basic travel phrases in spanish

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67 Essential Spanish Travel Phrases Every Traveller Needs To Know

Spain. Mexico. Argentina. Peru. Colombia.

If you're learning Spanish , the mere the mention of these countries can leave you daydreaming about your next trip abroad.

And although there are many incredible things to do and see in Spanish-speaking countries, what really makes these places special are the local people.

So before you pack your bags and jump on a plane, why not learn a little Spanish to help you make the most of your trip?

In this post, you’ll learn 67 Spanish phrases for travel that can help you survive in the language during your trip abroad.

It's the best way to learn Spanish for travel and vacations. And who knows, they might even help you make a few new friends too!

To make it easier for you, I’ve divided the Spanish travel phrases up into different categories:

Table of Contents

Take the time to learn a few of these most common Spanish phrases for travel and you’ll be able to mix with the locals, get by in various situations and have a much more enjoyable and authentic experience during your trip.

By the way, if you want to learn Spanish in time for your trip, my top recommendation for language learners is my Uncovered courses, which teach you through StoryLearning®.  Click here  to find out more and try out the method for free.

Keep scrolling to discover all 67 Spanish travel words and expressions.

First Things First: Greetings To Use On Arrival

Knowing how to greet people is the most basic thing you can learn in a foreign language. And yet its importance shouldn't be underestimated.

Even if you aren’t fluent enough to hold a long conversation, a simple ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?  (Hello, how are you?) can make all the difference.

You'll be able to use these essential Spanish phrases for travel as soon as you arrive at your destination, whether it's at the airport, the train or bus station, or the hotel.

People appreciate it if you make an effort to speak their language when you visit their country, even if it’s only a few words.

Spanish-speaking countries are especially polite and greeting people correctly will go a long way towards endearing you to the locals, be they friends, people you meet in shops or on the street.

• ( BWAY-nos DEE-as)
• (BWAY-nas TAR-des)
• (BWAY-nas NOH-chays)
• (KOH-moh eh-STAH)
• (KOH-moh eh-STAHS)
• (bee-EN  GRA-thee-as [Spain] / GRA-see-as [Latin America])
• (KOH-moh te YA-mas?)
• (May YA-moh… )
• (MOO-choh GOO-stoh)

And of course, let’s not forget common courtesy!

• (por fa-BOR)
• (GRA-thee-as [Spain] / GRA-see-as [Latin America])

If you get stuck in your Spanish conversation, you can always fall back on these next two Spanish travel phrases to get you out of trouble.

• (yo no en-tee-EN-doh)
• (Ab-la in-GLAYS)

Get What You Want On Your Trip With The Verb Querer

Once you’ve finished greeting someone, you’ll need to be able to move on to the crux of your conversation and to do that you’ll need to learn a couple of common verbs.

There are hundreds of Spanish verbs to learn and, to make your life more difficult, these verbs conjugate (change form).

This means learning a verb is never as simple as learning one word; you have to learn multiple different forms.

Having said that, you might be surprised by how far you can get only knowing one simple verb: I want .

It may not make you the most sophisticated Spanish speaker but 9 times out of 10 it will get you what you, well, want .

The verb in question is querer (to want) and in the first person form, it becomes quiero (I want).

Let’s take a look at how you can use it:

• (yo kee-EH-ro oon me-NOO)
• (YO kee-EH-ro oon taxi)
• (yo kee-EH-ro OO-na ser-BAY-za)

If you’d like to be a bit more polite (which is usually a good idea), you can also use:

• (kee-see-EH-ra…)

Asking For & Understanding Directions On Your Trip

Whether you’re looking for the toilet in a restaurant or trying to find a hotel to stay at, you’ll inevitably need to ask for directions at some point during your trip.

The simplest way to ask where something is, is to use ¿Dónde está? followed by the noun you are looking for:

• (DON-day es-TAH el BAH-nyo?)
• (DON-day es-TAH el BAN-koh?)
• (DON-day es-TAH la KA-yay de al-cal-AH?)

When travelling in a foreign country, if you're asking someone on the street for directions, don’t forget your manners! To get someone’s attention, start by saying:

• (Dis-KUL-pay)
• (Con per-MEE-soh / Per-DOH-nah-may)
• (eh- stoy per-DEE-doh)

Asking for directions is one thing but it’s pretty pointless if you don’t know how to understand the directions that are given to you!

Memorise these phrases to help you understand what the friendly locals are trying to tell you when you ask for their help:

• (A la de-RE-cha)
• (A la iz-kee-ER-da)
• (De-RE-cho)
• (En la es-KEE-nah)
• (a OO-na KWAD-rah)

Getting Around Spanish-Speaking Countries

If you’re not keen on walking everywhere, you'll need to be able to find out about local transport options to find your way around wherever you are.

Whether you're travelling to Mexico , Spain or anywhere else in the Hispanic world, here are a few basic Spanish travel phrases you can use to locate a bus, train or taxi and get to wherever you need to go:

• (DON-day PWAY-doh en-kon-TRAR oon taxi?)
• (DON-day eh-STAH la pa-RAH-dah de ow-to-BOOS mas ser-KA-nah?)
• (DON-day eh-STAH la es-tah-see-ON de ferro-carr-EEL mas ser-KA-nah?)
• (KWAN-to KWES-ta oon bee-YET-ay PA-ra …)
• (oon bee-YET-ay PA-ra … por fa-BOR)

At A Restaurant On Your Travels

Each Spanish-speaking country has its own unique flavours and cuisine for you to try when you travel!

Food is definitely one of the big attractions to cities like San Sebastian in Spain and Buenos Aires in Argentina , so you'll need to make sure you have a basic grasp of food vocabulary ahead of your journey!

To start with, you need to be prepared to hear and understand certain questions in restaurants, such as:

• (kee-EH-res AL-go PA-ra koh-MER?)
• (kee-EH-res AL-go PA-ra beh-BER?)
• (KAY kee-EH-res koh-MER?)

When you read the menu, you'll see the available food grouped into different categories, just like in an English menu:

• (oo-na en-TRA-da)
• (oon PLA-toh prin-si-PAL)
• (oon POS-tray)
• (OO-na beh-BEE-da)

When you're ready to order, use either  quiero (I want) or  quisiera (I would like) with the items on the menu to tell the waiter what you'd like. For example,  quiero…

• (OO-na SOH-pah)
• (OO-na en-sa-LA-da)
• (el POY-oh)
• (la CAR-nay)
• (oon AG-wa)
• (oon BEE-noh TIN-toh / BLAN-koh)
• (OO-na ser-BAY-sa)
• (oon ka-FAY)

So, for example, to order that ice-cold beer you're looking forward to at the end of a long day, you'd say  quiero una cerveza.

If you're not sure what to try, you can always ask your waiter for a recommendation:

• (kay may re-kom-ee-EN-dah?)

In most restaurants in Spanish-speaking countries, the staff will be more than happy to suggest a particularly tasty local dish for you to try.

If you're a vegetarian or you have dietary complications, these next two Spanish travel phrases are essential:

• (soy be-he-tah-ree-AH-noh/nah)
• (TEN-go al-ER-hee-ah a las noo-EH-ses)

Finally, let's learn a couple of quick phrases you can use to ask about prices and pay the bill.

• (KWAN-to KWES-ta? )
• (la KWEN-ta por fa-BOR)

Key Spanish Question Words For Your Trip

Over the course of your journey, you'll almost certainly find yourself asking lots and lots of questions.

You might not have a huge Spanish vocabulary to draw on, but if you know the basic question words, you'll be able to get by in almost any common situation you might find yourself in.

Here are some key Spanish question words you need to know:

• (KWAN-doh?)
• (A kay AW-ra?)
• (KWAN-toh?)
• (KWAN-tohs)
• (kah-dah KWAN-toh?)
• (por KWAN-toh tee-EM-poh)

Once you’ve got these question words in your memory bank you’ll start noticing the patterns in Spanish grammar which will help you to move away from the basic Spanish phrases every tourist is using.

As you learn new words on your trip, you'll be able to combine them with these question words to start forming your own sentences and questions!

FAQs About Spanish Travel Phrases

What are 10 vacation phrases in Spanish?

The 10 key vacation phrases in Spanish are: 1. ¡Hola! (Hello) 2. Por favor (Please) 3. Gracias (Thank you) 4. Disculpe (Excuse me) 5. ¿Habla inglés? (Do you speak English?) 6. Quiero un menú (I want a menu) 7. ¿Dónde está el cajero automático? (Where is the ATM?) 8. ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much is it?) 9. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un taxi? (Where can I get a taxi?) 10. Un billete para Barcelona, por favor. (A ticket to Barcelona, please.)

What is a popular Spanish phrase?

If you’re visiting a Spanish-speaking country, the most popular phrase you’ll use will be the basic greeting Hola , which means “Hello.”

Other possible examples are greetings like Buenos días (Good morning), Buenas tardes , (Good afternoon) and Buenas noches , (Good evening) as well as everyday expressions like Gracias (Thank you) Por favor (Please) and Perdón (Sorry).

What is the vocabulary for travelling in Spanish?

The vocabulary for travelling in Spanish is made up of different kinds of basic words and phrases.

First, familiarise yourself with the belongings and key objects you’re bringing to the aeropuerto (airport) or estación (station):

Equipaje (Luggage) Maleta (Suitcase) Mochila (Backpack) Pasaporte (Passport) Boleto (Ticket)

Then, name some of the attractions you could visit in the next city you visit:

Monumento (Monument) Museo (Museum) Plaza (Square) Parque (Park) Edificio histórico (Historic building) Cine (Cinema) Restaurante (Restaurant) Catedral (Cathedral) Iglesia (Church) Puente (Bridge) Zona comercial (Shopping area)

What are the 7 most common words to survive in a Spanish-speaking country?

1. ¡Hola! (Hello) 2. Por favor (Please) 3. Gracias (Thank you) 4. Disculpe (Excuse me) 5. ¿Dónde? (Where?) 6. ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much is it?) 7. Quiero… (I want…)

Get Ready For Adventure With These Spanish Travel Phrases!

Taking the time to learn Spanish travel phrases means you'll have everything you need to get the most out of your journey.

With just a few Spanish travel phrases, I'm sure you'll meet lots of amazing people and have plenty of life-changing experiences along the way.

Who knows, perhaps spending some time visiting a Spanish-speaking country will motivate you to strive for fluency?

If this article has inspired you to both travel and to learn Spanish, then I've got something to get you started on your Spanish learning journey. 

I'm a big believer in the power of story to enable you to learn a language. That's why I've created an entire beginner course dedicated to learning Spanish by immersing yourself in an engaging story.

It's my Spanish Uncovered course, and it's designed to take you from beginner to B1 Intermediate level.

Click here for more information on the course, test it out for free and to find out how it'll help you.

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Important Spanish Travel Phrases (with Downloadable PDF)

Have you been dreaming about your upcoming vacation to Spain?

Eagerly awaiting your backpacking trek through South America?

Whatever the case, your trip to any Spanish-speaking country will be so much more fun and meaningful if you can communicate with locals .

But what kind of Spanish travel phrases do you even need to know?

Below are the essentials— the most common Spanish phrases for travel  to help you upgrade your trip from “goodw” to “great.”

1. Basic Spanish Greetings and Phrases

2. basic spanish phrases for everyday use, 3. asking for directions in spanish, 4. spanish travel phrases for the hotel, 5. spanish travel phrases for the restaurant, 6. spanish phrases for the airport and ticket offices, 7. medical emergencies in spanish, 8. spanish phrases for having a bit of fun.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Spanish-speaking countries are generally very polite and you must always be courteous and say “hello” and “how are you?”

Don’t worry about making mistakes. Most people will try their utmost to understand you and to make sure you understand them. Try your best and they will be happy to reciprocate!

• Buenos días — Good morning
• Buenas tardes — Good afternoon
• Buenas noches — Good evening
• ¿Cómo te llamas? — What’s your name? (informal)
• ¿Cómo se llama? — What’s your name? (formal)
• Me llamo… — My name is…
• Mucho gusto — Nice to meet you
• ¿Cómo estás? — How are you? (informal)
• ¿Cómo está? — How are you? (formal)
• Bien, gracias — Good, thank you
• Por favor — Please
• Gracias — Thank you
• Perdón — S orry
• ¿Habla inglés? — Do you speak English?
• No hablo español — I don’t speak Spanish

You can go far with some very easy-to-remember travel phrases and words.

You’ll likely use “I want,” “I like” and “Do you have…?” quite often. If you don’t know the noun, you can simply point at the object or show a photo.

You can also say a lot of things with very simple verbs we’re about to introduce. It may not be the sophisticated way you speak in English, but you will be understood.

• Quiero / No quiero  — I want / I don’t want
• Me gustaría ; Quisiera — I would like (more polite)
• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is…? Since  dónde ends in  e and  está  starts with one, these two words flow into each other, almost like they were a single word.
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? 
• ¿Qué hora es? — What time is it?
• ¿Tiene…? — Do you have…?
• Tengo / No tengo  — I have / I don’t have
• Entiendo / No entiendo  — I understand / I don’t understand
• ¿Entiende? — Do you understand?
• Quiero un boleto — I want a ticket

…un hotel — …a hotel

…un taxi — …a taxi

• No funciona — It doesn’t work

That last one is an all-purpose word . You can use this for a million circumstances! Just point at the shower or whatever and say “ ¡No funciona!”

What we’ve seen so far is basic survival Spanish, so even if you can only remember these words and phrases, they’ll still help a great deal.

If you get a bit lost or unsure of how to get somewhere, “¿dónde está?”  is the simplest way of asking for directions. Here are a few more phrases, locations and other directions in Spanish that will be helpful on your trip:

• ¿Dónde está la estación de ferrocarril? — Where is the railway station?
• ¿Dónde hay un restaurante? — Where is a restaurant?
• Un tren — A train
• La calle… — The street…
• Un banco — A bank
• El baño — The bathroom
• Busco un hotel — I’m looking for a hotel
• Necesito un hotel — I need a hotel

…un cuarto — …a room

…un cuarto con baño — …a room with a bathroom

• ¿Dónde hay una casa de cambio? — Where is the currency exchange?
• ¿Dónde está el banco? — Where is the bank?
• Dinero — Money

Once you have asked a question, someone will answer you in Spanish. Listen for these key words:

• A la derecha — To the right
• A la izquierda — To the left
• Derecho — Straight ahead
• En la esquina — At the corner
• A una cuadra — In one block

…dos cuadras — …two blocks

…tres cuadras — …three blocks

…cuatro cuadras — …four blocks

You’ve finally found your hotel and you’re ready to check in!

Staff at international chains will probably be able to communicate in English with you, but these phrases and questions will come in handy for local hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, etc.

These will also be helpful when you need to make adjustments to your reservation or are curious about other hotel amenities.

• Tengo una reserva a nombre de… — I have a reservation under the name of…
• Estadía de tres noches — Three-night stay
• Una habitación para dos personas — A room for two people
• Una habitación con una cama de matrimonio — A room with a double bed As you can see, habitación is a synonym of cuarto . You can use either term when booking a room.
• ¿Dónde está la piscina? — Where is the pool?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? — What time is breakfast?
• ¿Puedo solicitar una salida tardía? — Can I request a late check-out?
• ¿Tiene servicio de habitaciones? — Do you have room service?
• ¿ Cuál es la contraseña de WiFi ? —  What is the WiFi password?
• Una cama supletoria — An extra bed
• Vista al mar — Ocean view
• Vista a la ciudad — City view
• Un balcón — A balcony
• La terraza — The rooftop / terrace
• El gimnasio — The gym
• La playa — The beach
• El vestíbulo — The lobby

Probably the most useful travel phrases you will need are the ones you would use in a restaurant. Let’s go over some basic restaurant vocabulary in Spanish :

Ask for anything by using quiero  or quisiera  — “I want” or “I would like.” And remember to say  por favor  and  gracias!

• Una mesa — A table
• Una mesa para dos — A table for two

…tres — …three

…cuatro — …four

• Un menú / Una carta — A menu
• Sopa — Soup
• Ensalada — Salad
• Hamburguesa — Hamburger
• Con salsa de tomate — With ketchup

…mostaza — …mustard

…tomate — …tomato

…lechuga — …lettuce

• Una entrada — An appetizer
• Un postre — Dessert
• Una bebida — A drink
• Agua — Water
• Vino tinto / Vino blanco — Red wine / White wine
• Cerveza — Beer
• Un café — Coffee
• ¡Señor! / ¡Señorita! — Mister / Miss (when calling a waiter or waitress)
• La cuenta — The check
• Una tarjeta de crédito — A credit card
• Una tarjeta de débito — A debit card
• Pagar en efectivo — Pay in cash

Note that many places in smaller towns still don’t take credit cards , so make sure you have enough cash with you.

You can ask if a place takes credit cards by using the noun with a question. For example, you can pull out your credit card and say: ¿Tarjeta de crédito? They will understand.

It’s time to soak in some culture ! Whether you want to go see a show, check out an art exhibit, watch a local movie or visit the next town (or country) over, you’ll need to buy some sort of ticket.

We’ll start with some airport-specific vocabulary —bearing in mind that many of these phrases are versatile and can be used in various situations—followed by more general vocabulary. 

• Su pasaporte, por favor — Your passport, please
• Quisiera cambiar mi reserva — I would like to change my reservation
• ¿Podría elegir mi asiento? — Could I choose my seat?
• Quisiera cambiar mi asiento — I would like to change my seat
• Este es mi equipaje de mano — This is my carry-on luggage
• ¿Se ha cancelado el vuelo? — Has the flight been canceled?
• ¿Dónde está la terminal internacional? — Where is the international terminal?
• ¿Dónde está la puerta de embarque? — Where is the boarding gate?
• ¿A qué hora es el embarque? — What time is boarding?

Earlier we defined entrada as an “appetizer.” Entrada has multiple meanings related to “start” or “entry,” so you can also use it to say “ticket.”

• ¿Cuánto cuesta una entrada? — How much does a ticket cost?
• Dos boletos de ida y vuelta — Two roundtrip tickets
• ¿ Tiene un pase de un día ? — Do you have a one-day pass?
• ¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren ? — What time does the next train leave?
• ¿De qué plataforma sale? — Which platform does it leave from?
• ¿Qué puerta? — Which gate?

For more specific situations, here are some words and phrases you might need when purchasing tickets:

• El espectáculo — The show / performance
• El teatro — The theater
• La exposición — The exhibit
• El cine — The cinema
• Una película — A movie
• Un vuelo — A flight
• Viaje de ida — One-way trip
• Viaje de ida y vuelta — Return trip / round trip
• El asiento de pasillo — The aisle seat
• El asiento de ventanilla — The window seat
• La primera fila — The first row

La segunda fila — The second row

La tercera fila — The third row

La cuarta fila — The fourth row

Also, as you’ve likely noticed, for anything dealing with money or quantities, you’ll want to be familiar with numbers in Spanish .

A smart traveler always comes prepared with some emergency over-the-counter meds. After all, you never know what could happen when you’re overseas.

But when those aren’t enough, these are the phrases that will help with your health-related concerns when in a Spanish-speaking country:

• ¿Dónde está la farmacia? — Where is the pharmacy?
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? — Where is the nearest hospital?
• Seguro de salud internacional — International health insurance
• No me siento bien — I feel sick / I don’t feel well
• ¿El doctor habla inglés? — Does the doctor speak English?
• ¿Necesito una receta? — Do I need a prescription?
• ¿Qué medicina necesito? — What medicine do I need?
• La cita médica — Doctor’s appointment
• La cita de seguimiento — Follow-up appointment

If you need help explaining your symptoms, these terms will help you out. With the exception of the last phrase, start off by saying tengo , followed by any of the below:

• Un resfriado — A cold
• Dolor de garganta — Sore throat
• Tos — Cough
• Fiebre — Fever
• Dolor de cabeza — Headache
• Dolor de estómago — Stomachache
• Dolor de espalda — Backache
• Resaca — Hangover
• Me gotea la nariz — I have a runny nose

Of course, a trip to a Spanish-speaking country wouldn’t be complete without a little ¡fiesta! (carnival; party). If you’re keen to hit the town, here are a few phrases to help you get your groove on.

