Travel English: Key words for the train

It’s not uncommon for tourists to travel by train in an English-speaking country, especially in the UK. Trains are a great way to get around, but sometimes the associated phrases and vocabulary can be confusing if you’re a non-native speaker. It’s important to know some key English words to get to your destination safely. Below are a few useful words to make your journey stress-free:

If you have purchased your train ticket online, you will need to have a ‘booking number**’** to collect your ticket at the station. A ‘booking number’ is a long number, which serves as a confirmation that you have paid for your ticket. This number is usually sent to you in an email after you have completed the transaction.

Once you’ve collected your ticket, you will then need to look for your train’s ‘platform**’**. The ‘platform’ is where you board the train.

Then you will need to check your ‘carriage number**’. As you know, a train has a number of different cars that we call ‘carriages’. You might be in ‘first-class**’, ‘standard’ or you might be in the ‘silent carriage**’**. This is where people who want to sleep or work with no noise distractions around them sit. In the ‘silent carriage’, you aren’t allowed to use your mobile phone or talk loudly.

Now you’re ready to sit down and relax as the train speeds off towards your destination. At some point, the ‘conductor**’** will come around and ask to see your ticket. The ‘conductor’ makes sure that everyone has a valid ticket and is sitting in the right place.

The train will pass through stations until you are eventually at your destination. As soon as you exit the train you will have to put your ticket into a ‘ticket barrier**’****,** which checks your ticket and allows you to pass through and exit the station.

Learning this new train vocabulary and will help you to feel more confident when travelling. Now you’re sure to get to where you want to go with no trouble at all.