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67 Essential Spanish Travel Phrases Every Traveller Needs To Know

Spain. Mexico. Argentina. Peru. Colombia.

If you're learning Spanish , the mere the mention of these countries can leave you daydreaming about your next trip abroad.

And although there are many incredible things to do and see in Spanish-speaking countries, what really makes these places special are the local people.

So before you pack your bags and jump on a plane, why not learn a little Spanish to help you make the most of your trip?

In this post, you’ll learn 67 Spanish phrases for travel that can help you survive in the language during your trip abroad. And who knows, they might even help you make a few new friends too!

To make it easier for you, I’ve divided the phrases up into different categories:

Table of Contents

Take the time to learn a few of these key Spanish travel phrases and you’ll be able to mix with the locals, get by in various situations and have a much more enjoyable and authentic experience during your trip.

By the way, if you want to learn Spanish in time for your trip, my top recommendation for language learners is my Uncovered courses, which teach you through StoryLearning®.  Click here  to find out more and try out the method for free.

Press play on the video below to learn Spanish travel phrases thanks to a story. Otherwise, keep scrolling to discover all 67 Spanish travel words and expressions.

First Things First: Greetings To Use On Arrival

Knowing how to greet people is the most basic thing you can learn in a foreign language. And yet its importance shouldn't be underestimated.

Even if you aren’t fluent enough to hold a long conversation, a simple ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?  (Hello, how are you?) can make all the difference.

You'll be able to use these expressions as soon as you arrive at your destination, whether it's at the airport, the train or bus station, or the hotel.

People appreciate it if you make an effort to speak their language when you visit their country, even if it’s only a few words.

Spanish-speaking countries are especially polite and greeting people correctly will go a long way towards endearing you to the locals, be they friends, people you meet in shops or on the street.

• ( BWAY-nos DEE-as)
• (BWAY-nas TAR-des)
• (BWAY-nas NOH-chays)
• (KOH-moh eh-STAH)
• (KOH-moh eh-STAHS)
• (bee-EN  GRA-thee-as [Spain] / GRA-see-as [Latin America])
• (KOH-moh te YA-mas?)
• (May YA-moh… )
• (MOO-choh GOO-stoh)

And of course, let’s not forget common courtesy!

• (por fa-BOR)
• (GRA-thee-as [Spain] / GRA-see-as [Latin America])

If you get stuck in your Spanish conversation, you can always fall back on these next two phrases to get you out of trouble.

• (yo no en-tee-EN-doh)
• (Ab-la in-GLAYS)

Get What You Want On Your Trip With The Verb Querer 

Once you’ve finished greeting someone, you’ll need to be able to move on to the crux of your conversation and to do that you’ll need to learn a couple of common verbs.

There are hundreds of Spanish verbs to learn and, to make your life more difficult, these verbs conjugate (change form).

This means learning a verb is never as simple as learning one word; you have to learn multiple different forms.

Having said that, you might be surprised by how far you can get only knowing one simple verb: I want .

It may not make you the most sophisticated Spanish speaker but 9 times out of 10 it will get you what you, well, want .

The verb in question is querer (to want) and in the first person form, it becomes quiero (I want).

Let’s take a look at how you can use it:

• (yo kee-EH-ro oon me-NOO)
• (YO kee-EH-ro oon taxi)
• (yo kee-EH-ro OO-na ser-BAY-za)

If you’d like to be a bit more polite (which is usually a good idea), you can also use:

• (kee-see-EH-ra…)

Asking For & Understanding Directions On Your Trip

Whether you’re looking for the toilet in a restaurant or trying to find a hotel to stay at, you’ll inevitably need to ask for directions at some point during your trip.

The simplest way to ask where something is, is to use ¿Dónde está? followed by the noun you are looking for:

• (DON-day es-TAH el BAH-nyo?)
• (DON-day es-TAH el BAN-koh?)
• (DON-day es-TAH la KA-yay de al-cal-AH?)

When travelling in a foreign country, if you're asking someone on the street for directions, don’t forget your manners! To get someone’s attention, start by saying:

• (Dis-KUL-pay)
• (Con per-MEE-soh / Per-DOH-nah-may)
• (eh- stoy per-DEE-doh)

Asking for directions is one thing but it’s pretty pointless if you don’t know how to understand the directions that are given to you!

Memorise these phrases to help you understand what the friendly locals are trying to tell you when you ask for their help:

• (A la de-RE-cha)
• (A la iz-kee-ER-da)
• (De-RE-cho)
• (En la es-KEE-nah)
• (a OO-na KWAD-rah)

Getting Around Spanish-Speaking Countries

If you’re not keen on walking everywhere, you'll need to be able to find out about local transport options to find your way around wherever you are.

Here are a few simple phrases you can use to locate a bus, train or taxi and get to wherever you need to go:

• (DON-day PWAY-doh en-kon-TRAR oon taxi?)
• (DON-day eh-STAH la pa-RAH-dah de ow-to-BOOS mas ser-KA-nah?)
• (DON-day eh-STAH la es-tah-see-ON de ferro-carr-EEL mas ser-KA-nah?)
• (KWAN-to KWES-ta oon bee-YET-ay PA-ra …)
• (oon bee-YET-ay PA-ra … por fa-BOR)

At A Restaurant On Your Travels

Each Spanish-speaking country has its own unique flavours and cuisine for you to try when you travel!

Food is definitely one of the big attractions to cities like San Sebastian in Spain and Buenos Aires in Argentina , so you'll need to make sure you have a basic grasp of food vocabulary ahead of your journey!

To start with, you need to be prepared to hear and understand certain questions in restaurants, such as:

• (kee-EH-res AL-go PA-ra koh-MER?)
• (kee-EH-res AL-go PA-ra beh-BER?)
• (KAY kee-EH-res koh-MER?)

When you read the menu, you'll see the available food grouped into different categories, just like in an English menu:

• (oo-na en-TRA-da)
• (oon PLA-toh prin-si-PAL)
• (oon POS-tray)
• (OO-na beh-BEE-da)

When you're ready to order, use either  quiero (I want) or  quisiera (I would like) with the items on the menu to tell the waiter what you'd like. For example,  quiero…

• (OO-na SOH-pah)
• (OO-na en-sa-LA-da)
• (el POY-oh)
• (la CAR-nay)
• (oon AG-wa)
• (oon BEE-noh TIN-toh / BLAN-koh)
• (OO-na ser-BAY-sa)
• (oon ka-FAY)

So, for example, to order that ice-cold beer you're looking forward to at the end of a long day, you'd say  quiero una cerveza.

If you're not sure what to try, you can always ask your waiter for a recommendation:

• (kay may re-kom-ee-EN-dah?)

In most restaurants in Spanish-speaking countries, the staff will be more than happy to suggest a particularly tasty local dish for you to try.

If you're a vegetarian or you have dietary complications, these next two phrases are essential:

• (soy be-he-tah-ree-AH-noh/nah)
• (TEN-go al-ER-hee-ah a las noo-EH-ses)

Finally, let's learn a couple of quick phrases you can use to ask about prices and pay the bill.

• (KWAN-to KWES-ta? )
• (la KWEN-ta por fa-BOR)

Key Spanish Question Words For Your Trip

Over the course of your journey, you'll almost certainly find yourself asking lots and lots of questions.

You might not have a huge Spanish vocabulary to draw on, but if you know the basic question words, you'll be able to get by in almost any common situation you might find yourself in.

Here are some key Spanish question words you need to know:

• (KWAN-doh?)
• (A kay AW-ra?)
• (KWAN-toh?)
• (KWAN-tohs)
• (kah-dah KWAN-toh?)
• (por KWAN-toh tee-EM-poh)

Once you’ve got these question words in your memory bank you’ll start noticing the patterns in Spanish grammar which will help you to move away from the basic Spanish phrases every tourist is using.

As you learn new words on your trip, you'll be able to combine them with these question words to start forming your own sentences and questions!

Get Ready For Adventure With These Spanish Travel Phrases!

Take the time to memorise these key Spanish travel phrases and you'll have everything you need to get the most out of your journey.

With just a few words of Spanish, I'm sure you'll meet lots of amazing people and have plenty of life-changing experiences along the way.

Who knows, perhaps spending some time visiting a Spanish-speaking country will motivate you to strive for fluency?

If this article has inspired you to both travel and to learn Spanish, then I've got something to get you started on your Spanish learning journey. 

I'm a big believer in the power of story to enable you to learn a language. That's why I've created an entire beginner course dedicated to learning Spanish by immersing yourself in an engaging story.

It's my Spanish Uncovered course, and it's designed to take you from beginner to B1 Intermediate level.

Click here for more information on the course, test it out for free and to find out how it'll help you.

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The Ultimate Guide to Spanish Travel Phrases: 95 Expressions You Need to Learn

If you’re looking to learn some basic Spanish for a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, going the whole “grammar and word list” route is a bit complex and time-consuming.

Good news: learning Spanish travel phrases instead won’t only help you learn Spanish you can use right away in conversations…

Contrary to what many people think, such phrases aren’t even just a quick “hack” but a valid long-term strategy to learn Spanish and other languages (as I outline in my article about Spanish for beginners ).

Anyway, more on that in a bit. First, let’s teach you some Spanish travel phrases!

1. Spanish Travel Phrases to Use Upon Arrival

First things first. If you’re planning to go to a Spanish-speaking country, learning how to greet people and be polite is a must. Otherwise, starting a Spanish conversation can be difficult.

