How long does it take to get to...?
in Spanish¿Cuánto se tarda en llegar a...?
/KWAN-toh seh TAR-dah ehn yeh-GAR ah...?/
This is the most standard and universally understood way to ask how long a journey will take. It's appropriate in any situation, formal or informal.
Asking for travel time is a key skill for any adventurer. Phrases like '¿Cuánto se tarda en llegar?' will be your best friend on your travels.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Cuánto tiempo se hace para llegar a...?
/KWAN-toh TYEM-poh seh AH-seh PA-rah yeh-GAR ah...?/
A very common regional alternative that uses the verb 'hacer' (to make/do). In Mexico, asking how long something 'makes' in time is a completely natural construction.
¿Cuánto se demora en llegar a...?
/KWAN-toh seh deh-MOH-rah ehn yeh-GAR ah...?/
The verb 'demorar' (to delay, to take time) is the preferred choice in many South American countries. It's the direct equivalent of 'tardar' in this context.
¿En cuánto tiempo se llega a...?
/Ehn KWAN-toh TYEM-poh seh YEH-gah ah...?/
This variation shifts the focus slightly to 'In how much time...?' It's a subtle difference but is a very clear and slightly more concise way of asking the same question.
¿Qué tan lejos está...?
/Keh tahn LEH-hos ehs-TAH...?/
While this literally means 'How far is...?', it's often used to gauge travel time. People frequently answer this question with a time estimate ('about 20 minutes') instead of a distance.
¿Cuánto se echa para llegar a...?
/KWAN-toh seh EH-chah PA-rah yeh-GAR ah...?/
A very colloquial phrase used in Spain. The verb 'echar' (literally 'to throw') is used idiomatically here to mean 'to take' or 'to spend' time.
¿Cuánto tiempo toma llegar a...?
/KWAN-toh TYEM-poh TOH-mah yeh-GAR ah...?/
This version uses the verb 'tomar' (to take). While grammatically it's more of a direct translation from English, its use is becoming more common, especially in areas with a lot of English influence.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison of the most common verbs used to ask about travel time.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Cuánto se tarda...? | Neutral | Universal use; it's the safest and most standard option anywhere. | Never, this is always a good choice. |
| ¿Cuánto se demora...? | Neutral | Sounding natural in most of South America (e.g., Colombia, Peru, Chile). | In Spain or Mexico, where 'tardar' or 'hacer' are more common. |
| ¿Cuánto tiempo se hace...? | Neutral | Fitting in perfectly in Mexico and Central America. | In Spain or South America, where it might sound a bit unusual. |
| ¿Cuánto se echa...? | Informal | Casual, friendly conversations in Spain. | In any formal setting, or anywhere outside of Spain. |
📈Difficulty Level
Most sounds are straightforward for English speakers. The main challenge might be the 'll' in 'llegar' (yeh-GAR) or rolling the 'r' in 'tardar', but it's generally manageable.
The impersonal 'se' construction (se tarda, se demora) can be a new concept. It's not a direct one-to-one translation from the English 'it takes', which can be a small hurdle for beginners.
The phrase itself is direct, but understanding cultural differences in time perception (e.g., estimates being more flexible) is helpful.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use the impersonal 'se'
- Choosing the correct regional verb (tardar vs. demorar vs. hacer)
- Correctly using the preposition 'en' after 'tardar' or 'demorar'.
💡Examples in Action
Disculpe, ¿cuánto se tarda en llegar al Museo del Prado a pie?
Excuse me, how long does it take to get to the Prado Museum on foot?
Oye, ¿cuánto tiempo se hace de aquí a tu casa en coche con este tráfico?
Hey, how long does it take to get from here to your house by car with this traffic?
Señorita, ¿cuánto se demora el bus en llegar a Medellín desde Bogotá?
Miss, how long does the bus take to get to Medellín from Bogotá?
Calculo que en una media hora llegamos. ¿En cuánto tiempo se llega al aeropuerto desde el hotel?
I estimate we'll arrive in about half an hour. How long does it take to get to the airport from the hotel?
🌍Cultural Context
Time vs. Distance
In many Spanish-speaking cities with heavy traffic or complex geography, time is a much more practical measure than distance. It's very common to ask 'how long' it takes, and you'll find people are very skilled at estimating travel time based on the time of day and traffic conditions.
The Art of the Estimate
Don't be surprised if time estimates are a bit more flexible than what you're used to. A 'diez minutitos' (a little ten minutes) could easily mean fifteen or twenty. This isn't meant to be misleading; it's just a more relaxed approach to time in many cultures.
Always Start with Politeness
When asking a stranger for help, it's crucial to start with a polite opening. A simple 'Disculpe' (Excuse me, formal) or 'Perdona' (Excuse me, informal) before your question makes a huge difference and shows respect.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation: 'How long'
Mistake: "Learners often translate 'How long' literally as '¿Cómo largo?'."
Correction: ¿Cuánto tiempo...?
Using 'Tomar' Instead of 'Tardar'
Mistake: "Using '¿Cuánto tiempo toma?' because 'take' in English is 'tomar'."
