Portuguese Phrase
Tens passagem de volta?
Meaning
This question asks whether the listener already has a return ticket for a journey. It is a practical phrase used when planning travel or confirming arrangements.
When to use
Use it at airports, train stations, bus terminals, or when coordinating travel with a friend. It works for any mode of transport—plane, train, bus, or even a ferry.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenspassagemdevolta?
Tens (2nd person singular)
‘Tens’ is the present indicative of the verb ‘ter’ used with the informal ‘tu’ (you) in European Portuguese.
Passagem (noun)
‘Passagem’ means ‘ticket’; it can refer to a bus, train, or plane ticket depending on context.
de volta (prepositional phrase)
‘de volta’ literally means ‘back’ and together with ‘passagem’ forms the expression for a ‘return ticket’.
Question mark placement
In Portuguese the question mark is placed only at the end of the sentence, unlike Spanish which uses opening and closing marks.
🗨In Conversation
Tens passagem de volta?
Do you have a return ticket?
Ainda não, preciso comprar uma.
Not yet, I still need to buy one.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem passagem de volta?
Mixing ‘tem’ (third‑person) with the informal ‘tu’ sounds odd in Portugal; use ‘tens’ instead.
Tens bilhete de volta?
In Brazil people often say ‘bilhete de volta’ or ‘passagem de ida e volta’; using the wrong noun can sound less natural.
Tens passagem?
Leaving out ‘de volta’ changes the meaning to just ‘ticket’, not specifically a return ticket.
↔Alternatives
Você tem passagem de volta?
Do you have a return ticket?
Tem passagem de volta?
Got a return ticket?
Você possui bilhete de ida e volta?
Do you have a round‑trip ticket?
Cultural Tip
In Portugal the informal ‘tu’ is common, so ‘Tens…’ sounds natural among friends. In Brazil people usually say ‘Você tem…’ or simply ‘Tem…’ in casual speech. Also, ‘passagem’ can be replaced by ‘bilhete’ when talking about trains or buses, but ‘passagem’ is the default word for airline tickets.