No matter what kind of transportation you use to get to a Spanish-speaking place, you probably will have to deal with different kinds of workers.

The best thing you can do if you want to ask for information, or just catch some worker’s attention, is to be polite and show respect.

Keep in mind that if you want to be formal, you’ll say and conjugate verbs using “ usted ”. If you’re just talking with friends or someone you know, it’s enough to use “ tú ”.

Now, let’s see some chunks that will help you be ready on Arrival at your destination.

Spanish phrases to use upon arrival

Since you’re trying to improve your Spanish, we would recommend not to use “¿Habla ingles?” as the first alternative. If you do it, natives will try to find someone that could speak with you in English.

Yet, if you find that communicating becomes complicated, it may save your day.

On the other hand, using “ ¿Me puede ayudar? ” is among the best alternatives if you need help when arriving at the airport or any place. People will know immediately that you require assistance to do or get something.

If you use transportation like Taxis or Buses, dealing with luggage isn’t a challenge. But, if you take an airplane, and finding your luggage isn’t that easy, you can take advantage of the last phrase above.

No matter what your needs are, you should always use the following chunks if someone helps you or you ask for help.

Ask for help with these chunks

Saying “ Por favo r” and “ Gracias ” will not only help you to show respect. Also, they will indeed help you to “open” doors as people will always be willing to help you one more time.

For more airport Spanish, watch this video by Paulisima from Spring Spanish (a YouTube channel I co-founded):

2. Spanish Travel Phrases When You Need or Want Something

When traveling, Necesitar and Querer are two Spanish verbs that will help you in several situations.

There are plenty of Spanish chunks you can learn and use with Necesitar and Querer . However, we will stick to the most important.

Travel vocabulary in Spanish: Necesitar and Querer

With these Spanish travel phrases, you’ll get any problem solved. From your basic needs to things on your bucket list like going partying in a Spanish-speaking country.

3. Spanish Travel Phrases for Partying

Latin American people are among the most cheerful people all over the world, and hanging out with them is an unforgettable activity.

You could learn the following Spanish phrases when you’re out having the best time of your life! 😉

Spanish Phrases for When You’re Partying

There are plenty of other Spanish phrases for travel you could learn… and in general, learning as many fixed phrases as possible (or chunks, as we call them) will help you speak Spanish more effortlessly in all kinds of situations.

You can learn them through actual conversation, but also through Spanish podcasts, Spanish YouTube channels , or check out the best Spanish shows on Netflix.

If you’d like to learn more about learning Spanish through chunks, go ahead and request your free Spanish Chunking Starter Pack.

4. Spanish Travel Phrases When Asking for Directions

Although most Spanish speakers are quite friendly because of their culture and way of living, getting along with them on the streets may not be as simple as that. It’s because some people feel that talking to strangers isn’t appropriate or just “not safe”.

When approaching someone you don’t know on the streets, you must keep your distance and use some of the following Spanish phrases.

Approach someone with these chunks

The approach is the most important step. After, it’s time to ask or request what you need. If you’re lost and you need an address or need help, the following chunks will help you get the job done.

Travel tips: Get help with these Spanish chunks

After you get all you need and it’s time to move forward, saying “ Gracias ” to the ones who helped you is essential.

It’s always important to say thanks. It will help you end the conversation and leave an “ open door ” to ask for help again if necessary.

Time to see some of these phrases/chunks in action! Here’s Maria Fernanda, one of the Spring Spanish teachers:

5. Spanish Travel Phrases for the Hotel

If you’re a traveler there’s no doubt that you’ll face some challenges when looking for accommodation. Let’s imagine you need to get a room and you have to talk to the staff of a hotel. Depending on your needs, there are several things you’ll have to ask.

For example, room type, if the price includes breakfast, or other things like if you have access to the pool.

Solve challenges at a hotel with these Spanish phrases

Please note that if you have made a reservation, you’ll need either your name or a reservation number. If you get a reservation number, you would say “ Hice una reserva con número…. ” instead of “ Tengo una reserva a nombre de… ”. Learn all the Spanish numbers .

Getting a room with breakfast included is generally a great option. In that scenario, you could say “ Quiero el servicio de desayuno incluido ” (I want breakfast included). No matter what you ask or need, remember to use formal language and make use of “ usted ”.

Here’s a good video about checking into a hotel, brought to you by Paulisima from Spring Spanish :

6. Spanish Travel Phrases for the Restaurant

After you managed to pack out everything in your hotel, you might want to grab something at the restaurant. Learning the basic travel phrases to order food will definitely help you when you’re hungry!

Useful travel phrases in a restaurant

7. Spanish Travel Phrases for the Hospital

Smart travelers always keep some medical supplies in their bags to face any kind of emergency. However, sometimes taking some pills won’t solve the problem, and learning Spanish travel phrases to deal with these situations is essential.

The following Spanish travel phrases will help you with your health-related concerns.

Spanish travel phrases: Health-related concerns

Although the Spanish chunks above will help you deal with most medical situations, sometimes, it’s necessary to explain any symptoms you might have. You can use “ Yo tengo ” before any of the Spanish words for travel shown below.

They’ll help you explain your symptoms and any Spanish-speaking doctor will have no problem at the moment of giving you the right prescription.

Explain symptoms with Spanish chunks

Tip: To make yourself understood to native speakers, especially in more complex situations like this, this article on Spanish connectors will come in handy. It’s an often-overlooked part of language learning but it can help you a lot.

Another tip: Want to see (and hear) all those phrases in action? Watch this video by Spring Spanish teacher Maura:

8. Spanish Travel Phrases for Everyday Situations

Although we provided you with the most important phrases for every possible situation, there are still some useful phrases left. Check out the following table to learn some of the most used Spanish travel phrases for everyday situations.

Use these phrases in everyday situations

9. Spanish Travel Phrases: Your Key to Effortless Conversations in Any Spanish-Speaking Country

No matter what Spanish-speaking country you visit, keeping these Spanish phrases for travel will indeed help you deal with any scenario.

Let’s check out a Spanish conversation with some basic Spanish travel phrases:

Ana : Hola, disculpe… (Hello, excuse me…) Berta : ¡Hola! ¿En qué puedo ayudarte? (Hello! How can I help you?) Ana : ¿Sabe cómo llegar a esta dirección? (Do you know how to get to this address?) Berta : Sí, claro. ¿A qué dirección necesitas ir? (Yes, of course. What address do you need to go to?) Ana : Un hotel en la Calle Principal. (A hotel on Main Street.) Berta : Está cerca. Camina dos cuadras hacia el oeste. (It’s nearby. Walk two blocks west.) Ana : Hice una reserva con número 16. (I made a reservation with the number 16.) Berta : Perfecto. Disfruta tu estadía. (Perfect. Enjoy your stay.) Ana : ¡Gracias! (Thank you!) Berta : De nada. ¡Que tengas un buen día! (You’re welcome. Have a nice day!)

LISTEN TO THE WHOLE CONVERSATION :

Of course, if communicating becomes too complex, don’t hesitate to use the old life-saving phrase “ ¿Habla ingles? ”.

Requesting your free Spanish Chunking Starter Pack from Effortless Conversation is the best you can do if you’re planning to visit a Spanish-speaking destination. You’ll build your confidence and will feel much more comfortable when speaking Spanish.

Lukas is the founder of Effortless Conversations and the creator of the Conversation Based Chunking™ method for learning languages. He's a linguist and wrote a popular book about learning languages through "chunks". He also co-founded the language education company Spring Languages, which creates online language courses and YouTube content.

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101 Common Spanish Phrases for Travel

It’s time to travel! Are you going to a Spanish speaking country? These 101 common Spanish phrases for Travel will help your trip go smoothly, and your journey will be much more enjoyable. If you can memorize these phrases before your trip, that’ll be ideal. 

But let’s face it, you are busy. Most likely, you’ll be even busier as your departure date gets closer. But don’t worry, I have created this common Spanish phrases for travel pdf for you! It contains all the travel phrases and words that appear in this post.

Sign up to get your copy of our common Spanish travel phrases pdf for free!

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101 Common Travel Phrases in Spanish PDF

Be sure to download it right now so you’ll have it on your cell phone, tablet, or laptop when you are abroad. It’s always a good idea to have it saved on your device, just in case you don’t have access to the Internet when you need it. You can sign up below to get a link to download the basic common Spanish phrases for the travel pdf file sent to you.

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What are the Common Spanish Phrases for Travel?

Here, we’ll cover 101 common Spanish phrases for travel that you will definitely want to know. 

First, let’s start with basic greetings and pleasantries, and move on to some of the very common and super useful Spanish verbs. Then we’ll talk about some Spanish travel phrases for getting around and shopping. 

Also, you’ll learn common Spanish phrases and words you will need at restaurants or hotels, and tourist activities. 

Lastly, we finish up with the important Spanish phrases for emergencies, just in case. So, let’s begin!

What are the Spanish words for travel?

First, what are the words for travel in Spanish? Below are the words that mean travel or a trip.

To travel – Viajar

To go on a trip – Ir de viaje

A trip – un viaje

Basic Spanish Phrases for Travel: Greetings and Pleasantries

When you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, learning some basic Spanish phrases goes a long way. Even if you don’t pronounce them correctly or make mistakes, most people would appreciate the time and effort you put into learning their language. So let’s start with some very basic Spanish phrases for travelers.