• ¡Salud! — Cheers!
• ¿Hay algún bar por aquí? — Is there a bar around here?
• ¿Dónde están las discotecas? — Where are the clubs?
• ¿A qué hora abren las discotecas? — What time do the clubs open?
• ¿Me recomienda un lugar para bailar? — Can you recommend me a place to dance?
• ¿Quieres bailar conmigo? — Do you want to dance with me?
• ¡Bailemos! — Let’s dance!

Of course, to use all these phrases successfully, you’ll need to practice ! You can save and print this post as a PDF or even create your own flashcards. You can also use a program that creates flashcards for you, like the video-based FluentU .

Do you feel more prepared for your trip now? Pack these Spanish travel phrases with the rest of your essentials and you’ll be sure to get the most from your vacation!

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Travel Spanish: 70+ Essential Phrases for Your Trip

Updated on January 28, 2024 by Lou Mac

So you’re planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country (woohoo!). But how much language prep have you done for your trip?

Knowing basic travel Spanish is essential for any trip: for communicating with locals to find the best restaurants, asking for directions, and perhaps most importantly, in any emergency situation.

So, we’ve compiled this list of Spanish words and phrases that will be useful for when you immerse yourself in Hispanic culture.

If you’re unsure about the pronunciation of these phrases, this guide to Spanish pronunciation will help you understand all the basics!

Essential Travel Spanish Basics

The following words and phrases are worth going over and over until you can say them pretty much automatically, as they will be some of the basic building blocks to your Spanish knowledge.

• Hablo español / No hablo español . — I speak Spanish / I don’t speak Spanish.
• ¿Tiene…? — Do you have…?
• Tengo… no tengo… — I have… I don’t have…
• Entiendo, no entiendo — I understand, I don’t understand
• ¿Entiende? — Do you understand?
• Quiero, no quiero — I want…, I don’t want… E.g. quiero un boleto, un taxi, un hotel — I want a ticket, a taxi, a hotel…
• Me gustaría, no me gustaría… — I would like…, I wouldn’t like… (This one is more polite)
• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is… ?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
• ¿Qué hora es? — What time is it?

How to Ask for Directions in Spanish

Learning how to ask for directions is perhaps not as essential as it was twenty years ago, before the development of the internet and Google Maps.

However, if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t use your cellphone (which can easily happen!), you should know the basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary for finding your way around.

• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is the…?
• ¿ Cómo llego al centro? — How do I get to the centre/downtown?
• ¿Hay un restaurante bueno por aquí? — Is there a good restaurant around here?
• Busco un hotel/hostal — I’m looking for a hotel/hostal

With the phrases above you can ask for directions to other places, such as the bank, a bathroom etc. Here is some useful vocabulary to substitute into these phrases:

• El baño — the bathroom
• Un tren — a train
• La calle — the street
• Un cajero automático — an ATM

And lastly some practical vocab to help you understand the helpful directions people give you:

• A la derecha — to the right
• A la izquierda — to the left
• Derecho — straight ahead
• Una cuadra — a block
• Sigue… — keep going…

How to Ask for Help in Spanish

While there are many things you must learn if you want to speak Spanish, knowing how to ask for help is key to surviving in a Spanish-speaking country.

A few phrases or words will make things much easier if an emergency occurs or you are in trouble, including the following:

Note: These examples use the “formal” way of speaking to people.

• ¿Puede ayudarme? — Can you help me?
• ¡Ayuda! — Help!
• Necesito ayuda — I need help
• ¡Llame a la policía! — Call the police!
• ¡Llame a la ambulancia! — Call the ambulance!
• Ayúdeme, por favor . — Help me, please
• ¿Podría ayudarme, por favor? — Could you help me, please?
• ¿Podría explicarlo, por favor? — Can you explain it to me, please?
• ¿Cómo se escribe…? — How do you write…?
• ¿Cómo se dice…? — How do you say…?

Spanish for Medical Emergencies

It’s also important to know words in Spanish that can help us deal with a medical emergency.

• No me siento bien — I don’t feel well
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? — Where is the nearest hospital?
• ¿Puede llamar a la ambulancia? — Can you call the ambulance?
• ¿Dónde está la farmacia? — Where is the drugstore/pharmacy?
• ¿El doctor habla inglés? — Does the doctor speak English?
• ¿Necesito medicinas? — Do I need medication?
• ¿Qué medicina necesito? — What medicine do I need?
• Tengo un seguro de salud internacional — I have international health insurance

Navigating Your Accommodation in Spanish

Once you’ve found the perfect place to stay, here’s how to get yourself checked in and comfortable:

• Tengo una reserva a nombre de Harry Potter — I have a reservation under the name Harry Potter
• Necesito un hotel / un cuarto / un cuarto con baño — I need a hotel / a room / a room with a bathroom
• Me gustaría quedarme por dos noches — I would like to stay for two nights
• ¿Tiene una habitación doble? — Do you have a double room?
• ¿Dónde está la piscina / gimnasio? — Where is the pool/gym?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? — What time is breakfast?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña de WiFi? — What is the WiFi password?

Essential Spanish for Eating Out

The most important travel Spanish phrases to add to your mental toolbox are those surrounding eating out—either because we are hungry (obviously) or we want to experience the wonderful local gastronomy.

This list of expressions and words could save your life (well, your stomach) on your next adventure in a Spanish-speaking country.

In addition to the vocabulary below, a useful resource are these scenario podcast episodes we did about ordering vegetarian food in Spanish , and ordering coffee in Spanish .

To make things easier, we have divided these restaurant-related words and phrases into several categories. Check them out below:

When Arriving or Booking a Table

• Quisiera reservar una mesa — I would like to book a table
• Quisiera reservar una mesa para dos — I would like to book a table for two
• ¿Tiene alguna mesa disponible? — Is there any available table?
• Tengo una mesa reservada a nombre de Hermione Granger — I have booked a table under the name of Hermione Granger

When Ordering

• ¡Camarero / garzón! — Waiter !
• ¿Podría traerme el menú, por favor? — Could you bring me the menu, please?
• ¿Qué me recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• ¿Podría recomendarme un plato local, por favor? — Can you recommend me a local dish, please?
• Para beber, me gustaría… — To drink, I would like…
• Como entrada, me gustaría.. . — As a starter, I would like …
• Como plato principal, me gustaría… — For the main course, I would like…
• De postre, me gustaría… — For dessert, I would like…

During the Meal

• Perdone, ¿podría traerme…? — Excuse me, could you bring me…?
• Perdone, ¿podría traerme más servilletas? — Excuse me, could you bring me some more napkins?
• Perdone, ¿podría traerme otra copa de vino ? Excuse me, could you bring me another glass of wine? (learn this one by heart 🍷)
• La comida está muy rica . — The food is delicious
• La carne está demasiado hecha — The meat is overcooked
• La carne está poco hecha — The meat is undercooked

When Paying and Leaving

• La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please
• Estaba todo muy rico, gracias — Everything was very tasty, thanks
• Quisiera pagar con tarjeta — I’d like to pay by card
• Quisiera pagar en efectivo — I’d like to pay in cash
• Creo que hay un error — I think there’s a mistake

Lastly, if you’re a foodie like me, you might want to know some food recommendations. Click here to learn about the different foods you must try if you’re visiting Chile!

Resources to Learn More Travel Spanish

If you’ve decided you want to know a bit more than just the survival Spanish, here are a few resources to kick-start your Spanish journey.

• Seeing in Spanish Podcast. Our own language learning and travel podcast aims at helping you self-learn Spanish to make your travels unforgettable. To start, check out this episode on how to learn Spanish on your own .
• Duolingo. I think it’s safe to assume you know what Duolingo is! While it often gets a bad rap, it’s all about how you use Duolingo which makes the difference!
• YouTube Videos. Videos such as this video on top 20 travel Spanish phrases you should know are a great way to hear how phrases we learnt in this article are actually pronounced.

It’s also worth remembering that Spanish changes depending on what country you’re in, so you might also want to consider learning a specific Spanish dialect.

With these survival Spanish words and phrases, your next trip will be much easier and more memorable.

Now you can move on to getting excited for your adventure!

101 Common Spanish Phrases for Travel

It’s time to travel! Are you going to a Spanish speaking country? These 101 common Spanish phrases for Travel will help your trip go smoothly, and your journey will be much more enjoyable. If you can memorize these phrases before your trip, that’ll be ideal. 

But let’s face it, you are busy. Most likely, you’ll be even busier as your departure date gets closer. But don’t worry, I have created this common Spanish phrases for travel pdf for you! It contains all the travel phrases and words that appear in this post.

Sign up to get your copy of our common Spanish travel phrases pdf for free!

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101 Common Travel Phrases in Spanish PDF

Be sure to download it right now so you’ll have it on your cell phone, tablet, or laptop when you are abroad. It’s always a good idea to have it saved on your device, just in case you don’t have access to the Internet when you need it. You can sign up below to get a link to download the basic common Spanish phrases for the travel pdf file sent to you.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See our disclosure here .

What are the Common Spanish Phrases for Travel?

Here, we’ll cover 101 common Spanish phrases for travel that you will definitely want to know. 

First, let’s start with basic greetings and pleasantries, and move on to some of the very common and super useful Spanish verbs. Then we’ll talk about some Spanish travel phrases for getting around and shopping. 

Also, you’ll learn common Spanish phrases and words you will need at restaurants or hotels, and tourist activities. 

Lastly, we finish up with the important Spanish phrases for emergencies, just in case. So, let’s begin!

What are the Spanish words for travel?

First, what are the words for travel in Spanish? Below are the words that mean travel or a trip.

To travel – Viajar

To go on a trip – Ir de viaje

A trip – un viaje

Basic Spanish Phrases for Travel: Greetings and Pleasantries

When you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, learning some basic Spanish phrases goes a long way. Even if you don’t pronounce them correctly or make mistakes, most people would appreciate the time and effort you put into learning their language. So let’s start with some very basic Spanish phrases for travelers.

Hi – Hola

You can use this any time of the day as it means “Hi” or “Hello”, but people usually say this and then say one of the other greeting phrases below depending on the time of the day. So, for example, you might say, “Hola, Buenos días.”

Good morning

Buenos días

This is normally used in the morning hours before 12 noon.

Good afternoon

Buenas tardes

Then you would switch to “ buenas tardes ” in the afternoon until it gets dark outside.

Buenas noches

People would start saying “buenas noches” when it’s dark outside…maybe around 6pm-ish.

Good Bye – Adiós

A typical goodbye in any Spanish-speaking country in the world.

See you later.

Hasta luego.

Even though you may not be seeing each other for a long time or ever like a store clerk, it is common to say “hasta luego ” especially in Spain.

Excuse me (Can I have your attention?) / (Can I pass by?)

Discúlpe / Con permiso

So “ Discúlpe” is used to get someone’s attention. “ Con permiso ” basically means “with your permission.” You would say this when you walk in front of someone or need to pass by people in a crowded place because they are blocking your way. It’s like saying, “Excuse me, I’m passing by you.”

It’s always polite and good etiquette to say “please” in any country, right?

Don’t forget to show your gratitude and appreciation when someone did something nice for you.

No thank you

If you are not interested, you can politely decline by saying, “no gracias.”

What is your name? – ¿ C ó mo se llama usted?

This is a formal version and an informal version is “ ¿C ómo te llamas?” In Mexico or Latin America, it would be better to use the formal version. In Spain, the informal version is pretty common unless you are speaking to someone who is much older than you or a government official, doctor, police officer, etc., you get the idea. A general rule of thumb is if your conversation partner looks about your age or younger, then it’s safe to use the informal version.

My name is ________. – Me llamo ______.

This means literally, “I call myself _______.” You can also say “Soy + your name.”

Nice to meet you. – Mucho gusto (Mexico), Encantado/a (Spain)

In most Latin American countries, “mucho gusto” is the most common way to say “nice to meet you.” In Spain, if you are female, you would say “encantada” ; and if you are male, you would say “encantado.”

How are you? – ¿ C ó mo est á usted?

This is a formal way to ask how a person is. If you are talking to a friend or someone about your age or younger, you can say, “ ¿C ómo est ás?”

I’m good. – Estoy bien.

Just a simple “bien” would work as well. However, to be more polite, you can add “gracias,” so it’ll be “estoy bien, gracias” or “bien, gracias.”

Do you speak English? – ¿Habla inglés?

If you are asking this question to someone, you probably don’t know this person. So it would be appropriate to use this formal form. If you are asking a child or someone who is about your own age or younger, you can use an informal form and say, “ Hablas inglés? “

I don’t speak Spanish. – No hablo espa ñ ol.

Yes / No – Sí / No

I’m sure you’ve heard of these before. Yes!

Traveling soon? Don’t forget to check out this list of 75 Best Travel Accessories to see if you already have them! Many of them are Anti-Theft Products to help protect you and your belongings!

Can you speak slowly? – ¿ Puede hablar m á s despacio?

Natives seem to speak really fast when you first start learning a new language. So you can ask them to speak slowly.

Can you repeat it? – ¿Puede repetirlo?

You can also ask them to repeat what they have just said by saying this phrase.

I understand – Entiendo.

If you understand what they are saying, you can say “entiendo.” If not, you can say the following…

I don’t understand – No entiendo.

Well, if you don’t understand what they are saying, don’t just agree. Make sure you understand what they are saying by asking them to write it down. Once it’s written down, you can use Google to translate it!

Can you write it down, please? – ¿Puede escribirlo?

Yup, ask them to write it down or at least confirm by repeating what was said. You might want to keep a pen in your purse when traveling.

A little – un poco

You may hear other versions like “un poquito” or “un poquit ín” meaning a little tiny bit.

A lot – mucho

Also, you can use “un montón” meaning “A LOT!”

Nothing – Nada

Well, I have nothing to add…ha ha ha, sorry… (by the way, in Spanish, ha ha ha is written “ja ja ja”)

What time is it? – ¿Qu é hora son? (Mexico), ¿ Qu é hora es? (Spain)

For some reason, in Mexico, hora (hour) is used as a plural form, that’s why “son” is used instead of “es.”

Common Spanish Verbs for Travel: Need, Want, and Have

I need ________.

Necesito ________.

I don’t need _____.

No necesito _______.

I want ________.

Quiero_________.

I don’t want _______.

No quiero ________.

Do you have ______?

Tiene ______?

I have _______.

Tengo ________.

I don’t have _______.

No tengo ______.

Spanish Phrases for Transportation and Getting Around

Where is the bus stop? – ¿D ónde est á la parada de autob ús?

If you are looking for a bus station/terminal where many buses meet, you can use “Central de autobuses”, “Terminal de autobuses”, or “Estaci ón de Autobuses.” The last one is more common in Spain.

Do you go to downtown? – ¿Va al centro?

If you are unsure about which bus to take, you can always ask the bus driver if his/her bus goes to where you intend to go before you get on.

How do I get to the Museum of Natural History? – ¿C ómo llego al museo de histor ia natural?

You can use this phrase to ask for directions to some place.

Is it close? – ¿Est á cerca?

This is a bit tricky one because in most Spanish-speaking countries, people often tell you “it’s close,” but that doesn’t really mean it’s close! It could be, but you just never know how a person feels about a distance.

Is it far? – ¿Est á lejos?

If it’s far, you can also ask “ ¿Cu ánto tiempo se tarda en llegar allí?” – How long does it take to get there? to clarify how far it is.

What time does the train leave? – ¿A qu é hora sale el tren?

Whether it’s your train, bus, or flight, you can use this phrase to ask its departure time. The bus is “el autob ús” and the flight is “el vuelo.”

It leaves at 8:30 in the morning. – Sale a las ocho y media de la mañana.

More about the numbers a little bit further down. If it’s in the morning, “ de la mañana” and in the afternoon and early evening, “de la tarde.” And at night, “de la noche” and in the really early morning would be “de la madrugada.”

What time does it arrive? – ¿A qu é hora llega?

So this is referring to the transportation or a third person (he/she/it). What time do we arrive? Would be “ ¿A qu é hora llegamos?”

It arrives at 3 in the afternoon. – Llega a las tres de la tarde.

If you want to say “We arrive” then use “Llegamos.”

Where can I buy tickets? – ¿ D ó nde puedo comprar boletos? (Mexico), ¿ D ó nde puedo comprar billetes? 

In Mexico, tickets are called “boletos” ; but in Spain, they are called “billetes.” “Billetes” also meansbills in both countries. For example, “un billete de d ólar” means a dollar bill.

Round trip/one way – Viaje redondo / viaje sencillo (Mexico), ida y vuelta / S ó lo ida (Spain)

I would like 2 tickets. – Me gustar ía dos boletos. (First class, Economy class – premera clase, clase econ ómica )

Again, tickets are “billetes” in Spain. One ticket would be “un boleto” or “un billete.”

I missed my flight. – Perd í mi vuelo.

Literally, it means “I lost my flight.” So, you can swap the noun and say “Perd í mi maleta” – “I lost my suitcase” as well.

Here’s my passport. – Aqu í est á mi pasaporte.

Another similar phrase is “ Aqu í lo tiene,” basically meaning “here you have it” or “here it is.”

I’m here on vacation/on holiday. – Estoy aqu í de vacaciones.

In Spanish, vacation is usually plural “vacaciones.”

I’m going to stay for one week. – Me voy a quedar una semana (two weeks – dos semanas).

Staying only for a few days? Then you can say, “Me voy a quedar unos d í as.” “ Day” in Spanish is “d ía” (singular) and “d ías” (plural) and month in Spanish is “mes” (singular) and “meses” (Plural).

Where is the baggage claim? – ¿ D ónde está el reclamo de equipaje?

There are several different words for baggage claim: la cinta de maletas, la cinta de equipaje, la cinta de recogida de equipaje , etc. “Equipaje” means luggage.

I can’t find my suitcase. – No encuentro mi maleta.

If you can’t find a person, then you would add “a” in front of the person’s name. For instance, “No encuentro a Maria.”

How much does it cost to take me to________? (Taxi) – Cuanto por lleverme a _______?

Ask a cab driver how much it costs to take you to your destination before getting on the cab to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Researching how much a taxi to your destination should cost beforehand can give you a general idea.

Stop here, please. – Pare aqu í, por favor.

Wait a moment, please. – Espere un momento, por favor.

Is it free? (open/available) – ¿Est á libre?

Common Spanish Travel Phrases and Words for Shopping

I need to exchange dollars for pesos. – Necesito cambiar d ólares por pesos.

Banks in other countries tend to close earlier than the ones in the U.S. So if you think you might need to get some cash out, don’t forget to plan ahead.

Is there______? – ¿Hay _____?

This one is very easy but useful at stores, restaurants, and many other places.

What is that? – ¿Qué es eso?

You can point something and ask “ ¿Qué es eso?” If it’s right by you, then “ ¿Qu é es esto?” (What is this?).

Can I see it? – ¿Puedo verlo?

“ ¿Puedo?” means “Can I?” A very useful phrase. Definitely, it’s helpful to memorize this one.

I’m just looking. – Solo estoy mirando.

When you walk into a store and a store clerk asks you if they can help you find something. You can say , “ Solo estoy mirando. Gracias.” if you don’t intend to buy anything. At most department stores, store clerks work on commission, so they tend to be very eager to help you.

Can I try it on? – ¿Me lo puedo probar?

“El probador” means the fitting room.

Do you have size 40? – ¿Tiene talla cuarenta?

Clothing and shoe sizes are quite a bit different in each country, so be sure to check online before you go and get a general idea.

Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100

– N ú meros: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez, veinte, treinta, cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta, noventa, cien

This quick study guide is packed with useful information and has a section on numbers as well. It is a perfect reference flip chart for beginners.

You can also learn how to pronounce Numbers in Spanish in this post .

t’s too big/small – Es demasiado grande/chico (or chica).

“Grande” means big or large, and “chico(a)” means small (you can also use “peque ño(a)” ). I wouldn’t worry too much about whether the object you are referring to is a feminine or masculine noun at this point. People will understand you even if you don’t match the genders.

“Demasiado” means “too” something (adjective). So you can use it to say so many other things. For instance, “Es demasiado largo” (it’s too long), “Es demasiado corto” (It’s too short.).  