Correction: ¿Cuánto tiempo se tarda/demora/hace?
Forgetting the Preposition
Mistake: "Saying '¿Cuánto se tarda llegar a...?'"
Correction: ¿Cuánto se tarda EN llegar a...?
💡Pro Tips
Specify Your Mode of Transport
To get a more accurate answer, add how you're traveling at the end of the question. For example: '...a pie' (on foot), '...en coche' (by car), '...en metro' (by subway), or '...en autobús' (by bus).
Clarify About Traffic
If you get an answer, you can ask a follow-up question like, '¿Eso es con el tráfico de ahora?' (Is that with the current traffic?). This shows you're thinking ahead and can help you get a more realistic estimate.
Use the Impersonal 'Se'
Notice how most variations use 'se' (se tarda, se demora, se hace). This is an impersonal construction, like saying 'How long does one take...?'. It's a very common and natural-sounding structure in Spanish for general questions like this.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The use of 'echar' for taking time is very specific to casual Spanish speech. 'Tardar' remains the standard in all contexts. You will almost never hear 'demorar' or 'hacerse tiempo' here.
Mexico
The construction with 'hacer' is dominant and sounds the most natural. It can also be made personal ('cuánto te haces' - how long do you take), which is very common in informal conversation.
South America (Andean & Southern Cone)
'Demorar' is the verb of choice in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Using it will make you sound much more local. 'Tardar' is seen as more of a Spanish or general textbook term.
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask how long it takes.
Unos veinte minutos, más o menos.
About twenty minutes, more or less.
Perfecto, muchas gracias.
Perfect, thank you very much.
When the answer depends on traffic.
Depende del tráfico.
It depends on the traffic.
Y ahora, ¿cómo está el tráfico?
And right now, how is the traffic?
When they give you a distance instead of time.
Está a unos cinco kilómetros.
It's about five kilometers away.
Ah, vale. ¿Y eso en tiempo, cuánto es?
Ah, okay. And in time, how much is that?
🧠Memory Tricks
This connection between the English word 'tardy' and the Spanish verb 'tardar' helps solidify its meaning related to time and duration.
This simple sound association links 'cuánto' directly to the concept of measurement, whether it's for price, amount, or in this case, time.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the sentence structure. English uses a placeholder subject, 'it,' to say 'it takes time.' Spanish uses an impersonal structure with 'se' ('se tarda' - 'one takes time') or a verb that contains the meaning itself. This shift from a subject-verb structure to an impersonal one is a key concept in Spanish.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this literally to '¿Cuánto tiempo tomas?' is a common mistake. 'Tomar' is for taking objects or transport, not for duration.
Use instead: For general duration, use '¿Cuánto se tarda?'. If you're asking a person directly and informally how long *they* take, you might say '¿Cuánto tardas?'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How do I get to...?
This is the most logical preceding question before you ask how long the journey will take.
Is it far from here?
This is a simpler, related question that often serves the same purpose of gauging a journey's length.
What's the best way to get there?
After knowing how long it takes, this is the natural next step in planning your route.
Can you show me on the map?
A very practical follow-up to any direction-related question to confirm your understanding.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: How long does it take to get to...?
Question 1 of 3
You're in Mexico City and want to ask a taxi driver how long it will take to get to your hotel. What's the most natural-sounding option?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'tardar', 'demorar', and 'hacer'?
Functionally, they all achieve the same goal. The main difference is regional preference. 'Tardar' is the universal standard you can use anywhere. 'Demorar' is the preferred term in most of South America. 'Hacer' (in the structure 'se hace tiempo') is the most common and natural-sounding choice in Mexico.
Can I just say '¿Cuánto tiempo para el museo?' to make it shorter?
While people might understand you in context, it's grammatically incomplete. It sounds like 'How much time for the museum?'. It's much better to learn the full phrase like '¿Cuánto se tarda en llegar?' to sound clearer and more fluent.
How do I specify if I'm walking or driving?
You can easily add it to the end of the sentence. Use 'a pie' for 'on foot', 'en coche' for 'by car', 'en autobús' for 'by bus', or 'en metro' for 'by subway'. For example, '¿Cuánto se tarda en llegar a pie?'
Why do Spanish speakers use 'se' in 'se tarda'?
This is called the 'impersonal se'. Instead of saying 'it takes time', Spanish frames it as 'time is taken' without specifying by whom. It's a way to make a general statement about an action. Think of it as a substitute for 'one' as in 'How long does one take to arrive?'
If someone answers with a number, like 'veinte', what does that mean?
In the context of this question, they are almost certainly telling you the number of minutes. So, an answer of 'veinte' or 'veinte minutos' means 'twenty minutes'. If they meant hours, they would specify 'horas'.
Is it okay to use '¿Qué tan lejos está?' if I want to know the time?
Yes, it's very common. This phrase ('How far is it?') is often used interchangeably with asking for time. People understand you're trying to figure out the journey's scale, and they'll often reply with a time estimate because it's more practical than distance, especially in a city.
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