40 Travel English Words and Phrases
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Travelling in an English-speaking country is far easier when you know the right words and phrases. This guide gives you 40 essential ones, grouped by situation, with an example for each, so you can find what you need quickly: at the airport, when you book and plan, when you explore, ask for help, eat out, shop and get around.
It is aimed at A2 to B1 travellers who want to feel confident on their next trip. Learn a few at a time, say them out loud, and they will soon come naturally.
On this page
Words for the airport and flying
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| passport | Don’t forget to bring your passport to the airport. |
| boarding pass | Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. |
| luggage | Please make sure your luggage is not left unattended. |
| departure | Our departure time is 6:00 PM. |
| arrival | Our estimated arrival time is 8:00 PM. |
| customs | You’ll need to declare any items at customs. |
| visa | Do I need a visa to travel to the United States? |
| jet lag | I’m feeling a bit of jet lag after the long flight. |
Words for planning and booking
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| reservation | I have a reservation under the name Smith. |
| itinerary | Our itinerary includes stops in Rome, Paris and London. |
| destination | Our final destination is Sydney. |
| accommodation | I’ve booked accommodation for three nights in the city centre. |
| travel agency | The travel agency arranged all of our accommodation. |
| guidebook | I bought a guidebook to learn more about the city’s history. |
Words for exploring
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| sightseeing | We’re going sightseeing in the old town tomorrow. |
| tourist | As a tourist, I love exploring new places. |
| landmark | The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris. |
| souvenir | I bought a souvenir from each city we visited. |
| backpack | I prefer to travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase. |
| currency | What’s the local currency in Japan? |
Words are easy to read and hard to use under pressure. The best way to make them stick is to use them in real conversation. Book a free trial lesson and practice your travel English with an experienced native teacher, no credit card needed.
Phrases for asking for help and directions
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Could you help me, please? | When you need assistance. |
| I’m lost. Can you help me? | When you need directions. |
| Where is the nearest…? | When you are looking for a place like a bathroom or a station. |
| Is it far from here? | When you want to know the distance. |
| Do you speak English? | When you need to find an English speaker. |
Phrases for getting around
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Can I have a ticket to…, please? | When you are buying a ticket. |
| Where can I catch the bus/train? | When you need to find the bus or train station. |
| I’d like to go to… | When you are telling a taxi driver your destination. |
Phrases for eating out
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Can I have the menu, please? | When you are at a restaurant and want to see the menu. |
| I’m allergic to… | When you need to tell someone about an allergy. |
| Can I have the bill, please? | When you are ready to pay. |
| Can you recommend a good…? | When you are looking for a recommendation. |
Phrases for shopping and money
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| How much does this cost? | When you want to know the price. |
| Do you accept credit cards? | When you want to know if you can pay by card. |
| Can I try this on? | When you are shopping for clothes. |
Phrases for the hotel and practical needs
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| I would like to book… | When you want to make a reservation. |
| What time does it open/close? | When you want to know the opening hours. |
| What’s the Wi-Fi password? | When you need to connect to the internet. |
| Is there a pharmacy nearby? | When you need to find a pharmacy. |
| Could you take a picture of us, please? | When you want someone to take a photo of your group. |
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful English words for travel?
A good core set includes passport, boarding pass, luggage, reservation, accommodation, departure, arrival, customs, currency and destination. With these you can handle the airport, booking and the basics of any trip.
How do you ask for directions in English?
Useful phrases are “Where is the nearest…?”, “I’m lost, can you help me?”, and “Is it far from here?” You can start politely with “Excuse me, could you help me, please?”
How do you order food in English when travelling?
Start with “Can I have the menu, please?” If you have an allergy, say “I’m allergic to…” To pay, say “Can I have the bill, please?” To get a suggestion, ask “Can you recommend a good…?”
What do you say at airport check-in?
You can say “I have a reservation under the name…” and hand over your passport and boarding pass when asked. Useful words here are departure, arrival, luggage and customs.
How do you ask the price of something in English?
Ask “How much does this cost?” or simply “How much is this?” To check payment, ask “Do you accept credit cards?” When shopping for clothes, you can also ask “Can I try this on?”
Key takeaways
- Learn travel vocabulary by situation: airport, planning, exploring, help, food, shopping, hotel.
- A core 10 words (passport, boarding pass, luggage, reservation, accommodation and more) cover most trips.
- Polite phrases like “Could you help me, please?” open almost any conversation.
- For directions, use “Where is the nearest…?” and “Is it far from here?”
- Practice the phrases out loud so they come naturally when you need them.
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Written and reviewed by the experienced native English teachers at Live English, online since 2007.