Schedules and timetables
Read timetables and talk about when things open, start and finish.
In this lesson you will
- Read simple timetables and opening hours
- Use from … to / until
- Ask when things open, close, start and finish
Learn
To talk about schedules we use the present simple: The museum opens at 10. The film starts at 8:15. The train arrives at 14:30.
from … to / until: The shop is open from 9 am to 6 pm. / The library is open until 8 pm.
Questions: What time does the bank open? When does the class finish? How long is the journey? — It’s two hours.
Timetables often use the 24-hour clock. Say 18:30 as “eighteen thirty” or, in everyday speech, “six thirty (pm)” / “half past six”.
Useful words: open / close, start / finish, leave / arrive, daily (every day), weekdays, except (every day except Sunday).
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday–Friday | 10:00–17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00–19:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00–16:00 |
Examples
- The museum opens at ten on Tuesdays.
- It’s closed on Mondays.
- The bus leaves at 7:20 and arrives at 8:05.
- The pool is open daily except Sunday.
- How long is the flight? — Three hours.
Vocabulary
open
not closed; start business
“The café opens at 7.”
close
stop business for the day
“The bank closes at 4.”
timetable
a list of times for buses, trains or classes
leave
go away from a place
“The train leaves at 9.”
arrive
get to a place
“We arrive at 10.”
until
up to a time
“Open until midnight.”
Practice
Look at the museum hours. What time does it open on Saturday?
Listening: Train information
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Passenger: Excuse me, what time is the next train to Oxford?
Clerk: The next one leaves at 10:40.
Passenger: And when does it arrive?
Clerk: At 11:35. It’s about an hour.
Passenger: Which platform?
Clerk: Platform 4.
1.When does the train leave?
2.How long is the journey?
3.Which platform? (number)
Speaking
Describe the opening hours of a shop, café or library near you. Then ask two questions about another place’s timetable.
Model answer
The café near my house opens at 7 am and closes at 6 pm. It’s closed on Sundays. What time does the pool open? Is it open on Saturday?
Writing
Write the opening hours for an imaginary café in a short notice (days and times) and one sentence about special hours.
Lesson quiz
Which is correct?
Review
Key points
- Timetables use the present simple: The bus leaves at 8.
- from … to / until for opening hours.
- What time does … open/start/leave?
- 24-hour times can be said in everyday form.
What you learned
- ✓ I can read opening hours and timetables.
- ✓ I can ask when things start and finish.
- ✓ I can describe a schedule.