How much is it? – ¿Cu ánto cuesta?

You can just point at something and say, “ ¿Cu ánto cuesta?” And if you are buying multiple ítems and want to know how much the total cost is, you can say, “ ¿Cu ánto cuesta en total?” or ¿Cu ánto es?

It’s too expensive. – Es demasiado caro.

Similar to the phrase above. “Caro(a)” means expensive, and “barato(a)” means cheap.

Can you give me a discount? – ¿ Me puede dar un descuento?

In Mexico and Latin America, if you are shopping at a local market, you can almost always get a discount. So it’s worth asking so you don’t end up paying tourist’s prices.

Do you have anything cheaper? – ¿Tiene algo m ás barato?

This is kind of similar to the one above. “Algo” means something or anything, and “m ás” means “more” and makes an adjective comparative when you put it before the adjective. Less is “menos.”

I’ll take it. – Me lo llevo.

If you like it and you’re going to buy it, then you’ll say “me lo llevo.” If you’re buying multiple items, a plural form of “ lo” which is “los” should be used. So you’ll say “me los llevo.” If you want to be super correct, select one of the followings “lo, la, los, or las” to match the gender of the item(s) you are purchasing…but that’s not crucial at all, so no worries.

Do you accept credit card? – ¿ Aceptan tarjeta de cr é dito?

Cash is “efectivo” and debit card is “tarjeta de d ébito” although most U.S. debit cards are not accepted at stores in foreign countries.

Check out these 75 Cool and Useful Travel Accessories You Can’t Leave without!

What time does it open? – ¿A qu é hora cierran?

In mid-to small-sized cities in Spain, many stores close for lunch for a few hours, then reopen after lunch. Their lunch is from about 2 pm to 4 or 5 pm.

What time does it close? – ¿A qu é hora abren?

Banks tend to close earlier than the ones in the U.S., and they often have different (shorter) business hours for Fridays and Summer months as well.

Useful Spanish at a Restaurant or Hotel

While traveling, these Spanish phrases will definitely come in handy. At a bar or café, you can just pick any available table, but I would recommend making a reservation if you are going to a restaurant.

I have a reservation. – Tengo una reservaci ón.

You can use this phrase at a restaurant or at a hotel when you check in.

Is there free wifi? – ¿Hay wifi grat ís?

“El Usuario” is the user name and “la contraseña” is the password.

I lost the key to my room. (at a hotel) – Perd í la llave de mi habitaci ó n.

It doesn’t work. – No funciona.

If something in your hotel room doesn’t work, you can say, “ No funciona + the thing that’s not working. ”

I would like _______. – Me gustar ía _______.

You can also say, “Quisiera______” “Quisiera” is a more polite form of “quiero” – I want.

I would not like_______. – No me gustar ía _______.

Is this spicy? – ¿Esto pica? or “Es picante?”

Mexican salsas can be super spicy, so I always ask before trying them…although they often say, “no, no pica nada!” – “no, it’s not spicy at all!” Spanish food is generally not spicy, though.

Is it sweet or salty? – ¿Est á dulce o salado?

If you are like me and enjoy trying new foods, you’ll need this phrase.

Gluten free – Sin gluten, Libre de gluten

Gluten-free products are not as common in Spain or Latin American countries as they are in the U.S. Or I should say most products are not labeled “gluten-free” as they are in the U.S.

The bill, please. – La cuenta, por favor.

You will need this phrase at restaurants.

Is tip included? – ¿ Est á incluído la propina?

In Spain, tipping is not customary at Tapas bars although appreciated. However, when dining at a restaurant in both Spain and Mexico, 10-15% of the bill is common if the service fee is not included.

Where is the bathroom? – ¿ D ó nde est á el ba ñ o? or “ ¿ D ó nde est án los ba ñ os? (plural)

Another word for the restroom is “ el servicio )” in Spain.

Occupied/busy – Ocupado

For example, “El ba ño est á ocupado.” – The bathroom is occupied.

“Estoy ocupado(a)” – I’m busy.

Vacant – Libre (bathroom), Vacante (hotel rooms)

“Libre” also means available or free.

Essential Spanish Phrases for Tourist Activities

Is it free? (no cost) – ¿Es grat ís?

Can I enter? (is it allowed to enter?) – ¿Se puede entrar?

If you are not sure if it’s okay to enter, it’s good to ask first, especially at religious places or semi-private tourist spots.

Is it safe? – ¿Es Seguro?

Is it dangerous? – ¿Es peligroso?

No smoking – No fumar.

Smoking is prohibited in enclosed public places in at least Spain and Mexico. So, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. are non-smoking.

Do not touch – No tocar.

You’ll often see a sign with this phrase and an image of a hand crossed out at museums, historical buildings, etc.

I want to go to _______. – Quiero ir ______.

You can use this phrase for a taxi driver, a bus driver, someone when you are asking for a direction, etc.

Important Spanish Phrases for Emergencies

Can you help me? – ¿Me puede ayudar?

If you need help with your luggage or you are lost, this phrase will come in handy.

My wallet was stolen. – Me robaron mi caretera.

“Me robaron” + whatever the item that was robbed. Be extra careful of pickpockets, especially in big cities or in crowded places.

I don’t feel well. – No me siento bien.

When you feel better, you can say, “me siento mejor.” “Mejor” means better, and “peor” means worse.

My stomach hurts – Me duele el est ómago.

The basic structure of this sentence is “Me duele” + the part of your body that is hurting. You can also find more phrases and vocabulary about your physical conditions on this post.

I need to go to hospital. – Necesito ir al hospital.

Remember the “H” is silent. So, you would pronounce “hospital” as though it’s “ospital” with an accent on the “a”.

Help! – ¡Socorro!

Hopefully, you won’t need to use this one or any of these phrases in this emergency section while traveling, but it’s better to be prepared. So, don’t forget to memorize this word just in case.

Are You Ready to Use These Spanish Phrases for Travel?

I’m so excited for you that you are going to Spanish-speaking countries soon or planning a trip in the future. Hope you have a super fun adventure wherever and whenever you go! I hope these Spanish travel phrases help your trip be trouble-free and filled with wonderful, lasting memories.

Oh, did you download our free basic Spanish phrases pdf ? You can print it out and tuck it in your backpack pocket or save it on your digital devices. Here’s where you can download it.

Oh, one last thing…

How to say be safe in Spanish?

In Spanish, “Be safe!” can be translated as either one of these four phrases.

¡Que vuelvas sano y salvo!  (Hope you return safe and sound)

¡Que regreses sano y salvo!  (Hope you return safe and sound)

¡Que te vaya bien en tu viaje!  (Hope everything goes well with your trip) 

¡Que te salga bien en tu viaje!  (Hope everything turns out well for your trip).

As you have noticed that their literal translations are a bit different, but these are the closest phrases in Spanish that there are to “be safe” in English.

Don’t forget to check out this post: How to say Airport in Spanish: Spanish words and phrases you need at the airport.

Have an amazing trip and Happy Spanish-ing!

Interested in Learning Conversational Spanish?

Try these posts and unlock your Spanish superpower!

• 30 Spanish Conversation Starters Every Spanish Learner Should know
• 15 Fun and Easy Spanish Learning Hacks I Used to Become F luent Fast
• Spain vs Mexico: What Are the Differences between Spain Spanish and Mexican Spanish?
• 20 Popular Songs in Spanish: Latin Music for Learning Spanish Fast!
• 101 Survival Spanish Phrases for Travel Every Traveler Needs to Know
• How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish 
• Easy Spanish Greetings: How to Greet in Spanish

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105 Spanish Travel Phrases To Know For Your Next Trip

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Traveling to a Spanish speaking country without knowing at least a few Spanish travel phrases is a bad idea.

Even the simplest of situations can become an ordeal, whether it’s understanding directions, ordering food in a restaurant, or if worse comes to worst, handling an emergency situation.

That’s not to say that you won’t have a good trip – just that it’s more likely to come with added stress when you can’t speak the local language.

On the flip side, you don’t need to speak perfectly fluent Spanish in order to communicate.

Learning even a couple of basic Spanish travel phrases and words will go a long way in preparing you for most scenarios you’ll encounter when traveling.

Not to mention automatically be treated better by the locals who’ll appreciate the effort you’re making to speak their language.

Plus, nobody wants to be “that tourist ” who makes zero effort to speak Spanish, and is resigned to speaking painfully slow English and using excessive pointing as a last resort to be understood.

We put together a list of useful Spanish travel phrases and vocabulary for people who find themselves in a Spanish speaking environment and quickly need to learn survival Spanish.

Below, you’ll find vocab and native audio pronunciations for:

• Basic phrases

Getting around

• Understanding directions
• Ordering food in a restuarant
• Dealing with an emergency
• Question words
• Telling the time

Basic Spanish Phrases

Hola – Hello

Buenos días – Good day/Good morning

Buenas tardes – Good afternoon

Buenas noches – Goodnight

¿Cómo estás? – How are you?

Por favor – Please

Gracias – Thank you

Me llamo… – My name is…

¿Habla inglés? – Do you speak English?

No hablo español – I don’t speak Spanish

¿Cómo se llama? – What is your name?

Disculpe – Excuse me/I’m sorry

No sé – I don’t know

¿Cómo se dice? – How do you say this?

No entiendo – I don’t understand

¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?

Hable más lento – Speak slowly

Download the expanded guide to read later

This page gives you a great overview of the most important concepts and strategies, but for the full, expanded guide, click the button below:

These are likely to be your go-to Spanish travel phrases when getting around. Even when you don’t know the Spanish for the subject, these phrases can be combined with gentle pointing, and still come across as very polite.

Me gustaría – I would like

Quiero – I want

Necesito – I need

¿Dónde queda? – Where is?

¿Cuánto cuesta?– How much does it cost?

¿Qué precio tiene? – How much does it cost?

¿Tiene..? – Do you have..?

Yo tengo- I have

Yo no tengo – I don’t have

Qué significa (subject)…? – What does…(subject).. mean?

¿Como llego a..? – How do I get to…?

You’ll want explore your new surroundings, so best to memorize the Spanish for some key places.

El aeropuerto – Airport

El banco – Bank

La biblioteca  – Library

La cafetería – Café

El hotel – Hotel

El terminal – Terminal

La estación de bomberos – Firestation

La estación de ferrocarril – Railway station

El estadio – stadium

La farmacia – Pharmacy

La gasolinera – Petrol station

El hospital – Hospital

La librería – Bookshop

El mercado – Market

El museo – Museum

La parada – Bus stop

La policía – Police station

El restaurante – Restaurant

La tienda – Shop, store.

El Centro Comercial – shopping centre

Understanding Directions in Spanish

Understanding directions in a different language is always a challenge, but knowing a couple of these key phrases will help you if the situation calls for it. Either that, or you’ll end up with a general idea of where you need to go.

¿Entiende? – Do you understand?

A la derecha – To the right

A la izquierda – To the left

Derecho – Straight ahead

En la esquina – At the corner

A una cuadra – One block away

Hacia el Norte/Sur/Este/Oeste – To the North/South/East/West

Small talk is an essential part of everyday life, and Spanish speaking countries are no different.

Use these Spanish phrases to break the ice when you meet a local.

¿Cómo te va? – How’s it going?

¿Cómo te ha ido? – How’ve you been?

Estoy bien ¡Gracias! – I’m fine, thanks

¿Y tú? – And you?

Bien/Más o menos. – Good/So-so

¿Qué tal? – How are you?

¿Qué pasa? – What’s happening?

¿Qué haces? – What are you doing?

Ordering Food In Spanish

For obvious reasons, it’s always a good idea to be polite to your waiter in a restaurant.

¿Me trae…? – Could I have …?

¿Cuál es el menú de hoy? – What is today’s menu?

¿Qué me recomienda? – What do you recommend?

¿Acepta tarjeta de crédito? – Do you accept credit card?

La cuenta, por favor – Check, please

Soy alérgico – I’m allergic

Soy vegetariano – I’m vegetarian

Emergency Spanish

Knowing a couple of key emergency phrases will make things much easier if worst case scenario happens, and you find yourself in trouble.

¿Puede ayudarme? – Can you help me?

Necesito ayuda – I need help

¡Ayuda! – Help!

Estoy perdido – I’m lost

¡Llame a la policia! – Call the police!

¡Llame una ambulancia!  – Call an ambulance!

Quiz: Places, Directions, and Emergency

Before we move on, why don’t you see how much you remember from these three sections by watching this quiz video. You’ll be shown a selection of Spanish travel phrases and given a few moments to think of its English equivalent before we reveal the translation. Good luck!

Question Words In Spanish

Just like the “Getting Around” phrases, these Spanish question words will be useful even when you don’t know how to say the subject of the sentence in Spanish.

¿Qué…? – what?

¿Cómo…? – how?

¿Cuándo…? – when?

¿Dónde…? – where?

¿Quién…? – who?

¿Por qué…? – why?

¿Cuál? – which?

¿Qué quieres hacer hoy? – What do you want to do today?

¿Como te sientes? – How are you feeling?

¿Cuándo vienes de nuevo? – When are you coming back?

¿Dónde está el museo? – Where is the museum?

¿Quién es? – Who is it?

¿Por qué quiere visitar este país? – Why do you want to visit this country?

¿Cuál prefieres? – Which one do you prefer?

Telling The Time

While almost everyone who travels has a smartphone these days, it’s still useful to know how to ask a stranger for the time, even if it’s only a tactic to break the ice and start a proper conversation.

¿Puede decirme la hora? – Can you tell me what time is it?

…En punto – O’ clock

…Y media/Y treinta –  …And a half

…Y un cuarto/Y quince – …Plus fifteen/quarter past

Faltan … para las … – It’s … until …

Medianoche – Midnight

Mediodía – Noon

Son las doce y treinta – It’s 12.30pm

Es la una y un cuarto – It’s 1.15pm

Faltan diez para las tres – It’s 2.50pm

Son las nueve de la mañana – It’s nine in the morning

Son las tres en punto – It’s three o’clock sharp.

Falta un cuarto para el mediodía – It’s quarter to midday

Related: If you want to learn more than these basics, then read our in-depth guide on how to tell the time in Spanish.

And that’s it.

Memorize these Spanish travel phrases before visiting a Spanish-speaking country for more comfortable, stress-free interactions in Spanish.

If you are serious about learning Spanish, then I recommend reading our 119-page Ultimate Guide to Spanish , which includes 10 principles behind learning Spanish fast, strategies to learn vocabulary and grammar, achieve perfect pronunciation and much more.

You can download the entire guide, for free, right below

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95 Spanish Travel Phrases And Expressions You Need to Learn With Pronunciation

If you’re looking to learn some basic Spanish for a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, going the whole “grammar and word list” route is a bit complex and time-consuming.

Good news: learning Spanish travel phrases instead won’t only help you learn Spanish you can use right away in conversations…

Contrary to what many people think, such phrases aren’t even just a quick “hack” but a valid long-term strategy to learn Spanish and other languages (as I outline in my article about Spanish for beginners ).

Anyway, more on that in a bit. First, let’s teach you some Spanish travel phrases!

1. Spanish Travel Phrases to Use Upon Arrival

First things first. If you’re planning to go to a Spanish-speaking country, learning how to greet people and be polite is a must. Otherwise, starting a Spanish conversation can be difficult.

No matter what kind of transportation you use to get to a Spanish-speaking place, you probably will have to deal with different kinds of workers.

The best thing you can do if you want to ask for information, or just catch some worker’s attention, is to be polite and show respect.

Keep in mind that if you want to be formal, you’ll say and conjugate verbs using “ usted ”. If you’re just talking with friends or someone you know, it’s enough to use “ tú ”.

Now, let’s see some chunks that will help you be ready on Arrival at your destination.

Spanish phrases for greetings and check-in

Since you’re trying to improve your Spanish, we would recommend not to use “¿Habla ingles?” as the first alternative. If you do it, natives will try to find someone that could speak with you in English.

Yet, if you find that communicating becomes complicated, it may save your day.

On the other hand, using “ ¿Me puede ayudar? ” is among the best alternatives if you need help when arriving at the airport or any place. People will know immediately that you require assistance to do or get something.

If you use transportation like Taxis or Buses, dealing with luggage isn’t a challenge. But, if you take an airplane, and finding your luggage isn’t that easy, you can take advantage of the last phrase above.

No matter what your needs are, you should always use the following chunks if someone helps you or you ask for help.

Ask for help with these chunks

Saying “ Por favo r” and “ Gracias ” will not only help you to show respect. Also, they will indeed help you to “open” doors as people will always be willing to help you one more time.

For more airport Spanish, watch this video by Paulisima from Spring Spanish (a YouTube channel I co-founded):

2. Spanish Travel Phrases When You Need or Want Something

When traveling, Necesitar and Querer are two Spanish verbs that will help you in several situations.

There are plenty of Spanish chunks you can learn and use with Necesitar and Querer . However, we will stick to the most important.

Travel vocabulary in Spanish: Necesitar and Querer

With these Spanish travel phrases, you’ll get any problem solved. From your basic needs to things on your bucket list like going partying in a Spanish-speaking country.

3. Spanish Travel Phrases for Partying

Latin American people are among the most cheerful people all over the world, and hanging out with them is an unforgettable activity.

You could learn the following Spanish phrases when you’re out having the best time of your life! 😉

Spanish Phrases for When You’re Partying

There are plenty of other Spanish phrases for travel you could learn… and in general, learning as many fixed phrases as possible (or chunks, as we call them) will help you speak Spanish more effortlessly in all kinds of situations.

You can learn them through actual conversation, but also through Spanish podcasts, Spanish YouTube channels , or check out the best Spanish shows on Netflix.

If you’d like to learn more about learning Spanish through chunks, go ahead and request your free Spanish Chunking Starter Pack.

4. Spanish Travel Phrases When Asking for Directions

Although most Spanish speakers are quite friendly because of their culture and way of living, getting along with them on the streets may not be as simple as that. It’s because some people feel that talking to strangers isn’t appropriate or just “not safe”.

When approaching someone you don’t know on the streets, you must keep your distance and use some of the following Spanish phrases.

Approach someone with these chunks

The approach is the most important step. After, it’s time to ask or request what you need. If you’re lost and you need an address or need help, the following chunks will help you get the job done.

Travel tips: Get help with these Spanish chunks

After you get all you need and it’s time to move forward, saying “ Gracias ” to the ones who helped you is essential.

It’s always important to say thanks. It will help you end the conversation and leave an “ open door ” to ask for help again if necessary.

Time to see some of these phrases/chunks in action! Here’s Maria Fernanda, one of the Spring Spanish teachers:

5. Spanish Travel Phrases for the Hotel

If you’re a traveler there’s no doubt that you’ll face some challenges when looking for accommodation. Let’s imagine you need to get a room and you have to talk to the staff of a hotel. Depending on your needs, there are several things you’ll have to ask.

For example, room type, if the price includes breakfast, or other things like if you have access to the pool.

Solve challenges at a hotel with these Spanish phrases

Please note that if you have made a reservation, you’ll need either your name or a reservation number. If you get a reservation number, you would say “ Hice una reserva con número…. ” instead of “ Tengo una reserva a nombre de… ”. Learn all the Spanish numbers .

Getting a room with breakfast included is generally a great option. In that scenario, you could say “ Quiero el servicio de desayuno incluido ” (I want breakfast included). No matter what you ask or need, remember to use formal language and make use of “ usted ”.

Here’s a good video about checking into a hotel, brought to you by Paulisima from Spring Spanish :

6. Spanish Travel Phrases for the Restaurant

After you managed to pack out everything in your hotel, you might want to grab something at the restaurant. Learning the basic travel phrases to order food will definitely help you when you’re hungry!

Useful travel phrases in a restaurant

7. spanish travel phrases for the hospital.

Smart travelers always keep some medical supplies in their bags to face any kind of emergency. However, sometimes taking some pills won’t solve the problem, and learning Spanish travel phrases to deal with these situations is essential.

The following Spanish travel phrases will help you with your health-related concerns.

Spanish travel phrases: Health-related concerns

Although the Spanish chunks above will help you deal with most medical situations, sometimes, it’s necessary to explain any symptoms you might have. You can use “ Yo tengo ” before any of the Spanish words for travel shown below.

