Essential Spanish Travel Phrases
You do not need perfect Spanish to travel, but a small set of phrases makes a huge difference. This lesson groups the most useful ones by situation, so you can find what you need quickly. Every phrase is short and natural.
Quick answer
- Ask where something is: ¿Dónde está el baño?
- Ask how to get somewhere: ¿Cómo llego a la estación?
- Ask for help: ¿Puede ayudarme, por favor?
At the airport and on the road
Start with the words for documents and tickets: el pasaporte, el boleto (Latin America) or el billete (Spain), la maleta, and la puerta de embarque (the gate). When you do not know where to go, ask ¿Dónde está…?.
Examples
- ¿Dónde está la puerta de embarque?Where is the boarding gate?Asking for the gate.
- Mi vuelo sale a las seis de la tarde.My flight leaves at six in the afternoon.Time with a las.
- Perdí mi maleta.I lost my suitcase.Preterite of perder.
- ¿A qué hora sale el autobús?What time does the bus leave?Asking for a schedule.
At the hotel
At a hotel, you check in with Tengo una reservación. Ask about the room with ¿Tiene una habitación…?. In Mexico the word for room is habitación or cuarto.
Examples
- Tengo una reservación a nombre de Smith.I have a reservation under Smith.Checking in.
- ¿A qué hora es la salida?What time is check-out?La salida means check-out.
- ¿El desayuno está incluido?Is breakfast included?Common question.
- La habitación no tiene aire acondicionado.The room does not have air conditioning.A problem to report.
Asking for directions
To ask how to get somewhere, say ¿Cómo llego a…?. To understand the answer, learn a la izquierda (left), a la derecha (right), todo derecho (straight ahead), cerca (near), and lejos (far). Use usted with strangers.
Examples
- Disculpe, ¿cómo llego al museo?Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?Using usted.
- Siga todo derecho dos cuadras.Go straight ahead two blocks.A cuadra is a city block.
- Voltee a la izquierda en la esquina.Turn left at the corner.Voltear is common in Mexico.
- ¿Está lejos de aquí?Is it far from here?Asking about distance.
Taxis, money, and emergencies
With a taxi, say your destination and ask the price first: ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a…?. For an emergency, say Necesito ayuda or Llame a una ambulancia. The number for emergencies in Mexico is 911.
Examples
- ¿Cuánto cuesta ir al centro?How much does it cost to go downtown?Asking the price.
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta?Do you take cards?Paying.
- Necesito un médico.I need a doctor.Medical help.
- ¿Habla inglés?Do you speak English?A useful fallback.
- No hablo mucho español.I do not speak much Spanish.Helps people slow down.
Spanish around the world
- For “ticket,” Latin America says boleto and Spain says billete. For “bus,” Mexico says camión in daily speech, and many countries say autobús. Spain uses gafas and coche, while Mexico says lentes and carro or coche.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: ¿Dónde es el baño?
Correct: ¿Dónde está el baño?
Location uses estar.
Incorrect: Yo necesito el hotel.
Correct: Necesito un hotel.
Use an indefinite article for something you do not have yet.
Incorrect: ¿Cómo voy a la estación? (to a stranger)
Correct: Disculpe, ¿cómo llego a la estación?
Use llegar for getting somewhere, and start with disculpe.
Incorrect: Yo no hablo español.
Correct: Hablo un poco de español.
Saying you speak “a little” is more accurate and more welcoming.
Remember the phrases
- Ask where something is with ¿Dónde está…? and how to get there with ¿Cómo llego a…?.
- Use usted with strangers, and start with disculpe.
- Learn left, right, and straight: izquierda, derecha, todo derecho.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most useful phrase for travelers?
¿Dónde está…? and ¿Cuánto cuesta? will take you far. Add por favor and gracias.
Should I use tú or usted when traveling?
Use usted with strangers, staff, and older people. It is safer, and people will appreciate it. See our lesson on tú vs. usted.
How do I say ‘I don’t understand’?
No entiendo. Add ¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor? to ask someone to speak more slowly.
What is 911 in Mexico?
911 is the national emergency number in Mexico. Many countries have their own number, so check before you travel.
Ready to practice your Spanish?
Traveling in Spanish is easier when you practice first. Try a short, free vocabulary session on travel words.
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