Key points about describing transport options in Spanish
The Something that does not follow the usual or 鈥榬egular鈥 pattern. verb ir (to go) is one of the most-used in Spanish.
Use ir to talk about travel and transport in the present, past and future The verb formation that describes the time at which the action occurred, eg past, present or future. .
A word such as at, for, with, into or from which is usually followed by a noun or pronoun. Prepositions are used to show where something is in place or time. link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence and are useful for giving directions.
This guide contains a video as well as a video comprehension and reading practice.
Video - Describing transport options
Watch the video of Lolo talking about travelling in Southern Spain and discussing different accommodation options.
Lolo talks about transport and accommodation options
Cuando estoy de vacaciones, me gusta ir a la costa para disfrutar del mar. Un ejemplo perfecto para estas vacaciones es el pueblo de Nerja. Nerja es un pueblo peque帽o de la costa de M谩laga. Creo que Nerja es una mejor opci贸n que el campo porque las playas est谩n cerca y puedes caminar hasta all铆.
La mejor manera para ir a Nerja es en autob煤s desde el centro de M谩laga. No podemos ir en tren como en otros muchos lugares de Espa帽a. Pero eso no es un problema, porque el servicio de autobuses es barato y hay uno casi cada hora. Adem谩s, podemos disfrutar de los bonitos paisajes de camino a Nerja.
En Nerja, hay diferentes opciones de alojamiento. Las dos m谩s comunes son el cl谩sico hotel o buscar una casa t铆pica estilo M谩laga por una app en el m贸vil.
Aunque el hotel puede ser m谩s c贸modo, en Nerja encontramos las casas t铆picas de la costa malague帽a, las cuales son totalmente blancas y bonitas. Por eso, sin duda alguna, yo intentar铆a quedarme en una casa estilo M谩laga para vivir la experiencia completa.
Pero si quieres ahorrar algo de dinero y conocer a m谩s gente, puedes buscar un buen albergue o un camping cerca de la playa.
Translation
When I'm on holiday, I like to go to the coast to enjoy the sea. A perfect example of this holiday is the town of Nerja, a small town on the coast of Malaga. I think Nerja is a better option than the countryside because the beaches are very close and you can walk to them.
The best way to get to Nerja is by bus from the center of Malaga. We can't go by train like in many other places in Spain. But that's not a problem, because the bus service is cheap and there's one almost every hour. Additionally, we can enjoy the beautiful landscapes on the way to Nerja.
In Nerja, there are different accommodation options. The two most common are the classic hotel or finding a typical Malaga-style house through app on your phone.
Although the hotel may be more comfortable, in Nerja there are the typical houses of the Malaga coast, which are totally white, and beautiful. That's why, without a doubt, I would try to stay in a Malaga-style house to live the full experience.
But if you want to save some money and meet more people, you can look for a good hostel or a campsite near the beach.
Vocabulary- Describing travel and transport
Useful vocabulary for describing journeys:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| barato/a | cheap | 辫谤谩肠迟颈肠辞/补 | practical, convenient |
| caro/a | expensive | ruidoso/a | noisy |
| lento/a | slow | tranquilo/a | quiet |
| 谤谩辫颈诲辞/补 | fast | viejo/a | old |
| 蹿谩肠颈濒 | easy | el billete | ticket |
| 肠贸尘辞诲辞/补 | comfortable, convenient | un retraso | delay |
| in肠贸尘辞诲辞/补 | uncomfortable | el tr谩fico | traffic |
| moderno/a | modern | 驴D贸nde est谩鈥? | Where is鈥? |
Useful verbs to describe travel include:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to get off | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to pay for |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to catch (a bus/train etc) | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to lose |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to wait | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to forget |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to queue up | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to pick up |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to go on a trip | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to leave |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to arrive | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to get on |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to carry | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to travel |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to look for |
Have a look at the image to see how to talk about forms of transport in Spanish.
Click or tap on Show more to see a list of useful vocabulary for describing forms of transport.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el aeropuerto | airport |
| el autob煤s | bus |
| el avi贸n | plane, aeroplane |
| el barco | boat |
| el coche | car |
| la estaci贸n | station |
| pie, a pie | foot, on foot |
| el vuelo | flight |
Grammar - Forming 'ir' (to go) in the present, past and future tenses
The verb ir (to go) is one of the most high frequency verbs in Spanish.