They’ll help you explain your symptoms and any Spanish-speaking doctor will have no problem at the moment of giving you the right prescription.

Explain symptoms with Spanish chunks

Tip: To make yourself understood to native speakers, especially in more complex situations like this, this article on Spanish connectors will come in handy. It’s an often-overlooked part of language learning but it can help you a lot.

Another tip: Want to see (and hear) all those phrases in action? Watch this video by Spring Spanish teacher Maura:

8. Spanish Travel Phrases for Everyday Situations

Although we provided you with the most important phrases for every possible situation, there are still some useful phrases left. Check out the following table to learn some of the most used Spanish travel phrases for everyday situations.

Use these phrases in everyday situations

9. spanish travel phrases: your key to effortless conversations in any spanish-speaking country.

No matter what Spanish-speaking country you visit, keeping these Spanish phrases for travel will indeed help you deal with any scenario.

Let’s check out a Spanish conversation with some basic Spanish travel phrases:

Ana : Hola, disculpe… (Hello, excuse me…) Berta : ¡Hola! ¿En qué puedo ayudarte? (Hello! How can I help you?) Ana : ¿Sabe cómo llegar a esta dirección? (Do you know how to get to this address?) Berta : Sí, claro. ¿A qué dirección necesitas ir? (Yes, of course. What address do you need to go to?) Ana : Un hotel en la Calle Principal. (A hotel on Main Street.) Berta : Está cerca. Camina dos cuadras hacia el oeste. (It’s nearby. Walk two blocks west.) Ana : Hice una reserva con número 16. (I made a reservation with the number 16.) Berta : Perfecto. Disfruta tu estadía. (Perfect. Enjoy your stay.) Ana : ¡Gracias! (Thank you!) Berta : De nada. ¡Que tengas un buen día! (You’re welcome. Have a nice day!)

LISTEN TO THE WHOLE CONVERSATION :

Of course, if communicating becomes too complex, don’t hesitate to use the old life-saving phrase “ ¿Habla ingles? ”.

Requesting your free Spanish Chunking Starter Pack from Effortless Conversation is the best you can do if you’re planning to visit a Spanish-speaking destination. You’ll build your confidence and will feel much more comfortable when speaking Spanish.

Lukas is the founder of Effortless Conversations and the creator of the Conversation Based Chunking™ method for learning languages. He's a linguist and wrote a popular book about learning languages through "chunks". He also co-founded the language education company Spring Languages, which creates online language courses and YouTube content.

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91 Top Spanish Travel Phrases & Words for Travelers

Are you planning a well-deserved vacation? Is your destination a Spanish-speaking country? If so, you may want to take the time to learn some essential Spanish travel phrases that can help you communicate. 

There’s no doubt that English is a widely spoken language . But if you travel to a Spanish-speaking country, your chances of randomly finding someone who speaks enough English to help you aren’t that high. Trust me, I have seen enough confused tourists to know.

To avoid any communication issues, I’ve built a list of 91 crucial Spanish travel phrases that will help you get by on your vacation. Are you wondering how on earth you are supposed to pronounce them if you don’t speak Spanish? Fear not! I’ve also included the audio recordings to help you overcome this issue.

Here is a quick overview of the situations we’ll cover and the resources you’ll find in this guide:

• Common verbs for travel
• Phrases & Vocabulary for the Airport
• Phrases to Use in a Restaurant
• Phrases & Words to Ask for Directions
• Phrases to Use at a Hotel
• Downloadable PDF

Basic Spanish Travel Phrases, Questions & Words

When it comes to Spanish vocabulary for travelers, there are some essential words that you’ll use more frequently or that can help you sound more polite when addressing a native speaker. Let’s start with some greetings and expressions to catch a person’s attention.

As you’ll see in the examples I’ve provided, these words are usually placed at the beginning of the sentence. 

• Hola – Hi / Hello 
• ¿Qué tal? – Hello / What’s up
• Buenos días – Good morning
• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
• Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night 
• Disculpa / Disculpe – Excuse me / Sorry
• Perdón – Sorry / Excuse me 
• Señorita – Miss
• Joven – Young man / Mr. 

The following question words and expressions can also be useful when you travel:

• ¿Qué…? – What…?
• ¿ Cuál …? – Which…?
• ¿Dónde…? – Where…?
• ¿ A qué hora …? – What time does…?
• ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
• ¿Cuándo…? – When…?
• ¿Cómo…? – How….?
• ¿Podría…? – Could you…?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta…? – How much…? 

Hola , ¿ cuánto cuesta el llavero? Hi , how much is the keychain?

Disculpe , ¿ dónde está la catedral? Excuse me , where is the cathedral?

Señorita, ¿ podría darme otro formulario? Miss, could you give me another form?

Buenos días , ¿ a qué hora abre el museo? Good morning, what time does the museum open?

Basic Spanish verbs for traveling

Many simple Spanish travel phrases are built with the verbs querer , gustar and poder , which we use to make requests. These are the most common forms that you’ll need:

• Quiero … – I want…
• Quisiera … – I would like…
• Me gustaría … I would like…
• ¿Puede…? – Can you…?
• Tiene / Tengo … – Has / Have

As you can imagine, these expressions are very versatile because they can be combined with different words for tourists:

Quiero dos boletos.  I want two tickets. 

No tengo cambio.  I don’t have change. 

Me gustaría una habitación con vistas al mar.  I would like a room with an ocean view. 

Quisiera visitar el museo de artes.  I would like to visit the art museum. 

¿ Puede decirme dónde está la parada? Can you tell me where the bus stop is?

Disculpe, ¿ podría ayudarme? Excuse me, could you help me?

Travel Phrases & Spanish Vocabulary for the Airport

You’re likely to find more than one person who speaks English at the airport. However, this is an excellent opportunity to start practicing your Spanish. Here are some common phrases that you’re probably going to encounter or use while at the airport:

• ¿Va a documentar su maleta? – Are you going to check your bag?
• ¿Me permite su pasaporte? – Can I have your passport? 
• Por favor, abroche su cinturón – Please, fasten your seatbelt
• ¿Desea algo de beber? – Would you like something to drink?
• Por favor, regrese a su asiento – Please, go back to your seat
• Llene este formulario, por favor – Please, fill in this form
• ¿Cuál es el motivo de su visita? – What’s the reason for your visit?
• ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero? – Where can I exchange money?
• ¿Dónde están los baños? – Where are the restrooms? 

In addition to these phrases, here are some words that may be useful in this situation. Remember that you can combine the words below with the expressions and questions you learned in the previous section.

[Basic Spanish expression] + [airport vocabulary]

Quisiera un asiento en el pasillo .  I would like an aisle seat . 

Disculpe, ¿a qué hora aterrizamos ? Excuse me, what time do we land ?

¿Podría ayudarme? Mi equipaje está perdido .  Could you help me? My luggage is missing . 

¿Cuántas maletas va a documentar ? How many bags are you going to check ?

Buenos días, ¿tiene café ? Good morning, do you have coffee ?

Spanish Phrases for Tourists in a Restaurant

As a tourist, you’re probably going to spend some time trying different foods at restaurants. Here are some common phrases you can use and are likely to hear at a restaurant.

• ¿Qué desea ordenar? – What would you like to order?
• ¿Me puede dar unos minutos? – Could you give me a few more minutes?
• ¿Desea ordenar algún postre? – Would you like to order a dessert?
• ¿Qué lleva…? – What’s in the…? 
• ¿Qué platillo me recomienda? – What dish do you recommend? 
• ¿Todo bien? – Is everything okay?
• ¿Le hace falta algo? – Is there something you need?
• ¿Me puede traer la cuenta? – Could you bring me the bill?
• Soy alérgico a … – I’m allergic to…

Here are other terms that can be useful in this type of situations:

Joven, ¿cuál es la especialidad de la casa? Young man, what’s the specialty of the house?

Quisiera ordenar dos postres, por favor.  I would like to order two desserts, please. 

Disculpe, ¿qué platillo me recomienda? Excuse me, what dish would you recommend to me? 

¿Me podría traer un cuchillo y un vaso de agua? Could you bring me a knife and a glass of water?

Take Note: If you want to learn more about this topic, I recommend you check this guide on ordering food in Spanish . 

Spanish for Visiting the City & Asking for Directions

One of the biggest challenges you may face is communicating with native speakers when visiting the city or a tourist attraction. Here are some of the most common Spanish phrases for travel that you may need in this situation:

• Con permiso / Permiso – Excuse me
• ¿Dónde está el/la…? – Where is the…?
• ¿Cómo llego a…? – How do I get to…?
• Estoy buscando… – I’m looking for
• No hablo mucho español – I don’t speak Spanish very well
• ¿Hay algún/alguna… por aquí? – Is there…around here?
• ¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
• ¿ Puedes repetirlo? – Can you repeat that again?
• ¿Me podría ayudar? – Could you help me?
• ¿ Nos puedes tomar una foto? – Can you take a picture of us?
• ¿ Nos puedes tomar otra ? – Can you take another one of us?
• ¿ Dónde puedo tomar…? – Where can I take…?
• ¿Por aquí pasa el camión…? – Is this place on the bus route? / Does the bus come by here?  
• ¿ Cómo se llama este lugar? – What’s the name of this place?

Take Note: Con permiso is a polite way to ask people to let you through. So, we use this phrase in crowded places or when walking on the street.

On the other hand, people are likely to give you the following answers: 

• Está… – It’s…
• Siga caminando …- Keep walking…
• De vuelta a/en – Turn…
• Siga derecho –  Go straight…
• Camine – Walk…

Additionally, here are some basic words that you can use or might hear when visiting the city:

Here are some examples of how to use these Spanish words and expressions:

Disculpe, ¿ dónde está la estación de tren? Excuse me, where is the train station?

Buenas tardes, estoy buscando el museo.  Good afternoon, I’m looking for the museum. 

Camine dos cuadras y dé vuelta a la izquierda.  Walk two blocks and turn left. 

Perdón, ¿ hay algún restaurante por aquí? Excuse me, is there a restaurant around here?

Hola, ¿ me podría ayudar ? Quiero ir al museo.  Hi, could you help me ? I want to go to the museum.

Spanish Phrases for Hotels & Accommodations

Although nowadays it’s easier to make reservations before your trip, there may be some situations where you need to speak Spanish to communicate with staff and others in your hotel. Here are some essential phrases applicable to this context:

• Tengo una reservación a nombre de … – I have a reservation for…
• Quisiera hacer una reservación – I would like to make a reservation. 
• No funciona … – It doesn’t work…
• ¿Me puede mandar más toallas? – Could you send me more towels? 
• ¿Incluye desayuno? – Is breakfast included? 
• ¿ Cuenta con acceso a internet? – Is the internet included?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña? – What’s the password?  
• ¿En qué piso está la habitación? – On what floor is the room? 
• ¿Me permite su tarjeta? – Can I have your card? 
• El cuarto se entrega a la … – The checkout time is…

As for vocabulary, these are some of the words that you may want to keep in mind:

Señorita, ¿dónde está el elevador ? Miss, where is the elevator ?

Buenos días, la regadera no funciona .  Good morning, the shower doesn’t work . 

¿A qué hora termina el servicio a la habitación ? What time does room service end? 

Spanish Expressions for Souvenir Shopping

Even if you’re not a big spender, it’s likely that at some point you may want to do some shopping. These are the key expressions that you need in this situation:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta…? – How much is..?
• ¿ Tiene otra talla? – Do you have another size?
• ¿Qué otros colores tiene? – Do you have other colors?
• Me queda grande – It’s too big for me.
• Me queda apretado – It doesn’t fit.
• No me queda – It doesn’t fit.
• ¿Cuánto va a ser? – How much will it be?
• No tengo cambio – I don’t have change. 
• ¿Acepta tarjeta? – Do you take cards? 

On the other hand, these are some of the expressions that the clerk may use with you:

• ¿En qué le puedo ayudar? – How can I help you?
• Pregunte/Vea sin compromiso – You can ask/see, without any obligation.
• ¿Buscaba algo en especial? – Are you looking for anything in particular?
• ¿En qué talla? – What size?
• ¿Cómo le quedó? – How does it fit? 
• ¿Buscaba algún color en especial? – Were you looking for a particular color?
• ¿Quiere que le muestre algo? – Would you like me to show you something? 
• Es el último que me queda – It’s the last one. 
• ¿Tiene un billete más pequeño? – Do you have a smaller bill? 
• ¿Qué tamaño buscaba? – What size were you looking for?
• Aquí tiene – Here you go. 

As for vocabulary, here are some common objects that you may find during your trip:

Check the examples below. Notice that you can combine this specific vocabulary with the basic words and questions you learned at the beginning of this article. 

¿Tiene dulces típicos ?  Do you have traditional candies ? 

¿Podría darme tres llaveros ? Can you give me three keychains ? 

Final Points: Spanish for Travelers

Many tourists visiting Spanish-speaking countries face communication difficulties. Let’s face it, there might be some people that speak English and will be able to help you. But chances are that, at some point, you’ll need to use some Spanish. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

To help you with this, I’ve prepared this guide for tourists with basic expressions, questions and words that you’ll use in most traveling situations. Just remember that:

• Many of these travel phrases are built with ‘ querer’, ‘gustar’, ‘poder’ and ‘tener’ . 
• Questioning words can take you pretty far if you combine them with the appropriate vocabulary. 
• You use greetings and words to address people to sound more polite.

Hopefully, this guide will help you keep basic conversations. ¡Buena suerte and (disfruta) enjoy your vacation!

Spanish Resources for Tourists & Travelers

To make your trip as enjoyable as possible and get the most out of speaking Spanish, I recommend checking out the free resources below. Here’s my pro tip: Quickly read them and write down a “script” of the most common Spanish phrases, words and expression you’ll need to use while you travel.

Download the PDF with Spanish Phrases & Vocabulary for Traveling

Learning Spanish can be an incredible experience. But it can also be challenging at times, especially when you’re visiting a new place. I’ve created a free PDF for this guide which you can download with the key Spanish phrases, expressions and words you need to start speaking the language while still enjoying your vacation.

Related Guides & Spanish Vocabulary

If you’re traveling to Mexico or another Latin American, Spanish-speaking country then this guide will show you all the vocabulary and phrases you need to interact and order your food at a restaurant .

One of the best ways to get ready for a day of speaking a foreign language is by achieving an easy win as soon as possible at the start of the day. Here are different expressions that native speakers use to say ‘good morning’ in Spanish , which is easy to incorporate into your conversations as well as common Spanish greetings and farewells .

How to Ask for & Reserve a Hotel Room in Spanish : In this article you’ll find different questions and phrases that you and the hotel staff are likely to use when booking a hotel room. 

Daniela Sanchez

¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. Read More About Me

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Enhance Your Travel Experience

While it's true that many people in popular tourist areas in Spain speak English, venturing beyond the beaten path and immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Spanish culture can be greatly enhanced by speaking a few key phrases in the local language.

Whether you're ordering tapas at a lively bar in Barcelona , exploring the stunning Alhambra in Granada , or strolling through the charming streets of Seville, knowing some basic Spanish phrases will not only make your trip more enjoyable but also show respect for the local culture and its people.

Here are a few reasons why it's important to learn some essential Spanish phrases when travelling to Spain:

Bridge the Communication Gap:

Even though English is widely spoken in some areas, there are still many instances where locals may not be fluent in English or feel more comfortable conversing in their native language.

By learning essential Spanish phrases, you'll bridge the communication gap and be able to express your needs, ask for directions, or engage in simple conversations with ease.

Connect on a Deeper Level:

Speaking a few words in Spanish goes beyond mere communication—it shows a genuine interest in the local culture and a willingness to connect with the people you meet.

When you make an effort to speak Spanish , even if it's just a few phrases, locals will appreciate your gesture and often respond with warmth, friendliness, and a desire to share their culture with you.

Navigate with Confidence:

Travelling in a foreign country can sometimes be challenging, especially when it comes to navigating transportation systems, asking for help, or understanding important signs and announcements.

By familiarising yourself with some basic but essential Spanish phrases, you'll navigate with confidence, whether it's ordering a ticket at the train station, checking into your accommodation, or seeking assistance from locals.

Discover Hidden Gems:

Knowing basic Spanish phrases can unlock doors to hidden gems that may not be on the typical tourist radar.

When you engage in conversations with locals, they may recommend off-the-beaten-path attractions, recommend authentic local eateries, or provide insider tips for a truly immersive experience.

By tapping into the local language, you'll uncover the true essence of Spain.

Show Cultural Respect:

Learning essential Spanish phrases showcases respect for the local culture and demonstrates your willingness to adapt to your surroundings.

The effort you put into learning a few basic phrases shows that you value the local language and customs, and it helps create a positive impression among the locals you encounter.

99 Essential Spanish Phrases

• Hello/Hi - Hola
• Goodbye - Adiós
• Please - Por favor
• Thank you - Gracias
• You're welcome - De nada
• Excuse me - Perdón/Disculpe
• I'm sorry - Lo siento
• Do you speak English? - ¿Habla inglés?
• I don't understand - No entiendo
• Could you please repeat that? - ¿Podría repetirlo, por favor?
• Where is...? - ¿Dónde está...?
• How much does it cost? - ¿Cuánto cuesta?
• Can you help me? - ¿Puede ayudarme?
• I need a doctor - Necesito un médico
• Where is the restroom? - ¿Dónde está el baño?
• Can I have the menu, please? - ¿Puede darme la carta, por favor?
• I would like... - Me gustaría...
• Cheers! - ¡Salud!
• Where can I find a taxi? - ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un taxi?
• What time is it? - ¿Qué hora es?
• I'm lost - Estoy perdido/a
• Can you help me with directions? - ¿Puede ayudarme con las indicaciones?
• I would like to make a reservation - Me gustaría hacer una reserva
• Is there free Wi-Fi here? - ¿Hay Wi-Fi gratis aquí?
• How do I get to...? - ¿Cómo llego a...?
• Can I pay with credit card? - ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito?
• What is your name? - ¿Cuál es tu nombre?
• Where can I buy tickets? - ¿Dónde puedo comprar boletos?
• Is there a pharmacy nearby? - ¿Hay una farmacia cerca?
• Could you take a picture of me, please? - ¿Puedes tomar una foto de mí, por favor?
• I'm allergic to... - Soy alérgico/a a...
• What is the weather like today? - ¿Cómo está el clima hoy?
• Can I try this on? - ¿Puedo probármelo?
• Is there a public restroom here? - ¿Hay un baño público aquí?
• Do you have any vegetarian options? - ¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas?
• Can you recommend a good place to visit? - ¿Puede recomendarme un buen lugar para visitar?
• Have a nice day! - ¡Que tenga un buen día!
• Is there a bank nearby? - ¿Hay un banco cerca?
• What is the best way to get to...? - ¿Cuál es la mejor manera de llegar a...?
• Can you recommend a good hotel? - ¿Puede recomendarme un buen hotel?
• Are there any discounts available? - ¿Hay algún descuento disponible?
• Can you speak slower, please? - ¿Puedes hablar más despacio, por favor?
• I would like a coffee, please - Me gustaría un café, por favor
• Can you help me find my hotel? - ¿Puede ayudarme a encontrar mi hotel?
• Where is the nearest ATM? - ¿Dónde está el cajero automático más cercano?
• I'm looking for a souvenir - Estoy buscando un recuerdo
• Is there a tourist information center nearby? - ¿Hay un centro de información turística cerca?
• What is the best time to visit? - ¿Cuál es la mejor época para visitar?
• I have a reservation - Tengo una reserva
• Is there a public transportation system? - ¿Hay un sistema de transporte público?
• Can I have the bill, please? - ¿Puede traerme la cuenta, por favor?
• Thank you for your help - Gracias por tu ayuda
• Where can I find a pharmacy? - ¿Dónde puedo encontrar una farmacia?
• Can you recommend a good restaurant? - ¿Puede recomendarme un buen restaurante?
• What time does the museum open? - ¿A qué hora abre el museo?
• Could you please take a photo of us? - ¿Podrías hacernos una foto, por favor?
• Can you show me on the map? - ¿Puedes enseñarme en el mapa?
• How far is it to the beach? - ¿A qué distancia está la playa?
• I have a food allergy - Tengo alergia a ciertos alimentos
• What is the weather forecast for today? - ¿Cuál es el pronóstico del tiempo para hoy?
• Is this seat taken? - ¿Está ocupado este asiento?
• Do you have a menu in English? - ¿Tienes un menú en inglés?
• Can you recommend any local specialties? - ¿Puedes recomendarme alguna especialidad local?
• How do I get to the train station? - ¿Cómo llego a la estación de tren?
• Can you call a taxi for me, please? - ¿Puedes llamar un taxi para mí, por favor?
• Where is the nearest bathroom? - ¿Dónde está el baño más cercano?
• I would like to try this dish, please - Me gustaría probar este plato, por favor
• Can you help me, please? - ¿Me puedes ayudar, por favor?
• What time is check-in/check-out? - ¿A qué hora es el check-in/check-out?
• Is there a public transportation system here? - ¿Hay un sistema de transporte público aquí?
• Excuse me, where is the nearest ATM? - Disculpa, ¿dónde está el cajero automático más cercano?
• What is the best way to get to the city center? - ¿Cuál es la mejor manera de llegar al centro de la ciudad?
• Do you accept credit cards? - ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito?
• Can you recommend a good place to stay? - ¿Puedes recomendarme un buen lugar para hospedarme?
• I need a doctor - Necesito un médico.
• What is the Wi-Fi password? - ¿Cuál es la contraseña del Wi-Fi?
• Can I have the bill, please? - ¿Me puedes traer la cuenta, por favor?
• Is there a nearby supermarket? - ¿Hay un supermercado cercano?
• What is your name? - ¿Cómo te llamas?
• I'm sorry, I don't speak Spanish well - Lo siento, no hablo bien español.
• Could you repeat that, please? - ¿Podrías repetirlo, por favor?
• Is there a vegetarian option? - ¿Hay una opción vegetariana?
• Where is the nearest tourist information office? - ¿Dónde está la oficina de información turística más cercana?
• Can I have a glass of water, please? - ¿Me puedes dar un vaso de agua, por favor?
• What is the best time to visit this attraction? - ¿Cuál es el mejor momento para visitar esta atracción?
• Can you recommend a good local wine? - ¿Puedes recomendarme un buen vino local?
• Can you recommend a traditional Spanish dish? - ¿Puedes recomendarme un plato tradicional español?
• Is breakfast included? - ¿Está incluido el desayuno?
• Can I have an extra pillow, please? - ¿Puedo tener una almohada adicional, por favor?
• Is there a safe in the room? - ¿Hay una caja fuerte en la habitación?

