At a ticket counter, listen for three details: where you are going, whether you want a return ticket and when the bus leaves. This invented exchange practises those details. The destination and departure time are language examples, not a real timetable or advice about a transport operator’s ticket rules.
A conversation at the ticket counter
| Ένα εισιτήριο για την Πάτρα, παρακαλώ. | A ticket to Patras, please. |
| Απλό ή με επιστροφή; | Single or return? |
| Απλό. Τι ώρα φεύγει το λεωφορείο; | Single. What time does the bus leave? |
| Στις δέκα και μισή. | At half past ten. |
| Από πού φεύγει; | Where does it leave from? |
| Από τη στάση απέναντι. | From the stop opposite. |
| Ευχαριστώ πολύ. | Thank you very much. |
Name the destination
Ένα εισιτήριο means “one ticket”. Για introduces the destination here: για την Πάτρα, “to Patras”. When changing the destination, learn the whole phrase with its article: για την Αθήνα, “to Athens”, or για τον Πειραιά, “to Piraeus”. Do not simply reuse την before every place name.
Recognise the ticket question
Απλό ή με επιστροφή; asks you to choose between a single ticket and a return ticket. Απλό is enough as a reply in this exchange. For a return, say Με επιστροφή, παρακαλώ. The phrase tells you what is being requested, but it does not establish how long a real ticket is valid. Ask the operator about the conditions you need.
Separate time from place
Τι ώρα φεύγει; asks “What time does it leave?” Από πού φεύγει; asks “Where does it leave from?” Notice the different question words. Στις δέκα και μισή means 10:30. If morning or evening is unclear, ask Το πρωί ή το βράδυ; — “In the morning or in the evening?” The short dialogue does not specify this detail.
Confirm what you heard
Repeat a detail as a question: Στις δέκα και μισή; or Από τη στάση απέναντι; If you still cannot follow the answer, say Μπορείτε να το γράψετε; — “Can you write it down?” Read back the destination and time before moving to another question.
Check your understanding
- Which destination does the traveller ask for?
- Does απλό request a single or a return ticket?
- What departure time is given? Does the dialogue specify morning or evening?
- Which question asks for the departure place?
See the answers
1. Patras: Πάτρα. 2. A single ticket. 3. Half past ten; morning or evening is not specified. 4. Από πού φεύγει; The reply identifies the stop opposite, not a numbered platform.
Make a second version
Ask for a return to Athens: Ένα εισιτήριο για την Αθήνα με επιστροφή, παρακαλώ. Change the time to στις έντεκα, “at eleven”. Have a partner answer the time and place questions in a different order. Your task is to recognise which piece of information each answer gives.
Practise directions and landmarks. Review Greek numbers and times.