Hi – Hola

You can use this any time of the day as it means “Hi” or “Hello”, but people usually say this and then say one of the other greeting phrases below depending on the time of the day. So, for example, you might say, “Hola, Buenos días.”

Good morning

Buenos días

This is normally used in the morning hours before 12 noon.

Good afternoon

Buenas tardes

Then you would switch to “ buenas tardes ” in the afternoon until it gets dark outside.

Buenas noches

People would start saying “buenas noches” when it’s dark outside…maybe around 6pm-ish.

Good Bye – Adiós

A typical goodbye in any Spanish-speaking country in the world.

See you later.

Hasta luego.

Even though you may not be seeing each other for a long time or ever like a store clerk, it is common to say “hasta luego ” especially in Spain.

Excuse me (Can I have your attention?) / (Can I pass by?)

Discúlpe / Con permiso

So “ Discúlpe” is used to get someone’s attention. “ Con permiso ” basically means “with your permission.” You would say this when you walk in front of someone or need to pass by people in a crowded place because they are blocking your way. It’s like saying, “Excuse me, I’m passing by you.”

It’s always polite and good etiquette to say “please” in any country, right?

Don’t forget to show your gratitude and appreciation when someone did something nice for you.

No thank you

If you are not interested, you can politely decline by saying, “no gracias.”

What is your name? – ¿ C ó mo se llama usted?

This is a formal version and an informal version is “ ¿C ómo te llamas?” In Mexico or Latin America, it would be better to use the formal version. In Spain, the informal version is pretty common unless you are speaking to someone who is much older than you or a government official, doctor, police officer, etc., you get the idea. A general rule of thumb is if your conversation partner looks about your age or younger, then it’s safe to use the informal version.

My name is ________. – Me llamo ______.

This means literally, “I call myself _______.” You can also say “Soy + your name.”

Nice to meet you. – Mucho gusto (Mexico), Encantado/a (Spain)

In most Latin American countries, “mucho gusto” is the most common way to say “nice to meet you.” In Spain, if you are female, you would say “encantada” ; and if you are male, you would say “encantado.”

How are you? – ¿ C ó mo est á usted?

This is a formal way to ask how a person is. If you are talking to a friend or someone about your age or younger, you can say, “ ¿C ómo est ás?”

I’m good. – Estoy bien.

Just a simple “bien” would work as well. However, to be more polite, you can add “gracias,” so it’ll be “estoy bien, gracias” or “bien, gracias.”

Do you speak English? – ¿Habla inglés?

If you are asking this question to someone, you probably don’t know this person. So it would be appropriate to use this formal form. If you are asking a child or someone who is about your own age or younger, you can use an informal form and say, “ Hablas inglés? “

I don’t speak Spanish. – No hablo espa ñ ol.

Yes / No – Sí / No

I’m sure you’ve heard of these before. Yes!

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Can you speak slowly? – ¿ Puede hablar m á s despacio?

Natives seem to speak really fast when you first start learning a new language. So you can ask them to speak slowly.

Can you repeat it? – ¿Puede repetirlo?

You can also ask them to repeat what they have just said by saying this phrase.

I understand – Entiendo.

If you understand what they are saying, you can say “entiendo.” If not, you can say the following…

I don’t understand – No entiendo.

Well, if you don’t understand what they are saying, don’t just agree. Make sure you understand what they are saying by asking them to write it down. Once it’s written down, you can use Google to translate it!

Can you write it down, please? – ¿Puede escribirlo?

Yup, ask them to write it down or at least confirm by repeating what was said. You might want to keep a pen in your purse when traveling.

A little – un poco

You may hear other versions like “un poquito” or “un poquit ín” meaning a little tiny bit.

A lot – mucho

Also, you can use “un montón” meaning “A LOT!”

Nothing – Nada

Well, I have nothing to add…ha ha ha, sorry… (by the way, in Spanish, ha ha ha is written “ja ja ja”)

What time is it? – ¿Qu é hora son? (Mexico), ¿ Qu é hora es? (Spain)

For some reason, in Mexico, hora (hour) is used as a plural form, that’s why “son” is used instead of “es.”

Common Spanish Verbs for Travel: Need, Want, and Have

I need ________.

Necesito ________.

I don’t need _____.

No necesito _______.

I want ________.

Quiero_________.

I don’t want _______.

No quiero ________.

Do you have ______?

Tiene ______?

I have _______.

Tengo ________.

I don’t have _______.

No tengo ______.

Spanish Phrases for Transportation and Getting Around

Where is the bus stop? – ¿D ónde est á la parada de autob ús?

If you are looking for a bus station/terminal where many buses meet, you can use “Central de autobuses”, “Terminal de autobuses”, or “Estaci ón de Autobuses.” The last one is more common in Spain.

Do you go to downtown? – ¿Va al centro?

If you are unsure about which bus to take, you can always ask the bus driver if his/her bus goes to where you intend to go before you get on.

How do I get to the Museum of Natural History? – ¿C ómo llego al museo de histor ia natural?

You can use this phrase to ask for directions to some place.

Is it close? – ¿Est á cerca?

This is a bit tricky one because in most Spanish-speaking countries, people often tell you “it’s close,” but that doesn’t really mean it’s close! It could be, but you just never know how a person feels about a distance.

Is it far? – ¿Est á lejos?

If it’s far, you can also ask “ ¿Cu ánto tiempo se tarda en llegar allí?” – How long does it take to get there? to clarify how far it is.

What time does the train leave? – ¿A qu é hora sale el tren?

Whether it’s your train, bus, or flight, you can use this phrase to ask its departure time. The bus is “el autob ús” and the flight is “el vuelo.”

It leaves at 8:30 in the morning. – Sale a las ocho y media de la mañana.

More about the numbers a little bit further down. If it’s in the morning, “ de la mañana” and in the afternoon and early evening, “de la tarde.” And at night, “de la noche” and in the really early morning would be “de la madrugada.”

What time does it arrive? – ¿A qu é hora llega?

So this is referring to the transportation or a third person (he/she/it). What time do we arrive? Would be “ ¿A qu é hora llegamos?”

It arrives at 3 in the afternoon. – Llega a las tres de la tarde.

If you want to say “We arrive” then use “Llegamos.”

Where can I buy tickets? – ¿ D ó nde puedo comprar boletos? (Mexico), ¿ D ó nde puedo comprar billetes? 

In Mexico, tickets are called “boletos” ; but in Spain, they are called “billetes.” “Billetes” also meansbills in both countries. For example, “un billete de d ólar” means a dollar bill.

Round trip/one way – Viaje redondo / viaje sencillo (Mexico), ida y vuelta / S ó lo ida (Spain)

I would like 2 tickets. – Me gustar ía dos boletos. (First class, Economy class – premera clase, clase econ ómica )

Again, tickets are “billetes” in Spain. One ticket would be “un boleto” or “un billete.”

I missed my flight. – Perd í mi vuelo.

Literally, it means “I lost my flight.” So, you can swap the noun and say “Perd í mi maleta” – “I lost my suitcase” as well.

Here’s my passport. – Aqu í est á mi pasaporte.

Another similar phrase is “ Aqu í lo tiene,” basically meaning “here you have it” or “here it is.”

I’m here on vacation/on holiday. – Estoy aqu í de vacaciones.

In Spanish, vacation is usually plural “vacaciones.”

I’m going to stay for one week. – Me voy a quedar una semana (two weeks – dos semanas).

Staying only for a few days? Then you can say, “Me voy a quedar unos d í as.” “ Day” in Spanish is “d ía” (singular) and “d ías” (plural) and month in Spanish is “mes” (singular) and “meses” (Plural).

Where is the baggage claim? – ¿ D ónde está el reclamo de equipaje?

There are several different words for baggage claim: la cinta de maletas, la cinta de equipaje, la cinta de recogida de equipaje , etc. “Equipaje” means luggage.

I can’t find my suitcase. – No encuentro mi maleta.

If you can’t find a person, then you would add “a” in front of the person’s name. For instance, “No encuentro a Maria.”

How much does it cost to take me to________? (Taxi) – Cuanto por lleverme a _______?

Ask a cab driver how much it costs to take you to your destination before getting on the cab to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Researching how much a taxi to your destination should cost beforehand can give you a general idea.

Stop here, please. – Pare aqu í, por favor.

Wait a moment, please. – Espere un momento, por favor.

Is it free? (open/available) – ¿Est á libre?

Common Spanish Travel Phrases and Words for Shopping

I need to exchange dollars for pesos. – Necesito cambiar d ólares por pesos.

Banks in other countries tend to close earlier than the ones in the U.S. So if you think you might need to get some cash out, don’t forget to plan ahead.

Is there______? – ¿Hay _____?

This one is very easy but useful at stores, restaurants, and many other places.

What is that? – ¿Qué es eso?

You can point something and ask “ ¿Qué es eso?” If it’s right by you, then “ ¿Qu é es esto?” (What is this?).

Can I see it? – ¿Puedo verlo?

“ ¿Puedo?” means “Can I?” A very useful phrase. Definitely, it’s helpful to memorize this one.

I’m just looking. – Solo estoy mirando.

When you walk into a store and a store clerk asks you if they can help you find something. You can say , “ Solo estoy mirando. Gracias.” if you don’t intend to buy anything. At most department stores, store clerks work on commission, so they tend to be very eager to help you.

Can I try it on? – ¿Me lo puedo probar?

“El probador” means the fitting room.

Do you have size 40? – ¿Tiene talla cuarenta?