Essential Spanish Phrases

Buenos días   - Good morning Buenas tardes  - Good afternoon Buenas noches   - Good evening Como estas?  - How are you.

Que hora es? - What time is it?

10 Reasons why you should learn Spanish in Spain

Learning Spanish while staying in Spain is not only a great idea but also an enriching experience that can enhance your travel adventures in countless ways.

Here are ten reasons why learning Spanish in Spain is highly recommended:

Cultural Immersion:

When you learn Spanish in Spain, you immerse yourself in the local culture and gain a deeper understanding of the country and its people.

By communicating in the local language, you can connect with locals on a more personal level, participate in cultural activities, and appreciate the nuances of daily life.

Enhanced Travel Experience:

Knowing the local language allows you to navigate your way around Spain more confidently.

OYou can interact with locals, ask for directions, order food at local restaurants, and engage in conversations with ease. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities and enhances your overall travel experience.

Authentic Interactions:

Speaking at least the essential Spanish phrases enables you to engage in authentic interactions with locals, who will often appreciate your efforts to communicate in their native tongue.

Whether it's striking up conversations with shopkeepers, chatting with fellow travellers, or making friends with locals, your ability to communicate in Spanish will create more meaningful connections and memorable experiences.

Expanded Opportunities:

Learning Spanish in Spain can open doors to a variety of opportunities. If you plan to work or study in Spain, knowing the language will significantly increase your prospects.

Many employers and educational institutions value bilingualism and consider Spanish language skills a valuable asset.

Cultural Understanding:

Language is a gateway to understanding a culture on a deeper level. By learning Spanish, you gain insights into the customs, traditions, and values of the Spanish-speaking world.

You can appreciate literature, music, and art more profoundly and understand the historical and social context behind them.

Language Skills Development:

Immersing yourself in a Spanish-speaking environment is one of the most effective ways to develop your language skills.

You'll have the opportunity to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in real-life situations.

Native speakers can provide valuable feedback, helping you improve your pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

Personal Growth:

Learning a new language challenges your brain and fosters personal growth.

It improves cognitive skills, enhances memory, and boosts problem-solving abilities. Additionally, it builds resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence as you navigate through the ups and downs of language learning.

Travel Flexibility:

Knowing Spanish allows you to explore beyond the popular Spanish tourist destinations . You can venture into smaller towns, rural areas, and off-the-beaten-path locations with greater ease.

You'll have the freedom to interact with locals, discover hidden gems, and immerse yourself in the true essence of Spain.

Language Diversity:

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

By learning Spanish, you gain access to a vast network of Spanish-speaking countries and communities across the globe.

It opens up opportunities for travel, work, and cultural exchange in various Spanish-speaking countries beyond Spain itself.

Lifelong Skill:

Finally, learning Spanish is a lifelong skill that will continue to benefit you long after your visit to Spain.

Spanish is spoken by millions of people worldwide, and your language skills can be used in various personal and professional contexts for years to come.

Best Places To Learn Spanish in Spain

As the capital of Spain, Madrid boasts numerous language schools and universities that provide comprehensive Spanish language courses.

The city offers a vibrant atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and a diverse range of activities to immerse yourself in the language.

Located in Catalonia, Barcelona is another fantastic destination to learn Spanish . The city offers a blend of Spanish and Catalan culture, making it an exciting and unique learning environment.

Barcelona is home to renowned language schools and offers a lively atmosphere with stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, and vibrant nightlife.

Known as the "City of Spanish," Salamanca is famous for its prestigious University of Salamanca and its language schools.

The city has a strong reputation for providing high-quality Spanish language programs, attracting students from around the world.

Salamanca's well-preserved historic center and vibrant student life create an ideal environment for language learning.

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada offers a captivating setting for learning Spanish.

The city's historic architecture, including the iconic Alhambra Palace , provides a unique backdrop for language immersion.

Granada is known for its warm and friendly atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for language learners.

Situated on the eastern coast of Spain, Valencia combines beautiful beaches with a rich cultural heritage.

The city offers a range of language schools that cater to international students.

Learning Spanish in Valencia allows you to practice the language while enjoying the city's Mediterranean climate, delicious cuisine, and vibrant festivals.

With its picturesque streets, vibrant flamenco scene, and stunning architecture, Seville Spain is an enchanting city to learn Spanish.

It boasts renowned language schools and a welcoming atmosphere. Immersing yourself in Seville's rich Andalusian culture provides an authentic and memorable language-learning experience.

Located on the Costa del Sol , Malaga offers a sunny and relaxed environment for learning Spanish.

The city combines beautiful beaches, a rich cultural heritage, and a thriving art scene. Malaga's language schools provide a range of programs suitable for all levels of Spanish learners.

Situated on the southeastern coast of Spain, Alicante is a popular destination for Spanish language learning.

The city offers a mix of traditional Spanish charm and modern amenities.

Its Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife make it an attractive choice for students.

As the largest of the Canary Islands , Tenerife provides a unique environment for learning Spanish.

The island's pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, and laid-back lifestyle create an ideal setting for language immersion.

Tenerife is home to reputable language schools that offer Spanish courses for international students.

Known for the famous Running of the Bulls festival, Pamplona is also a great place to learn Spanish.

The city's historic charm, friendly locals, and rich cultural heritage make it a captivating destination for language learners.

These popular destinations offer a combination of quality language programs, cultural immersion, and exciting experiences, making them top choices for learning Spanish in Spain.

Each city has its own unique charm and attractions, ensuring that your language-learning journey will be both educational, fun and enjoyable.

• About Author
• Latest Posts

Hey there! I'm Matt, your friendly neighbourhood explorer extraordinaire! For the past 15 years, I've been gallivanting around Spain, soaking up all its wonders and uncovering hidden gems like a modern-day Indiana Jones (minus the hat and whip, unfortunately). So, buckle up, amigos! It's time to dive straight into the heart and soul of Spain. Welcome to my world of Spanish wonders!

Latest posts from Matt

• A Guide to Luxury Family Holidays in Ibiza - August 25, 2024
• Best Hidden Gems of Aragon in Northern Spain - August 24, 2024
• Discover Spain’s Urban Jewels: From Barcelona to Seville - August 22, 2024

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108 Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel [With Audio]

Believe it or not, you don’t have to be fluent in a foreign language to travel to another country! If you don’t speak Spanish but dream to go to Spain, Mexico, Peru, or any other Spanish-speaking country, look no further. This guide includes many situations that travelers encounter such as taking public transport, checking into a hotel, shopping, and getting to know the locals.  

The daily Spanish words here are only the most common Spanish words and phrases you may hear. If you want to be fully prepared, don’t hesitate to check out our complete Travel Phrasebook on the LingoDeer app. It’s for FREE!

Table of Contents

Spanish Phrases for Meeting and Greeting

When meeting someone for the first time in a Spanish-speaking country, don’t be surprised if they kiss you! Women are greeted with air kisses on the cheek , and the number of kisses and which side of the face depends on the country. Men typically greet other men with a handshake but close friends may also kiss each other on the cheek . It is polite to greet and say goodbye to everyone individually.

When approaching someone, it is polite to say hello before anything else. 

You can use these greetings at any time of the day:

• Hello – Hola
• Good morning – Buenos días
• Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
• Good evening/night – Buenas noches

The Spanish language has two levels of formality. When addressing others, Usted is used with strangers and authorities as a way to show respect. T ú is used amongst friends to show familiarity. If you’re not sure, use usted to be polite!

For example, to ask a stranger how they are, you would say:

• How are you? – ¿Cómo está usted?

To ask a friend or someone your age how they are, you can say:

• How are you? – ¿Como estás?
• What’s up? – ¿Qué tal?

Here are some potential responses that you can give when asked the same question:

• I am well – Estoy bien
• I am fine – Estoy normal
• I am bad – Estoy mal

Getting to Know Someone

When getting to know a stranger, you can say:

• Where are you from? – ¿De dónde es?
• What is your profession? – ¿Cuál es su profesión?

When introduced to someone by your friend, say the following to be more informal:

• Where are you from? – ¿De donde eres?
• What is your profession? – ¿Cuál es tu profesión?

Always remember to say goodbye, whether it’s to a shopkeeper or new friends!

• Goodbye – Adiós
• Until later – Hasta luego
• Until tomorrow – Hasta mañana
• See you soon – Hasta pronto
• Bye – Chao

Spanish Phrases for Dating

When traveling you may come across someone you like. This may happen in some informal situations like at a café or a bar. So here are some ways to express affection using the informal form. 

Compliments

There are many ways to pay a compliment to a woman . Here are a few:

• You’re so pretty! – ¡ Qué guapa eres!
• Are you single? – ¿Estás soltera?
• You are beautiful. – Eres hermosa.
• What a pretty name! – ¡ Qué nombre tan bonito!

Men like compliments too! Here are some gender-neutral expressions to say to a man or a woman.

• I love your eyes – Me encantan tus ojos.
• I can’t take my eyes off of you – No puedo apartar la vista de ti
• I love talking to you – Me encanta hablar contigo.

When receiving a compliment from a special someone, say ¡gracias! (thank you!).

Asking Someone Out

From a subtle approach to a direct move, there is something for everyone. In Spain and Latin America, traditionally men make the first move and ask out the women. In modern times though, it is not uncalled for if the woman asks the man out. To make your interests known, you can say any of the following:

• Do you want to go out with me? – ¿Quieres salir conmigo?
• Can you give me your phone number? – ¿Me puedes dar tu número de teléfono?
• How can I contact you? – ¿Cómo puedo contactar contigo?
• Do you mind if I sit next to you? – ¿Te molesta si me siento a tu lado?

Spanish Phrases for Travelers Who Need Help

Public transport.

Spain has an advanced train system that allows you to easily go from Madrid to Seville without a car or plane ticket. Other countries have a metro in the city but rely on buses and cars exclusively for greater travel. To use public transportation, some useful questions and words are:

• What is the next stop? – ¿Cuál es la próxima parada
• What time does the train leave? – ¿A qué hora saldrá el tren?
• What stop can I transfer to line 2? – ¿En qué parada puedo hacer transbordo a la línea 2?
• I want to rent a bicycle. – Quiero alquilar una bicicleta.
• I want a taxi to… – Quiero un taxi a….
• Bus – El autobús
• Metro/subway – El metro
• Train – El tren
• Ticket – El boleto

Asking for Directions

Even with today’s technology like Google Maps and having a map in the train car on public transport, you can get lost and may need to ask for help or clarification. Some questions you can ask are:

• How long does it take to arrive to… ? – ¿Cuánto tardará en llegar a …?
• How can I get here? – ¿Cómo puedo llegar aquí?
• Where is…? – ¿Dónde está…?
• Airport – el aeropuerto
• Station – la estación
• Address – la dirección

Understanding the answers are just as important as asking the questions. So here are something you may hear:

• To the north – al norte
• To the south – al sur
• To the east – al este
• To the west – al oeste
• Right – la derecha
• Left – la izquierda
• Close – cerca
• Far – lejos

Spanish Phrases for Shopping

Souvenirs are the best! Family and friends love to receive trinkets and as a bonus, you can help the local economy.

Countries like Ecuador have open-air markets where you can buy artisanal local products. The stalls are colorful and lined with shopkeepers beckoning you over to see their wares. Even though prices are cheaper than in Europe or the United States, negotiating is often expected (so learn the numbers, for bargain’s sake!) and cash is king . They also have malls and other stores with set prices if you want a more familiar environment. 

Here are some phrases to help you buy whatever you need.

• How much is it? – ¿Cuánto es?
• I want to buy… – Quiero comprar…
• Can I pay with credit card? – ¿Se puede usar tarjeta de crédito?
• I’ll take this. – Me llevo esto.
• Is there another size? – ¿Hay otro tamaño?
• Small – pequeño
• Medium – mediano
• Large – grande
• Is there another color? – ¿Hay otro color?
• Does it fit me well? – ¿Me queda bien?
• Can I try this on? – ¿Me puedo probar este?
• Where is the fitting room? – ¿Dónde está el probador? 

• Very expensive. – carísimo
• I only have five dollars. – Solo tengo cinco dólares.
• There are quality problems. – Hay problemas de calidad.
• Is there another cheaper one? – ¿Hay otro más barato?

Spanish Phrases for Eating Out

Whether it’s a nice dine-in restaurant, a taco truck, or a friend’s house, knowing a few food words is handy! In Spain and Latin America, the largest and most important meal of the day is lunch . Workers often go home for a few hours to eat with family and have a rest called la siesta . Since lunch is served late by American standards, dinner is also served late and tends to be a smaller meal .

• Table for two. – Una mesa para dos
• Menu – El menú
• Waiter – el camarero
• Waitress – la camarera
• I want… – Quiero…
• Chicken – El pollo
• Salad – La ensalada
• Beer – La cerveza
• Wine – El vino
• Check please. – La cuenta por favor.

Eating as a Guest in a Home

Here are some phrases to get on the host’s good side and impress other guests with both your manners and your Spanish. If mamá is cooking, be sure to compliment the food and say thank you!

• How delicious! – ¡Qué rico!
• How tasty! – ¡Qué sabroso!
• I (male) am full – Estoy lleno.
• I (female) am full – Estoy llena.
• Bon appetit – Buen provecho
• Cheers! – ¡Salud!
• It’s been a pleasure. – Ha sido un placer.

Spanish Phrases for the Hotel

After a long day of trekking across the city or getting off of a long flight, the last thing you want is a language barrier to stop you from checking into the hotel to rest. With these words, it will be smooth sailing.

• I have a reservation – Tengo una reservación.
• Is there a room available? – ¿ Hay habitación disponible?
• Is breakfast included? – ¿ Está incluido el desayuno?
• What is the WiFi password? – ¿ Cuál es la contraseña del wifi?
• Can you change the towels and sheets? – ¿ Me pueden cambiar las toallas y las sábanas?
• Reception – la recepción
• Room key – la llave de habitación
• Single room – la habitación individual
• Double room – la habitación doble

Spanish Phrases for an Emergency while traveling

Latin America, unfortunately, has a reputation for being more dangerous than European countries. Please do not let this hold you back from experiencing the amazing and rich cultures of Mexico, Colombia, and other places south of Texas. As long as you take normal precautions and are smart, you will have a fabulous time!

Hopefully, you will never have to use these phrases when abroad, however, it is better to be safe than sorry. With this vocabulary, you can feel safe and prepared in the event of an emergency.

Medical Emergency

If you remember anything from this emergency section, it should be this:

• Help me! – ¡Ayúdame!

These other phrases are useful and more related to details.

• I need to see a doctor – Necesito ir al médico.
• It hurts a lot – Me duele mucho.
• Call an ambulance! – ¡Llama una ambulancia!

  Other Emergency

• Fire! – ¡Fuego!
• Everyone out. – Todo el mundo fuera.
• Assault! – ¡Asalto!
• Robbers! – ¡Ladrones!
• Call the police – Llama la policía
• Emergency exit – Salida de emergencia
• Police station – Comisaría
• I do not know him – No lo conozco
• They stole from me – Me han robado

With this list of daily Spanish words and phrases, you will not only survive in a Spanish-speaking country for your travels, but also thrive and navigate the world with confidence!

For more travel vocabulary, or if you want to learn Spanish, check out the LingoDeer app and learn on the go.

Interested in learning beyond travel vocabulary and improving your Spanish level?

Let LingoDeer help you! Give it a try for free.

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Published by Kirsten Agla

Kirsten has been fascinated by foreign languages since childhood and has made it her mission to inspire others with her passion for Spanish. She has a master’s degree in Hispanic Studies from Boston College and has tutored and taught students of all ages. View all posts by Kirsten Agla

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The Essential Spanish Phrases for Travel PDF

As I mentioned in my post on  the benefits of foreign language for travel , I think that learning the basics of the language to any country you visit is a great way to bettter experience the local culture. If you’ve read my post on Sagunto , you may know that I studied abroad there and speak it at about an intermediate (B2) level. I love this language, and seeing it’s popularity, I am glad that I spent time learning it.

As there are many countries around the world where Spanish is the primary language, it is pretty likely that you’ll hit one of these countries on your travels. This post will cover the basics of Spanish phrases for travel, which you can use as your pocket guide while traveling to any Spanish-speaking country!

Table of Contents

The Top Resources for Learning Spanish

• iTalki : Practice with Live Teachers at a low cost
• LingoPie : Learn the language by watching videos in Spanish
• Short Stories : Expand your Spanish vocabulary with easy to read short stories

START LEARNING TODAY!

Spanish Language Overview

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin! There are 442 million speakers of Spanish around the globe, and it is the official languages of 21 countries across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. These specific countries and territories include:

• Puerto Rico 

It is a Romance language, meaning it comes from Latin. That means that learning Spanish will certainly help you with learning the other Romance languages. Particular in the areas of grammar and root words. 

get your free download!

Spanish phrases pdf.

This free download includes all the key Spanish phrases that you will need for your travels throughout Spain, Mexico and any Spanish-speaking country. In addition, get details on the best resources to improve your speaking and listening skills as well.

History of the Spanish Language

The history of the Spanish language is shaped by centuries of cultural, political, and linguistic influences. Its roots can be traced back to the Roman Empire, when Latin was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula around the 3rd century BCE. Over time, Latin evolved into various dialects, blending with local languages spoken by native Iberian populations. However, it was during the medieval period, particularly after the Moorish conquest of Spain, that the foundations of modern Spanish began to take shape. 

