Transfers and wrong trains

When you change trains, the back-and-forth at the station comes down to just a few sentences: the ones you ask, and the ones you need to catch.

1. 渋谷しぶやまでは、どう行いけばいいですか。

   How do I get to Shibuya?

   The ba-form question 「どう行けばいいですか」 is more common and more natural than 「どうやって行きますか」.

2. 次つぎの駅えきで乗のり換かえてください。

   Please transfer at the next station.

   For listening comprehension. 「乗り換える」 means "to transfer (trains)", and the noun form 「乗り換え」 is all over the signs inside the station.

3. 何番線なんばんせんですか。

   Which platform is it?

   「〜番線」 means the platform number; the other person will reply with 「三番線です」 (see the "Trains and subways" page for the reply).

4. 山手線やまのてせんはお乗のり換かえです。

   Change here for the Yamanote Line.

   Listening item: a set phrase used in onboard announcements. While you're at it, remember that **山手線 is read 「やまのてせん」**, not 「やまてせん」.

5. 反対側はんたいがわのホームですよ。

   It's the platform on the other side.

   Listening comprehension. The line you'll hear most often when you've taken the train in the wrong direction — 「反対側」= the opposite side, so remember this word.

6. 一ひとつ前まえの駅えきに戻もどってください。

   Please go back one station.

   Comprehension: the instruction you hear when you've missed your stop. 「一つ前」＝ the one before, 「戻る」＝ to go back.

Ask before you board, realise you are heading the wrong way, and find out how to turn back. Your ticket still works.

1. Passenger

   すみません、この電車でんしゃ、横浜よこはま方面ほうめんですか。

   Excuse me, is this train going toward Yokohama?

   「〜方面」 means "bound for ...", a keyword on platform display screens and in announcements, more useful than memorizing a list of station names.
2. station attendant

   いいえ、逆ぎゃくですよ。これは東京とうきょう方面ほうめんです。

   No, it's the other way. This one's bound for Tokyo.

   「逆」＝ the other way around, a high-frequency word in conversation — use it when a direction, an order, or a meaning comes out backwards.
3. Passenger

   えっ、どうすればいいですか。

   Huh? What should I do?

   「どうすればいいですか」 is an all-purpose phrase for asking for help when something comes up, and it works in any situation.
4. station attendant

   次つぎの駅えきで降おりて、反対側はんたいがわのホームから乗のってください。

   Please get off at the next station and take the train from the opposite platform.

   Japanese platforms are split into two sides by direction of travel, so if you've taken the wrong train, look for 「反対側」 first — this sentence is the standard fix after riding the wrong way.
5. Passenger

   切符きっぷはそのまま使つかえますか。

   Can I still use the same ticket?
6. station attendant

   はい、大丈夫だいじょうぶですよ。

   Yes, no problem.

   If you ride the wrong way and turn back without exiting the station, your ticket still works — knowing this rule, you won't panic even if you take the wrong train.
7. Passenger

   よかった。ありがとうございます。

   Oh, that's a relief. Thank you so much.

   「よかった」= a relieved “oh good”, an exclamation you say to yourself, not a compliment to the other person.