Transportation and Vehicles in Spanish: A1 Vocabulary Guide
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Key Takeaways
- Learn the Spanish names for all common vehicles and transportation methods
- Master phrases for buying tickets, asking about schedules, and getting around
- Understand how to describe your daily commute and travel plans
- Practice conversations about transportation in real-life situations
Getting Around in Spanish
Now that you know the places in the city, let’s learn how to get to them! Transportation vocabulary is essential for daily life, whether you’re taking public transport, driving, or traveling between cities.
Common Vehicles (Vehículos Comunes)
Everyday transportation methods you’ll encounter.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Car | el coche / el carro | Mi coche es azul. (My car is blue.) |
| Bus | el autobús / el bus | El autobús llega a las ocho. (The bus arrives at eight.) |
| Train | el tren | El tren es rápido. (The train is fast.) |
| Bicycle | la bicicleta / la bici | Uso la bicicleta cada día. (I use the bicycle every day.) |
| Motorcycle | la moto / la motocicleta | La moto es práctica para la ciudad. (The motorcycle is practical for the city.) |
| Taxi | el taxi | Llamo un taxi por la noche. (I call a taxi at night.) |
| Subway/Metro | el metro | El metro es eficiente. (The subway is efficient.) |
Complete list of Vehicles in Spanish with images Page ►
🚗 Regional Note: “El coche” is used in Spain, while “el carro” is more common in Latin America. “El auto” is also used in some countries.
Public Transportation (Transporte Público)
Essential vocabulary for using public transport systems.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Station | la estación | La estación de tren está cerca. (The train station is near.) |
| Stop | la parada | Espero en la parada del autobús. (I wait at the bus stop.) |
| Ticket | el billete / el boleto | Necesito un billete para el tren. (I need a ticket for the train.) |
| Schedule | el horario | Miro el horario del autobús. (I check the bus schedule.) |
| Route | la ruta | Esta ruta va al centro. (This route goes to the center.) |
| Driver | el conductor / la conductora | El conductor es muy amable. (The driver is very friendly.) |
Travel and Air Transportation (Viajes y Transporte Aéreo)
Vocabulary for longer journeys and air travel.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | el aeropuerto | El aeropuerto está lejos de la ciudad. (The airport is far from the city.) |
| Airplane | el avión | El avión despega a las tres. (The airplane takes off at three.) |
| Suitcase | la maleta | Mi maleta es pesada. (My suitcase is heavy.) |
| Passport | el pasaporte | Necesito mi pasaporte para viajar. (I need my passport to travel.) |
| Ticket | el billete de avión | El billete de avión es caro. (The plane ticket is expensive.) |
| Gate | la puerta de embarque | La puerta de embarque número cinco. (Gate number five.) |
Transportation Verbs (Verbos de Transporte)
Key verbs for talking about getting around.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| To go | ir | Voy al trabajo en autobús. (I go to work by bus.) |
| To travel | viajar | Viajo en tren frecuentemente. (I travel by train frequently.) |
| To drive | conducir / manejar | Conduzco mi coche los fines de semana. (I drive my car on weekends.) |
| To take | tomar / coger* | Tomo el metro cada día. (I take the subway every day.) |
| To arrive | llegar | El tren llega a las nueve. (The train arrives at nine.) |
| To leave | salir | El autobús sale en cinco minutos. (The bus leaves in five minutes.) |
Note: “Coger” is used in Spain but has different meanings in some Latin American countries. “Tomar” is safer across all regions.
Useful Phrases for Transportation
Practical expressions you’ll need for getting around.
Asking About Transportation:
- “¿Cómo puedo llegar a…?” (How can I get to…?)
- “¿Qué autobús va al centro?” (Which bus goes to the center?)
- “¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren?” (What time does the next train leave?)
- “¿Cuánto cuesta el billete?” (How much does the ticket cost?)
Buying Tickets:
- “Un billete para el centro, por favor.” (A ticket to the center, please.)
- “Quisiera reservar un asiento.” (I would like to reserve a seat.)
- “¿Tienen descuento para estudiantes?” (Do you have student discount?)
- “Ida y vuelta, por favor.” (Round trip, please.)
On the Vehicle:
- “¿Esta parada es para…?” (Is this stop for…?)
- “¿Dónde bajo para…?” (Where do I get off for…?)
- “Disculpe, ¿puede decirme cuándo llegamos a…?” (Excuse me, can you tell me when we arrive at…?)
Putting It All Together: Transportation Dialogue
Traveler: “Disculpe, ¿dónde está la parada del autobús para el aeropuerto?”
Local: “La parada está en la siguiente calle, a la derecha.”
Traveler: “¿Sabe a qué hora sale el próximo autobús?”
Local: “Según el horario, sale cada treinta minutos. El próximo es a las tres y media.”
Traveler: “Perfecto. ¿Y cuánto cuesta el billete?”
Local: “Cinco euros. Puede comprarlo al conductor.”
Traveler: “Muchas gracias por su ayuda.”
Local: “De nada. ¡Buen viaje!”
Translation:
Traveler: “Excuse me, where is the bus stop for the airport?”
Local: “The stop is on the next street, to the right.”
Traveler: “Do you know what time the next bus leaves?”
Local: “According to the schedule, it leaves every thirty minutes. The next one is at three thirty.”
Traveler: “Perfect. And how much does the ticket cost?”
Local: “Five euros. You can buy it from the driver.”
Traveler: “Thank you very much for your help.”
Local: “You’re welcome. Have a good trip!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Regional variations: “El coche” (Spain) vs “el carro” (Latin America)
- Verb confusion: “Manejar” (Latin America) vs “conducir” (Spain) for “to drive”
- Ticket types: “El billete” (Spain) vs “el boleto” (Latin America)
- Prepositions: “En autobús” (by bus) not “por autobús”
- Gender agreement: “El autobús” (masculine) vs “la bicicleta” (feminine)
Quick Reference Chart
| Category | Spanish Words |
|---|---|
| Vehicles | coche/carro, autobús, tren, bicicleta, moto |
| Public Transport | estación, parada, billete/bolero, horario |
| Air Travel | aeropuerto, avión, maleta, pasaporte |
| Useful Verbs | ir, viajar, conducir/manejar, tomar |
| Key Phrases | “¿Cómo llego a…?” “Un billete para…” |
Practice Exercise: Describe Your Daily Commute
Try describing how you get around in Spanish:
- Your main transportation method
- How long it takes
- What you like/dislike about it
Example: “Voy al trabajo en autobús. Tarda veinte minutos. Me gusta porque puedo leer, pero no me gusta cuando hay mucho tráfico.”
Ready to Practice?
Think you can navigate Spanish transportation systems? Test your vehicle and travel vocabulary!
Take our Transportation Quiz ► to make this vocabulary stick.
What’s Next in Your A1 Spanish Journey?
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