Clothing and shoe sizes are quite a bit different in each country, so be sure to check online before you go and get a general idea.

Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100

– N ú meros: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez, veinte, treinta, cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta, noventa, cien

This quick study guide is packed with useful information and has a section on numbers as well. It is a perfect reference flip chart for beginners.

You can also learn how to pronounce Numbers in Spanish in this post .

t’s too big/small – Es demasiado grande/chico (or chica).

“Grande” means big or large, and “chico(a)” means small (you can also use “peque ño(a)” ). I wouldn’t worry too much about whether the object you are referring to is a feminine or masculine noun at this point. People will understand you even if you don’t match the genders.

“Demasiado” means “too” something (adjective). So you can use it to say so many other things. For instance, “Es demasiado largo” (it’s too long), “Es demasiado corto” (It’s too short.).  

How much is it? – ¿Cu ánto cuesta?

You can just point at something and say, “ ¿Cu ánto cuesta?” And if you are buying multiple ítems and want to know how much the total cost is, you can say, “ ¿Cu ánto cuesta en total?” or ¿Cu ánto es?

It’s too expensive. – Es demasiado caro.

Similar to the phrase above. “Caro(a)” means expensive, and “barato(a)” means cheap.

Can you give me a discount? – ¿ Me puede dar un descuento?

In Mexico and Latin America, if you are shopping at a local market, you can almost always get a discount. So it’s worth asking so you don’t end up paying tourist’s prices.

Do you have anything cheaper? – ¿Tiene algo m ás barato?

This is kind of similar to the one above. “Algo” means something or anything, and “m ás” means “more” and makes an adjective comparative when you put it before the adjective. Less is “menos.”

I’ll take it. – Me lo llevo.

If you like it and you’re going to buy it, then you’ll say “me lo llevo.” If you’re buying multiple items, a plural form of “ lo” which is “los” should be used. So you’ll say “me los llevo.” If you want to be super correct, select one of the followings “lo, la, los, or las” to match the gender of the item(s) you are purchasing…but that’s not crucial at all, so no worries.

Do you accept credit card? – ¿ Aceptan tarjeta de cr é dito?

Cash is “efectivo” and debit card is “tarjeta de d ébito” although most U.S. debit cards are not accepted at stores in foreign countries.

Check out these 75 Cool and Useful Travel Accessories You Can’t Leave without!

What time does it open? – ¿A qu é hora cierran?

In mid-to small-sized cities in Spain, many stores close for lunch for a few hours, then reopen after lunch. Their lunch is from about 2 pm to 4 or 5 pm.

What time does it close? – ¿A qu é hora abren?

Banks tend to close earlier than the ones in the U.S., and they often have different (shorter) business hours for Fridays and Summer months as well.

Useful Spanish at a Restaurant or Hotel

While traveling, these Spanish phrases will definitely come in handy. At a bar or café, you can just pick any available table, but I would recommend making a reservation if you are going to a restaurant.

I have a reservation. – Tengo una reservaci ón.

You can use this phrase at a restaurant or at a hotel when you check in.

Is there free wifi? – ¿Hay wifi grat ís?

“El Usuario” is the user name and “la contraseña” is the password.

I lost the key to my room. (at a hotel) – Perd í la llave de mi habitaci ó n.

It doesn’t work. – No funciona.

If something in your hotel room doesn’t work, you can say, “ No funciona + the thing that’s not working. ”

I would like _______. – Me gustar ía _______.

You can also say, “Quisiera______” “Quisiera” is a more polite form of “quiero” – I want.

I would not like_______. – No me gustar ía _______.

Is this spicy? – ¿Esto pica? or “Es picante?”

Mexican salsas can be super spicy, so I always ask before trying them…although they often say, “no, no pica nada!” – “no, it’s not spicy at all!” Spanish food is generally not spicy, though.

Is it sweet or salty? – ¿Est á dulce o salado?

If you are like me and enjoy trying new foods, you’ll need this phrase.

Gluten free – Sin gluten, Libre de gluten

Gluten-free products are not as common in Spain or Latin American countries as they are in the U.S. Or I should say most products are not labeled “gluten-free” as they are in the U.S.

The bill, please. – La cuenta, por favor.

You will need this phrase at restaurants.

Is tip included? – ¿ Est á incluído la propina?

In Spain, tipping is not customary at Tapas bars although appreciated. However, when dining at a restaurant in both Spain and Mexico, 10-15% of the bill is common if the service fee is not included.

Where is the bathroom? – ¿ D ó nde est á el ba ñ o? or “ ¿ D ó nde est án los ba ñ os? (plural)

Another word for the restroom is “ el servicio )” in Spain.

Occupied/busy – Ocupado

For example, “El ba ño est á ocupado.” – The bathroom is occupied.

“Estoy ocupado(a)” – I’m busy.

Vacant – Libre (bathroom), Vacante (hotel rooms)

“Libre” also means available or free.

Essential Spanish Phrases for Tourist Activities

Is it free? (no cost) – ¿Es grat ís?

Can I enter? (is it allowed to enter?) – ¿Se puede entrar?

If you are not sure if it’s okay to enter, it’s good to ask first, especially at religious places or semi-private tourist spots.

Is it safe? – ¿Es Seguro?

Is it dangerous? – ¿Es peligroso?

No smoking – No fumar.

Smoking is prohibited in enclosed public places in at least Spain and Mexico. So, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. are non-smoking.

Do not touch – No tocar.

You’ll often see a sign with this phrase and an image of a hand crossed out at museums, historical buildings, etc.

I want to go to _______. – Quiero ir ______.

You can use this phrase for a taxi driver, a bus driver, someone when you are asking for a direction, etc.

Important Spanish Phrases for Emergencies

Can you help me? – ¿Me puede ayudar?

If you need help with your luggage or you are lost, this phrase will come in handy.

My wallet was stolen. – Me robaron mi caretera.

“Me robaron” + whatever the item that was robbed. Be extra careful of pickpockets, especially in big cities or in crowded places.

I don’t feel well. – No me siento bien.

When you feel better, you can say, “me siento mejor.” “Mejor” means better, and “peor” means worse.

My stomach hurts – Me duele el est ómago.

The basic structure of this sentence is “Me duele” + the part of your body that is hurting. You can also find more phrases and vocabulary about your physical conditions on this post.

I need to go to hospital. – Necesito ir al hospital.

Remember the “H” is silent. So, you would pronounce “hospital” as though it’s “ospital” with an accent on the “a”.

Help! – ¡Socorro!

Hopefully, you won’t need to use this one or any of these phrases in this emergency section while traveling, but it’s better to be prepared. So, don’t forget to memorize this word just in case.

Are You Ready to Use These Spanish Phrases for Travel?

I’m so excited for you that you are going to Spanish-speaking countries soon or planning a trip in the future. Hope you have a super fun adventure wherever and whenever you go! I hope these Spanish travel phrases help your trip be trouble-free and filled with wonderful, lasting memories.

Oh, did you download our free basic Spanish phrases pdf ? You can print it out and tuck it in your backpack pocket or save it on your digital devices. Here’s where you can download it.

Oh, one last thing…

How to say be safe in Spanish?

In Spanish, “Be safe!” can be translated as either one of these four phrases.

¡Que vuelvas sano y salvo!  (Hope you return safe and sound)

¡Que regreses sano y salvo!  (Hope you return safe and sound)

¡Que te vaya bien en tu viaje!  (Hope everything goes well with your trip) 

¡Que te salga bien en tu viaje!  (Hope everything turns out well for your trip).

As you have noticed that their literal translations are a bit different, but these are the closest phrases in Spanish that there are to “be safe” in English.

Don’t forget to check out this post: How to say Airport in Spanish: Spanish words and phrases you need at the airport.

Have an amazing trip and Happy Spanish-ing!

Interested in Learning Conversational Spanish?

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• Spain vs Mexico: What Are the Differences between Spain Spanish and Mexican Spanish?
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• 101 Survival Spanish Phrases for Travel Every Traveler Needs to Know
• How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish 
• Easy Spanish Greetings: How to Greet in Spanish

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Click here to see “75 Super Useful Travel Essentials Every Traveler Needs!”

Nice job! You got the basic Spanish phrases for greetings down. Now a little bit longer phrases, but don’t worry, they are not too complicated. Trust me, it’s worth learning these Spanish phrases.

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A Useful Guide to Spanish Travel Phrases

Written by Diana Luciana

August 25, 2022.

Are you planning a long-awaited trip to a Spanish-speaking country? 🌎

Your trip can be so much more fun and meaningful if you know how to say travel in Spanish, and communicate with the locals—how many times have you missed out on a secret spot because you didn’t speak the language?—and find your way around with this guide to Spanish travel phrases and words. From getting to the airport to ordering food in Spanish at the restaurant, we got you covered.

How do you say travel in Spanish?

We put together a list of essential Spanish travel phrases, need-to-know vocabulary, and tips for traveling in Spanish. Keep in mind that you don’t need to speak Spanish fluently to get the most out of your trip and have meaningful interactions. A basic travel Spanish vocabulary will get you a long way, and the locals would definitely appreciate the effort. And when you don’t understand or aren’t sure of what’s being said, simply ask ¿Habla inglés? (Do you speak English?)

