Both verbs can describe reaching a destination.

The idea

Use get to with a place, arrive at with a specific place, and arrive in with a city or country. Say get home or arrive home.

Patterns to compare
PatternUse
get to + placereach a destination; common in conversation
arrive at + placereach a particular place or point
arrive in + placereach a city, country or other large area
get home / arrive homeuse home without a preposition

Examples

  • Mia got to the station before noon.
  • We arrived at the museum just as it opened.
  • Their train arrived in Berlin after dark.
  • How did you get home in the rain?
  • The guests arrived early for dinner.
  • I got to the beach by bus.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not say arrive to the station: use arrive at the station.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. We will ___ the airport at six. (get to / arrive at)

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    get to / arrive at

    get to / arrive at: The airport is a specific place, so either complete pattern fits.

  2. Choose the correct option. The bus will ___ Paris tonight. (get to / arrive in)

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    get to / arrive in

    get to / arrive in: Paris is a city, so either complete pattern fits.

  3. Choose the correct option. What time did they ___? (get / arrive)

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    arrive

    arrive: There is no destination after the blank; get alone does not mean arrive here.

Use it today

Describe how you reached a place and when you arrived.