Spanish for Travel – Learn Essential Spanish Vocabulary and Short Phrases for Your Next Trip
This post includes:
- Spanish travel phrases cheat sheet as PDF download
- Audio to correct your pronunciation
- Exercises to practice, 3 infographics, 2 podcast episodes, and an explanation video
- A recommendation for the best travel apps to make the most of your trip to Spain
Table of Contents
- Means of transportation
2.1 At the airport
2.2 Baggage related phrases
2.3 Buying tickets
2.4 At the train or the bus station - At the car rental
3.1 Types of cars
3.2 Prices
3.3 Car information
3.4 Returning the car and emergency situations
3.5 Useful verbs - At the restaurant
- At the hotel
- Basic Spanish directions
6.1 Asking for directions
6.2 Receiving directions - Essential phrases in Spanish for emergencies
- The most commonly used verbs
- Best apps for traveling in Spain
- Conclusion
Introduction
Looking to spice up your Spanish skills? From must-know verbs for your travels to nifty phrases that’ll make locals swoon, we’ve got you covered.
With our helpful Spanish phrases and words, you’ll be like a linguistic chameleon, seamlessly blending in wherever you go. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant streets of Mexico, basking in the Spanish sun, or even just soaking up the lively atmosphere of Miami, these phrases will be your secret weapon.
Here’s the secret sauce: ¡practice makes perfecto! Use these words and phrases until they flow effortlessly from your tongue until ordering tapas feels as natural as breathing.
Let’s dive into our blog and unlock the language of adventure! ¡Vamos!
Essential Spanish Conversational Phrases
A big part of traveling abroad is meeting new people. It doesn’t matter where you meet them, it only matters what you say to them. To have a broader picture check out our blog post about Greetings, Common Phrases and Most Common Questions in Spanish. The blog post was prepared for you by our experienced Spanish teachers.
Hola, ¿qué tal? – Hello, how are you?
Estoy bien, gracias. – I’m fine, thank you.
No estoy muy bien. / No estoy bien. – I’m not too well. / I’m not well.
Buenos días. Buenas tardes. Buenas noches. – Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening./Good night.
Adiós. Buenas noches. – Goodbye. Good night.
¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
¿Puedes ayudarme? – Can you help me?
¿Puedes hablar más despacio? No entiendo. – Can you speak slower? I don’t understand.
Hasta mañana. / Hasta luego. / Hasta pronto. – See you tomorrow. / See you later. / See you soon.
Disculpa/Perdona. Por favor. Gracias. De nada. – Excuse me. Please. Thank you. You’re welcome.
Sí, por favor. No, gracias. – Yes, please. No, thanks.
¿Cómo te llamas? Me llamo _____ – What’s your name? My name is _____
¿Dónde vives? Vivo en ____. – Where do you live? I live in ______.
Encantado de conocerte. ¿De dónde eres? – Nice to meet you. Where are you from?
Soy de _______. – I’m from _________.
¿Cuál es tu profesión? Soy ______. – What’s your job? I’m a(n) _______.
¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? Mi número de teléfono es _____ Llámame. Este es mi número de teléfono. – What’s your phone number? My phone number is… Call me. This is my phone number.
¿Cuál es tu dirección de correo electrónico? Mi dirección de correo electrónico es_____. Envíame un correo electrónico. Esta es mi dirección de correo electrónico. – What’s your email address? My email address is… Email me. Here’s my email address.
The first step of traveling is planning. It can be fun but also quite stressful. It’s up to you to decide. In our podcast we talk about planning vacations in Spanish. You can listen to it on different platforms!
Planning Vacations in Spanish: Listen to Our Podcast!
Means of Transportation
First, we need to get started with the transport vocabulary. Have a look at the infographic you’ll find bellow.
At the Airport
If you are taking your first flight to Spain, you should be prepared for all the different dialects and accents you will hear and see on your trip. To smooth your experience, we provide you with a list of common words and phrases used at the airport in Spanish.
