Common Spanish Phrases for Traveling
Whether you’re headed to Madrid or Mexico City, it helps to have a few Spanish phrases for travel. With some helpful Spanish phrases for travel, you’ll enjoy more meaningful travel experiences. What’s more, knowing a few basic Spanish phrases might just be the reason you decide to fully dive in and learn Spanish!In this article, we’ll discuss why you should acquire some common Spanish phrases for travel. We’ll also share some of the most essential Spanish phrases every traveler should know. Let’s get started!
Why You Need Spanish Phrases for Travel
Imagine you’re in downtown Madrid. You’re enjoying the sights, sounds, and even scents – Madrid’s culinary credentials are hard to match. But you suddenly realize you have no idea where you are.
At this point, you have two options:
- Hope you eventually bump into an English speaker
- Politely tell someone you’re lost
If you know some common Spanish phrases for travel, then you can ask the next person you see for directions. But if not, you’ll have to go with that first option…and depending on what part of town you’re in, it could take a while to find someone who speaks English.
This is just one example of why you should know the most important Spanish phrases for travel. But there are plenty more! With a few Spanish phrases in your vocabulary, you’ll be able to:
- Order at a restaurant
- Confirm your checkout time
- Ask someone for help finding transportation
- Ask for directions
- Locate emergency services
- And many other scenarios
Also, if you’re learning Spanish, these brief phrases are the ideal gateway into longer conversations. Nobody knows a particular locale quite like the locals, and you’ll have the opportunity to discover plenty of suggestions off the beaten path – anything from nightlife entertainment options, restaurants, lesser-known landmarks, and much more.
Essential Spanish Phrases Every Traveler Should Know
You don’t need to know a thousand important Spanish phrases for travel. You don’t even need to know a hundred. A handful of essential expressions should do the trick, and here are some worth knowing:
| Common Spanish Phrases | |
|---|---|
| Hello/hi. | Hola. |
| Goodbye. | Adios. |
| Excuse Me. | Disculpe. |
| Please. | Por favor. |
| Thank you. | Gracias. |
| I’m sorry. | Lo siento. |
| How are you? | ¿Cómo estás? |
| I’m doing well, thanks. | Estoy bien, gracias. |
| Good morning. | Buenos días. |
| Good afternoon. | Buenas tardes. |
| Good evening/good night. | Buenas noches. |
| What’s your name? | ¿Cómo te llamas? |
| My name is… | Me llamo… |
| Useful Spanish Phrases for Travel Situations | |
|---|---|
| I’d like to go to… | Me gustaría ir a… |
| How do you say…? | ¿Cómo se dice…? |
| Where is…? | ¿Dónde está…? |
| Where is the train station? | ¿Dónde está la estación de tren? |
| Where can I find a taxi? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un taxi? |
| Where is the restroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño? |
| Where is the bank? | ¿Dónde está el banco? |
| Spanish Phrases for Emergencies | |
|---|---|
| Can you help me? | ¿Me puedes ayudar? |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Hablas inglés? |
| I’m lost. | Estoy perdida/o.* |
| Where is the nearest pharmacy? | ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana? |
| Where is the hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital? |
| Spanish Phrases for Dining and Accomodations | |
|---|---|
| What’s the best restaurant around here? | ¿Cuál es el mejor restaurante por aquí? |
| A table for two, please. | Una mesa para dos, por favor. |
| What do you recommend? | ¿Qué recomienda usted? |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Can I have…? | ¿Puedo tener…? |
| I’m allergic to… | Tengo alergia a… |
| I’m vegan. | Soy vegana/o.* |
| I’m vegetarian. | Soy vegetariana/o.* |
| The check, please. | La cuenta, por favor. |
| I have a reservation under the name of… | Tengo una reserva a nombre de… |
| What time is check-out? | ¿A qué hora es el check out? |
*The -a ending is feminine and the -o ending is masculine.
How to Practice and Use Spanish Phrases Effectively
It’s one thing to read this article, and quite another to take the time to memorize travel phrases that will make a difference in an upcoming trip. It’s best to practice a language every day. With Pimsleur, you can incorporate language learning into your daily life, practice wherever and whenever, and put your new learning to the test by using Voice Coach. Voice Coach allows you to get real-time pronunciation feedback so that you’re confident in your new vocabulary before your next trip. Move beyond reading; Pimsleur’s focus on listening and speaking creates the best environment to learn common travel phrases and more.
Make Every Trip Easier with Spanish Phrases
Pimsleur’s Spanish courses are ideal for curious learners. We offer both Castilian and Latin American Spanish, perfect if your goal is to speak Spanish conversationally. After your first lesson, you’ll be able to say basic Spanish words and phrases – maybe even some Spanish phrases for travel!From trips to Spain & Latin America to connecting with friends and relatives – and even for professional or career advancement – there’s simply no better way to learn Spanish than with Pimsleur. Make sure you’re able to speak the language beyond just basic Spanish phrases for travel. Sign up with a Premium or All Access subscription today! With our All Access plan, you’ll have the ability to learn both Castilian and Latin American Spanish, along with dozens of other languages in the Pimsleur catalog!