Key phrases in Spanish for travelers

Here are some key Spanish phrases and greetings you should know. You can use them in any situation (asking for directions in Spanish, asking questions in Spanish, meeting new people in Spanish, and so on.) It’s a mini Spanish 101 lesson:

Spanish greetings

• Buenos días   — Good morning
• Buenas tardes   — Good afternoon
• Buenas noches   — Good evening
• ¿Cómo te llamas?  — What’s your name?
• Me llamo…   — My name is…
• Mucho gusto. Encantado — It’s a pleasure to meet you.
• ¿Cómo te va? / ¿Qué tal? / ¿Qué hay?  — How’s it going?
• ¿Cómo estás?   — How are you?
• Bien, gracias / Muy bien, gracia s — Good, thank you / Very well, thank you
• Por favor   — Please
• Perdón / Lo siento — Sorry
• ¿Habla inglés?   — Do you speak English?
• No hablo español.  — I don’t speak Spanish.
• No entiendo bien el español. — I don’t understand Spanish well. 
• ¿Tiene…?  — Do you have…?
• ¿Entiende?  — Do you understand?
• Yo entiendo / yo no entiendo  — I understand / I don’t understand
• Hágame el favor de hablar más despacio. — Speak more slowly, please. 
• Escríbalo, por favor. — Write it down, please.

Essential Spanish

• ¿Dónde está…? ¿Dónde están…? — Where is…? Where are…?
• ¿Por dónde se va a…? / ¿Cómo puedo llegar a…? — How do you go to…? 
• ¿Dónde estamos aquí en el mapa? — Where are we on the map?
• ¿Está lejos? ¿Está por aquí? — Is it far away? Is it near here?
• Busco… — I’m looking for…
• ¿Me podría ayudar?  — Can you help me?
• Estoy perdido  (for men) / perdida  (for women) . — I’m lost.
• ¿Hay alguien que hable inglés? — Is there anyone who speaks English? 
• Disculpe / Con permiso / Perdóname — Excuse me
• ¿Quién?   — Who?
• ¿Qué?   — What?
• ¿Cuándo?   — When?
• ¿Cómo?   — How?
• ¿Cuánto?   — How much?
• ¿Cuántos?   — How many?
• ¿Por qué?   — Why?
• ¿A qué hora?   — What time?
• ¿Por cuánto tiempo?   — How long?
• ¿Cada cuánto?   — How often?
• Yo quiero / yo no quiero  — I want / I don’t want
• Yo tengo / yo no tengo  — I have / I don’t have

How to say airport in Spanish

Imagine yourself getting off the plane ( el avión )—new place, new language, new everything—ready to start your vacation. Even though English is widely spoken, knowing the basic Spanish travel vocabulary for airports and planes will make your trip easier. And you will start your vacation on the right foot, confident that you can find your way in any situation.

Essential travel vocabulary in Spanish for when you are at the airport ( el aeropuerto ):

Spanish travel vocabulary

Airport-specific vocabulary in Spanish

• la aduana  — customs
• la aerolínea  / la linea aerea   — airline
• el asiento  — seat
• el auxiliar de vuelo, la azafata  — flight attendant
• el baño  — bathroom
• el boleto  — ticket
• confirmar una reservación   — to confirm a reservation
• el destino  —  destination
• el equipaje  — luggage
• el horario, el itinerario   — schedule
• la maleta  — suitcase
• el pasajero, la pasajera  —  passenger
• el pasaporte  —  passport
• el regreso  —  return
• la salida  —  departure, exit
• la tarifa  —  price
• la tienda libre de impuestos   — duty-free shop
• el viaje  — journey, trip
• el vuelo  —  flight, wing

Spanish travel phrases

Useful phrases at the airport in Spanish

• ¿Cuándo sale el avión?  — When does the plane leave?
• Mi vuelo es a las … en punto. — My flight is at … o’clock.
• ¿A qué hora es el embarque?  — What time is boarding?
• ¿Cuándo llega el avión?  — When does the plane arrive?
• Quisiera cambiar mi reserva / asiento.   — I would like to change my reservation / seat.
• Querría anular mi reserva.   — I would like to cancel my reservation.
• Necesitamos ayuda para subir al avión.   — We need help to get on the plane.
• ¿Podría elegir mi asiento?  — Could I choose my seat?
• Este es mi equipaje de mano . — This is my carry-on luggage.
• ¿Se ha cancelado el vuelo?   — Has the flight been canceled?
• ¿Dónde está la terminal internacional / a puerta de embarque ?  — Where is the international terminal / boarding gate?
• ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero? — Where is there a currency exchange desk?
• ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?

How to ask for directions in Spanish

You are finally in the city, ready to explore! Next on the list is learning how to ask for directions in Spanish. In this section, we’ll also cover the topic of transportation and finding a hotel in Spanish, and show you the most common travel phrases. Let’s delve into it:

• ¿Dónde está la estación de ferrocarril?  — Where is the railway station?
• ¿A qué hora sale el tren?   — What time does the train leave?
• ¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren?  — What time does the next train leave?
• ¿De qué plataforma sale?  — Which platform does it leave from?
• ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi / un autobús? (Latin America) /  ¿Dónde puedo coger un taxi / un autobús? (Spain) — Where can I catch a taxi / a bus?
• ¿Tiene un pase de un día?  — Do you have a one-day pass?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete al aeropuerto?   — How much is a ticket to the airport?
• ¿Cómo llego a…?   — How do I get to … ?
• Gira a la izquierda/derecha.   — Turn left/right.
• ¿Dónde hay un supermercado?   — ¿Where is there a supermarket?
• ¿Dónde hay una casa de cambio?   — Where is the currency exchange?
• ¿Dónde está el banco?  — Where is the bank?
• ¡Disculpe! Soy turista y estoy perdido/a.  — Excuse me! I am a tourist and I am lost.
• ¿Dónde hay un restaurante?  — Where is a restaurant?
• Me podrías recomendar un restaurante?   — Do you have any restaurant recommendations?

12 Spanish travel phrases for the hotel

• Busco un hotel . — I’m looking for a hotel.
• Yo necesito un hotel / un cuarto / un cuarto con baño.  — I need a hotel / a room / a room with a bathroom.
• Una habitación para dos personas . — A room for two people.
• Yo tengo una reserva a nombre de…  — I have a reservation under the name of…
• He reservado una habitación.  — I have booked a room.
• ¿Puedes darme la llave de mi habitación?  — Can you give me the key to my room?
• ¿Cuándo es la hora límite de salida?   — When is check-out time?
• ¿Puedo solicitar una salida tardía?  — Can I request for late check-out?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña de Wifi?  — What is the Wifi password?
• ¿Tiene servicio de habitaciones?  — Do you have room service?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno?  — What time is breakfast?
• Esta habitación es demasiado ruidosa.   — This room is too noisy.

How to order food in Spanish

After a long day of walking and exploring, it’s time to take a break and have a bite. Maybe try out the local Spanish cuisine. Whether you are ordering food or drinks, these phrases will come in handy. And if you want to learn more about how to say food in Spanish, check out this post . (You also have an entire section about ordering food in Spanish.) Start with these phrases:

• Una mesa para… dos, tres, cuatro . — A table for… two, three, four.
• ¿Cuál es el menú de hoy? — What is today’s menu?
• Me gustaría probar la especialidad del cocinero.  — I would like to try the chef’s specialty.
• ¿Qué me recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• Me gustaría algo de postre.   — I would like some dessert.
• La cuenta, por favor. – The check, please.
• ¿Acepta tarjeta de crédito? — Do you accept credit card?
• Tengo alergia a … — I am allergic to…
• Soy alérgico. — I’m allergic.
• Soy vegetariano/a. — I’m a vegetarian.

Now you’re all set for your Spanish travels! I hope this guide will enhance your travel experience, and that you will enjoy speaking Spanish—from asking for directions to ordering breakfast at the local cafe. If you want more free Spanish lessons , check out my YouTube channel and blog .

What’s your favorite travel destination? ✈️🧳 Drop your answer in the comments.

P.S. Do you know how to say safe travels in Spanish? Learn 3 ways you can say safe travels in Spanish: Te deseo que tengas un buen viaje (I wish you safe travels), Ojalá que tengas un buen viaje (I hope you have a good trip) and the formal option of Le deseo que tenga un buen viaje (I hope you have a good trip.) Now you know how to say safe travels in Spanish.

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91 Top Spanish Travel Phrases & Words for Travelers

Are you planning a well-deserved vacation? Is your destination a Spanish-speaking country? If so, you may want to take the time to learn some essential Spanish travel phrases that can help you communicate. 

There’s no doubt that English is a widely spoken language . But if you travel to a Spanish-speaking country, your chances of randomly finding someone who speaks enough English to help you aren’t that high. Trust me, I have seen enough confused tourists to know.

To avoid any communication issues, I’ve built a list of 91 crucial Spanish travel phrases that will help you get by on your vacation. Are you wondering how on earth you are supposed to pronounce them if you don’t speak Spanish? Fear not! I’ve also included the audio recordings to help you overcome this issue.

Here is a quick overview of the situations we’ll cover and the resources you’ll find in this guide:

• Common verbs for travel
• Phrases & Vocabulary for the Airport
• Phrases to Use in a Restaurant
• Phrases & Words to Ask for Directions
• Phrases to Use at a Hotel
• Downloadable PDF

Basic Spanish Travel Phrases, Questions & Words

When it comes to Spanish vocabulary for travelers, there are some essential words that you’ll use more frequently or that can help you sound more polite when addressing a native speaker. Let’s start with some greetings and expressions to catch a person’s attention.