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
el avión |
airplane |
|
la terminal |
terminal |
|
el equipaje (de mano) |
(hand) luggage |
|
la tarjeta de embarque |
boarding pass |
|
las salidas |
departures |
|
las llegadas |
arrivals |
|
el horario |
timetable |
|
el vuelo |
flight |
|
cancelado |
cancelled |
|
con retraso/retrasado |
delayed |
|
el control de seguridad |
security check |
|
el visado |
visa |
|
la puerta de embarque |
boarding gate |
|
la conexión |
connection |
|
facturar |
to check in |
|
embarcar/subir a bordo |
to board |
|
despegar |
to take off |
|
aterrizar |
to land |
|
la compañía aérea |
airline |
|
el mostrador de facturación |
check-in counter |
|
la recogida de equipaje |
baggage claim |
|
el servicio al cliente |
customer services |
¿Dónde está el mostrador de facturación? – Where is the check-in counter?
¿Dónde está el control de seguridad? – Where is the security checkpoint?
¿Dónde está el autobús de enlace que lleva al hotel? – Where is the hotel shuttle bus?
¿Dónde está la aduana? – Where are the customs?
¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? – Where is the bus stop?
¿Dónde está la terminal? – Where is the terminal?
¿Dónde está el baño/servicio/aseo? – Where is the toilet?
¿A qué hora sale el avión? – What time does the plane leave?
¿A qué hora llega el vuelo? – What time does the flight arrive?
¿Cuál es el número de vuelo? – What is the flight number?
¿Cuál es el teléfono de la compañía aérea? – What is the airline’s phone number?
Baggage Related Phrases
No, solo llevo equipaje de mano. – No, I only have hand-luggage.
Sí, por favor. Tengo dos maletas para facturar. – Yes, please. I have two bags to check-in.
¿Lleva líquidos en su bolso? – Do you have any liquids in your bag?
¿Dónde puedo recoger mis maletas? – Where can I pick up my baggage?
Mis maletas se han perdido. – My suitcases are lost.
Buying Tickets
Here you have some essential phrases and vocabulary to buy tickets in Spanish. We know how stressful is to purchase tickets for buses, trains, airplanes or any event that you want to attend. But don’t panic! We are here to make your life easier.
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
el billete |
ticket |
|
el billete de ida |
one-way ticket |
|
el billete de ida y vuelta |
round-trip ticket |
|
primera clase |
first class |
|
clase turista |
economy class |
|
descuentos para niños / estudiantes / pensionistas |
discount for children / students / pensioners |
¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
(Quería) un billete a Barcelona. – I want a ticket to Barcelona.
Un billete de ida a Santiago, por favor. – One way ticket to Santiago, please.
¿Cuánto cuesta el billete? – How much does the ticket cost?
¿Cuándo sale el avión/autobús/tren? – When does the plane/bus/train leave?
¿Cuándo llega el avión/autobús/tren? – When does the plane/bus/train arrive?
At the Train or the Bus Station
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
la parada |
bus (or train) stop |
|
el andén |
platform |
|
la zona de espera |
waiting area |
|
el vagón |
(train) coach, carriage, car |
|
el pasajero |
passenger |
|
el horario |
timetable |
|
lleno |
crowded/full |
|
vacío |
empty |
¿Cuánto cuesta el billete? – How much does the ticket cost?
Un billete de ida a Valencia, por favor. – One way ticket to Valencia, please.
¿A qué hora sale el tren para ___? – What time does the train to … leave?
¿Dónde está la parada del autobús número 11? – Where is the stop for bus number 11?
¿Cuándo llega el tren de ____? – When does the train from … arrive?
¿Cuál es la próxima parada? – What is the next stop?
¿Cuántas paradas más hay hasta ____? – How many more stops until…?
¿Cuánto dura el viaje? – How long is the journey?
While traveling in Spanish-speaking countries it’s necessary to know the numbers and dates. Even if you know how to ask “How much does it cost?” – it doesn’t mean that you will understand the answer (yes, I’ve been there).
For this reason, we have created a complete post for Numbers in Spanish. If you have difficulties with long numbers or find yourself frustrated with 5, 15, 50, and 500, then you should definitely check it out.
At the Car Rental
- Client: Buenos días. Quiero alquilar un coche. - Good afternoon. I would like to rent a car.
- Renter: Hola. ¿Tiene una reserva? - Do you have a reservation?
- Client: Sí/no tengo una reserva. - Yes, I have/No, I don’t have a reservation
- Renter: ¿Para cuántos días / cuántas semanas? - For how many days/weeks?
- Client: Para ____ días/semanas. - For____days/weeks.
