Sure, English might work in touristy spots when you want to refill your margarita. But, if you truly want to experience everything your destination has to offer, some Spanish phrases for beginners can make all the difference. For example, asking for directions can be a lifesaver if your phone’s had too much fun in the sun. And being able to request a doctor will come in handy if your tummy isn’t ready for all that street food. Plus, nothing beats connecting with locals and expressing your appreciation for their culture and cuisine –most will be delighted to see you making the effort!
Before you board that plane, let’s dive into some of the most common and basic Spanish words and phrases for travel.
Must-know Spanish greetings and polite phrases
Let’s start from the beginning. Knowing how to say hello in the local language is key when you’re traveling; it’ll help you break the ice and show that you appreciate the culture. Plus, Spanish-speaking countries are known for their friendliness and politeness.
Here are some of the most common Spanish greetings and a few basic polite phrases to get us going:
- Hola (Hello)
- Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches (Good morning/afternoon/evening)
- Por favor (Please)
- Gracias (Thank you)
- De nada (You’re welcome)
- Disculpe / Con permiso (Excuse me)
- Perdón / Lo siento (Sorry)
- ¿Habla inglés? (Do you speak English?)
- ¿Cómo está? (How are you?)
- Bien, gracias (Fine, thank you)
- ¿Cómo se llama? (What’s your name)
- Yo me llamo… (My name is…)
- Mucho gusto (Nice to meet you)
- No hablo español (I don’t speak Spanish)
- Adiós (Goodbye)
- Hasta luego (See you later)
- No entiendo, perdón (I don’t understand, sorry)
These phrases will be handy not just when traveling, but anytime you interact with a Spanish speaker. They’re all part of basic everyday conversation. If you learn Spanish online with Lingoda, our native-level Spanish teachers will help you learn everything you need to build a solid foundation –especially if you’re just starting your language journey.
Tip: Remember to review how to have a Spanish accent to be best understood by native speakers. For example, in Spanish the letter ‘h’ is silent. It’s not pronounced unless it’s paired with a ‘c’ (‘ch’) –this combination sounds just like the ‘Ch’ in ‘Charity’.
Asking for and understanding directions in Spanish
Learning these phrases is essential to finding your way around and avoiding stressful situations. Yes, we’ve got that all-mighty GPS now, but relying solely on your phone’s battery or internet connection in a foreign country can end up being a bit of a gamble… So, let’s prepare:
- ¿Dónde está… el baño/el hospital/el hotel ‘X’? (Where is… the restroom/hospital/hotel ‘X’?)
- A la derecha / A la izquierda (To the right / To the left)
- Derecho (Straight ahead)
- Cerca / Lejos (Near / Far)
- ¿Me podría mostrar en el mapa? (Could you show me on the map?)
- Al lado de.. (Next to…)
- Enfrente de… (In front of…)
- Atrás de… (Behind…)
- En la esquina (On the corner)
- ¿Puede escribir la dirección? (Could you write it down for me?)
- Norte / Sur / Este / Oeste (North / South / East / West)
Should you bother asking for directions in Spanish?
There are pros and cons to directly asking a local for directions. If your Spanish is basic, then understanding responses can be tricky. It might leave you more confused –maybe even lost. But if you’ve got a map or dictionary or if the local you’re talking to knows some English, then asking for directions can make all the difference in a stressful situation.
In any case, make sure to carry a physical map, an extra battery and an offline translation tool. You can also use gestures to avoid mix-ups.
Spanish vocabulary for transportation
This is some of the language that might come in handy. Even if it’s just for reading signs at the airport or train station, you’ll be a step ahead:
- El autobús / El metro / El tren (Bus / Metro / Train)
- Un boleto, por favor (One ticket, please)
- Boleto redondo (round ticket)
- Boleto de ida (one-way ticket)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much does it cost?)
- ¿Dónde está la estación / aeropuerto? (Where is the station / airport?)
- ¿Dónde está la puerta ‘X’? (Where is gate ‘X’?)
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar boletos? (Where can I buy tickets?)
- ¿De qué plataforma / puerta sale? (Which platform / gate does it leave from?)
- ¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren? (What time does the next train leave?)
Ordering food in a Spanish-speaking country
Ah, traveling with food in mind? We get it. Spanish-speaking countries have some of the best cuisines on the planet. Let’s learn some vocabulary for ordering food in a restaurant:
- Quisiera… / Me gustaría… un taco / un vaso con agua (I would like… a taco / a glass of water)
- ¿Qué me recomienda? (What do you recommend?)
- ¿Es picante? (Is it spicy?)
- Mesa para dos, por favor (Table for two, please)
- Tengo una reservación a nombre de… (I have a reservation for…)
- La cuenta, por favor (The check, please)
- ¿Cómo viene este platillo? (How is this dish served?)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? (Do you take cards?)
