Ask How Far Away a Place Is
Distance may be described in minutes rather than kilometres. Ask ¿Está lejos?, ¿Cuánto se tarda?, and whether walking or transport is the more practical choice.
Learning objective
Clarify distance, approximate travel time, and a suitable way to reach a destination.
Distance and travel time answer different questions. ¿Está lejos? asks whether a place is far away. ¿A cuántos kilómetros está? asks for physical distance, while ¿Cuánto se tarda? asks how long the journey generally takes in the stated conditions.
In se tarda, se creates a general statement about travel time rather than identifying one particular traveller. A useful answer adds the duration and transport: Se tarda unos veinte minutos a pie. Unos signals that the number is approximate, not a guaranteed schedule.
Compare ways of travelling with a pie, en autobús, en tren, or en coche. Spanish uses a pie for on foot, not por pie. You can ask ¿Es mejor ir andando o tomar el autobús? when distance alone does not reveal the practical choice.
Conditions can change the estimate. En coche son diez minutos, pero a esta hora hay mucho tráfico explains why the quickest method may vary. Treat local estimates as guidance and confirm a timetable when a connection, appointment, or last service matters.
Examples
¿Está lejos la estación? —No, está bastante cerca.
Is the station far away? —No, it's quite close.
The reply gives a useful relative distance.
¿Cuánto se tarda a pie? —Unos quince minutos.
How long does it take to walk? —About fifteen minutes.
The exchange asks for a general walking time.
En autobús se tarda media hora.
It takes half an hour by bus.
The English translation is naturally impersonal too.
Está a cinco kilómetros, pero hoy hay tráfico.
It's five kilometres away, but traffic is heavy today.
Physical distance does not promise a fixed journey time.
Common mistake
- Instead of
- ¿Cuánto tiempo está para llegar al aeropuerto?
- Try
- ¿Cuánto se tarda en llegar al aeropuerto?
Estar describes a state or location; it does not build this general duration question. Se tarda en llegar asks the time normally required to reach the airport. The phrase can then be narrowed with a pie or en taxi.
Practice
Try it yourself
Compare two ways to reach a market. Say it takes twenty-five minutes on foot but ten minutes by bus, ask whether the market is far, and recommend the bus because it is raining.