It is an irregular verb, which means it does not follow the regular pattern of other verbs. It has to be learned separately.
Click or tap on Show more to see how to conjugate the verb ir in the three most common tenses:
the present tense
the preterite (past) tense
the immediate future tense
Present tense of ir - to go
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (sing. informal) go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/she/it goes /you (sing. formal) go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (plural informal) go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they/ you (plural formal) go |
For example:
Voy al colegio en autob煤s. - I go to school on the bus.
Vamos de vacaciones en avi贸n. - We go on holiday by plane.
驴Vas a la ciudad? - Are you going to the city?
Preterite (past) tense of ir - to go
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I went |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (singular informal) went |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/she/it/you (singular formal) went |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we went |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (plural informal) went |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they/you (plural formal) went |
For example:
Ayer fui al colegio en coche. 鈥 Yesterday I went to school by car.
El a帽o pasado fuimos de vacaciones en avi贸n. 鈥 Last year we went on holiday by plane.
Mis padres fueron a un hotel el fin de semana pasado. - My parents went to a hotel last weekend.
Immediate future tense of ir - to go
The immediate future tense is the most common way of talking about future plans. It is formed with the present tense of ir (to go), followed by a and the infinitive.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I鈥檓 going to go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (singular informal) are going to go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/she/it goes /you (singular formal) is going to go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we鈥檙e going to go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (plural informal) 鈥榬e going to go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they/you (plural formal) 鈥榬e going to go |
Ma帽ana voy a ir al colegio a pie. 鈥 Tomorrow I鈥檓 going to walk to school.
El a帽o pr贸ximo vamos a ir de vacaciones en barco. 鈥 Next year we鈥檙e going to go on holiday by boat.
Mis padres van a ir a un hotel el fin de semana pr贸ximo. - My parents are going to go to a hotel next weekend.
The verb 'ir' - Mini quiz
Complete the following sentences:
______ a la piscina.
We鈥檙e going to the pool.
Vamos
Vamos is the present tense 鈥榳e鈥 form of ir.
驴 ____ al partido de f煤tbol?
Are you (singular informal) going to the football match?
Vas
Vas is the present tense 鈥榶ou' (singular informal) form of ir.
Ayer ______ al supermercado.
Yesterday they went to the supermarket.
fueron
Fueron is the preterite tense 鈥榯hey鈥 form of ir.
La semana pr贸xima ___________ de vacaciones en barco.
Next week I鈥檓 going to go on holiday by boat.
voy a ir
Voy a ir is the immediate future tense, which is formed with the present tense of the 鈥業鈥 form of ir (to go) followed by a and the verb in the infinitive, which in this case is also ir.
Video - Comprehension
Watch the video then answer the questions.
Rafa talks about how he gets around his hometown
- Yesterday, Rafa's dad gave him a lift to school because鈥
a) he woke up late
b) the bus broke down
c) it was raining
According to Rafa, how much does a bus pass cost per month?
Why does Rafa prefer to catch the bus to school instead of the train or underground?
Give three reasons why Rafa sometimes walks home from school instead of catching the bus.
What does Rafa want to do next year?
- Answer - a). Yesterday, Rafa's dad gave him a lift to school because he woke up late.
Rafa says: Normalmente voy al instituto en autob煤s, pero ayer fui con mi padre en coche porque no me despert茅 hasta muy tarde. Ten铆amos prisa.
I normally go to school by bus, but I went with my dad by car yesterday because I didn't wake up until very late. We were in a rush.
- Answer - 鈧50.
Rafa says: Tengo un abono. Cuesta cincuenta euros al mes, pero te sale m谩s econ贸mico que comprar billetes de ida y vuelta cada d铆a.
I have a bus pass. It costs fifty euros a month but works out cheaper than buying return tickets every day.
- Answer - He always meets/bumps into his friends.
Rafa says: La red de transporte p煤blico de Madrid es estupenda. Tambi茅n hay trenes y metros. Pero yo prefiero viajar en autob煤s porque siempre me encuentro con mis amigos.
