100+ Essential English for Travel Phrases for a Confident Trip

As you pack your bags on a trip and are getting excited about the journey, you might also be a bit anxious about your communication skills. You worry about how to ask for directions, communicate emergencies, ask for transportation, and shopping points without stuttering. The worry might be more if you don’t have models like Loora to assist you in learning the essential phrases and practicing using them naturally.

The biggest challenge about communication in English is how confidently you can speak, and there are only a few situations that test your speaking skills more than when you're travelling. Loora can give you a safe space to practice real-world travel scenarios before you go, and build the fluency and confidence you need.

This guide offers the essential English for travel phrases you can add to your vocabulary. It will also show you how Loora can help you use them with confidence.

Key takeaways

You’ll find the following main takeaways in the guide:

• Some of the essential phrases for every travel stage, such as airport, hotel, dining, and more.
• How to ask questions and understand the answers you’re likely to get.
• Tips on how to move beyond lists and gain the confidence to use learned phrases in real conversations.
• Tips for practicing your travel English before you even pack your bags.

The 5 golden phrases of polite conversation

If you could only learn five things before travelling, try to master:

• "Excuse me."
• "I don't understand."
• "Could you please speak slowly?"
• "Thank you so much."
• “Where is the…?”

That’s because these polite phrases are a universal tool for navigating any situation while travelling.

"Excuse me" is a basic phrase that helps you attract a passerby's attention to ask for help, information, or directions around the station or airport. It works most naturally when you follow immediately with your question or request.

You use the polite phrase, "I don't understand," similarly, but this time, your request for clarification can get more specific. It's best to follow immediately with the part of the conversation you didn't get the first time.

The phrase, "Could you please speak slowly," could serve a double purpose. You can use it just after making your request to inform the other person that you'd appreciate them giving you the answer slowly for clarity. You can also use the phrase to seek clarity over an entire answer you didn't catch the first time.

How to navigate the airport like a pro

Your communication skills need to be nuanced enough to help you find your way through airport gates, passes, and other designated areas of the airport if you’re travelling by air. These are some of the phrases worth noting, each classified into the context they are most useful:

At the check-in counter

These are some questions you might ask at the check-in counter, as well as some answers you may give:

Questions you might ask

• You: “Can I get an aisle seat on the plane?”
• Attendant: "Sure! Let me see what's available. There's one I found in row 18."

• You: “Is my flight on time?”
• Attendant: “Yes, it’s due to leave on time at 2:30 PM from gate B12
• You: Can I upgrade to business class?
• Attendant: "Let me check on that real quick… Yes, there's one seat available for an upgrade fee of $550."
• You: What's my baggage allowance for this flight?
• Attendant: "You can bring along one checked bag of up to 23 kilograms, one carry-on, and a personal item."
• You: Where do I go after check-in?
• Attendant: "Make your way to security, then your gate is B12. Try to make it there 30 minutes before departure."

Questions you might be asked

• Attendant: Did you pack this bag yourself?
• You: "Yes, I packed it myself."
• Attendant: Has anyone given you anything to carry on the flight?
• You: "No, nobody has."
• Attendant: Are you carrying any liquids, sharp objects, or prohibited items?
• You: "I have a small bottle of water in my carry-on."
• Attendant: Do you have any checked baggage today?
• You: "Yes, I have one suitcase to check" (or "No, just carry-on.")

It’s good practice to get to the check-in counter with your passport, booking confirmation, and other documents already in your hands. That saves you from scrambling for them at the last minute and getting nervous while you try to communicate.

Going through security

Below are some key terms and phrases you’re likely to use when you make your way to the security section of the airport:

• Liquids: Water, shampoo, perfume. Liquids must typically be 100ml or less before they can pass security.
• Laptop - Computer. Depending on the airport, you may have to remove it from your bag at the security checkpoint
• Tablet - iPad or similar device
• Tray – The plastic bin for your belongings
• Conveyor belt – The moving belt that carries trays through a scanner
• Metal detector - An archway you walk through that checks for any metal around you
• Prohibited items - things you cannot bring along on the plane

Phrases

• "Do I need to take my shoes off?"
• "Where do I put my bag?"
• "Can I keep my phone in my pocket?"
• "Which line should I join?"
• "Can I go through now?"

Always have your boarding pass and ID ready at the security checkpoint. Wear slip-on shoes and put items like your phone, wallet, and keys directly into your bag before reaching the trays. This makes the process faster and less stressful on your ability to speak confidently.

At the boarding gate & on the plane

Here are some phrases you’re likely to use when you get to the boarding gate and on the plane:

• "Is this the gate for flight BA 205 to London?"
• "Has boarding started yet?"
• "When will we start boarding?"
• "Excuse me, where is seat 23A?"
• "Can I get past, please?"
• "Could you help me with my luggage?"

Don't be afraid to ask for help or clarification at any point from the check-in to your plane seat. Flight attendants are trained to assist passengers who don't speak English fluently, and if you don't understand an announcement, politely ask a crew member.

Checking in: your hotel and accommodation experience

Once your plane lands safely at your destination, you can shift your focus to the next step in your travel: getting into your hotel or accommodation. The next set of phrases can help you navigate the entire hotel experience, from arrival to departure. They are also in categories to give you a better idea of their context:

At the front desk: check-in & questions

These phrases are useful for communicating just as you’re checking into the hotel for the first time:

• “Hello, I have a reservation under the name…”
• “Sorry, what’s included in my reservation?”
• “What time is check-in/check-out?”
• "Does the room have a…" (This phrase helps you check for certain amenities like Wi-Fi or a bathroom)
• “How many beds are in this room?”

