Universal Transit Spanish

Works in any Spanish-speaking country

These phrases work from Mexico City to Madrid, Buenos Aires to Bogotá. Master these first - they're your foundation for any transit situation anywhere.

Essential Questions - Works Everywhere

¿Cómo llego a...?
How do I get to...?
↻
Universal phrase
Most important question!
¿Cuánto cuesta?
How much does it cost?
↻
Any payment situation
Always ask first
¿Dónde está...?
Where is...?
↻
• la parada (stop)
• la estación (station)
• el baño (bathroom)
¿A qué hora...?
What time...?
↻
• sale (departs)
• llega (arrives)
• cierra (closes)
¿Es directo?
Is it direct?
↻
No transfers needed?
Important for planning
¿Tengo que cambiar?
Do I need to transfer?
↻
Change lines/buses
Critical question

Universal Direction Words

Derecha / Izquierda
Right / Left
↻
Same everywhere
Basic navigation
Recto / Derecho
Straight ahead
↻
Both work universally
"Sigue recto"
Cerca / Lejos
Near / Far
↻
Distance concept
¿Está cerca?
Al lado de
Next to
↻
Beside/adjacent
Location marker
Enfrente de
In front of / Across from
↻
Opposite side
Common landmark
La esquina
The corner
↻
Street corner
En la esquina
Carlos's Universal Rule:
These basics work EVERYWHERE. From Barcelona's metro to Lima's combis - same questions, same directions. Master these before learning local variations.

Taxi & Rideshare Spanish

From street taxis to Uber - handle any hired ride

Regional Apps: Uber/DiDi (Mexico, Colombia), Cabify (Spain, Argentina), Beat (Peru, Colombia), InDriver (smaller cities). Barcelona banned Uber in 2019.
Taxi rules change by city. Mexico City has pink-and-white taxis, Buenos Aires has black-and-yellow, Madrid has white with red stripe. But the Spanish? Pretty similar everywhere.

Getting a Taxi/Uber - Universal

¿Está libre?
Are you free?
↻
Street taxis only
Not for apps!
Necesito ir a...
I need to go to...
↻
State destination
Clear and direct
¿Cuánto cobra a...?
How much to...?
↻
Before getting in!
Avoid surprises
¿Usa taxímetro?
Do you use the meter?
↻
Critical question
If no, negotiate
Por favor, póngalo
Please turn it on
↻
The meter
Polite insistence
Aquí está bien
Here is fine
↻
To stop
Works everywhere

Taxi Costs by City (2024-2025 Ranges)

Mexico City: Base 12-25 pesos + 10-16 pesos/km
Madrid: Base €2.50 + €1.10-1.30/km
Buenos Aires: Base 900-1,500 ARS + varies by zone
Bogotá: Base 2,900-3,200 COP + meter
Lima: Base 50-60 soles to airport
Sources: Local transit authorities, 2024-2025 reports. Prices change frequently.

Regional Variations

Mexico

Turn: "Da vuelta" (not "gira")
U-turn: "El retorno" (official spots)
Bus: "Camión" (confusing for learners!)

Spain

Turn: "Gira" (standard)
Roundabout: "Rotonda"
Bus: "Autobús" (formal)

Argentina

Turn: "Doblá" (voseo form)
Private car: "Remís" (not taxi)
Bus: "Colectivo" or "Bondi" (slang)

Colombia

Turn: "Voltee" (regional)
Style: Very formal register
Small bus: "Buseta"

Peru

Shared van: "Colectivo"
Minibus: "Combi" (informal)
Small bus: "Micro"

Chile

Shared taxi: "Colectivo" (fixed route)
Bus: "Micro" or "Liebre"
Metro: Uses "Metro" (not subway)

Safety Note:
For safety concerns with taxis (fake plates, scams, "gringo tax"), Carlos recommends checking with Roberto for defensive strategies.
Learn Taxi Defense with Roberto →

Metro & Subway Systems

Navigate underground networks like a local

System Names: Metro (most countries), Subte (Buenos Aires), Underground/Tube (English influence areas)
Every metro works the same - buy ticket, find platform, board train. But Mexico City costs 5 pesos while Madrid costs €2.50. Same system, different prices!

Metro Essentials - Universal

El andén
The platform
↻
Where you wait
Universal term
La línea
The line
↻
Line 1, Line 2, etc
Same everywhere
Transbordo
Transfer/Connection
↻
Change lines here
Key word!
Dirección a...
Direction to...
↻
End of line name
Know both directions
La salida
The exit
↻
Way out
Follow signs
Tarjeta recargable
Rechargeable card
↻
Required in most cities
Buy at window

Metro Costs & Cards (2024-2025)

Mexico City

Cost: 5 pesos per ride
Card: Tarjeta Integrada (15 pesos)
Note: Paper tickets discontinued Feb 2024

Madrid

Cost: €1.50-2.00 per ride
Card: Multi Card (€2.50)
Note: Zone-based pricing

Buenos Aires

Cost: 900-1,500 ARS per ride
Card: SUBE card (required)
Note: Inflation affects prices

Barcelona

Cost: €2.65 single ticket
Card: T-Casual 10 trips €12.15
Note: T-Mobilitat replacing paper

Bogotá

Cost: 2,900-3,200 COP
Card: TuLlave (6,000 COP)
System: TransMilenio BRT

Santiago

Cost: 830 CLP peak / 750 off-peak
Card: Bip! card (required)
Note: Time-based pricing

Sources: Local transit authorities, 2024-2025. Cards now required in most systems.

