Planning to travel, but worried about how to speak English at the airport, hotel, or restaurant? You’re not alone. Many learners want to feel confident in basic conversations without studying long grammar books. This guide will help you learn English travel phrases fast — with the most useful expressions, simple memorisation tricks, and real examples.
20 Travel Phrases You Should Know
Why You Need to Learn English Travel Phrases (Not Just Vocabulary)
You don’t need perfect grammar to travel — but you do need clear phrases you can say quickly when you’re:
Asking for help
Ordering food
Checking in at a hotel
Going through airport security
Taking public transport
Shopping or exchanging money
Let’s make that easy.
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✅ Step 1 to Learn English Travel Phrases
These are the most common phrases used in real travel situations. Start with these and you’ll be ready for 80% of situations.
✈️ Airport & Immigration
“Where is the check-in counter?”
“I have a connecting flight.”
“How long is the delay?”
“Here is my passport and ticket.”
“Do I need to fill out any forms?”
Hotel Check-In
“I have a reservation under [your name].”
“What time is breakfast?”
“Can I get a late checkout?”
“Do you have Wi-Fi?”
Transport & Directions
“How much is the fare?”
“Can you take me to this address?”
“Is this the right platform for [destination]?”
“How long does it take to get there?”
️ Restaurants
“Can I see the menu, please?”
“I’d like [dish], please.”
“Do you have vegetarian options?”
“Could I get the bill, please?”
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✅ Step 2: Learn in Small, Daily Chunks (10 Minutes a Day)
Don’t try to learn 100 phrases at once. Learn 5–10 per day, and practise using them out loud.
Tip: Write 5 phrases on a notepad or phone note. Read them when waiting for a bus or during a break.
Example mini-set for a day:
“Where can I find a taxi?”
“What’s the best way to get downtown?”
“Is there a map I can use?”
“Can I pay with card?”
“I’m just looking, thank you.”
✅ Step 3: Repeat With Voice — Not Just Reading
Speaking is the key.
How to do it:
Say each phrase out loud
Then say it faster
Then respond to yourself like a real conversation
Example:
You: “Where is the nearest ATM?”
You (pretending to hear the answer): “Thanks!”
This “solo roleplay” is how real English teachers train students to speak quickly under pressure.
✅ Step 4: Use Phrase Flashcards with Audio
Use tools like:
Anki (free flashcard app)
Quizlet (with audio options)
Google Translate (play the phrase and repeat)
✅ Use them daily — but focus on phrases, not single words.
✅ Step 5: Practise “Real Life” Roleplays
Even alone, practise like this:
Scenario: Ordering Food
You: “Hi, could I get a table for one?”
You: “I’ll have the chicken with rice, please.”
You: “Could I get some water too?”
You: “The bill, please.”
You don’t need a partner. You need speaking rhythm and phrase memory.
40 essential English phrases for travel
Table: Quick Reference — Travel Phrases by Topic
Situation | Phrase Example |
---|---|
Lost or confused | “Excuse me, can you help me?” |
Need directions | “How do I get to the train station?” |
Shopping | “How much is this?” / “Do you have this in a size M?” |
Emergency | “I need help.” / “Can you call a doctor, please?” |
Learn English Travel Phrases: Final Thoughts
You don’t need to speak perfect English to travel. You just need to speak the right English. When you learn English travel phrases, focus on short, polite expressions that solve real problems. And most importantly — speak them out loud every day.
You’ll feel ready much faster than you think.
Learn English Travel Phrases: Key Takeaways
Focus on complete phrases, not just single words
Practise out loud every day — speaking builds memory
Learn 5–10 phrases per day, grouped by topic
Use roleplay to make it feel real
Tools help, but your voice is your best tool
- Learn English travel phrases quickly and practice often and the key is prepare yourself