Worked example 1
How long does the 07:45 from Market St take to reach the Park?
- It arrives at the Park at 08:20.
- 07:45 → 08:00 is 15 minutes; 08:00 → 08:20 is 20 minutes.
Answer: 35 minutes
Everyday Adult Skills · Foundation
How to read a bus or train timetable
Timetables list stops down the side and departure times across. Reading one lets you plan journeys and connections.
- 1Learn it
- 2See it worked
- 3Try it online
- 4Print it
- 5Check your answer
Before you start
Who it's for and what to know first
Telling the time and the 24-hour clock.
Learn it
How it works
- Each column is one bus or train; each row is a stop. Read down a column to follow one journey.
- Times are in 24-hour clock: 14:35 is 2:35 pm.
- A dash (—) or blank means that service does not stop there.
- Journey time: count on from the departure to the arrival, first to the next hour, then minutes.
- Practice timetable — Column A: Market St 07:45, Station 07:58, Hospital 08:12, Park 08:20. Column B: Market St 08:15, Station 08:28, Hospital —, Park 08:44.
Try it online · print it · check it
Practice questions
Tips
Common mistakes
- Reading across a row instead of down a column.
- Treating times like decimals (08:50 to 09:10 is 20 minutes, not 60).
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026