As you’ll see in the examples I’ve provided, these words are usually placed at the beginning of the sentence. 

• Hola – Hi / Hello 
• ¿Qué tal? – Hello / What’s up
• Buenos días – Good morning
• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
• Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night 
• Disculpa / Disculpe – Excuse me / Sorry
• Perdón – Sorry / Excuse me 
• Señorita – Miss
• Joven – Young man / Mr. 

The following question words and expressions can also be useful when you travel:

• ¿Qué…? – What…?
• ¿ Cuál …? – Which…?
• ¿Dónde…? – Where…?
• ¿ A qué hora …? – What time does…?
• ¿Qué hora es? – What time is it?
• ¿Cuándo…? – When…?
• ¿Cómo…? – How….?
• ¿Podría…? – Could you…?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta…? – How much…? 

Hola , ¿ cuánto cuesta el llavero? Hi , how much is the keychain?

Disculpe , ¿ dónde está la catedral? Excuse me , where is the cathedral?

Señorita, ¿ podría darme otro formulario? Miss, could you give me another form?

Buenos días , ¿ a qué hora abre el museo? Good morning, what time does the museum open?

Basic Spanish verbs for traveling

Many simple Spanish travel phrases are built with the verbs querer , gustar and poder , which we use to make requests. These are the most common forms that you’ll need:

• Quiero … – I want…
• Quisiera … – I would like…
• Me gustaría … I would like…
• ¿Puede…? – Can you…?
• Tiene / Tengo … – Has / Have

As you can imagine, these expressions are very versatile because they can be combined with different words for tourists:

Quiero dos boletos.  I want two tickets. 

No tengo cambio.  I don’t have change. 

Me gustaría una habitación con vistas al mar.  I would like a room with an ocean view. 

Quisiera visitar el museo de artes.  I would like to visit the art museum. 

¿ Puede decirme dónde está la parada? Can you tell me where the bus stop is?

Disculpe, ¿ podría ayudarme? Excuse me, could you help me?

Travel Phrases & Spanish Vocabulary for the Airport

You’re likely to find more than one person who speaks English at the airport. However, this is an excellent opportunity to start practicing your Spanish. Here are some common phrases that you’re probably going to encounter or use while at the airport:

• ¿Va a documentar su maleta? – Are you going to check your bag?
• ¿Me permite su pasaporte? – Can I have your passport? 
• Por favor, abroche su cinturón – Please, fasten your seatbelt
• ¿Desea algo de beber? – Would you like something to drink?
• Por favor, regrese a su asiento – Please, go back to your seat
• Llene este formulario, por favor – Please, fill in this form
• ¿Cuál es el motivo de su visita? – What’s the reason for your visit?
• ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero? – Where can I exchange money?
• ¿Dónde están los baños? – Where are the restrooms? 

In addition to these phrases, here are some words that may be useful in this situation. Remember that you can combine the words below with the expressions and questions you learned in the previous section.

[Basic Spanish expression] + [airport vocabulary]

Quisiera un asiento en el pasillo .  I would like an aisle seat . 

Disculpe, ¿a qué hora aterrizamos ? Excuse me, what time do we land ?

¿Podría ayudarme? Mi equipaje está perdido .  Could you help me? My luggage is missing . 

¿Cuántas maletas va a documentar ? How many bags are you going to check ?

Buenos días, ¿tiene café ? Good morning, do you have coffee ?

Spanish Phrases for Tourists in a Restaurant

As a tourist, you’re probably going to spend some time trying different foods at restaurants. Here are some common phrases you can use and are likely to hear at a restaurant.

• ¿Qué desea ordenar? – What would you like to order?
• ¿Me puede dar unos minutos? – Could you give me a few more minutes?
• ¿Desea ordenar algún postre? – Would you like to order a dessert?
• ¿Qué lleva…? – What’s in the…? 
• ¿Qué platillo me recomienda? – What dish do you recommend? 
• ¿Todo bien? – Is everything okay?
• ¿Le hace falta algo? – Is there something you need?
• ¿Me puede traer la cuenta? – Could you bring me the bill?
• Soy alérgico a … – I’m allergic to…

Here are other terms that can be useful in this type of situations:

Joven, ¿cuál es la especialidad de la casa? Young man, what’s the specialty of the house?

Quisiera ordenar dos postres, por favor.  I would like to order two desserts, please. 

Disculpe, ¿qué platillo me recomienda? Excuse me, what dish would you recommend to me? 

¿Me podría traer un cuchillo y un vaso de agua? Could you bring me a knife and a glass of water?

Take Note: If you want to learn more about this topic, I recommend you check this guide on ordering food in Spanish . 

Spanish for Visiting the City & Asking for Directions

One of the biggest challenges you may face is communicating with native speakers when visiting the city or a tourist attraction. Here are some of the most common Spanish phrases for travel that you may need in this situation:

• Con permiso / Permiso – Excuse me
• ¿Dónde está el/la…? – Where is the…?
• ¿Cómo llego a…? – How do I get to…?
• Estoy buscando… – I’m looking for
• No hablo mucho español – I don’t speak Spanish very well
• ¿Hay algún/alguna… por aquí? – Is there…around here?
• ¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
• ¿ Puedes repetirlo? – Can you repeat that again?
• ¿Me podría ayudar? – Could you help me?
• ¿ Nos puedes tomar una foto? – Can you take a picture of us?
• ¿ Nos puedes tomar otra ? – Can you take another one of us?
• ¿ Dónde puedo tomar…? – Where can I take…?
• ¿Por aquí pasa el camión…? – Is this place on the bus route? / Does the bus come by here?  
• ¿ Cómo se llama este lugar? – What’s the name of this place?

Take Note: Con permiso is a polite way to ask people to let you through. So, we use this phrase in crowded places or when walking on the street.

On the other hand, people are likely to give you the following answers: 

• Está… – It’s…
• Siga caminando …- Keep walking…
• De vuelta a/en – Turn…
• Siga derecho –  Go straight…
• Camine – Walk…

Additionally, here are some basic words that you can use or might hear when visiting the city:

Here are some examples of how to use these Spanish words and expressions:

Disculpe, ¿ dónde está la estación de tren? Excuse me, where is the train station?

Buenas tardes, estoy buscando el museo.  Good afternoon, I’m looking for the museum. 

Camine dos cuadras y dé vuelta a la izquierda.  Walk two blocks and turn left. 

Perdón, ¿ hay algún restaurante por aquí? Excuse me, is there a restaurant around here?

Hola, ¿ me podría ayudar ? Quiero ir al museo.  Hi, could you help me ? I want to go to the museum.

Spanish Phrases for Hotels & Accommodations

Although nowadays it’s easier to make reservations before your trip, there may be some situations where you need to speak Spanish to communicate with staff and others in your hotel. Here are some essential phrases applicable to this context:

• Tengo una reservación a nombre de … – I have a reservation for…
• Quisiera hacer una reservación – I would like to make a reservation. 
• No funciona … – It doesn’t work…
• ¿Me puede mandar más toallas? – Could you send me more towels? 
• ¿Incluye desayuno? – Is breakfast included? 
• ¿ Cuenta con acceso a internet? – Is the internet included?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña? – What’s the password?  
• ¿En qué piso está la habitación? – On what floor is the room? 
• ¿Me permite su tarjeta? – Can I have your card? 
• El cuarto se entrega a la … – The checkout time is…

As for vocabulary, these are some of the words that you may want to keep in mind:

Señorita, ¿dónde está el elevador ? Miss, where is the elevator ?

Buenos días, la regadera no funciona .  Good morning, the shower doesn’t work . 

¿A qué hora termina el servicio a la habitación ? What time does room service end? 

Spanish Expressions for Souvenir Shopping

Even if you’re not a big spender, it’s likely that at some point you may want to do some shopping. These are the key expressions that you need in this situation:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta…? – How much is..?
• ¿ Tiene otra talla? – Do you have another size?
• ¿Qué otros colores tiene? – Do you have other colors?
• Me queda grande – It’s too big for me.
• Me queda apretado – It doesn’t fit.
• No me queda – It doesn’t fit.
• ¿Cuánto va a ser? – How much will it be?
• No tengo cambio – I don’t have change. 
• ¿Acepta tarjeta? – Do you take cards? 

On the other hand, these are some of the expressions that the clerk may use with you:

• ¿En qué le puedo ayudar? – How can I help you?
• Pregunte/Vea sin compromiso – You can ask/see, without any obligation.
• ¿Buscaba algo en especial? – Are you looking for anything in particular?
• ¿En qué talla? – What size?
• ¿Cómo le quedó? – How does it fit? 
• ¿Buscaba algún color en especial? – Were you looking for a particular color?
• ¿Quiere que le muestre algo? – Would you like me to show you something? 
• Es el último que me queda – It’s the last one. 
• ¿Tiene un billete más pequeño? – Do you have a smaller bill? 
• ¿Qué tamaño buscaba? – What size were you looking for?
• Aquí tiene – Here you go. 

As for vocabulary, here are some common objects that you may find during your trip:

Check the examples below. Notice that you can combine this specific vocabulary with the basic words and questions you learned at the beginning of this article. 

¿Tiene dulces típicos ?  Do you have traditional candies ? 

¿Podría darme tres llaveros ? Can you give me three keychains ? 