The influence of Arabic and other languages spoken by the Moors infused the evolving Romance dialects with new vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. The gradual reconquest of Spain by Christian kingdoms led to the unification of the language, and by the 13th century, a standardized version of Spanish, known as Castilian, emerged as the dominant dialect. With the colonization of the Americas by the Spanish, the language spread across the globe, becoming one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. 

Spanish Pronunciation Tips

Spanish pronunciation can be a delightful challenge for language learners, but with a few key tips, mastering the sounds becomes more attainable:

• One important aspect is understanding that Spanish has a consistent sound-to-letter correspondence, meaning letters are usually pronounced the same way regardless of their position in a word. It is also crucial to pay attention to vowel sounds, as they are clear and distinct in Spanish. Mastering the five vowel sounds, namely “a,” “e,” “i,” “o,” and “u,” will greatly enhance pronunciation accuracy. 
• Another tip is to focus on correctly pronouncing the rolled “r” sound, which is a unique feature of Spanish. Practicing tongue trills or tapping the tongue against the roof of the mouth can help achieve this sound. 
• Additionally, being aware of syllable stress is crucial since Spanish is a syllable-timed language. Recognizing which syllables are stressed can improve both comprehension and fluency. 
• Finally, listening to native Spanish speakers and immersing oneself in Spanish language media can greatly aid in developing an authentic and natural pronunciation. 

Your Spanish Phrases for Travel Cheatsheet

Spanish greetings.

Below are basic Spanish greetings you’d use to greet or say goodbye to locals:   

• Hello –  Hola
• Hello/Goodbye –  Chao
• How are you?  – ¿Cómo estás?
• Good morning –  Buenos días
• Good afternoon –  Buenas tardes
• Good night / Good evening –  Buenas noches
• Goodbye –  Adiós
• What is your name? –  ¿Cómo te llamas? / ¿Cómo se llama? (formal)
• My name is…  – Me llamo…
• My name is…  – Mi nombre es (less commonly used)
• Nice to meet you –  Mucho gusto / Encantado(a) a conocerle
• Have a great day! –  ¡Que tengas un buen dia!
• See you later –  Hasta luego
• How are you? –  ¿Como estás?
• What’s up?  – Qué pasa?
• Very well –  Muy bien
• I’m fine  – Estoy bien
• Okay / So-so –  Más o menos
• And you?  – ¿y tú?

Essential Phrases

Essential phrases are those you’d use most frequently, outside of greetings of course.

• Yes  – Sí
• No  – No
• Thank you  – Gracias
• Thanks a lot  – Muchas gracias
• You’re welcome  – De Nada
• Excuse me  – Perdón / Disculpe / Permiso / Con permiso 
• I’m sorry  – Lo siento
• Do you speak English?  – ¿Hablas inlgés?
• I don’t speak English  – No hablo inglés
• I don’t understand  – No entiendo
• Please  – Por favor
• Slowly  – Despacio
• Repeat  – Repita
• Where is the bathroom?  – ¿Dónde está el baño?

Days, Months, and Time

The days of the week and all other phrases related to telling time.

• Day  – Día
• Week  – Semana
• Sunday  – Domingo
• Monday  – Lunes
• Tuesday  – Martes
• Wednesday  – Miércoles
• Thursday  – Jueves
• Friday  – Viernes
• Saturday  – Sábado

Months/Year

• Month  – Mes
• Year  – Año
• January  – enero
• Februar y – febrero
• March  – marzo
• April  – abril
• May  – mayo
• June  – junio
• July  – julio
• August  – agosto
• September  – septiembre
• October  – octubre
• November  – noviembre
• December  – deciembre

Telling Time

• Minute  – Minuto
• Hour  – Hora
• Time  – Hora / Tiempo
• What time is it?  – ¿Qué hora es?
• It is 1:00  – Es la una
• It is 2:00 / 3:00  – Son las dos / tres
• What day is today? –  ¿Qué día es hoy?
• Tomorrow  – Mañana
• Yesterday  – Ayer
• Morning  – Mañana
• Midday  – Mediodía
• Midnight  – Medianoche
• Night  – Noche
• (Three weeks) ago  – Hace (tres semanas)
• Today  – Hoy
• Now  – Ahora

Phrases and words for getting around town.

• Where is…?  – Dónde está…
• The bus stop  – La parada de autobús 
• The bank  – El banco
• The museum  – El museo
• The park  – El parque
• The hospital  – El hospital
• The airport  – El aeropuerto
• The church  – La iglesia
• How do you get to…?  – ¿Cómo se va a…?
• Left  – Izquierda
• Right  – Derecha
• Straight  – Derecho
• Turn to the.. . – Gira a la…
• How far away is…?  – ¿Qué tan lejos está…?
• It is two blocks away  – Está a dos manzanas. 
• It is five minutes away  – Está a cinco minutos. 
• What is the address?  – Cuál es la direccion? 

Transportation

Phrases and words for traveling to further destinations. 

• By bus  – En autobús
• By train  – En tren
• By car  – En coche / en carro 
• By plane  – En avión
• By subway / metro  – En metro  
• Where is the train station?  – ¿Dónde está la estación de tren?  
• Where is the bus stop?  – ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? 

Phrases and words to use when ordering food at a restaurant.

• Restaurant – El restaurante
• Breakfast – El desayuno
• Lunch – El almuerzo
• Dinner – La cena
• Appetizer – Entrada
• Main Course – Plato principal
• Desert – Postre
• What do you recommend?  – ¿Qué nos recomienda?
• I would like (to order) – Querría…
• The bill please – La cuenta por favor
• I’m vegetarian  – Soy vegetariano/a 
• I’m allergic  – Soy alérgica 
• Red wine  – Vino tinto
• White wine  – Vino blanco

Phrases and words to use when out shopping. 

• How much does it cost?  – ¿Cuánto cuesta? 
• Store  – La tienda 
• Price  – El precio 
• Money  – El dinero
• Credit card –  Tarjeta de crédito 
• Do you accept credit cards?  – Se acepta tarjetas de crédito? 
• Cash  – Dinero en efectivo
• Discount  – El descuento
• Shirt  – La camisa
• Blouse  – La blusa
• Pants  – Los pantalones
• Shoes  – Los zapatos
• Suit  – El traje 
• Swimsuit  – El traje de baño 

Regional Spanish Differences

From Latin America to Spain, Spanish does remain intelligible, but there are some particularities that may be useful to know: 

Spain Spanish

One of the most prominent differences lies in the pronunciation and accent. In Spain, the Spanish accent tends to be more sibilant and has a softer, lisping quality, particularly in regions like Andalusia. Latin American Spanish, on the other hand, often features a clearer pronunciation of consonants and is generally considered to have a more melodious cadence.

Vocabulary is another area where variations can be observed. While the core vocabulary remains largely the same, there are differences in terms of certain words and expressions used in Spain versus Latin America. For instance, words related to everyday objects, food, and slang can vary between the two regions. Moreover, grammatical variations exist as well. In particular, the “plural you” used in Spain is  vosotros , instead of  usted  like it is in most of Latin America. 

Rioplatense Spanish

Also known as River Plate Spanish, this term refers to the distinct variety of Spanish spoken in the areas surrounding the Río de la Plata region, which includes Argentina and Uruguay. This variant of Spanish exhibits several particularities that set it apart from other Spanish dialects. One notable feature is the pronunciation, characterized by a unique intonation and rhythm.

Rioplatense Spanish has a strong Italian influence, reflecting the significant Italian immigration to the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a result, speakers often pronounce “ll” and “y” as a “zh” sound, known as “yeísmo” or “sh” sound, which is distinct from the “y” sound in standard Spanish.

Additionally, the Rioplatense dialect includes a variety of local idioms, slang, and vocabulary that differ from other Spanish-speaking regions. Words borrowed from Italian, known as “lunfardo,” are prevalent in the dialect and contribute to its distinctive flavor. 

Cuban Spanish

Also known as “Cubano” or “Cubanismo,” this dialect possesses a distinct set of particularities that make it stand out within the Spanish-speaking world. One notable feature of Cuban Spanish is its pronunciation. The “s” sound at the end of words and syllables is often softened or omitted, a phenomenon known as “seseo.”

Additionally, the “r” sound is often rolled or trilled more prominently, giving Cuban Spanish a melodic and vibrant quality. Another characteristic of Cuban Spanish is the frequent use of augmentatives and diminutives to convey emphasis or affection. These suffixes, such as “-ito” and “-ote,” are commonly added to nouns and adjectives.

Cuban Spanish also showcases a rich vocabulary influenced by Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and African linguistic elements, along with borrowings from English and French. Furthermore, the dialect features distinctive idiomatic expressions, humor, and wordplay that reflect the unique cultural identity and wit of the Cuban people. 

Mexican Spanish

This variety of Spanish is what is most often taught in the US, and is also known as “español mexicano” or “mexicanismo”. One notable feature of Mexican Spanish is its pronunciation. It is characterized by a softening or elision of certain consonants at the end of words, such as the “s” sound, a phenomenon known as “seseo” (like Cuba).

Another distinctive aspect is the pronunciation of the “x” sound, which is often pronounced as an “h” sound. Mexican Spanish also includes a vast array of unique vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and regional slang, known as “mexicanismos.” These linguistic elements are deeply rooted in the country’s history, indigenous cultures, and influences from Nahuatl, the Aztec language, as well as other indigenous languages.

Moreover, Mexican Spanish has borrowed extensively from English, particularly in the realm of technology and popular culture. 

Practicing Spanish

Here is a youtube video (and channel) that will be useful for practicing your Spanish:

The Spanish Travel Phrases PDF

Download this PDF so that you can have all the key Spanish phrases at your fingerprints. Practice will make you more confident, so here is your chance to start learning more now!

Spanish Phrases for Travel | Final Thoughts….

That completes my list of the basic Spanish phrases for travel! I hope that this list serves as a useful guide when you venture out to any of the 21 countries where Spanish is the official language! To get the most out of this list, you should practice often before taking your trip.

Even better than just using this list is practicing your new vocabulary with a real person! If this interests you, check out my favorite language resource,   iTalki .  You can use this site to practice with a tutor, formal teacher, or others just seeking to do a language exchange (for free!). The paid lessons have very cheap options, with some as low as $5 an hour.  Check it out!

Travel Guides for Spanish Speaking Countries:

• Barcelona in Four Days
• Two Days in Granada
• One Day in Málaga
• What to Do in Cartagena, Colombia
• Lima Travel Guide
• What to do in Cusco
• Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain

Additional Language Guides:

• Portuguese for Travel
• French for Travel
• Italian for Travel
• Greek for Travel
• Thai for Travel
• Japanese for Travel

Don’t forget to pin this for later!

Christen Thomas is the founder of TravelWanderGrow, established in 2018. She has lived abroad and traveled extensively to over 30 countries. In addition, she is a certified Travel Advisor and is an expert in planning trips focused on city history and culture. As a frequent traveler, she also shares tips on how to prepare to travel well and how to save money while doing so.

12 Comments

Handy – I have a son who lives in Spain – be good to throw a bit of Spanish at him next time we talk on the phone

Ha! I like that idea Ron 🙂

Thanks for a great article with some key phrases! There is enough here to help you get by when on holiday. I always try my best to communicate with the natives it only seems polite to do so as you are a guest in their country!

My thoughts exactly, Andy!

This is so much great information.

I took Spanish in high school.. a couple years ago at least and I still do remember some phrases.

A really helpful phrase I used frequently when I was in Mexico last November was – Hablas ingles? It saved me and my husband’s bums when we almost got stuck in a different place because our tour bus left without us.

Thanks! Kahlua

Yes, that phrase is one of the best ones to know – can certainly help get you out of a bind, Kahlua!

I’m definitely pinning this! Spain will be a trip we take at some point and this is so handy. My husband studied abroad in Spain in college. ☺️

Glad you found this useful Laura!

Oh this is interesting! I wish I had the money to go abroad but I really love your posts!

Thanks, Audrey. Hope you can travel soon!

This is such a useful little post! Wish I read it about 6 weeks ago before I went on holiday lol

Haha – I understand that! You can always just use it for your next trip though 🙂

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A Useful Guide to Spanish Travel Phrases

Written by Diana Luciana

August 25, 2022.

Are you planning a long-awaited trip to a Spanish-speaking country? 🌎

Your trip can be so much more fun and meaningful if you know how to say travel in Spanish, and communicate with the locals—how many times have you missed out on a secret spot because you didn’t speak the language?—and find your way around with this guide to Spanish travel phrases and words. From getting to the airport to ordering food in Spanish at the restaurant, we got you covered.

How do you say travel in Spanish?

We put together a list of essential Spanish travel phrases, need-to-know vocabulary, and tips for traveling in Spanish. Keep in mind that you don’t need to speak Spanish fluently to get the most out of your trip and have meaningful interactions. A basic travel Spanish vocabulary will get you a long way, and the locals would definitely appreciate the effort. And when you don’t understand or aren’t sure of what’s being said, simply ask ¿Habla inglés? (Do you speak English?)

Key phrases in Spanish for travelers

Here are some key Spanish phrases and greetings you should know. You can use them in any situation (asking for directions in Spanish, asking questions in Spanish, meeting new people in Spanish, and so on.) It’s a mini Spanish 101 lesson:

Spanish greetings

• Buenos días   — Good morning
• Buenas tardes   — Good afternoon
• Buenas noches   — Good evening
• ¿Cómo te llamas?  — What’s your name?
• Me llamo…   — My name is…
• Mucho gusto. Encantado — It’s a pleasure to meet you.
• ¿Cómo te va? / ¿Qué tal? / ¿Qué hay?  — How’s it going?
• ¿Cómo estás?   — How are you?
• Bien, gracias / Muy bien, gracia s — Good, thank you / Very well, thank you
• Por favor   — Please
• Perdón / Lo siento — Sorry
• ¿Habla inglés?   — Do you speak English?
• No hablo español.  — I don’t speak Spanish.
• No entiendo bien el español. — I don’t understand Spanish well. 
• ¿Tiene…?  — Do you have…?
• ¿Entiende?  — Do you understand?
• Yo entiendo / yo no entiendo  — I understand / I don’t understand
• Hágame el favor de hablar más despacio. — Speak more slowly, please. 
• Escríbalo, por favor. — Write it down, please.

Essential Spanish

• ¿Dónde está…? ¿Dónde están…? — Where is…? Where are…?
• ¿Por dónde se va a…? / ¿Cómo puedo llegar a…? — How do you go to…? 
• ¿Dónde estamos aquí en el mapa? — Where are we on the map?
• ¿Está lejos? ¿Está por aquí? — Is it far away? Is it near here?
• Busco… — I’m looking for…
• ¿Me podría ayudar?  — Can you help me?
• Estoy perdido  (for men) / perdida  (for women) . — I’m lost.
• ¿Hay alguien que hable inglés? — Is there anyone who speaks English? 
• Disculpe / Con permiso / Perdóname — Excuse me
• ¿Quién?   — Who?
• ¿Qué?   — What?
• ¿Cuándo?   — When?
• ¿Cómo?   — How?
• ¿Cuánto?   — How much?
• ¿Cuántos?   — How many?
• ¿Por qué?   — Why?
• ¿A qué hora?   — What time?
• ¿Por cuánto tiempo?   — How long?
• ¿Cada cuánto?   — How often?
• Yo quiero / yo no quiero  — I want / I don’t want
• Yo tengo / yo no tengo  — I have / I don’t have

How to say airport in Spanish

Imagine yourself getting off the plane ( el avión )—new place, new language, new everything—ready to start your vacation. Even though English is widely spoken, knowing the basic Spanish travel vocabulary for airports and planes will make your trip easier. And you will start your vacation on the right foot, confident that you can find your way in any situation.

Essential travel vocabulary in Spanish for when you are at the airport ( el aeropuerto ):

Spanish travel vocabulary

Airport-specific vocabulary in Spanish

• la aduana  — customs
• la aerolínea  / la linea aerea   — airline
• el asiento  — seat
• el auxiliar de vuelo, la azafata  — flight attendant
• el baño  — bathroom
• el boleto  — ticket
• confirmar una reservación   — to confirm a reservation
• el destino  —  destination
• el equipaje  — luggage
• el horario, el itinerario   — schedule
• la maleta  — suitcase
• el pasajero, la pasajera  —  passenger
• el pasaporte  —  passport
• el regreso  —  return
• la salida  —  departure, exit
• la tarifa  —  price
• la tienda libre de impuestos   — duty-free shop
• el viaje  — journey, trip
• el vuelo  —  flight, wing

Spanish travel phrases

Useful phrases at the airport in Spanish

• ¿Cuándo sale el avión?  — When does the plane leave?
• Mi vuelo es a las … en punto. — My flight is at … o’clock.
• ¿A qué hora es el embarque?  — What time is boarding?
• ¿Cuándo llega el avión?  — When does the plane arrive?
• Quisiera cambiar mi reserva / asiento.   — I would like to change my reservation / seat.
• Querría anular mi reserva.   — I would like to cancel my reservation.
• Necesitamos ayuda para subir al avión.   — We need help to get on the plane.
• ¿Podría elegir mi asiento?  — Could I choose my seat?
• Este es mi equipaje de mano . — This is my carry-on luggage.
• ¿Se ha cancelado el vuelo?   — Has the flight been canceled?
• ¿Dónde está la terminal internacional / a puerta de embarque ?  — Where is the international terminal / boarding gate?
• ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero? — Where is there a currency exchange desk?
• ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?

How to ask for directions in Spanish

You are finally in the city, ready to explore! Next on the list is learning how to ask for directions in Spanish. In this section, we’ll also cover the topic of transportation and finding a hotel in Spanish, and show you the most common travel phrases. Let’s delve into it:

• ¿Dónde está la estación de ferrocarril?  — Where is the railway station?
• ¿A qué hora sale el tren?   — What time does the train leave?
• ¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren?  — What time does the next train leave?
• ¿De qué plataforma sale?  — Which platform does it leave from?
• ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi / un autobús? (Latin America) /  ¿Dónde puedo coger un taxi / un autobús? (Spain) — Where can I catch a taxi / a bus?
• ¿Tiene un pase de un día?  — Do you have a one-day pass?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete al aeropuerto?   — How much is a ticket to the airport?
• ¿Cómo llego a…?   — How do I get to … ?
• Gira a la izquierda/derecha.   — Turn left/right.
• ¿Dónde hay un supermercado?   — ¿Where is there a supermarket?
• ¿Dónde hay una casa de cambio?   — Where is the currency exchange?
• ¿Dónde está el banco?  — Where is the bank?
• ¡Disculpe! Soy turista y estoy perdido/a.  — Excuse me! I am a tourist and I am lost.
• ¿Dónde hay un restaurante?  — Where is a restaurant?
• Me podrías recomendar un restaurante?   — Do you have any restaurant recommendations?

12 Spanish travel phrases for the hotel

• Busco un hotel . — I’m looking for a hotel.
• Yo necesito un hotel / un cuarto / un cuarto con baño.  — I need a hotel / a room / a room with a bathroom.
• Una habitación para dos personas . — A room for two people.
• Yo tengo una reserva a nombre de…  — I have a reservation under the name of…
• He reservado una habitación.  — I have booked a room.
• ¿Puedes darme la llave de mi habitación?  — Can you give me the key to my room?
• ¿Cuándo es la hora límite de salida?   — When is check-out time?
• ¿Puedo solicitar una salida tardía?  — Can I request for late check-out?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña de Wifi?  — What is the Wifi password?
• ¿Tiene servicio de habitaciones?  — Do you have room service?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno?  — What time is breakfast?
• Esta habitación es demasiado ruidosa.   — This room is too noisy.

How to order food in Spanish

After a long day of walking and exploring, it’s time to take a break and have a bite. Maybe try out the local Spanish cuisine. Whether you are ordering food or drinks, these phrases will come in handy. And if you want to learn more about how to say food in Spanish, check out this post . (You also have an entire section about ordering food in Spanish.) Start with these phrases:

• Una mesa para… dos, tres, cuatro . — A table for… two, three, four.
• ¿Cuál es el menú de hoy? — What is today’s menu?
• Me gustaría probar la especialidad del cocinero.  — I would like to try the chef’s specialty.
• ¿Qué me recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• Me gustaría algo de postre.   — I would like some dessert.
• La cuenta, por favor. – The check, please.
• ¿Acepta tarjeta de crédito? — Do you accept credit card?
• Tengo alergia a … — I am allergic to…
• Soy alérgico. — I’m allergic.
• Soy vegetariano/a. — I’m a vegetarian.

