FINDING YOUR WAY IN LONDON

Travelling in London is easier if you know how to ask for help…

London transport

Chris: Excuse me, mate, is this the right way to St. James’s Park?

Londoner: Yes, but it’s far, especially with a backpack

Chris: Do I cross the Thames?

Londoner: Yes, it’s on the other side of the river - keep going straight ahead and cross one of the bridges on your right. But it’s quite a wall< - there’s a bus stop just opposite.

Chris: Can you buy a ticket on the bus?

Londoner: Yes, but you have to have the exact change. Anyway, if you’re staying in London for a few days it would be cheaper to get a Travelcard.

Chris: Sounds good ... Do you know where I can buy one?

Londoner: Ask in Waterloo Station - it’s just behind you.

Chris: I know, I took the Eurostar here from Paris...

Londoner: In fact, the best way would be to take the Tube from Waterloo straight to St. James’s. It’s only a few stops.

Chris: I avoid the underground when I’m on holiday - I didn’t take the Paris metro once.

Londoner: But London is much more spread out than Paris. You need to take public transport if you want to get around.

Chris: But aren’t there always transport problems here?

Londoner: Well, it’s true that there are often delays on the Tube, but at least our drivers aren’t usually on strike!

Essential words

Conversation

ls this the (right) way to...? = Est-ce la bonne direction pour... ?

backpack = sac à dos

straight ahead = tout droit

exact change = l’appoint

Travelcard = équivalent approximatif de la Carte orange

Tube = métro londonien

avoid = éviter

spread out = étendu

get around = bouger

be on strike = faire grève

Extra pronunciation

Excuse me, is Covent Garden this way? = Excusez-moi, Covent Garden, c’est par là?

Where’s the nearest Tube station? = Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche?

Which bus should I take to go to Oxford Street? = Quel bus faut-il prendre pour aller à Oxford Street?

Does this train stop at Victoria? = Est-ce que ce train s’arrête à Victoria?

Could you give me directions to Piccadilly? = Pourriez-vous m’indiquer comment on va à Piccadilly ?

Could you show me Chelsea on the map? = Pourriez-vous me montrer Chelsea sur le plan?

Do you know if there’s a B&B around here? = Connaissez-vous une chambre d’hôte dans le coin?

Is it far to walk to? = C’est loin à pied?

I think I’m lost = Je crois que je me suis perdu