Women's Safety:
Mexico City Metro has women-only cars (first 3 cars, pink "Solo Mujeres" signs). Bogotá TransMilenio has pink seats at front. Avoid all metros after 10pm.

Bus Systems Worldwide

From city buses to intercity coaches

Bus Names by Country: Camión (Mexico), Autobús (Spain), Colectivo (Argentina/Peru), Bus/Buseta (Colombia), Guagua (Caribbean)
Buses are chaos in some cities, organized in others. Lima's combis are wild, Barcelona's are punctual. Learn the system before you board!

Bus Basics - Universal

La parada
The bus stop
↻
Where to wait
Look for signs
¿Pasa por...?
Does it go by...?
↻
Ask the driver
Before boarding!
Bajar/Bajada
Get off/Stop
↻
"¡Bajan!"
Yell to stop
Por atrás
Through the back
↻
Exit door
Board front, exit back
El timbre
The bell/buzzer
↻
Request stop
Press for next stop
Pasaje/Boleto
Fare/Ticket
↻
Payment
Pay driver or machine

Intercity Bus Terms

Terminal de autobuses
Bus terminal
↻
Main station
Buy tickets here
Primera/Segunda clase
First/Second class
↻
Service levels
Price difference
Asiento numerado
Numbered seat
↻
Assigned seating
Check your ticket
Equipaje
Luggage
↻
Under bus
Get ticket stub

Major Bus Companies by Region

Mexico

Premium: ADO, ETN
Standard: Primera Plus
Routes: Extensive national coverage

Spain

Main: ALSA
Regional: Avanza
Note: EU connections available

Peru

Premium: Cruz del Sur
Alternative: Oltursa
Warning: Avoid informal buses

Colombia

Major: Bolivariano
Also: Expreso Brasilia
Style: Formal service

Argentina

Long distance: Andesmar
Tourist: Via Bariloche
Feature: Cama seats available

Chile

Major: Turbus, Pullman
Routes: Santiago-Valparaiso popular
Note: Book online for discounts

Giving & Getting Directions

Navigate streets and landmarks like a local

Locals navigate by landmarks, not addresses. "Two blocks past the church" beats GPS every time. Learn to see cities through local eyes!

Street Navigation - Universal

La cuadra
The block
↻
"Dos cuadras"
Common measurement
El semáforo
Traffic light
↻
Navigation point
"En el semáforo"
Cruza/Cruce
Cross/Crossing
↻
Cross the street
"Cruza la calle"
Pasando...
Past/After...
↻
"Pasando el banco"
After the bank
Antes de...
Before...
↻
Before landmark
"Antes del parque"
¿Me perdí?
Am I lost?
↻
Admit confusion
People help!

Common Landmarks

Universal: Iglesia (church), Banco (bank), Parque (park), Plaza (square)
Mexico: Oxxo (convenience store), Tianguis (street market), Glorieta (roundabout)
Spain: El Corte Inglés (department store), Mercadona (supermarket)
Colombia: Éxito (supermarket), Droguería (pharmacy)
Argentina: Kiosco (newsstand), YPF (gas station)

Payment & Tickets

Handle money and purchases smoothly

Cash is still king in most transit systems. Apps are growing, but always have small bills ready. Nobody has change for a 500!

Payment Essentials

¿Efectivo o tarjeta?
Cash or card?
↻
Payment options
Usually cash only
¿Tiene cambio de...?
Have change for...?
↻
100? 200? 500?
Ask first!
Sencillo/Feria
Small change
↻
Small bills/coins
Always needed
No tengo cambio
I don't have change
↻
Common problem
Bring small bills
Quédese con el cambio
Keep the change
↻
Tipping
10-15% normal
Recibo/Comprobante
Receipt
↻
Ask for one
For disputes

Digital Payment Adoption (2024-2025)

High Adoption

Countries: Spain, Chile
Cities: Mexico City, Santiago
Apps: Widely accepted

Mixed Adoption

Countries: Colombia, Peru
Issue: Argentina (inflation)
Reality: Cash still preferred

Cash Dominant

Areas: Small cities, combis
Transport: Street buses, taxis
Tip: Always carry small bills

Note: Even where apps exist, many drivers prefer cash for tips and tolls.

Problems & Solutions

Handle issues calmly in Spanish

Problems happen - wrong routes, lost items, disputes. Stay calm, document everything, use the app if possible. Most issues are mistakes, not scams.

Common Problems

No es por aquí
It's not this way
↻
Wrong route
Speak up!
Me equivoqué
I made a mistake
↻
Wrong bus/stop
Happens to everyone
Olvidé mi...
I forgot my...
↻
Phone, wallet, bag
Call immediately!
No funciona
It doesn't work
↻
Card, machine
Common issue
Está muy caro
It's too expensive
↻
Dispute price
Before paying
Voy a reportar
I'll report this
↻
In app/authorities
Your right

Emergency Phrases

¡Ayuda! Help! (serious emergency)
¡Pare aquí! Stop here! (urgent)
Llame a la policía Call the police
No me siento seguro/a I don't feel safe
Emergencia médica Medical emergency
Document Everything:
Screenshot driver info, take photos of taxi numbers, save receipts. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts.
Advanced Safety Training with Roberto →

Ready to Navigate Any City in Spanish?

"Perfect, amigo! Now you know transit Spanish from taxis to metros, buses to bikes. Remember - confidence beats perfect grammar. Just ask, and locals will help!" - Carlos 🚕🚇🚌

Practice Below ↓ Talk with Carlos →