Now you’re all set for your Spanish travels! I hope this guide will enhance your travel experience, and that you will enjoy speaking Spanish—from asking for directions to ordering breakfast at the local cafe. If you want more free Spanish lessons , check out my YouTube channel and blog .

What’s your favorite travel destination? ✈️🧳 Drop your answer in the comments.

P.S. Do you know how to say safe travels in Spanish? Learn 3 ways you can say safe travels in Spanish: Te deseo que tengas un buen viaje (I wish you safe travels), Ojalá que tengas un buen viaje (I hope you have a good trip) and the formal option of Le deseo que tenga un buen viaje (I hope you have a good trip.) Now you know how to say safe travels in Spanish.

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70+ Spanish Phrases for Travel You Should Know 📚FREE PDF Cheat-Sheet

Take your Spanish vacation experience to the next level with these common Spanish phrases for travellers.

Whether you’re heading to Spain or the Americas, Spanish is one of the best and most useful languages to learn. Once you learn a few phrases,  can make use of your Spanish skills in over 11 countries around the world.

Why else should you learn Spanish? Well, it makes learning other languages, especially Romance languages like Portuguese , Italian , French and Romanian much easier.

Don't let the learning stop here. Download your free PDF guide with 70+ Spanish travel phrases . Includes English and Spanish translations with pronunciation guide plus both Castilian (European) and Latin American Spanish variations . ¡Aprendamos juntas! (Let's learn together!)

Want to have fun whilst learning European Spanish, Latin American Spanish or Argentinian Spanish? Struggling to find decent Spanish language resources available? I recommend getting uTalk . Available as a desktop site and app, uTalk is awesome for learning key words and phrases in Spanish (either in European , Latin American, or Argentinian Spanish), especially if you want to use it for travel purposes.  It’s great for beginners getting started in a language and invaluable for intermediates looking to fill in gaps in their vocabulary and pronunciation. 

What I love most about uTalk is that you can jump around their extensive library of topics and choose what you want to learn, when you want, and at your own pace.  Because I believe in uTalk so much, I reached out to them and we’ve teamed up to offer you an exclusive 30% OFF reader discount across all of uTalk’s 140 languages! This offer isn’t available anywhere else! Click here to claim your exclusive 30% discount in European Spanish ,  Latin American Spanish here, and Argentinian Spanish here.

Have a laugh with these hilarious Spanish expressions

Let’s take a quick look at the Spanish language so you’re a bit more clued up on its origin, use, and vocabulary.

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed bringing it together. If you have any requests for other languages, let me know in the comments section!

Where is Spanish spoken?

Being the official or national language in Spain, Equatorial Guinea, and 19 countries in the Americas, Spanish is one a great language to have under your belt as you travel.

There are some 418 million speakers in Americas alone. Instituto Cervantes claims that there are around 477 million Spanish speakers with native competence, 572 million who speak Spanish as a first or second language and more than 21 million students who are learning Spanish.

Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is an official lang u age of the European Union.

A brief history of Spanish

Originating in the Castile region of Spain, Spanish ( español ) is also known as Castilian ( castellano ).

Spanish evolved from several dialects of Vulgar Latin in Iberia after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century.

Spanish began to spread beyond mainland Europe in the early 16th century when the Spanish Empire established colonies in the Americas, as well as territories in Africa, Oceania and the Philippines.

Ancient Greek contributed substantially to Spanish vocabulary, in addition, up to 75% of modern Spanish is derived from Latin.

What’s not well-known is that Arabic has also left a substantial mark on Spanish vocabulary having been in contact with the language very early on. Around 8% of Spanish vocabulary is of Arabic origin, making it the second most important influence after Latin.

Pronunciation

Spanish spelling is very phonetic with only a few exceptions. This means that if you know how to pronounce the letters of a word, it’s relatively easy to sound out the word itself. A bonus characteristic for new learners.

Accents and Stress

In Spanish, where you place the stress in a word can alter its meaning. Here are some general rules to follow:

• If a word is marked with an accent, then that syllable receives the stress.
• if the word ends in a consonant other than N or S , the stress occurs on the last syllable (eg. hospital = “os-pee-TAL”)>
• if the word ends in a vowel, N or S , the stress occurs on the next to last syllable (eg. muchacho = “mu-CHA-cho”)
• In Spain (Except in some parts of Andalusia, and in the Canary Islands) a English ci/ce or z sound makes a English “TH”. In Latin America, it makes the “S” sound.

Essential Spanish Phrases for Travel with Pronunciation

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Greetings Essentials Questions Eating Out Getting Around Numbers Days Emergencies

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Travelling to Spain or Latin America? Don’t be treated like a tourist! Live your best travel experiences and learn Spanish for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant or a taxi driver who has “taken you for a ride”.  In addition to my free Spanish travel phrase guide , I’ve made it even easier for you to master the Spanish language so you can create lifelong memories as you mingle with locals , get local tips , avoid tourist traps , and make new friends . Join my popular Spanish course here.

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Over to you!

Which of these common Spanish phrases do you find most useful? Which other phrases would you like to know? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

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25 Common Spanish Phrases You Need to Learn Before Your Next Trip

by Jason Brasier | 31 Aug 2024

Spanish; the world’s second most widely spoken language (after Mandarin), is famed for its passion and beauty. In its melodic and speedy delivery, listen out for signs of its Latin root, as well as echoes from Spain’s Moorish conquest, which led to 8% of the Spanish language deriving from Arabic.

Learning a few essential Spanish phrases is bound to make your trip smoother while exploring one of the world’s many Spanish-speaking countries. Speaking the local language, even just a bit, can help you connect with native speakers, navigate new places, and enrich your experience.

Here are 25 common Spanish phrases to know before your next trip.

1. Hola – Hello

Let’s start off and learn Spanish basics, like “Hola”.You can use it in almost any situation, whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or seeing a friend. It’s short, easy to remember, and a great way to start a conversation with native speakers. Don’t pronounce the ‘h’, so it sounds like you’re just saying ‘Oh-lah’.

2. Buenos días – Good morning

The next three Spanish phrases will be greetings at different times of day. Use “buenos días” to greet people in the morning. It literally means “good days” but is used in the same way we use “good morning” in English. You’ll find this phrase helpful when greeting hotel staff, waiters, or people on the street early in the day.

3. Buenas tardes – Good afternoon

This greeting is used from midday until the evening. “Buenas tardes” is a polite greeting you can use when entering a shop, a restaurant, or greeting someone in a professional setting during the afternoon hours.

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4. Buenas noches – Good evening/Good night

“Buenas noches” can be used in a couple of ways. You can use it to greet someone in the evening, or to say “good night” when you’re leaving or going to bed.

5. ¿Cómo está? – How are you?

“¿Cómo está?” is the formal way to ask “how are you?” in Spanish. It’s a polite and friendly way to check on someone’s well-being, and it’s one of many excellent Spanish phrases to know when meeting new people or engaging in conversation with someone you don’t know well. Add an ‘s’ on the end (¿Cómo estás?) if you want to make it informal.

6. Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? – Fine, thank you. And you?

This is a common response to “¿cómo está?” It’s polite and shows interest in the other person’s well-being. If you’re looking to make a good impression or build rapport, this one is essential. The ‘y’ is just like how we would say ‘Ee’, like in “Eel”.

7. Por favor – Please

“Por favor” is one of the most crucial Spanish phrases for any tourist. You are unfamiliar to your host country, you don’t speak the language, and you’re foreign to its local culture. It’s essential to show politeness and graciousness, so we advocate for using “Por favor” liberally.

8. Gracias – Thank you

“Gracias” is the word for thank you. It’s pretty easy to remember if you think of it as relation to the word ‘gratitude’. It’s universally appreciated and is a must-know phrase for any traveler. Use it whenever someone helps you, provides a service, or when you simply want to be polite.

9. De nada – You’re welcome

After someone thanks you, reply with “de nada”, which literally means ‘it’s nothing’.   It’s the equivalent of saying “you’re welcome.”

10. Perdón – Excuse me / I’m sorry

“Perdón” is versatile. Use it to get someone’s attention, like when you’re trying to pass by or to apologize for a minor mistake, such as accidentally bumping into someone.

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11. ¿Dónde estás…? – Where is…?

Dónde is one of the most useful Spanish question words, particularly for lost tourists looking for directions. Combine it with other words to ask for specific locations, like “¿dónde está el baño?” meaning “where is the bathroom?”

12. ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?

Out of these Spanish phrases, you’ll definitely want to remember this one for when you’re doing holiday shopping – that is, if you want to see what the price of everything is.

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13. no entiendo – i don’t understand.

If you’re struggling with the language or can’t grasp what a native speaker is saying, “no entiendo” lets them know you don’t understand and might need them to slow down or explain in a different way.

14. Habla más despacio, por favor – Speak more slowly, please

If someone is speaking too quickly, this phrase politely asks them to slow down. It’s particularly helpful if you’re still getting comfortable with understanding spoken Spanish.

15. ¿Dónde estás? – Where are you?

Using the useful “Dónde” Spanish term mentioned earlier, this is a handy phrase when trying to locate someone to meet.

16. Mi nombre es… – My name is…

When introducing yourself, use “mi nombre es…” followed by your name. This is a straightforward way to start a conversation or introduce yourself in a formal setting.

17. Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you

“Mucho gusto” is a polite way to express that you’re pleased to meet someone. Literally meaning ‘lots of pleasure’, it’s often used after an introduction and helps in making a good first impression.

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18. nos vemos – see you later.

Speak like a local by using Spanish phrases which sound casual and relaxed, like “nos vemos”, meaning “we’ll see each other”. This is a casual way to say goodbye, implying that you’ll see each other again soon.

19. Hasta luego – See you later/Goodbye

Similar to “nos vemos,” “hasta luego” is another way to say “goodbye.” It’s commonly used among friends or acquaintances and suggests you’ll see them again soon.

20. ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?

Don’t miss out on that important tour, your dinner reservation, or your cooking class appointment with one of the most important Spanish phrases:  “¿qué hora es?” – “What time is it?”

21. Sí / No – Yes / No

Basic, but essential. “Sí” means “yes,” and “no” is “no.”

22. Me gusta – I like

Tell the waiter at your Spanish restaurant that you liked the pollo by learning essential Spanish phrases like “Me gusta”. For example, “me gusta la comida” means “I like the food.” You can also ask “¿qué te gusta?” to learn about what someone else likes.

23. Estoy perdido/a – I’m lost

If you find yourself lost, “estoy perdido” (if you are male) or “estoy perdida” (if you are female) is crucial. It can help you communicate with locals and get directions back to your destination.

24. ¿Qué significa…? – What does … mean?

If you’re serious about improving your language skills, Spanish phrases like this are crucial. Use it when you encounter a word or phrase you don’t understand. For example, “¿qué significa esta palabra?” means “what does this word mean?”

25. ¡Qué gracioso! – How funny!

If you hear a funny Spanish phrases or jokes, or notice something interesting while you’re out and about, respond with “¡qué gracioso!” It’s a great way to engage in light-hearted conversation and gets you sounding just that little bit more natural.

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Learning these common Spanish phrases will greatly enhance your travel experience to any Spanish-speaking country. You’ll find it easier to communicate with locals, get around, and fully immerse yourself in the culture. Even a small effort to learn Spanish and speak the local language shows respect and interest in the local culture, which can lead to more meaningful interactions and experiences. Start practicing these essential Spanish phrases today, and get ready to impress the locals on your next adventure.

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50 Essential Spanish Phrases for Travelers

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January 10, 2018

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Your bags are packed and everything’s all set. But wait--before you leave for a Spanish-speaking destination, make sure you’re armed and ready with this list of the very basic Spanish travel phrases.

Just a few essential phrases are enough to tide you over during your trip, so make sure to have this list handy or better yet, memorize them! Don’t worry, it’s super easy, and the pronunciation won’t trip you up at all.

Get this list in PDF format

You can also download this list in a printer-friendly PDF version. Simply click the download button below.

So are you ready?

Here is your list!

Common Spanish Travel Phrases

there you have it---your list of the most common Spanish travel phrases. 

You can also read some related articles here:

[Quiz] Do you know these common Spanish phrases?

50 Common Spanish Phrases

For a more complete list of Spanish phrases, grab your copy of the Spanish Phrasebook by My Daily Spanish! It’s got all the phrases you need to survive---and even thrive---in a Spanish-speaking environment.

Make your travel hassle-free with this e-book that covers all possible scenarios while traveling in a Spanish-speaking country. Check it out below!

About the author 

Janey is a fan of different languages and studied Spanish, German, Mandarin, and Japanese in college. She has now added French into the mix, though English will always be her first love. She loves reading anything (including product labels).

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Useful Travel Phrases in Spanish: Listen and Practice!

Sí, por favor, or no, gracias are two of the most famous Spanish travel phrases in the world, because they are so simple. 

When eating tacos in Mexico , hiking in Costa Rica , exploring Cuba , tasting coffee in Colombia , visiting the Maya ruins in Guatemala , admiring the Iguazu falls in Argentina , traveling through Spain , or stopping by Equatorial Guinea , it would be very wise to keep a few more Spanish travel phrases available in your head.

If you feel like learning a little bit more than some basic greetings and farewells in Spanish and adding an arsenal of phrases to your travel Spanish, lay back and get ready to start learning some travel Spanish by listening and reading some more Spanish phrases to become more fluent and sound more natural.

Why Is Listening Beneficial?

Before we start feeding your travel Spanish, it is important to understand why listening is beneficial when learning Spanish. 

As someone who has taught English mainly to Spanish-speaking students for a couple of years, I’ve noticed that those who limit themselves to only reading and solving grammar exercises tend to have a harder time with the language. 

On the other hand, those who take the listening exercises seriously and try to repeat as they listen tend to achieve fluency more quickly than their peers. While our level of mastery is directly linked to our specific set of abilities and how much we practice, listening to a native speaker in their language and trying to imitate them is one of the best pathways towards fluency.

Travel Spanish Conjugation

The first thing we need to know is our verb, the Spanish translation for “to travel” is viajar. In this section you’ll learn how to conjugate this verb in:

• Simple present – Presente del indicativo
• Simple past – Pretérito del indicativo
• Simple future – Futuro del indicativo 

Keep in mind that, ustedes and vosotros are both the second person of the plural form—however, Latin Americans use ustedes and Spaniards use vosotros . 

Presente del indicativo

Pretérito de indicativo

Futuro del indicativo

To keep this part simple practice one sentence with each tense:

Tú viajas hoy. You travel today.

Mis padres viajarán el sábado. My parents are going to travel on Saturday.

Mi vecina viajó el año pasado a Colombia. My neighbor traveled to Colombia last year.

PRO TIP: In Spanish, we use el presente del indicativo to talk about habits, but also to talk about something that is happening today.

Simple Spanish Travel Phrases

We’ll start off with some basic travel vocabulary in Spanish. 

In this section, I include 4 basic phrases to show where you’re from, what you will do on your travels when you’re going back, and how long you are staying in a country.

 Check out these useful Spanish travel phrases.

Where You’re From

Vengo de Inglaterra.  I come from England.

Soy jamaiquino(a). I am Jamaican .

Soy estadounidense; vengo de Pittsburgh. I am American, I come from Pittsburgh.

Talking About Your Plans

Haré un tour por Guatemala, El Salvador, Belice y Honduras durante dos semanas. I will make a tour through Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and Honduras for two weeks.

No iré a Nicaragua porque no es parte de mi plan. I won’t go to Nicaragua because it isn’t part of my plan.

Regresaré a Jamaica el 3 de Diciembre. I will go back to Jamaica on December 3rd.

Estaré tres días y dos noches en Guatemala. I’ll be in Guatemala for three days and two nights.

PRO TIP: Some South Americans use the verb devolverse instead of regresar when talking about going back to your country. In the sentence above, you can substitute the word regresaré for me devolveré too.

Travel Spanish To Use at the Airport:

For most of us, the airport is the first thing we see in a foreign country. Latin America has some awesome airports , where they probably speak English—but why take any chances, when you can learn some useful Spanish travel phrases.

Looking For a Place

¿Dónde está el baño? Where is the bathroom?

¿De qué terminal sale mi avión? From which terminal does my plane leave?

¿Cómo llego a la puerta 40F? How do I get to gate 40F?

Stating Your Business

Vengo a este país de visita. I’m visiting this country.

Venimos por motivos de negocios. We are coming for business.

Mi hermano viene a estudiar; yo solo vengo a dejarlo. My brother is coming here to study; I am just dropping him off.

Stating the Duration of Your Visit

Nos quedaremos aquí por dos semanas. We’ll be staying here for two weeks.

Regreso el 25 de Noviembre. I’m going back on November 25th.

Mi hermano se quedará hasta el próximo año; yo hasta la próxima semana. My brother will be staying until next year; I will (be staying) until next week.

Declaring Your Belongings

No traigo más de diez mil dólares en efectivo. I do not bring more than ten thousand dollars in cash.

Llevo cinco cajas de medicinas en mi maleta. I carry five boxes of medicine in my suitcase.

No tengo nada que declarar. I have nothing to declare.

Travel Spanish To Ask for Directions

One of the most important things when traveling is asking for directions, knowing where to go and where not to go and. If you’re in Latin America. 

Remember to use the usted when talking to people you don’t know and are (or seem to be) older than you, and tú or vos when talking to someone your age or younger.

Formal Ways To Ask for Directions:

Disculpe, caballero, ¿dónde se encuentra La Mano? Excuse me, Sir, where is La Mano ?

Perdone, señorita, ¿cómo podría llegar al Museo del Oro? Excuse me, Miss, how can I get to the Gold Museum ?

Señora, ¿me puede indicar cómo llego al Palacio de Bellas Artes? Madam, could you tell me how to get to Palacio de Bellas Artes ? 

Informal Ways To Ask for Directions:

¿Dónde está el volcán El Arenal? Where is El Arenal volcano?

¿Me decís cómo llegar a la Fortaleza del Cerro? Can you tell me how to get to Hill Fortress ?

Dime por dónde sigo para llegar al hotel. Tell me where to go to get to the hotel.

Following Directions in Spanish

After asking, most locals will try to help you and they will most likely combine the following verbs:

With some of these directions:

Practice Sentences

Siga derecho y al llegar a la esquina cruce a la derecha. Keep going straight and turn right when you get to the corner.

Regrese por donde vino y al terminar la cuadra camine 50 metros al oeste. Go back, all the way down the block, and walk 50 meters to the west.

Gire en la próxima avenida y llegue hasta el mercado; allí estará enfrente. Turn in the next avenue, reach the market; it’ll be there right in front.

Spanish Travel Phrases To Use at the Hotel

After finally arriving at your hotel and being about to reach some peace of mind, you’ll need to talk to the staff . Since they are people you do not know, I would recommend using formal Spanish in order to be more respectful.

Phrases To Use When Arriving

Reservé una habitación sencilla a nombre de… I booked a simple room under the name…

Es posible que me quede dos noches más en el hotel. It is possible that I will stay two more nights at the hotel.

¿En qué piso (o planta) se encuentra mi habitación? Which floor is my room?

Asking About Additional Services in the Hotel

¿El wi-fi está incluído en la tarifa? Is Wi-Fi included in the fee?

¿Hasta qué hora sirven el desayuno buffet? What time is the breakfast buffet served until?

¿Tengo acceso al spa y al jacuzzi con la habitación que renté? Do I have access to the spa and jacuzzi with the room I booked?

Asking About the City

¿Qué es lo mejor para ver en esta ciudad si solo tengo un día para visitarla? What’s the best thing to see in this city if I only have a day to visit it?

¿Se puede llamar a un taxi que me lleve, me espere y me traiga de vuelta al hotel? Is it possible to get a cab that takes me where I’m going, waits for me, and brings me back to the hotel?

¿Qué tan seguro es visitar ese barrio por la noche? How safe is it to visit that neighborhood at night?