Final Points: Spanish for Travelers

Many tourists visiting Spanish-speaking countries face communication difficulties. Let’s face it, there might be some people that speak English and will be able to help you. But chances are that, at some point, you’ll need to use some Spanish. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

To help you with this, I’ve prepared this guide for tourists with basic expressions, questions and words that you’ll use in most traveling situations. Just remember that:

• Many of these travel phrases are built with ‘ querer’, ‘gustar’, ‘poder’ and ‘tener’ . 
• Questioning words can take you pretty far if you combine them with the appropriate vocabulary. 
• You use greetings and words to address people to sound more polite.

Hopefully, this guide will help you keep basic conversations. ¡Buena suerte and (disfruta) enjoy your vacation!

Spanish Resources for Tourists & Travelers

To make your trip as enjoyable as possible and get the most out of speaking Spanish, I recommend checking out the free resources below. Here’s my pro tip: Quickly read them and write down a “script” of the most common Spanish phrases, words and expression you’ll need to use while you travel.

Download the PDF with Spanish Phrases & Vocabulary for Traveling

Learning Spanish can be an incredible experience. But it can also be challenging at times, especially when you’re visiting a new place. I’ve created a free PDF for this guide which you can download with the key Spanish phrases, expressions and words you need to start speaking the language while still enjoying your vacation.

Related Guides & Spanish Vocabulary

If you’re traveling to Mexico or another Latin American, Spanish-speaking country then this guide will show you all the vocabulary and phrases you need to interact and order your food at a restaurant .

One of the best ways to get ready for a day of speaking a foreign language is by achieving an easy win as soon as possible at the start of the day. Here are different expressions that native speakers use to say ‘good morning’ in Spanish , which is easy to incorporate into your conversations as well as common Spanish greetings and farewells .

How to Ask for & Reserve a Hotel Room in Spanish : In this article you’ll find different questions and phrases that you and the hotel staff are likely to use when booking a hotel room. 

Daniela Sanchez

¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. Read More About Me

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Travel Spanish: 70+ Essential Phrases for Your Trip

Updated on January 28, 2024 by Lou Mac

So you’re planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country (woohoo!). But how much language prep have you done for your trip?

Knowing basic travel Spanish is essential for any trip: for communicating with locals to find the best restaurants, asking for directions, and perhaps most importantly, in any emergency situation.

So, we’ve compiled this list of Spanish words and phrases that will be useful for when you immerse yourself in Hispanic culture.

If you’re unsure about the pronunciation of these phrases, this guide to Spanish pronunciation will help you understand all the basics!

Essential Travel Spanish Basics

The following words and phrases are worth going over and over until you can say them pretty much automatically, as they will be some of the basic building blocks to your Spanish knowledge.

• Hablo español / No hablo español . — I speak Spanish / I don’t speak Spanish.
• ¿Tiene…? — Do you have…?
• Tengo… no tengo… — I have… I don’t have…
• Entiendo, no entiendo — I understand, I don’t understand
• ¿Entiende? — Do you understand?
• Quiero, no quiero — I want…, I don’t want… E.g. quiero un boleto, un taxi, un hotel — I want a ticket, a taxi, a hotel…
• Me gustaría, no me gustaría… — I would like…, I wouldn’t like… (This one is more polite)
• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is… ?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
• ¿Qué hora es? — What time is it?

How to Ask for Directions in Spanish

Learning how to ask for directions is perhaps not as essential as it was twenty years ago, before the development of the internet and Google Maps.

However, if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t use your cellphone (which can easily happen!), you should know the basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary for finding your way around.

• ¿Dónde está…? — Where is the…?
• ¿ Cómo llego al centro? — How do I get to the centre/downtown?
• ¿Hay un restaurante bueno por aquí? — Is there a good restaurant around here?
• Busco un hotel/hostal — I’m looking for a hotel/hostal

With the phrases above you can ask for directions to other places, such as the bank, a bathroom etc. Here is some useful vocabulary to substitute into these phrases:

• El baño — the bathroom
• Un tren — a train
• La calle — the street
• Un cajero automático — an ATM

And lastly some practical vocab to help you understand the helpful directions people give you:

• A la derecha — to the right
• A la izquierda — to the left
• Derecho — straight ahead
• Una cuadra — a block
• Sigue… — keep going…

How to Ask for Help in Spanish

While there are many things you must learn if you want to speak Spanish, knowing how to ask for help is key to surviving in a Spanish-speaking country.

A few phrases or words will make things much easier if an emergency occurs or you are in trouble, including the following:

Note: These examples use the “formal” way of speaking to people.

• ¿Puede ayudarme? — Can you help me?
• ¡Ayuda! — Help!
• Necesito ayuda — I need help
• ¡Llame a la policía! — Call the police!
• ¡Llame a la ambulancia! — Call the ambulance!
• Ayúdeme, por favor . — Help me, please
• ¿Podría ayudarme, por favor? — Could you help me, please?
• ¿Podría explicarlo, por favor? — Can you explain it to me, please?
• ¿Cómo se escribe…? — How do you write…?
• ¿Cómo se dice…? — How do you say…?

Spanish for Medical Emergencies

It’s also important to know words in Spanish that can help us deal with a medical emergency.

• No me siento bien — I don’t feel well
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? — Where is the nearest hospital?
• ¿Puede llamar a la ambulancia? — Can you call the ambulance?
• ¿Dónde está la farmacia? — Where is the drugstore/pharmacy?
• ¿El doctor habla inglés? — Does the doctor speak English?
• ¿Necesito medicinas? — Do I need medication?
• ¿Qué medicina necesito? — What medicine do I need?
• Tengo un seguro de salud internacional — I have international health insurance

Navigating Your Accommodation in Spanish

Once you’ve found the perfect place to stay, here’s how to get yourself checked in and comfortable:

• Tengo una reserva a nombre de Harry Potter — I have a reservation under the name Harry Potter
• Necesito un hotel / un cuarto / un cuarto con baño — I need a hotel / a room / a room with a bathroom
• Me gustaría quedarme por dos noches — I would like to stay for two nights
• ¿Tiene una habitación doble? — Do you have a double room?
• ¿Dónde está la piscina / gimnasio? — Where is the pool/gym?
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? — What time is breakfast?
• ¿Cuál es la contraseña de WiFi? — What is the WiFi password?

Essential Spanish for Eating Out

The most important travel Spanish phrases to add to your mental toolbox are those surrounding eating out—either because we are hungry (obviously) or we want to experience the wonderful local gastronomy.

This list of expressions and words could save your life (well, your stomach) on your next adventure in a Spanish-speaking country.

In addition to the vocabulary below, a useful resource are these scenario podcast episodes we did about ordering vegetarian food in Spanish , and ordering coffee in Spanish .

To make things easier, we have divided these restaurant-related words and phrases into several categories. Check them out below:

When Arriving or Booking a Table

• Quisiera reservar una mesa — I would like to book a table
• Quisiera reservar una mesa para dos — I would like to book a table for two
• ¿Tiene alguna mesa disponible? — Is there any available table?
• Tengo una mesa reservada a nombre de Hermione Granger — I have booked a table under the name of Hermione Granger

When Ordering

• ¡Camarero / garzón! — Waiter !
• ¿Podría traerme el menú, por favor? — Could you bring me the menu, please?
• ¿Qué me recomienda? — What do you recommend?
• ¿Podría recomendarme un plato local, por favor? — Can you recommend me a local dish, please?
• Para beber, me gustaría… — To drink, I would like…
• Como entrada, me gustaría.. . — As a starter, I would like …
• Como plato principal, me gustaría… — For the main course, I would like…
• De postre, me gustaría… — For dessert, I would like…

During the Meal

• Perdone, ¿podría traerme…? — Excuse me, could you bring me…?
• Perdone, ¿podría traerme más servilletas? — Excuse me, could you bring me some more napkins?
• Perdone, ¿podría traerme otra copa de vino ? Excuse me, could you bring me another glass of wine? (learn this one by heart 🍷)
• La comida está muy rica . — The food is delicious
• La carne está demasiado hecha — The meat is overcooked
• La carne está poco hecha — The meat is undercooked

When Paying and Leaving

• La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please
• Estaba todo muy rico, gracias — Everything was very tasty, thanks
• Quisiera pagar con tarjeta — I’d like to pay by card
• Quisiera pagar en efectivo — I’d like to pay in cash
• Creo que hay un error — I think there’s a mistake

Lastly, if you’re a foodie like me, you might want to know some food recommendations. Click here to learn about the different foods you must try if you’re visiting Chile!

Resources to Learn More Travel Spanish

If you’ve decided you want to know a bit more than just the survival Spanish, here are a few resources to kick-start your Spanish journey.

• Seeing in Spanish Podcast. Our own language learning and travel podcast aims at helping you self-learn Spanish to make your travels unforgettable. To start, check out this episode on how to learn Spanish on your own .
• Duolingo. I think it’s safe to assume you know what Duolingo is! While it often gets a bad rap, it’s all about how you use Duolingo which makes the difference!
• YouTube Videos. Videos such as this video on top 20 travel Spanish phrases you should know are a great way to hear how phrases we learnt in this article are actually pronounced.

It’s also worth remembering that Spanish changes depending on what country you’re in, so you might also want to consider learning a specific Spanish dialect.

With these survival Spanish words and phrases, your next trip will be much easier and more memorable.

Now you can move on to getting excited for your adventure!

70+ Spanish Phrases for Travel You NEED to Know (PLUS Free Printable)

Take your Spanish vacation experience to the next level with these common Spanish phrases for travellers.

