Finding yourway 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