English for Travel: The Essential Guide

Quick Answer: For travel, you mainly need polite basics, numbers and prices, and short phrases for airports, hotels, transport, restaurants, shopping, directions and emergencies. An A2 level plus a prepared set of phrases is enough for most trips. Start requests with "Could I..." or "Could you..." to sound polite.

Key takeaways

• Start with "Excuse me" to get attention and "Sorry, could you say that again?" when you do not understand.
• "I'd like..." and "Could I have..." are more polite than "I want..." or "Give me...".
• Learn British and American pairs: bill vs check, single vs one-way, return vs round-trip, hand luggage vs carry-on.
• Say "a reservation under my name", not "on my name", and "How much is this?", not "How much costs this?".
• Repeat key details back to check them: "So, platform 6 at 3:15?"
• Before each trip, save the local emergency number and your embassy contact details.

The polite basics

These small words make every interaction smoother.

• "Excuse me" (to get attention or pass someone)
• "Sorry?" (when you did not hear)
• "Please" and "Thank you" or "Thanks"
• "Could you help me, please?"
• "Sorry, could you speak a bit more slowly?"
• "Sorry, could you say that again?"

Using "Could you..." and "I'd like..." sounds polite in English. More on this in polite requests in English.

At the airport

Situation	Phrase
Check-in	"I'd like to check in, please. Here's my passport."
Baggage	"Can I take this bag as hand luggage?"
Seats	"Could I have an aisle seat, please?"
Security	"Do I need to take my laptop out?"
Gate	"Excuse me, where is gate 12?"
Delays	"Is the flight to Rome delayed?"
Passport control	"I'm here on holiday for two weeks."
Lost luggage	"My suitcase didn't arrive. Where can I report it?"

"Hand luggage" is common in British English; Americans often say "carry-on". "On holiday" is British; Americans say "on vacation". For more, read airport English.

At the hotel

• "Hi, I have a reservation under the name Kaya."
• "What time is check-out?"
• "Is breakfast included?"
• "Could I have the Wi-Fi password, please?"
• "The air conditioning in my room isn't working."
• "Could I leave my bags here until this evening?"

See hotel English phrases for check-in dialogues and complaints.

Getting around

Public transport

• "A single ticket to the city center, please." (American: "one-way ticket")
• "A return ticket, please." (American: "round-trip ticket")
• "Which platform does the train to Oxford leave from?"
• "Does this bus go to the museum?"
• "Could you tell me when we get to Main Street?"

Taxis

• "Could you take me to this address, please?"
• "How much will it be to the airport, roughly?"
• "Can I pay by card?"

Asking for directions

• "Excuse me, how do I get to the station?"
• "Is it far from here?"
• "Is it within walking distance?"
• "Could you show me on the map?"

Understanding the answer:

• "Go straight ahead for two blocks." (British: "Go straight on.")
• "Turn left at the traffic lights."
• "It's on your right, next to the bank."
• "It's about a ten-minute walk."

Eating out

• "A table for two, please."
• "Could we see the menu, please?"
• "What do you recommend?"
• "I'd like the chicken salad, please."
• "I'm allergic to nuts. Does this dish contain nuts?"
• "Could we have the bill, please?" (American: "the check")

For full restaurant dialogues, see ordering food in English.

Shopping

• "How much is this?"
• "Do you have this in a smaller size?"
• "Can I try it on?"
• "I'm just looking, thanks."
• "Can I pay by card?"
• "Could I have a receipt, please?"

Emergencies and problems

Learn these before you need them.

• "Help!"
• "Please call an ambulance."
• "I need a doctor."
• "Where is the nearest pharmacy?"
• "I've lost my passport."
• "My wallet has been stolen."
• "Where is the police station?"

Also learn the local emergency number for each country you visit, and keep your embassy's contact details on your phone.

Example dialogue: at a train station

Traveler: Excuse me, is this the right platform for the train to Edinburgh? Staff: No, that one leaves from platform 6. Traveler: Sorry, did you say 6? Staff: Yes, platform 6, just over the bridge. Traveler: Great, thanks. Is it on time? Staff: It's running about ten minutes late. Traveler: OK, thank you very much.

Notice how the traveler checks information ("did you say 6?"). Checking is a powerful skill: it prevents mistakes.

Tips for speaking with confidence

1. Prepare phrases for each situation the night before.
2. Use short sentences. "Ticket to Brighton, please" works perfectly.
3. Smile and start with "Excuse me".
4. Write down important things, like addresses, and show them.
5. Repeat key information to check: "So, platform 6 at 3:15?"
6. Do not worry about mistakes. People usually focus on understanding you.

Common travel mistakes

Mistake	Better
Give me the menu.	Could I have the menu, please?
I want to go toilet.	Where's the restroom, please? (British: toilet)
How much costs this?	How much is this?
I have a reservation on my name.	I have a reservation under my name.
Can you say me the way?	Can you tell me the way?

Quick practice

Match each situation with a phrase.

1. You want the waiter to bring the bill.
2. You did not hear the announcement.
3. You want a quiet seat on the plane near the window.
4. You need to know if breakfast costs extra.

Answers: 1 "Could we have the bill, please?" 2 "Sorry, could you say that again?" 3 "Could I have a window seat, please?" 4 "Is breakfast included?"

Want to feel ready before your next trip? LearnLingo's free A2 course covers travel situations in short browser lessons, with streaks and spaced review to keep key phrases fresh.

People Also Ask

What level of English do I need to travel?

A2 is enough for most simple travel tasks if you learn the key phrases. B1 makes travel much easier because you can handle problems and unexpected situations.

What are the most important English phrases for travel?

Polite basics like excuse me, please and thank you, plus phrases for asking prices, directions and help, such as how much is this, where is the station and could you help me.

How can I prepare my English before a trip?

Learn phrases for each situation, such as the airport, hotel and restaurant, practice them out loud, and role-play conversations. Listening to slow travel dialogues also helps.

What should I do if I don't understand someone?

Ask politely for repetition or slower speech: Sorry, could you say that again, please? or Could you speak a bit more slowly? Most people are happy to help.

Related Reading

• Airport English: Phrases for Travel
• Hotel English Phrases
• How to Order Food in a Restaurant in English
• How to Make Polite Requests in English
• Prepositions of Place in English