France is a popular travel destination — people around the world come to see the landmarks of Paris, the beaches of Nice and the snow-capped French Alps. But to make a trip successful, you need to be able to navigate the place you’re visiting. Europe, after all, is home to quite a few different trams and train lines. Learning the transportation system and which side of the road to drive on is important, but it’s also helpful to learn some of the words and phrases regarding transportation in French.
Whether you’re traveling by plane or train, bus, car or bike, studying these common terms for transportation in French will make your travels much smoother. Click the play button to hear how each word or phrase is pronounced. Bon voyage !
Talking About Transportation In French
General Navigation
Turn right — Tournez à droite
Turn left — Tournez à gauche
Continue straight on — Continuez tout droit
Where is there a supermarket? — Où y a-t-il un supermarché ?
At the street corner — au coin de la rue
Can you recommend a good hotel? — Vous pourriez me recommander un bon hôtel ?
Traveling By Plane
Airplane — l’avion
Airport — l’aéroport
Terminal — le terminal
Luggage — les bagages
Hand baggage (carry-on) — le bagage à main
Weight limit — la limite de poids
Departure — le décollage
Flight — le vol
Security check — le contrôle de sécurité
Gate — la porte d’embarquement
Flight attendant — le steward
Connection — la correspondance
To land — atterrir
To check in — enregistrer
To board — embarquer
Do you have any liquids in your bag? Water? Juice? — Est-ce que vous avez des liquides dans votre sac ? De l’eau ? Du jus de fruit ?
Traveling By Train Or Bus
Public transportation — les transports en commun
Bus — le bus
Bus (or train) stop — l’arrêt
Train — le train
Train station — la gare
Ticket — le ticket
Passenger — le passager
Platform — le quai
Subway — le métro
Timetable — l’horaire
Inspector — le contrôleur
Crowded — plein (m) / pleine (f)
To catch — attraper
To transfer — changer
To validate — composter
How much is a ticket to the airport? — Combien coûte un ticket pour l’aéroport ?
Traveling By Car Or Bike
Car — la voiture
Driver — le conducteur (m) / la conductrice (f)
Bicycle — le vélo
Cyclist — le cycliste (m) / la cycliste (f)
Helmet — le casque
Headlight — le phare
Windshield wipers — les essuie-glaces
Key — la clé
Seat belt — la ceinture de sécurité
Driver’s license — le permis de conduire
To drive — conduire
To park — garer
To break down — tomber en panne
To ride — aller
You’re going too fast; you’re speeding! — Tu roules trop vite, tu fonces !