In your room: asking for what you need

These phrases are suitable for situations when you’re already in your hotel room and require certain assistance:

• “Could I please have room service?”
• "Where is the best … around, and how can I get there?" (This allows you to check for restaurants, pharmacies, or banks around the area)
• "My keycard isn't working correctly. Can I get some help with that?"
• "I need more towels for room 402. Could you have some more brought over?"

Below is a table of some common hotel problems you may encounter while checked in, and the correct phrases you can use to communicate them:

Front-desk attendants at the hotel are more than happy to take your polite questions, so feel free to ask them. You can also approach officials on the premises to ask for directions. Once you've settled into your room, you can make your request through the intercom telephone.

Dining out: how to order with confidence

Dining out is a key part of your travel experience and requires confident communication skills. Non-native English speakers may get anxious when trying to order food at the restaurant, but the following phrases can help you gain some confidence:

Step 1: getting a table & ordering drinks

These phrases let you get the preliminary functions of ordering at a restaurant correctly:

• “A table for two, please” (The number indicates the number of people you plan to have eating at the restaurant, including you).
• "I/we would like to drink …" (Soda, glass of water, some beer, and wine are some of the common drink options you'll likely find at the restaurant)
• “What kind of beer do you have?” (This phrase lets you check if the restaurant offers a variety of beer options or just one brand)
• “Can I get a refill?” (This phrase helps you check if the restaurant has a refill policy on the initial drinks at the table).
• "Can we see the menu, please?" (This lets you seamlessly transition to the next step, which is ordering the food)

Step 2: Ordering your meal & special requests

These phrases help you get into the main function of ordering at the restaurant, together with special requests you might have for the orders:

• “I would like to order, please” (This phrase is often accompanied by the wave of the hand towards the waiter, signifying that you’re ready to eat and ask questions about the food on offer)
• “Could you recommend any popular dishes/what do you recommend” (These are helpful phrases if you’re not sure of what to order from the menu)
• “I’m allergic to nuts, does this dish contain any?” (This phrase lets you communicate your allergens to the waiter politely, so they can better tune their recommendations)
• “May I ask if you have dishes that are halal/vegetarian?” (This phrase lets you communicate any personal preference you might have, based on belief).
• “Can I please have …?” (Appetizers, soup, salad, desserts, and extra helpings of condiments are some of the items this phrase lets you request over the course of your meal).

Step 3: paying the bill

These are phrases you use when asking for the bill. They signal the conclusion of the restaurant experience:

• "Can I have the check, please/may I have the bill?" (These phrases let you request the total amount you have to pay at the end of the meal. In some restaurants, the waiter doesn't bring the check or bill to you unless you call for it.)
• “Do you take credit cards?” (This phrase lets you confirm the payment methods the restaurant accepts)
• “Can we split the bill?” (Another phrase that lets you check for other ways you can pay for the meal at the restaurant)

Getting around: directions & transportation

In between your hotel, restaurants, and the many other visiting points of your travel, you're doing a lot of moving around. The following category of phrases helps you get directions and transportation information over a range of transport options:

Asking for directions

These phrases help you get directions to certain locations in the area:

• “Excuse me, which way is it to the 7th Avenue?”
• “Sorry, I'm going to the City Bank, am I on the right way?"
• “So, I turn left at the bank?” (This phrase helps you clarify the directions you’re currently receiving)
• “Excuse me, where is the Central Market?”

Using public transport (buses & trains)

These phrases help you get on and off public transport, particularly buses and trains:

• “Does this train/bus go to …?” (This phrase lets you find out whether the public transport gets to your desired destination)
• “How do I get to …?” (This phrase is often a follow-up to the first one, in which the other person answered negative. It allows you to get the correct directions to your desired destination from the public transport you're currently on)
• “How long does it take to get to …” (Use this phrase when you’re trying to find out how long it would take the vehicle to get to its destination on the route it’s currently taking)
• “One ticket to … please?” (A polite request for a bus or train ticket to your desired location)
• “Excuse me, is this seat taken?” (A useful phrase for checking if the seemingly empty seat beside a passenger is for someone else)
• "I missed my stop. Can you please let me know when we're at the next one?" (This phrase helps you regain your direction in case you lose it while on the bus or train)
• “Do you accept …?” (This phrase helps you confirm the payment options you can use to pay your bus or train fare)
• "How much is a ticket to …?" (Use this phrase to ask about the fare or price of a ticket to your destination before purchasing)

From knowing to doing: how to practice your travel English

Making your way around a travel destination for the first time would already be quite an experience. Add to that the fact that you're speaking English as a second language while there, and things can get even more adventurous.

For one thing, you get to find out that there's a difference between knowing conversational phrases and how to use them confidently. You may have spent some time brushing up on key English phrases, only to find out that they're playing out slightly differently when you have to say them to a real passerby.

The other thing you realize is that speaking confidence is all that matters in the real world. It’s what will carry the conversation, making each of the phrases you have in your vocabulary fit perfectly into the context in which you’re trying to use them.

Your best response to these realizations is to prioritize speaking practice in real-world scenarios. It will help you boost speaking confidence before and during your trip, and the good thing is that you don’t need a complex academic plan for it.

Simulate real conversations with an AI tutor.

More people are using AI and GPTs in their daily lives, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you can now use AI models to simulate real travel conversations.

Knowing travel phrases is the first step, but true confidence in using them in the real world comes from practice. For learners who want to master travel conversations before and during their trip, an AI tutor like Loora provides a judgment-free space to simulate real-world scenarios 24/7.