The public transport network in Madrid is fantastic. There are also trains and an underground. But I prefer to travel by bus as I always bump into my friends.
- Answer - Any 3 of:
to avoid travelling in rush hour
there's lots of traffic
there are lots of traffic jams
the bus is very uncomfortable
there are so many people
the bus takes so long
he likes walking if it's sunny because there are lots of pretty places along the way
Rafa says: A veces, vuelvo a casa a pie para evitar viajar en durante la hora punta. Hay mucho tr谩fico y siempre hay atascos. El autob煤s es muy inc贸modo porque hay tanta gente y 隆tarda tanto! Tardo media hora andando, pero si hace sol me gusta porque hay sitios bonitos por el camino.
Sometimes, I go home on foot to avoid travelling at rush hour. There is a lot of traffic and there are always traffic jams. The bus is uncomfortable because there are so many people and it takes a long time! It takes me half an hour to walk, and I like it if it's sunny because there are pretty places to see along the way.
- Answer - Learn to drive.
Rafa says: No tengo permiso de conducir, pero el a帽o que viene quiero aprender a conducir. As铆, no tengo que depender de mi padre.
I don't have a driving licence. But I want to learn to drive next year. That way, I don't have to depend on my dad.
Click or tap on Show more to read the transcript and the translation of what Rafa says.
Hola. 驴Qu茅 tal? Soy Rafa y son las ocho y veinte. Tengo que irme al instituto.
Te vienes conmigo? Me acompa帽as?
Bueno, 驴c贸mo se llega a mi instituto?
Normalmente voy al instituto en autob煤s, pero ayer fui con mi padre en coche porque no me despert茅 hasta muy tarde. Ten铆amos prisa. Pero hoy, me levant茅 a tiempo. Entonces voy a la parada de autob煤s.
Tengo un abono. Cuesta cincuenta euros al mes, pero te sale m谩s econ贸mico que comprar billetes de ida y vuelta cada d铆a.
La red de transporte p煤blico de Madrid es estupenda. Tambi茅n hay trenes y metros. Pero yo prefiero viajar en autob煤s porque siempre me encuentro con mis amigos.
Vale, ha llegado. 隆Tengo que subirme!
Bueno, acabo de salir del instituto.
A veces, vuelvo a casa a pie para evitar viajar en la hora punta. Hay mucho tr谩fico y siempre hay atasco. El autob煤s es muy inc贸modo porque hay tanta gente y tarda tanto.
Tardo media hora andando pero si hace sol me gusta porque hay sitios bonitos por el camino.
隆Ay! 隆Qu茅 tonto! Creo que me he perdido. 驴D贸nde estoy?
Perdone, 驴c贸mo se llega a la Latina鈥?
Suelo llegar a la casa sobre las cinco y cuarto.
Yo no tengo permiso de conducir. Pero el a帽o que viene quiero aprender a conducir. As铆, no tengo que depender de mi padre.
Bueno, he llegado. Gracias por acompa帽arme.
Vale, adi贸s.
Translation:
Hello. How are you? I鈥檓 Rafa and it is 8.20. I have to go to school.
Are you coming with me? Are you keeping me company?
Right, how do we get to my school?
I normally go to school by bus, but I went with my dad by car yesterday because I didn't wake up until very late. We were in a rush! But today I got up in time. So I am going to the bus stop.
I have a bus pass. It costs fifty euros a month but works out cheaper than buying return tickets every day.
The public transport network in Madrid is fantastic. There are also trains and an underground. But I prefer to travel by bus as I always bump into my friends.
OK, it鈥檚 arrived. I have to get on!
Right, I have just come out of school.
Sometimes, I go home on foot to avoid travelling at rush hour. There is a lot of traffic and there are always traffic jams. The bus is uncomfortable because there are so many people and it takes a long time!
It takes me half an hour to walk, and I like it if it's sunny because there are pretty places to see along the way.
Oh. How silly. I think I am lost. Where am I?
Sorry, how do you get to la Latina鈥
I normally get home at 5.15.
I don't have a driving licence. But I want to learn to drive next year. That way, I don't have to depend on my dad.
Right, I have arrived. Thank you for accompanying me.
OK, bye.
