Spanish Travel Vocabulary: Words and Phrases with Pronunciation

Why Learning Spanish Travel Vocabulary is Important

When traveling, communication is key. Even though many people in popular tourist destinations speak English, knowing some basic Spanish phrases will make your experience more authentic and respectful. Plus, it can help you in situations where English isn't spoken, like when you're in smaller towns or interacting with locals who don't speak any other language.

Knowing how to ask for directions, order food, or get help in an emergency can make your trip far less stressful and more enjoyable. Plus, locals often appreciate it when travelers make an effort to speak their language, which can lead to more meaningful and friendly interactions.

Let's dive in and start learning the most important Spanish vocabulary for travel!

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Essential Phrases for Greetings and Introductions

Before we get into more specific vocabulary, let's start with some basics—greetings and introductions. Being able to say “hello,” “goodbye,” or introduce yourself in Spanish is a great first step.

Common Greetings and Farewells

• Hola – Hello
• Buenos días – Good morning
• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
• Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night
• Adiós – Goodbye
• Hasta luego – See you later
• Nos vemos – See you (informal)

Introducing Yourself

• Me llamo… – My name is…
• ¿Cómo te llamas? – What is your name?
• Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you
• Encantado/a – Pleased to meet you (masculine/feminine)
• Soy de… – I’m from…

Learning these basics is important because they’re the building blocks of conversation. A friendly “Hola” or “Buenos días” can go a long way in starting any interaction on the right foot.

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At the Airport and on the Plane

One of the first places you’ll use Spanish on your trip is at the airport. Whether you’re asking for directions, checking in, or going through customs, knowing some key phrases will help you navigate more easily.

Airport Vocabulary

• El aeropuerto – The airport
• La terminal – The terminal
• La puerta de embarque – The boarding gate
• El equipaje – Luggage
• La maleta – Suitcase
• El control de seguridad – Security checkpoint
• La tarjeta de embarque – Boarding pass
• La aduana – Customs
• El pasaporte – Passport
• La salida – Departure
• La llegada – Arrival

Common Airport Phrases

• ¿Dónde está la puerta de embarque? – Where is the boarding gate?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta una maleta extra? – How much does an extra suitcase cost?
• Tengo una reserva – I have a reservation
• ¿Puedo ver su pasaporte, por favor? – Can I see your passport, please?

On the Plane

• El asiento – Seat
• La ventana – Window
• El pasillo – Aisle
• El cinturón de seguridad – Seatbelt
• El vuelo – Flight
• El despegue – Take-off
• El aterrizaje – Landing

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Accommodation – Hotels and Hostels

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you’ll likely head to your accommodation. Whether you’re staying in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, you’ll need some key phrases to check in and settle down.

Accommodation Vocabulary

• El hotel – Hotel
• El hostal – Hostel
• La habitación – Room
• La reserva – Reservation
• El baño – Bathroom
• La cama – Bed
• El ascensor – Elevator
• La llave – Key
• El servicio de limpieza – Cleaning service
• El aire acondicionado – Air conditioning

Useful Hotel Phrases

• Tengo una reserva bajo el nombre de… – I have a reservation under the name of…
• ¿Está incluido el desayuno? – Is breakfast included?
• ¿A qué hora es el check-out? – What time is check-out?
• ¿Hay wifi gratuito? – Is there free Wi-Fi?
• La habitación no tiene toallas – The room doesn’t have towels
• ¿Me puede dar otra almohada? – Can you give me another pillow?

These phrases will help ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

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Getting Around – Taxis, Buses, and Trains

Once you’re settled into your accommodation, you’ll need to get around the city. Whether you're taking a taxi, bus, or train, knowing some travel-related vocabulary is essential.

Transportation Vocabulary

• El taxi – Taxi
• El autobús – Bus
• El tren – Train
• El metro – Subway
• La estación – Station
• La parada – Stop (e.g., bus stop)
• El conductor – Driver
• El billete / El boleto – Ticket
• El destino – Destination
• La salida – Exit
• El mapa – Map
• El tráfico – Traffic

Asking for Directions

• ¿Dónde está la estación de tren? – Where is the train station?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta el billete al centro? – How much is the ticket to downtown?
• ¿A qué hora sale el autobús? – What time does the bus leave?
• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito? – Can I pay by credit card?

By mastering these phrases, you’ll be able to navigate public transportation systems with ease.

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Dining Out – Restaurants and Cafes

One of the highlights of traveling is trying the local cuisine! Whether you’re eating at a restaurant, a café, or a street food stall, knowing how to order in Spanish will enhance your dining experience.

