Talk Portuguese - Transport
How to get around by public transport
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Public transport
Different modes of public transport in a city and buying a bus ticket in Lisbon.

Train tickets
Buying a train ticket from Lisbon to Oporto in the north of Portugal.

Tickets and times
Buying boat tickets in the Douro valley in northern Portugal and asking the time of the last boat back. There's also a description of the world-famous 'Solar de Mateus', a fine example of Portuguese Baroque architecture near the river Douro.
- PortuguêsEnglish
- Há um /uma ...?Is there a ...?
- um autocarro *a bus
- um comboioa train
- um carro *a car
- um táxia taxi
- um barco *a boat
- um aviãoa plane
- uma camionetaa coach
- de autocarro *by bus
- de comboioby train
- de eléctricoby tram
* Pronunciation guide
- um autocarro, um carro, um barco
A single r at the beginning or a double r in the middle of a word is gently rolled.
- PortuguêsEnglish
- um bilhetea ticket / one ticket
- Queria um bilhete para o Porto, se faz favorI would like a ticket for Oporto, please
- para…for… / to... (+ destination)
- de idaone way / single
- de ida e voltareturn ticket
- Queria dois bilhetes de ida e voltaI'd like two return tickets
- Queria um de segunda classeI'd like a second class ticket
- Quanto é?How much is it?
- De que linha parte o comboio?From which platform does the train leave?
- Da linha número umFrom platform one
- Há um autocarro para a Costa da Caparica?Is there a bus to Costa da Caparica?
- Tem às dez horasThere is one at ten o’clock
- Quanto tempo leva para chegar?How long does it take?
- Cerca de quarenta minutosAround forty minutes
- Tenho de mudar?Do I have to change?
- Não, não tem de mudarNo, you don't have to change
- É directoIt's direct
- A que horas parte o último barco de volta?What time is the last boat back?
- Às dezoito horasAt 18:00 (6pm)
- Pode repetir, por favor? **Can you repeat that, please?
- Boa viagemHave a nice trip
- De nadaYou're welcome
** Grammar notes
- Posso/pode/podemos
These are all forms of the verb poder, to be able to in the present tense.
They are also very useful as key phrases in the question form: Posso? - May I?
Pode? - Can you? and
Podemos? - May we?
They’re usually followed by a verb:
Pode repetir, por favor? - Can you repeat that please?
Posso falar com o Senhor ...? - May I speak to Mr…?
In Lisbon, you may find some unusual ways of getting around, for example by tram, O eléctrico or the funicular, O elevador. In the north, trains take you on remarkable journeys through high mountain passes and you can also enjoy boat trips on the major rivers.
Step-by-Step guide
Useful resources
Transcript:
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BBC Languages links
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