Vocabulary - How to give directions and buy tickets
Useful vocabulary for landmarks and describing directions includes:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | on the right hand side | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | (street) corner |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | on the left hand side | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to turn |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | town hall | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | left |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to look for | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to pass |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | road, street | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | the square |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | continue | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | bridge |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to cross | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to follow, continue |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | right | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to take |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to find |
Use ordinal numbers when giving or understanding directions:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again./Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | first |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again./Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | second |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again./Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | third |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again./Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | fourth |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again./Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | last |
For example:
Toma la segunda calle a la derecha. 鈥 Take the second road on the right.
Gira a la izquierda y luego toma la primera calle a la izquierda. - Turn left and then take the first road on the left.
All Foundation Tier vocabulary listed in this guide can be found on the vocabulary sheet below.
Grammar - How to use prepositions of place
Prepositions link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They connect the people, objects, time and locations of a sentence.
Prepositions are usually short words, and they are normally placed directly in front of The name of a thing such as an object, a place or a person. Nouns are often described as naming words..
Useful prepositions for understanding and describing location include:
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | at the end of | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | behind |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | at the back of | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | in, on |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | next to | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | opposite |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | underneath, below | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | between, among |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | in front of | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | toward, towards |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | inside | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | up to, as far as, until |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | after | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | for, in order to |
For example:
El banco est谩 enfrente del supermercado. - The bank is opposite the supermarket.
El colegio est谩 al lado de la piscina. - The school is next to the swimming pool.
El campo de f煤tbol est谩 detr谩s del colegio. - The football pitch is behind the school.
Several prepositions are followed by de and then the definite article (el/la/los/las) and the noun.
If the preposition followed by de is then followed by a masculine singular noun, de and el contract to become del.
The preposition of time and place a also contracts when followed by a masculine singular noun to become al.
Prepositions of place - Mini quiz
Complete the following sentences:
La piscina est谩 ____ ____ mercado.
The pool is opposite the market.
La piscina est谩 enfrente del mercado.
Enfrente means 鈥榦pposite鈥 and is followed by 鈥de鈥 plus the article.
Mercado is masculine and the article is el.
De and el contract to form del.
Vaya _____ la plaza.
Go towards the square.
Vaya hacia la plaza.
Hacia is the Spanish word for towards.
Tome la ______ calle a la ______.
Take the first road on the right.
Tome la primera calle a la derecha.
Primera means 鈥榝irst鈥 and needs to agree with calle which is feminine, and so ends in a.
Derecha means 鈥榬ight鈥.
El banco est谩 _____ ____ centro comercial.
The bank is behind the shopping mall.
El banco est谩 detr谩s de centro comercial.
Detr谩s de means 鈥榖ehind鈥.
As centro commercial is masculine, de and e contract to form del.
Find out more about prepositions in the Prepositions of place and time in Spanish guide.
Reading practice
As part of a treasure hunt activity you read some directions to two different secret locations.
Translate each text into English to find out where you need to go.
Puzzle number 1
Desde la estaci贸n, ve hacia la Calle Principal.
Sigue todo recto hasta el banco.
Luego, gira a la izquierda en la esquina con el restaurante.
Sigue por esa calle hasta llegar a la plaza.
En la plaza, toma la calle enfrente del ayuntamiento.
La casa est谩 a la derecha.
From the station, go towards the main street.
Go straight to the bank.
Then, turn left at the corner with the restaurant.
Continue along that street until you reach the square.
In the square, take the street in front of the town hall.
The house is on the right.
Puzzle number 2
Desde el parque, ve hacia la Plaza Mayor.
Cruza la plaza y toma la segunda calle a la derecha.
Sigue recto hasta llegar al templo.
Gira a la izquierda justo despu茅s del templo y contin煤a por esa calle.
Despu茅s del puente, gira a la derecha.
La casa est谩 al final de la calle a mano izquierda.
From the park, go towards the main square.
Cross the square and take the second street on the right.
Continue straight until you reach the temple.
Turn left just after the temple and continue along that street.
After the bridge, turn right.
The house is at the end of the street on the left.
Vocabulary sheet
Click or tap on the image below for a list of useful vocabulary to use when describing transport options.
Now you have revised the important vocabulary and key grammar points for describing transport options why not thave a look at the Talking about family and friends in Spanish guide?
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