FUN FACT: Many Spanish speakers don’t mind when a foreigner uses tú (the informal way) to talk to us, since some of us adopt a “forgiving” attitude towards this.

Talking About Currency

While the U.S. Dollar is widely accepted in many big cities, the deeper you adventure yourself into a country, the more difficult it gets to trade with a foreigner currency.

Solo tengo un billete de cien dólares, ¿me puede dar cambio? I only have a one-hundred-dollar bill, can you give me change?

¿Puedo pagar con dólares? Todavía no tengo la moneda local . Can I pay in dollars? I don’t have the local currency.

¿Cuánto es/son…en dólares? How much is… in dollars?

Getting Cash

¿Dónde hay un cajero automático por aquí cerca? Where can I find an ATM close by?

¿Cuánto me va a cobrar de comisión por hacer un retiro? What is the additional commission it will charge me to make a withdrawal?

Necesito que me dé el vuelto en billetes de a cincuenta quetzales, por favor. I need my change in fifty-quetzales bills, please.

Moving Around on Your Own

If you visit places out of walking range you are going to need to get a cab, a bus, a tram, or a metro, and it is useful to ask around for metro lines, times, and being safe on your trip.

¿Qué línea de metro debo tomar para llegar a Insurgentes? Which metro line do I have to take to get to Insurgentes?

¿Cuántas paradas faltan para llegar a…? How many stops to get to…?

¿A qué horas pasa el siguiente bus y a dónde va? What time does the next bus pass and where does it go?

¿Hay un tranvía en esta ciudad? Is there a tram in this city?

Quotes About Travelling in Spanish

For this last little section, I compiled four great quotes about travelling in Spanish to motivate you to travel, get to know magical places outside your country and see how beautiful Spanish can be.

“El mundo es un libro y quienes no viajan leen sólo una página”. “The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only one page.” —St. Agustine.

“Viajar es fatal para los prejuicios, la intolerancia, y la estrechez de miras”. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” —Mark Twain.

“Viajar es la única cosa que compras que te hace más rico”. “Travelling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” —Anonymous.

“Nadie se da cuenta de lo hermoso que es viajar hasta que llega a casa y descansa su cabeza sobre su vieja y conocida almohada”. “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow”. —Lin Yutang.

Unlock a Continent by Speaking Spanish

These Spanish travel phrases are great, and you should practice them before visiting Latin America, Spain, or Equatorial Guinea, but remember that they can only take you so far. If you want to up your Spanish game, master true fluency, and make any Spanish-speaking country feel like a second home try a free Spanish class today!

Homeschool Spanish Academy can help you in your listening, speaking, and reading abilities, not to mention the flexible scheduling in our classes, earned high school credit, live instruction and different payment options !

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Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

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– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

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by Maria Apr 12, 2018 Spanish Articles , Spanish Vocabulary , Spanish Vocabulary

30 Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel

Vacations have arrived and you want to get away from the stress of the city you live in, to begin an exciting voyage into a Spanish-speakers region… but you don’t even know how to say “Hola amigos” or any other useful Spanish phrases for travel!

Therefore, we want to introduce you to these simple Spanish phrases, from greetings to asking for directions; so you can communicate, develop your social skills and enjoy the whole experience without having any misunderstandings or going through hard times while taking into consideration that manners are always important in any situation.

List of useful Spanish phrases for travel

First of all, we need to say that the first two phrases you must remember are “por favor” (“please”) and “gracias” (“thank you”); while they may look simple, they are very important and will open many doors for you so don’t forget to say them.

Watch the video we did or continue reading the article below.

Introducing yourself

• Hello, I’m (your name), nice to meet you. – Hola, yo soy (tu nombre), encantado de conocerte.*
• What’s your name? – ¿Cómo te llamas?
• Do you speak English? – ¿Tú hablas inglés?
• I need to improve my Spanish skills. – Necesito mejorar mi español.
• Sorry, I don’t understand. – Lo siento, no entiendo.
• Can you say that again? – ¿Puedes decir eso de nuevo?
• I don’t want any problems. – No quiero problemas.

The previous phrases are used to introduce yourself and communicate clearly to avoid any misunderstanding when you meet new people.

Asking for directions

• Where is the bathroom? – ¿Dónde está el baño?
• Where is the nearest hospital? – ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?
• Where is the nearest drugstore? – ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana?
• Where is the (name) hotel/inn? – ¿Dónde está el hotel/la posada (nombre)?
• Where is the bus stop? – ¿Dónde está la parada de autobuses?
• What time does the flight leave/arrive? – ¿A qué hora sale/llega el vuelo?
• It is getting late for me/us. – Se está haciendo tarde para mí/nosotros.
• How can I get to (name) – ¿Cómo puedo llegar a (nombre)?
• How can I call for/get a cab? – ¿Cómo puedo llamar/conseguir un taxi?

If you need help to get to a place, these phrases are very useful because you must always know the directions to a place, so the answer to these questions can really get you out of troubles.

Buying items

• Where can I buy a souvenir? – ¿Dónde puedo comprar un recuerdo?
• How much does this cost? – ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
• What is this/that? – ¿Qué es esto/eso?
• What is this for? – ¿Para qué es esto?
• Do you have it in a smaller/bigger size? – ¿Lo tiene más pequeño/más grande?
• Do you have it in another color? – ¿Lo tiene en otro color?

These phrases are used when you want to buy an item or a souvenir in a store, so this way you can have what you ask for.

Other useful phrases

• Could you recommend any (place) for me? – ¿Podrías recomendarme un (lugar)?
• Can you bring more (food or drink) for me? – ¿Puedes traerme más (comida o bebida)?
• Can you bring me the check? – ¿Puedes traerme la cuenta?
• Can you help me with this? – ¿Puedes ayudarme con esto?
• Can you take a picture of us? – Puedes tomarnos una foto?
• Can I use your phone charger? – ¿Puedo usar el cargador de tu teléfono móvil?
• This is great/awesome! – ¡Esto está genial/increíble!
• Excuse me, but I’m not interested. – Disculpe, pero no estoy interesado.

These last phrases are used for more specific situations as if you are in a restaurant or a disco, for example, except for the bottom two, which are made to say thanks or the opposite.

*If you are a woman, you must say “encantada” instead of “encantado”, like the other words where you see an “o” you must change it for an “a”.

In addition, if you are talking with a senior person or someone you must show respect to, you only have to change the word “tú” for “usted”, independently of the gender.

Similarly, Spanish-speakers will be very open with foreigners and give them warm treatment which is why you sometimes have to accept some food, drinks or presents that you might find strange or unpleasant; even in those moments when you are not used to those kinds of signs of appreciation.

Likewise, while traveling you will meet all kind of people who will want to share their culture and their personal essence with you, because those “little” gestures are an important part of their national character.

Did you like this article of useful Spanish phrases for travel? Don’t stop there, check out our article about Spanish greetings and goodbyes as well, because that will surely come in handy on your travels!

50 Phrases You Need to Know for Traveling in Spain

50 useful spanish phrases for traveling.

Learning some basic phrases in Spanish is incredibly useful when you are planning a trip to Spain. It is a good idea to learn Spanish phrases that can help you in different situations as you travel. Learning even just a few phrases before your trip can not only make your trip more enjoyable, but it can increase your confidence when talking to native Spanish-speakers. Even if you can only say a few words, the Spanish will appreciate your efforts to communicate in Spanish.

Spanish Phrases for Traveling

Here are some useful Spanish phrases to have at hand for your upcoming trip to Spain. You can memorize them, print them out, or save them on your phone to take with you!

👋 Basic Spanish Phrases

These are the basic phrases that you need to know in Spain. They are important for interacting with people and being polite. Good manners can take you a long way!

🗺 Arriving in Spain

These Spanish phrases are helpful to have at hand when you first arrive in Spain and are looking to make your way around as smoothly as possible.

These Spanish phrases are good to know for getting yourself situated and arranging your stay in Spain. They can also help you make last minute arrangements if you need to.

🚏 Transportation

Whether you plan to get around Spain by bus, train, or taxi, here are some Spanish phrases that will make it easier to navigate.

📸 Sightseeing

Here are some Spanish phrases that will help you talk to people when strolling through the streets of Spain and exploring what it has to offer.  

🗣Be Understood

Sometimes when you are trying to talk in a foreign language, it can be difficult to get your point across. It can also be hard to catch every word that a native Spanish-speaker is saying when you are not used to the language. Here are some Spanish phrases that can help you understand others and be understood yourself.  

🍽 Eating Out

Whether you choose to try a restaurant in Madrid, a café in Barcelona, or enjoy some Spanish street food, these phrases can help you when grabbing a bite to eat.

🛍Going Shopping

These Spanish phrases can help you when you go shopping in Spain and are looking to buy gifts for your friends back home, or if you want to splurge a bit on yourself.

🛫 Departure

When your trip to Spain finally comes to an end, here are some phrases to help you conclude your visit.  

Finally, with these 50 Spanish phrases, it will be easier for you to make the most of your trip to Spain and all that the country has to offer. Enjoy your visit!

🇪🇸 Learn to Speak Spanish Better and Faster

If you are up for more challenges, train with Glossika before you leave for your trip. And have no problem holding conversations with the locals during your stay.

Sign up now and get your free training started:

You May Also Like:

• [Spanish Grammar] How to Master 3 Tricky Spanish Word Pairs
• How to Learn Spanish by Watching Spanish Movies
• Learn Spanish for Free with 7 Great Spanish Podcasts

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Want To Learn Spanish? This Immersion Travel Program Will Take You Around The World To Make It Happen.

I love traveling throughout Latin America because it gives me an opportunity to practice the Spanish language I spent four years learning as an undergrad but rarely have the occasion to use in my everyday life. Still, the further away I get from my graduation date, the less I remember—and the less confident I feel striking up conversations with Spanish speakers.

Two years ago, while traveling to Mexico City , a publicist friend of mine told me she was going to be spending a week doing an immersive Spanish-language experience with a company called Fluenz . And after toiling over the idea of trying it out for myself since that time, this summer I finally took the plunge and inquired about booking an experience.

What is Fluenz: It’s a program started by Sonia Gil to help users realistically achieve their goal of becoming fluent using three tools: the Fluenz app , one-on-one Zoom lessons , and immersion trips . While the app offers modules in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, and Mandarin, immersion trips are only offered for Spanish and include destinations throughout South and Central America, from Argentina to Colombia, Costa Rica , Spain, Peru, and multiple cities in Mexico. The hardest part will be choosing a location. Once you do, the Fluenz team will take care of everything, from your accommodations to your hotel transfers, group reservations for dinners and excursions, and any personal requests, such as extending your stay or setting up private tours.

How it works: Over the course of six days, you’ll spend a total of 20 hours (two hours each morning and two hours each afternoon), either paired with other students or in one-on-one classes with a language coach, learning and practicing Spanish in sessions tailored to your specific level of proficiency. You’ll be given a workbook to take physical notes, while your coach will also keep digital notes from your sessions in a Google Drive folder that you can reference throughout the week and after your travels.

Outside the classroom, you’ll share lunch with program participants on the property where you can choose to sit at a Spanish table, if you’d like more practice, or an English table if your brain needs a break. You’ll also share dinners at top-notch restaurants on select nights and visit the city’s cultural hubs while using your free time to further explore and engage locals.

Who you’ll travel with: With the time and financial commitment that Fluenz requires ($6,920 for a single occupancy room in CDMX), it’s a guarantee that you’ll be traveling with fellow professionals who have a shared goal of learning Spanish, many because of their careers. My group consisted of lawyers, healthcare workers, a professor, a psychologist, and other business owners who employ Spanish speakers. Language proficiency ranged from one student who was so advanced his classes mostly consisted of perfecting pronunciation, to another who had never studied Spanish a day in her life and decided to jump in headfirst with a trip, and another student who’d just done an immersion trip in Oaxaca weeks prior.

Who’ll be teaching you: Equally diverse will be your coaches’ backgrounds, including architects, musicians, and former journalists from different parts of Latin America. The coaches will rotate on your schedule throughout the week to expose you to various Spanish accents and teaching styles.

What to know before you go: Prior to traveling, you’ll be sent a questionnaire to assess your level of Spanish, and from there a Zoom assessment will be scheduled where you’ll talk with a coach to determine the module level you should begin practicing with on the Fluenz app and where to start your Spanish journey upon arrival. You’ll also be provided with your hotel information, pickup details, and an itinerary for the week. Each night you’ll receive emails detailing the next day’s schedule as well.

Here’s how my immersion trip to Mexico City unfolded.

Day 1: I arrived at Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez early Sunday morning and was promptly picked up by my driver, who held a sign for me outside of baggage claim and transported me to Pug Seal Anatole France where I was staying for the week. The boutique hotel in the posh neighborhood of Polanco is charming with its antique details and has incredibly spacious suites. I felt much more like I was renting an apartment for an extended stay versus being cooped up in a tiny hotel room, which enhanced my immersion experience. And the food on the property—which included delicious soups at every lunch made from recipes crafted by Fluenz’s founder—was fresh, flavorful, and filling.

I spent the afternoon strolling around the neighborhood on foot. I grabbed a quick lunch at Goy’s Plant-Based Burgers and had dinner at La Única , a contemporary Mexican cantina Fluenz recommended. The menu is sophisticated and extensive across its meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes.

Day 2: I won’t lie, I went into my first Spanish class feeling pretty confident and walked out wondering what I’d gotten myself into. The beauty in that is my teachers were going over the exact things I told them I wanted to work on, so I guess one could say I brought that on myself. That evening, I was more than happy to wind down with tamales and mezcal at the hotel, followed by a talk on Mexico’s storied political history by Mexican actor and screenwriter Adrián Pascoe.

Day 3: My frustration peaked in my Tuesday afternoon class when I was overthinking my Spanish to the point of being verbally paralyzed. My coach for my fourth class, Pepe, reassured my command of the language while also telling me he’s known for challenging his students, which made me feel a bit better.

That evening, we were treated to a private tour of the Museo Nacional de Antropología , which is so expansive it requires multiple visits to sit with all the wonders inside. It was such a treat to see centuries-old crafts and figures from the Mayan and Teotihuacan cultures on display and learn the stories of how these items were used and later discovered and procured.

Day 4: By mid-week, I started feeling like I was hitting my stride in my one-on-one classes and got more comfortable making small talk with my coaches when we walked to sessions outside of the hotel. That night we had dinner in a private room at Pujol , a Michelin-starred restaurant where reservations are nearly impossible without months of advance notice. The menu takes Mexican gastronomy to unexpected heights—and your palate as well. Be prepared for unique ingredients like grasshopper and mango sake sorbet that will be surprisingly satisfying.

Day 5: All those courses (and wine pairings) at Pujol made for a sluggish Thursday morning class, but the day was broken up by a trip to Casa Gilardi , the colorful home built between 1975 and 1977 by minimalist Mexican architect Luis Barragán. The red, blue, and pink pool room has become Instagram-famous, but the entire space is captivating, from the yellow hallway on the first level to the rail-less stairway leading to the floors above.

Another field trip awaited us Thursday afternoon when, after a quick vocabulary lesson, we had a chance to make the Museo Soumaya our classroom. The museum boasts over 66,000 works of art, which doesn’t include the silver-tiled building itself with its unique structure. The items within are donated entirely from the private collection of Lebanese-Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helú.

Day 6: By Friday, I’d felt like I’d made notable progress, and I was reassured of that when my morning session was a group class with two other students, during which we spent most of the time using prompts to work on our conversation skills. That afternoon we had a celebration where each student could share a short story they wrote and show off what they’d learned during the week. That night, we continued the party with dinner at Sylvestr e , where the wine pairings, once again, perfectly complemented the Mexican-fusion dishes within the colonial-style space.

Day 7: Before my afternoon flight home Saturday, I took an Uber to Chapultepec Castle, which sits inside the Bosque de Chapultepec , a massive park filled with lakes, sculptures, walking paths, botanical gardens, and more. The 18th-century neo-classical palace sits on a hill—be prepared to walk—rewarding you with spectacular views of the city below, including the Paseo de la Reforma. Inside, you’ll find paintings, jewels, armor, and more relics from Mexico’s former monarchs on display.

Perhaps most rewarding was my driver, Oscar, noting how much I spoke with him in Spanish on the way to the airport compared to when I arrived. I knew I’d achieved my goal for the week, and those around me could see the improvement, too.

After the trip: I left Mexico City with an unexpected souvenir of sorts: tarea (homework). At the end of your immersion, your lead coach will put together a homework assignment for you to work on no sooner than a week after you’ve returned to give your brain some time to process all of the information you learned during your travels. I knew after my last class I’d want to continue sessions via Zoom, which I just started last week. Between writing and other travels, I didn’t work on my Spanish as much as I’d initially intended, but seeing a familiar face, my head coach Camila, during my first Zoom session calmed any anxiousness I felt, as did continuing the same class structure we had in person, with my coach building on my Google Drive with notes as well as music and film recommendations to expand my exposure to Spanish. The wide availability of classes has made fitting coursework into my schedule easy, and the weekly reminders are helpful when other obligations arise. I must admit, 90 minutes flies by on Zoom when you’re having fun—and finally accomplishing a long-term goal.

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100+ Common Tagalog Vocabulary: The Best List

• , May 8, 2024

Tagalog is one of the most exciting Asian languages to learn. It is unique yet shares similarities with languages like English, Spanish, and Chinese.

I think this is why many are interested in mastering the common Tagalog vocabulary and sentence structure. If you are one of them, you landed on the right post! Check out below to learn more about this awesome language.

Table of Contents

What Are The Common Tagalog Vocabulary You Should Learn?

Do you want to impress the locals with your skills in Tagalog? Be sure to add these words to your basic Tagalog sentences when conversing with the locals.

If we could give one tip, it would be to memorize some of these words. Speaking in Tagalog will help you instantly connect with Filipinos . Why? Simply because the locals appreciate it when you try to speak with them in a language close to their heart.

So, here are the common Tagalog vocabulary and familiar words used in the Philippines. Let’s start learning!

You’re all set to start a conversation in Tagalog with these words and phrases. Remember, every bit of effort counts. So, keep practicing! Do you want more? Then, let’s go!

How Do You Say Vocabulary In Tagalog?

Other Tagalog Vocabulary: Essential Phrases

You know what? There are more essential Tagalog phrases that can enrich your conversations. These are the phrases Filipinos use in their day-to-day interactions. Here are some of them:

Frequently Asked Questions About Tagalog Vocabulary

What is the longest tagalog word, how many tagalog vocabulary should i memorize.

In all honesty, you don’t need to memorize tons of Tagalog words or phrases to make yourself fluent in Tagalog or any language. Daily practice and your effort to include Tagalog words in your thoughts or speaking will be highly effective in becoming fluent in the Tagalog language. You can also try reading the Tagalog news . They are short, informative, and have tons of vocabulary that are also used by Filipinos every day.

How Do I Learn Tagalog Vocabulary Fast?

To learn Tagalog vocabulary fast, you need an effective strategy to retain the words you’ve memorized. There are many methods like Tagalog language learning apps or even knowing how to write Tagalog sentences that will enhance your sentence pattern recognition. Many beginners start with basic Tagalog introductions and asking Tagalog question words so that they’ll know the most commonly used Tagalog words and phrases.

Time To Practice These Common Tagalog Words And Phrases

How do you learn Tagalog on your own? If you still don’t know where to start, another tip is to find Filipino friends locally or online. The Filipino people are known for their friendliness and hospitality, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Their greeting ‘Mabuhay!’ is a formal way of welcoming visitors and has an honorable and alluring tone. This is also why other beginners of the Tagalog language who visited the country are passionate about learning Tagalog.

They want to use it to communicate with the locals in the Philippines. Thus, it is one of the most common Tagalog vocabulary you’ll hear when you’re visiting the Philippines. Try saying Mabuhay or Kamusta? when meeting a Tagalog native speaker.

3 Responses

Sound for ‘kailangan’ is not functioning. Sound for ‘eleksyon’ gives ‘kailangan’

Please correct it.

Hi John! Thank you so much for reading and your feedback is greatly appreciated. I’ve updated the sounds.

Hindi ako marunong mag English words

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