40 essential English phrases for travel

Learning a few key phrases before you travel somewhere new can make your trip much smoother. If you’re planning on studying abroad, adding some basic phrases to your knowledge is a great place to start.

As the world’s most widely spoken language, English is considered by many to be near-universal. Because of this, familiarity with common English travel words and phrases can come in very handy all around the world – particularly in Northern America and continental Europe. Here’s our guide to essential English phrases for travelers to know.

Phrases to be polite

The English like to ‘mind their Ps & Q’s’ – an old English phrase which means to pay attention to etiquette. Good manners are welcomed in every culture. These simple words and phrases won’t take long to learn but will show English speakers everywhere that you respect their language and customs.

• Hello

• Goodbye

• Good morning / afternoon / evening

• Please

• Thank you

• Cheers (A variation of ‘thank you’ that you’ll hear most often in England)

• May I have ___?

• How are you?

Useful phrases for everyday travels

So, you’ve mastered being polite. Next, commit these essential everyday phrases to memory:

• Where is the bathroom [UK] / restroom [US]?

• Where is the bus / train station?

• Is there somewhere I can charge my phone / laptop?

• I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Could you please repeat that?

• Is there somewhere I can leave my bag / luggage?

• Where is the nearest supermarket?

Eating and drinking

• I’d like a table for ___ people, please.

• Can I book a table for ___ people at 7 pm?

• Can I have a menu?

Paying for things

• I’d like to pay by card / cash.

• Is a tip included on the bill?

• Split the bill (if you’re dining with friends, you can ask the restaurant staff to split the bill and allow you each to pay for part of the meal. Alternatively, they may ask, you, ‘Do you want to split the bill?’)

Traveling by train

Don’t be bamboozled by public transport. These phrases will help you get from A to B smoothly:

• Does this train go to ___?

• I’m going to ___, is this the right platform?

• Can you please help me with my bag / luggage?

• Where is the station exit?

• Where is the taxi rank?

• Is this seat available?

• ‘Tickets, please’ (this is your cue to show the train staff your journey travel documentation.)

• ‘Mind the gap’ (a reminder to be careful when the train doors open a slight distance from the platform.)

Taking the bus

Buses can be late, and not all bus stations have digital real-time information. Sometimes you’ll need to ask your fellow passengers or the bus driver for help or information.

• I’d like a single / return ticket to ­­­___.

• What time does the bus leave?

• Does this bus go to­­­ ___?

• How long is the journey to ­­___?

Flying

You’ll want to recognize some of these key words and phrases so that you know what to look for in an airport to quickly figure out where you need to go next:

• Passport control [UK] / Immigration [US]

• Bag check (where you drop off your hold luggage before a flight)

• Baggage claim (where you pick up your hold luggage after a flight)

• Gate

• Terminal

• Departures

• Arrivals

• Customs

Bonus phrase special mention: ‘Excuse me’

This is such a versatile English phrase – and an essential one to understand. It can be used on its own or at the start of sentences and can have several meanings. Here’s what you need to know:

• You can use it to get someone’s attention before asking a question. For example, you might say, “Excuse me, can you help me?”

• When on its own, simply saying, ‘Excuse me,’ acts as an apology. Use it if you say the wrong thing or bump into someone on a busy train platform.

• Excuse me?’ If you didn’t hear or fully understand what someone has just said, add a question mark and they’ll repeat themselves for you.

Happy travels!