Did you know that the word ‘car’ in Spanish can be said in many different ways depending on the country you’re in? Here you have a few examples.
| Word | Country |
|---|---|
|
coche |
Spain and Mexico |
|
automóvil |
general Spanish (more formal) |
|
auto |
Argentina, Uruguay and Chile |
|
carro |
Venezuela, Colombia, Perú, etc. |
Types of Cars:
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
todo terreno |
crossover |
|
descapotable |
convertible |
|
compacto |
compact |
|
caravana |
caravan |
|
ecológico |
eco-friendly |
|
ejecutivo |
executive |
|
furgoneta |
van |
|
de lujo |
luxury |
|
monovolumen |
minivan |
|
deportivo |
sports car |
|
manual |
manual transmission |
|
automático |
automatic transmission |
Prices:
¿Cuánto cuesta al día/a la semana? – How much does it cost per day/week?
¿Cuánto cuesta el seguro? ¿Está incluido? – How much is the insurance? Is it included?
Car Information:
¿El coche tiene aire acondicionado? – Does the car have air conditioning?
¿Dónde está la rueda de repuesto? – Where is the spare tire?
¿Qué tipo de gasolina utiliza? – What kind of fuel does it take?
¿Cuántos litros por kilómetro consume este coche? – How many miles/kilometers does this car get to the gallon/liter.
¿El precio incluye el seguro y el kilometraje? – Does that price include insurance and mileage?
Returning the Car and Emergency Situations:
¿Dónde y cuándo tengo que devolver el coche? – Where and when do I have to return the car.
¿Tengo que devolver el coche con el depósito lleno? – Do I have to return the car with a full gas tank?
¿A qué número tengo que llamar en caso de accidente o avería? – Is there anyone I can call in case of accident or breakdown
Useful Verbs:
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
alquilar un coche |
to rent a car |
|
recoger el coche |
to pick up the car |
|
entregar/devolver el coche |
to return the car |
|
rellenar el formulario |
to fill out the form |
|
firmar |
to sign |
|
asegurar el coche |
to get the car insured |
At the restaurant
Do you know how to order in a restaurant in Spanish? What would you say if the waiter only spoke Spanish? Or if he did not understand your language or was rude? Usually the waiters (camareros) don’t speak English or they don’t speak the language very well. So, we advise you to take a closer look at the Basic Spanish Vocabulary for Restaurants. There you will find basic and important vocabulary.
At the hotel
If you want to book your accommodation the old fashioned way, with a phone conversation, you can use these phrases. Keep in mind that you can write down all your requests in the reservation form on the hotel’s website.
Here you will find useful phrases for booking a room in Spanish.
| Hola, quería reservar una habitación… 🇪🇸 | Hello, I’d like to reserve a room… 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
… para la próxima semana |
… for next week |
|
… para dos personas |
… for 2 people |
|
… para cuatro noches |
… for 4 nights |
|
… de lunes a jueves |
… from Monday to Thursday |
|
… del 4 de enero al 8 de enero |
… from January 4th to January 8th |
|
¿Cuánto cuesta por noche? |
How much does it cost per night? |
|
¿Está incluido el desayuno en el precio? |
Is breakfast included in the price? |
|
Vamos a llegar a las tres de la tarde. |
We’ll arrive at 3 pm. |
The phrases you might use while checking-in:
Hola, tengo una habitación reservada. – Hi, I have a reserved room.
Me gustaría hacer el check-in. – I’d like to do the check-in.
¿Está lista la habitación? – Is the room ready?
¿Dónde puedo dejar mis maletas? – Where can I leave my luggage?
¿Dónde puedo aparcar el coche? – Where can I park my car?
¿En qué planta/piso está la habitación? – On which floor is the room?
¿A qué hora es el desayuno? – What time is breakfast?
¿Cuál es el horario de la piscina? – What are the swimming pool hours?
Quiero pagar la habitación. – I’d like to do the payment for the room.
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? – Can I pay by card?
¿Puedo pagar en efectivo? – Can I pay in cash?
¿Puede llamar un taxi, por favor? – Can you please call me a taxi?