- Solo efectivo (Cash only)
- Desayuno / Comida / Cena (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
- Entrada (Appetizer)
- Plato fuerte (Main dish)
- Postre (Dessert)
- Bebida (Drink)
- Cubiertos (Cutlery)
- Vino (Wine)
- Cerveza (Beer)
- Café / Té (Coffee / Tea)
- Servilleta (Napkin)
If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, here are some phrases that will help you out:
- Tengo alergia a… (I’m allergic to…)
- Sin / Con… (With / Without…)
- Soy vegetariana/o / vegana/o (I’m vegetarian / vegan)
- ¿Tiene una opción sin gluten? (Do you have a gluten-free option?)
- No como… (I don’t eat…)
Note: The letter ‘g’, when followed by ‘i’ or ‘e’ (like in alergia), is pronounced like the ‘h’ in English.
Dealing with an emergency in Spanish
Hopefully, you’ll never have to use this vocabulary, but here are some basic Spanish words for travelers dealing with an emergency:
- ¡Ayuda! (Help!)
- Necesito a la policía / una ambulancia (I need the police / an ambulance)
- Estoy perdido/a (I’m lost)
- Necesito un médico (I need a doctor)
- Me duele… el estómago / la cabeza (My belly / head hurts)
- Necesito esta medicina (I need this medicine)
- No me siento bien (I don’t feel well)
- ¿Dónde hay un hospital / una farmacia ? (Where can I find a hospital / pharmacy?)
- Mi medicina está en mi mochila / bolsa (My medicine is in my backpack / purse)
- Tengo náuseas (I feel nauseous)
- Estoy mareada/o (I feel dizzy)
- No puedo respirar bien (I can’t breathe properly)
- No tengo seguro médico (I don’t have insurance)
- Tuve un accidente (I had an accident)
Key Spanish question words for travelers
Mastering the use of Spanish question words is crucial for effective communication, so let’s take a moment to learn them:
- ¿Qué? (What?)
- ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?)
- ¿Quién? (Who?)
- ¿Quién es él? (Who is he?)
- ¿Cuándo? (When?)
- ¿Cuándo sale el tren? (When does the train depart?)
- ¿Dónde? (Where?)
- ¿Dónde está la tienda? (Where is the shop?)
- ¿Por qué? (Why?)
- ¿Por qué tiene ese color? (Why is it that color?)
- ¿Cómo? (How?)
- ¿Cómo preparan este platillo? (How is this dish prepared?)
What our students of Spanish say
Telling the time in Spanish
Other key phrases to learn before traveling are those related to telling time in Spanish:
- ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)
- Son las… 4:00 PM / las 11 de la mañana (It is… 4:00 PM / 11 in the morning)
- Vamos a salir a las… (We leave at…)
What are common Spanish words for vacation?
Some of the most common Spanish words and phrases for discussing vacation or travel include:
- Vacaciones (holidays)
- Viajar (travel)
- Estoy viajando / Estoy de viaje (I’m traveling)
- Avión / Tren / Autobús (Plane / Train / Bus)
- Vengo de… (I come from…)
- Me voy el sábado (I leave on Saturday)
- Llegué el lunes (I arrived on Monday)
- Estoy aquí por trabajo (I’m here for work)
- Estoy de vacaciones (I’m on holiday)
- La estoy pasando bien (I’m having a good time)
How to learn Spanish for traveling?
One of the best ways to learn Spanish for traveling is to make it fun! Here are some tips to help you do just that:
- Create flashcards: Write the English word on one side and the Spanish word on the other. You can even use pictures instead of English words if you’re more visual (pro tip: there are online flashcard tools out there!).
- Think in Spanish: When you go grocery shopping, try naming the items you see in Spanish in your head.
- Watch series and movies in Spanish: Start with English subtitles to get acquainted, then switch to Spanish and eventually turn them off completely. This will help you learn vocabulary for different scenarios, including travel.
- Get a language buddy: Try a language exchange and ask your buddy to help you with your travel vocabulary. You can chat about past trips, for example.
Ready for takeoff
Alright, now you’ve got some basic Spanish words and phrases for travel, which we’re sure will be useful in all kinds of situations! You’ll be able to ask for directions, communicate dietary restrictions and greet your hosts like a pro. Just remember, some native speakers might switch to English if they feel you’re struggling –don’t get discouraged, use gestures if needed and keep going. And, in any case, a translation app can come to the rescue.
Now, if you’re looking to take your Spanish to the next level, join us at Lingoda! You’ll learn from our excellent native-level teachers on a schedule that fits you just right. You’ll be speaking from day one!
Alison Maciejewski Cortez
Alison Maciejewski Cortez is Chilean-American, born and raised in California. She studied abroad in Spain, has lived in multiple countries, and now calls Mexico home. She believes that learning how to order a beer in a new language reveals a lot about local culture. Alison speaks English, Spanish, and Thai fluently and studies Czech and Turkish. Her tech copywriting business takes her around the world and she is excited to share language tips as part of the Lingoda team. Follow her culinary and cultural experiences on X.
