Formal — to staff
Train · Station · Assistance
You
すみません、この券売機の使い方が分からなくて。〇〇駅までの切符を買いたいです。
すみません、このけんばいきのつかいかたがわからなくて。まるまるえきまでのきっぷをかいたいです。
Excuse me, I don't understand how to use this ticket machine. I want to buy a ticket to [station name] station.
Romaji: Sumimasen, kono kenbaiki no tsukaikata ga wakaranakute. Marumaru-eki made no kippu o kaitai desu. / Reply Romaji: Dochira no eki made ikaremasu ka? Otetsudai shimasu yo.
Reply
どちらの駅まで行かれますか？お手伝いしますよ。
どちらのえきまでいかれますか？おてつだいしますよ。
Which station are you going to? I'll help you.
Gesture & etiquette
Point to the ticket machine and then possibly show the station name on a map or phone.
Don't touch the machine without asking or when someone is actively using it. Be polite and wait for assistance. Replace '〇〇' with the actual station name.