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
la habitación |
room |
|
la reserva |
reservation |
|
con cama individual |
with single bed |
|
con cama de matrimonio |
with double bed |
|
con balcón |
with a balcony |
|
con vista al mar |
with sea view |
|
con piscina |
with a swimming pool |
|
con aire acondicionado |
with air conditioning |
|
con baño privado / compartido |
with a private/shared bathroom |
|
media pensión |
half-board |
|
pensión completa |
full-board |
|
todo incluido |
all included |
|
la hora de llegada |
time of arrival |
|
la llave de la habitación |
room key |
|
el número de habitación |
room number |
|
la factura |
invoice |
|
el reembolso |
refund |
|
el servicio de despertador |
wake-up call |
|
no molestar |
do not disturb |
|
el mostrador de facturación |
check-in counter |
|
recogida de equipaje |
baggage claim |
|
servicio de atención al cliente |
customer services |
For booking a hotel room, describing a place or an object in Spanish, we created a podcast episode that you can listen to and enhance your vocabulary and grammar skills.
On Vacation in Spain: Listen to Our Podcast!
Basic Spanish Directions
This section will help you navigate through the streets of Mexico City, Barcelona or a little village of Peru.
Asking for directions:
Disculpa/Perdona, ¿la plaza Mayor?
Busco la estación de metro más cercana. – I’m looking for the closest metro station.
Estoy buscando un cajero automático. – I’m looking for an ATM.
¿Dónde está el Museo de Arte Moderno? – Where is the Museum of Modern Art?
¿Hay un hospital cerca de aquí/por aquí cerca? – Is there a hospital around here?
Receiving directions:
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
recto |
straight |
|
sigue recto |
go straight on |
|
derecha |
right |
|
izquierda |
left |
|
enfrente |
opposite |
|
delante |
in front of |
|
detrás |
behind |
|
en la esquina |
at the corner |
|
cerca |
close |
|
al lado de |
next to |
|
en |
at |
|
desde |
from |
|
hasta |
until |
|
camina |
walk |
|
sigue |
continue |
|
gira a la derecha / izquierda |
turn right/left |
|
sube |
go up |
|
baja |
go down |
|
sal |
go out |
|
entra |
enter |
|
pasa |
pass by |
|
cruza |
cross |
Remember! If you don’t understand something, ask the person to repeat: ¿Cómo? (How?). Usually Spanish people speak fast so you might need to slow them down a bit – just say: ¡Despacio, por favor! Slowly, please!
Essential Phrases in Spanish for Emergencies
Hopefully, you won’t need this part of our blog post, but it’s important that you know some basic phrases in case you need help!
¿Puedes ayudarme? – Can you help me?
Necesito ayuda. – I need help.
Estoy perdido. – I’m lost.
¡Llama a la policía! – Call the police!
¡Llama a una ambulancia! – Call an ambulance!
¡Ten cuidado! – Be careful!
Ha habido un accidente. – There’s been an accident.
¡Por favor, rápido! – Please hurry!
¿Estás bien? – Are you OK?
Me han robado. – I’ve been robbed.
Me han atacado. – I’ve been attacked.
The Most Commonly Used Verbs
In this part you can refresh or learn new Spanish verbs for traveling.
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
|
reservar |
to make a reservation |
|
llegar |
to arrive |
|
salir |
to depart |
|
registrarse / dejar la habitación |
to do a check-in/out |
|
pagar |
to pay |
|
no molestar |
do not disturb |
|
coger |
to catch |
|
validar / picar |
to validate |
|
comprar |
to buy |
|
embarcar / subir a bordo |
to board |
|
despegar |
to take off |
|
aterrizar |
to land |
Best Apps for Traveling in Spain
1. Maps.me – a perfect alternative to any online maps. Before going to your destination, download an offline map and you will never get lost. You can also search for restaurants, supermarkets, and cultural landmarks without being connected to the internet.
2. Cabify – it’s like Uber but a Spanish version.
3. Triposo – a different kind of a TripAdvisor. It’s more user friendly and it has a lot of information about any destination. Create bucket lists and add favorite places. You can also find mini-guides gathered by the community.
4. Spanish Dict – although Google Translate is an excellent tool, we suggest this app for traveling through Spanish-speaking countries.
5. El Tenedor (The Fork) – the app has information about over 30,000 restaurants in Spain. You can discover what is around your location, choose the preferred cuisine and book a table. You can see the full menu in an app, which is handy. The app also offers discounts and some great deals.
6. Idealista – website and app for finding accommodation for longer periods. It offers apartments and houses to rent or buy.
7. Wallapop – similar to eBay, but in Spain. You can sell or buy stuff through the website or the app.
Conclusion
We hope this blog post answered many of your questions. Now, you’re ready for your adventure in Spain or South America. If you’re interested in more educational blog posts, visit our Learner’s Blog or check the FREE options to learn Spanish.
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