30 Useful English Phrases for Travelling

Are you planning a trip? Maybe a holiday by the sea, a city break or a visit to friends in another country? English is spoken in airports, hotels and cafés all over the world, so a few useful English phrases for travelling can make your journey easier, safer and a lot more fun.

In this post you will learn 30 short, friendly phrases for real travel situations. You don’t need perfect grammar. You just need the right words at the right moment, and a smile!

Why learn useful English phrases for travelling?

When you travel, you meet many strangers: a taxi driver, a hotel receptionist, a waiter, a kind person on the street. A short phrase in English helps you break the ice (start a friendly conversation) and get what you need quickly.

Travellers have always depended on the kindness of strangers. In 1325, a young man called Ibn Battuta left his home in Tangier, Morocco, at the age of 21. He planned a pilgrimage, but he kept going for about 29 years and travelled roughly 120,000 kilometres! Again and again, people in faraway places welcomed him. You can hear his amazing story in our free video lesson Ibn Battuta: He Left Home for a Pilgrimage… and Travelled for 29 Years.

You probably won’t travel for 29 years. But with these phrases, every stranger you meet can become a helper.

At the airport (phrases 1–6)

Airports can be busy and a little stressful. These phrases help you stay calm.

1. “Where is the check-in desk for this flight?”
2. “Can I take this bag on the plane?” (hand luggage is the small bag you carry on the plane.)
3. “Could I have a window seat, please?”
4. “Which gate does my flight leave from?” (The gate is the door where you get on the plane.)
5. “Is the flight on time?” (Delayed means late.)
6. “Where can I collect my luggage?”

“Excuse me, is the flight to Rome delayed?” “Yes, about twenty minutes. Don’t worry!”

At the hotel (phrases 7–11)

7. “Hello, I have a reservation. My name is…” (A reservation or booking is a room you have already asked for.)
8. “What time is breakfast?”
9. “What’s the Wi-Fi password, please?”
10. “Could I have an extra towel, please?”
11. “What time do I need to check out?” (To check out is to leave the hotel and give back your key.)

Tip: In English, “Could I…?” sounds softer and more polite than “I want…”. Hotel staff will love it!

Asking for directions (phrases 12–16)

Getting lost is part of every adventure. Here’s how to find your way again.

12. “Excuse me, how do I get to the station?”
13. “Is it far from here?”
14. “Can I walk there, or should I take a bus?”
15. “Could you show me on the map, please?”
16. “Sorry, could you say that again more slowly?”

Phrase 16 is very important! There is no shame in asking someone to repeat. Most people are happy to help a visitor.

“Go straight on, then turn left at the bridge. It’s about five minutes on foot.”

Listen for these direction words: straight on, turn left / right, on the corner, next to, opposite (on the other side of the street).

Eating out (phrases 17–22)

Food is one of the best parts of travelling. Enjoy every bite with these phrases.

17. “A table for two, please.”
18. “Could I see the menu, please?”
19. “What do you recommend?” (To recommend is to say what is good.)
20. “I’m allergic to nuts.” (Change “nuts” to the food you can’t eat.)
21. “Could I have the bill, please?” (In American English, people say the check.)
22. “That was delicious, thank you!”

“What do you recommend?” “The fish soup is very popular here. It’s my favourite!”

Shopping (phrases 23–26)

23. “How much is this?”
24. “Do you have this in a bigger size?”
25. “Can I pay by card?”
26. “I’m just looking, thanks.” (Perfect when you don’t want help yet.)

Getting help (phrases 27–30)

Most trips go smoothly, but it’s good to be ready.

27. “Can you help me, please?”
28. “I’ve lost my phone / passport.”
29. “Where is the nearest pharmacy?” (A pharmacy is a shop that sells medicine.)
30. “Please call a doctor.”

How to practise before your trip

Learning phrases is great. Using them is even better! Here are three easy ways to get ready:

• Say them out loud. Read each phrase three times, slowly and then faster. Your mouth needs practice too.
• Act out little scenes. Pretend you are at a hotel desk or a café. Play both people! Our post on how to build confidence speaking English has more gentle ideas for shy speakers.
• Choose your top ten. You don’t need all 30 on day one. Pick the ten phrases you will use most and write them on a small card for your pocket.

And remember the three magic words of every journey: please, thank you and sorry. They open doors in every country.

Start your English journey today

Travelling is one of the best reasons to learn English, and every phrase you learn is a small key to a new place. At Bright Lives English you can learn real, useful English through true stories of brave travellers, explorers and dreamers, with short videos, clear speaking and full transcripts from A1 to B2.

Pack your curiosity and start with our free video lessons today. Where will your next trip take you? Have a great trip!