#29 Using a Library for the First Time｜Everyday English Phrases
Izumi English Morning
#25 Booking a Sightseeing Bus Tour｜Useful English Travel Phrases
Izumi
When I want to visit major attractions efficiently at my destination, a sightseeing bus tour is a very convenient option.
This is especially helpful when visiting a city for the first time, as it allows me to understand local transportation and the relative locations of tourist spots.
When booking a bus tour in English, I need to confirm several details such as preferred date and time, number of participants, price, and meeting point.
In this section, I will introduce useful expressions and questions that I can use when booking a bus tour, along with tips to help the conversation go smoothly.
Contents
Dialogue
Hi, I’d like to book a city bus tour for tomorrow.
Sure. Would you prefer the morning or afternoon tour?
The morning one, please. What time does it start?
It starts at 9 a.m. and lasts about three hours.
Great. How much is it per person?
It’s $30 per person.
1. Phrases for Requesting a Reservation
When I want to book a sightseeing tour, I can use the following expression:
- I’d like to book a city bus tour.
“I’d like to ～” is a polite and useful way to express what I would like to do, especially when making a request or expressing a preference.
When specifying a date, I can say:
- I’d like to book a city bus tour for tomorrow morning.
Using “for + date/time” helps clearly indicate my preferred day or time.
2. Responding When Asked to Choose Morning or Afternoon
There are often time options for tours. I may be asked:
- Would you prefer the morning or afternoon tour?
Possible responses include:
- The morning one, please.
- The afternoon tour would be better.
“Would you prefer ～?” is a polite expression commonly used not only for tour reservations but also when making restaurant or other bookings during travel.
3. Confirming Start Time and Duration
To ask about the start time of the tour:
- What time does it start?
To ask about how long the tour lasts:
- It starts at 9 a.m. and lasts about three hours.
The verb “last” means “to continue” or “to last for a certain duration.” It is often used to describe the length of events or performances.
- The tour lasts about two and a half hours.
- The concert lasts until 10 p.m.
I use “last” when asking about duration rather than the ending time.
4. Asking About the Price
To confirm the participation fee:
- How much is it per person?
“Per person” means “for each person,” and is useful when asking about prices for hotels, activities, and dining.
Other related expressions:
- How much does the tour cost?
- Is there a discount for children or seniors?
Summary
- I’d like to book ～
→ A polite and useful phrase to express a request. - Would you prefer ～?
→ A polite way to offer choices. - What time does it start? / It lasts ～
→ Phrases to confirm start time and duration. - How much is it per person?
→ The basic way to ask about price per person.