Restaurant Vocabulary

• El restaurante – Restaurant
• La mesa – Table
• El menú – Menu
• El camarero / La camarera – Waiter / Waitress
• El plato – Plate / Dish
• La cuenta – The bill
• El agua – Water
• La cerveza – Beer
• El vino – Wine
• El desayuno – Breakfast
• El almuerzo – Lunch
• La cena – Dinner

Common Phrases for Ordering Food

• ¿Tienen una mesa para dos? – Do you have a table for two?
• ¿Me trae la carta, por favor? – Can you bring me the menu, please?
• Quisiera pedir… – I would like to order…
• ¿Qué recomienda? – What do you recommend?
• Soy alérgico/a a… – I’m allergic to…
• La cuenta, por favor – The bill, please

If you have any dietary restrictions, it’s useful to know how to communicate them. For example, “No como carne” means "I don’t eat meat."

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Shopping and Money Matters

Whether you're buying souvenirs or shopping for essentials, you'll need to know how to ask for prices, pay, and perhaps even bargain.

Shopping Vocabulary

• La tienda – Store
• El mercado – Market
• El supermercado – Supermarket
• El precio – Price
• La tarjeta de crédito – Credit card
• El dinero en efectivo – Cash
• El recibo – Receipt
• La talla – Size (clothing)
• El probador – Fitting room

Useful Phrases for Shopping

• ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
• ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito? – Do you accept credit cards?
• ¿Tienen este en otro color? – Do you have this in another color?
• Estoy buscando… – I am looking for…
• ¿Puedo probarme esto? – Can I try this on?

With these phrases, you'll have no trouble navigating the shops and markets in Spanish-speaking countries.

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Emergency and Health

Hopefully, you won’t need to use emergency phrases, but it's always better to be prepared. Knowing how to ask for help or find a doctor could be essential in a crisis.

Emergency Vocabulary

• La emergencia – Emergency
• El hospital – Hospital
• El médico / La médica – Doctor
• La farmacia – Pharmacy
• La policía – Police
• El accidente – Accident
• La ambulancia – Ambulance
• El seguro de viaje – Travel insurance

Useful Emergency Phrases

• ¡Ayuda! – Help!
• Necesito un médico – I need a doctor
• He perdido mi pasaporte – I’ve lost my passport
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? – Where is the nearest hospital?
• ¿Dónde está la embajada? – Where is the embassy?

If you have a specific medical condition or allergy, it's useful to learn how to say it in Spanish. For example, “Soy alérgico/a a los cacahuetes” means “I’m allergic to peanuts.”

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Numbers and Time

Understanding numbers and time is essential for handling money, making plans, and understanding schedules.

Numbers 1-10

• Uno – One
• Dos – Two
• Tres – Three
• Cuatro – Four
• Cinco – Five
• Seis – Six
• Siete – Seven
• Ocho – Eight
• Nueve – Nine
• Diez – Ten

Telling Time

• ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
• Son las… – It’s (use for telling time)
• A las… – At (used for saying when something happens)

For example, “Son las tres” means "It’s three o’clock," and “La reunión es a las dos” means "The meeting is at two."

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Final Quiz: Test Your Spanish Travel Vocabulary

Now that you’ve learned a lot of useful travel phrases in Spanish, let’s see how much you remember! Try answering these questions on your own before checking the answers.

1. How do you say “Where is the train station?” in Spanish?
   • a) ¿Dónde está la estación de tren?
   • b) ¿Dónde está la estación de autobús?
   • c) ¿Dónde está el restaurante?
2. Which word means “luggage” in Spanish?
   • a) El equipaje
   • b) El boleto
   • c) El pasaporte
3. How do you ask for the bill in a restaurant?
   • a) ¿Me trae el menú?
   • b) La cuenta, por favor
   • c) ¿Dónde está el baño?
4. What does “Soy alérgico/a a…” mean?
   • a) I’m allergic to…
   • b) I don’t eat…
   • c) I’m vegetarian
5. Translate: “I have a reservation under the name of…”
   • a) Tengo una reserva bajo el nombre de…
   • b) ¿Tienen una mesa para dos?
   • c) ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito?

Answers:

1. a) ¿Dónde está la estación de tren?
2. a) El equipaje
3. b) La cuenta, por favor
4. a) I’m allergic to…
5. a) Tengo una reserva bajo el nombre de…

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With this guide in hand, you're ready to travel confidently through Spanish-speaking countries! Whether you're ordering food, asking for directions, or checking into a hotel, these key phrases and vocabulary will make your trip much more enjoyable. Happy travels!