

Example: The bus fare is cheaper with a travel card.

Tip: You can talk about bus fare, train fare, or taxi fare.

route

Meaning: the path a bus, train, or car follows

Example: This route goes through the city center.

Tip: Different routes can stop at different neighborhoods.

platform

Meaning: the raised area where you wait for a train

Example: Our train leaves from platform 6.

Tip: Stations usually show the platform number on the screens.

transfer

Meaning: a change from one bus, train, or line to another

Example: You need one transfer to get to the airport.

Tip: Transfer can also mean the place where you change lines.

bus stop

Meaning: the place where buses stop for passengers

Example: The bus stop is across the street from the bank.

Tip: People often ask where the nearest bus stop is.

subway

Meaning: the underground train system in a city

Example: We took the subway to the museum.

Tip: In British English, many people say underground or tube.

driver

Meaning: the person who drives a bus, taxi, or other vehicle

Example: The driver told us to get off at the next stop.

Tip: Bus driver and taxi driver are common compounds.

traffic

Meaning: the movement of vehicles on the road

Example: The traffic is heavy this morning.

Tip: Heavy traffic means many cars and slow movement.

Useful phrasal verbs

These verb combinations appear often in natural conversations, so they are worth memorizing as full expressions.

get on

Meaning: to enter a bus, train, or plane

Example: We need to get on the bus before the doors close.

Tip: Use get on for buses, trains, and planes.

get off

Meaning: to leave a bus, train, or plane

Example: Get off at the third stop after the bridge.

Tip: The opposite of get on is get off.

pick up

Meaning: to collect a person by car or taxi

Example: Can you pick me up after work?

Tip: Pick up is common in both work and travel plans.

drop off

Meaning: to take someone somewhere and leave them there

Example: The taxi can drop you off at the main entrance.

Tip: Pick up and drop off are often used together.

Questions you can ask

Practise these ready-made questions so you can react faster in real conversations.

Which bus goes to the city center?

When to use it: Use this when you need the correct bus route.

How much is the fare?

When to use it: Use this before paying for a bus, train, or taxi ride.

Where should I get off for the museum?

When to use it: Use this when you are not sure which stop is best.

Does this train stop at Central Station?

When to use it: Use this when you need to confirm the destination or stops.

How long does the trip take?

When to use it: Use this when you want to know the travel time.

Could you drop me off here, please?

When to use it: Use this in a taxi or car when you are near your destination.

Quick practice

Use these short exercises to check the lesson before you move on.

Practice

Complete the sentence: Platform 6 is for the train to the airport. We should wait on the ______.

A platform is the place where you wait for the train.

Practice

Which phrasal verb means to leave a bus or train?

Get off is the usual phrase for leaving public transport.

Practice

Choose the better question: How much is the fare? / How much fare?

The first version is the complete natural question.

Practice

Correct the sentence: This buses goes to downtown.

Bus is singular here, so the sentence uses this bus goes.