Whether you’re heading to Spain or the Americas, Spanish is one of the best and most useful languages to learn. Once you learn a few phrases,  can make use of your Spanish skills in over 11 countries around the world.

Why else should you learn Spanish? Well, it makes learning other languages, especially Romance languages like Portuguese , Italian , French and Romanian much easier.

Want to have fun whilst learning European Spanish, Latin American Spanish or Argentinian Spanish? Struggling to find decent Spanish language resources available? I recommend getting uTalk . Available as a desktop site and app, uTalk is awesome for learning key words and phrases in Spanish (either in European , Latin American, or Argentinian Spanish), especially if you want to use it for travel purposes.  It’s great for beginners getting started in a language and invaluable for intermediates looking to fill in gaps in their vocabulary and pronunciation. 

What I love most about uTalk is that you can jump around their extensive library of topics and choose what you want to learn, when you want, and at your own pace.  Because I believe in uTalk so much, I reached out to them and we’ve teamed up to offer you an exclusive 30% OFF reader discount across all of uTalk’s 140 languages! This offer isn’t available anywhere else! Click here to claim your exclusive 30% discount in European Spanish ,  Latin American Spanish here, and Argentinian Spanish here.

Have a laugh with these hilarious Spanish expressions

Let’s take a quick look at the Spanish language so you’re a bit more clued up on its origin, use, and vocabulary.

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed bringing it together. If you have any requests for other languages, let me know in the comments section!

Where is Spanish spoken?

Being the official or national language in Spain, Equatorial Guinea, and 19 countries in the Americas, Spanish is one a great language to have under your belt as you travel.

There are some 418 million speakers in Americas alone. Instituto Cervantes claims that there are around 477 million Spanish speakers with native competence, 572 million who speak Spanish as a first or second language and more than 21 million students who are learning Spanish.

Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is an official lang u age of the European Union.

A brief history of Spanish

Originating in the Castile region of Spain, Spanish ( español ) is also known as Castilian ( castellano ).

Spanish evolved from several dialects of Vulgar Latin in Iberia after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century.

Spanish began to spread beyond mainland Europe in the early 16th century when the Spanish Empire established colonies in the Americas, as well as territories in Africa, Oceania and the Philippines.

Ancient Greek contributed substantially to Spanish vocabulary, in addition, up to 75% of modern Spanish is derived from Latin.

What’s not well-known is that Arabic has also left a substantial mark on Spanish vocabulary having been in contact with the language very early on. Around 8% of Spanish vocabulary is of Arabic origin, making it the second most important influence after Latin.

Pronunciation

Spanish spelling is very phonetic with only a few exceptions. This means that if you know how to pronounce the letters of a word, it’s relatively easy to sound out the word itself. A bonus characteristic for new learners.

Accents and Stress

In Spanish, where you place the stress in a word can alter its meaning. Here are some general rules to follow:

• If a word is marked with an accent, then that syllable receives the stress.
• if the word ends in a consonant other than N or S , the stress occurs on the last syllable (eg. hospital = “os-pee-TAL”)>
• if the word ends in a vowel, N or S , the stress occurs on the next to last syllable (eg. muchacho = “mu-CHA-cho”)
• In Spain (Except in some parts of Andalusia, and in the Canary Islands) a English ci/ce or z sound makes a English “TH”. In Latin America, it makes the “S” sound.

Essential Spanish Phrases for Travel with Pronunciation

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Greetings Essentials Questions Eating Out Getting Around Numbers Days Emergencies

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Spanish School in Mexico City

Spanish Travel Vocabulary: +50 Essential Words and Phrases for Your Next Trip

Are you planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country like Mexico? Whether it’s for business or pleasure, knowing some basic Spanish travel vocabulary can go a long way in making your trip more enjoyable. From ordering food to asking for directions, having a few key phrases in your back pocket can help you navigate your way through any situation where you might need to speak Spanish.

Table of Contents

One of the most important phrases to know when traveling in a Spanish-speaking country is “¿Dónde está…?” This means “Where is…?” and can be used to ask for directions to a specific location, such as a restaurant, museum, or hotel. Another useful phrase is “Quiero reservar una habitación” which means “I want to book a room.” This can come in handy when you arrive at your destination and need to find accommodations.

Other essential Spanish travel vocabulary includes ordering food and drinks at restaurants or coffeshops. “La cuenta, por favor” means “The bill, please” and is a polite way to ask for your check at a restaurant. “Una cerveza, por favor” means “A beer, please” and is a simple way to order a drink. With a few basic phrases under your belt, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and make the most of your trip to a Spanish-speaking country.

Basic Spanish Greetings

Hola and buenos días.

If you want to greet someone in Spanish , the most basic way to do it is by saying “Hola” or “Buenos Días”. “Hola” is equivalent to “Hello” in English, and “Buenos Días” means “Good Morning”. You can use these greetings at any time of the day, but “Buenos Días” is only appropriate to use in the morning.

Mucho Gusto and ¿Cómo Te Llamas?

When meeting someone new, it’s polite to introduce yourself and ask for their name. In Spanish, you can say “Mucho Gusto” which means “Nice to meet you”. After that, you can ask “¿Cómo te llamas?” which means “What’s your name?”.

¿Cómo Estás? and ¿Cómo Está?

If you want to ask someone how they are doing, you can say “¿Cómo estás?” if you are talking to someone familiar or “¿Cómo está?” if you are talking to someone more formal or older than you. Both of these phrases mean “How are you?”.

Remember that in Spanish, it’s common to use greetings and small talk before getting into the main topic of the conversation. Using these basic greetings can help you make a good first impression and show that you are friendly and polite.

• Use “Hola” or “Buenos Días” to greet someone.
• Say “Mucho Gusto” to introduce yourself.
• Ask “¿Cómo te llamas?” to ask for someone’s name.
• Use “¿Cómo estás?” or “¿Cómo está?” to ask how someone is doing.

Essential Spanish Travel Phrases

When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s always helpful to know some basic phrases to make your trip smoother. Here are some essential Spanish travel phrases to get you started.

Por Favor and Gracias

“Por favor” means “please” and “gracias” means “thank you.” These two phrases are essential when interacting with locals in Spanish-speaking countries. Here are some examples of when to use them:

• When ordering food: “Quisiera una mesa para dos, por favor” (I would like a table for two, please).
• When asking for directions: “¿Podría decirme cómo llegar al museo, por favor?” (Could you tell me how to get to the museum, please?).
• When receiving help: “¡Muchas gracias por su ayuda!” (Thank you very much for your help!).

Estoy Perdido and ¿Habla Inglés?

“Estoy perdido” means “I am lost” and “¿Habla Inglés?” means “Do you speak English?” These phrases can be especially useful when navigating a new city or asking for directions. Here are some examples:

• “Perdón, estoy perdido. ¿Podría ayudarme a encontrar la calle X?” (Excuse me, I am lost. Could you help me find X street?)
• “¿Habla Inglés? No hablo mucho español” (Do you speak English? I don’t speak much Spanish).

Quisiera and Aquí

“Quisiera” means “I would like” and “aquí” means “here.” These phrases can be useful when ordering food or making purchases. Here are some examples:

• “Quisiera un café con leche, por favor” (I would like a latte, please).
• “¿Tiene este suéter en mi talla? Quisiera probármelo” (Do you have this sweater in my size? I would like to try it on).
• “¿Cuánto cuesta este recuerdo aquí?” (How much does this souvenir cost here?).

By learning these essential Spanish travel phrases, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively with locals and make the most of your trip.

Spanish Vocabulary for Transportation

When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to know some basic transportation vocabulary to get around easily. Here are some common Spanish words and phrases related to transportation.

Airport and Airplane

If you’re flying to your destination, you’ll want to know some airport and airplane vocabulary.

• El aeropuerto – airport
• El avión – airplane
• El vuelo – flight
• La terminal – terminal
• El mostrador de facturación – check-in counter
• La puerta de embarque – boarding gate
• El equipaje – luggage
• La maleta – suitcase
• El control de seguridad – security checkpoint

Train and Bus

If you’re traveling by train or bus, you’ll need to know some vocabulary related to stations and schedules.

• El tren – train
• El autobús – bus
• La estación – station
• El horario – schedule
• El billete – ticket
• El andén – platform
• El tren de cercanías – commuter train
• El autobús urbano – city bus

Taxi and Uber

If you prefer to take a taxi or Uber , here are some useful words and phrases.

• El taxi – taxi
• El conductor – driver
• La tarifa – fare
• El taxímetro – meter
• La dirección – address
• El destino – destination
• El punto de recogida – pick-up point
• El número de teléfono del taxi – taxi phone number

Remember, knowing some basic Spanish transportation vocabulary can make your trip much easier and less stressful. So, whether you’re taking a plane, train, bus, taxi, or Uber, be sure to brush up on your vocabulary before you go.

Spanish Travel Vocabulary for Accommodation

Hotel and hostel.

If you’re planning a trip to Latam, you’ll need to know some basic Spanish vocabulary for accommodation. Whether you’re staying in a hotel or a hostel, it’s important to be able to communicate with the staff. Here are some key phrases to help you out:

If you’re staying in a hostel, you’ll want to know some additional vocabulary:

Inn and Room

If you’re looking for a more traditional Spanish accommodation experience, you might want to stay in an inn. Here are some phrases that will be helpful when communicating with the staff:

No matter where you stay, it’s always a good idea to learn some basic Spanish phrases to help you communicate with the locals. With these vocabulary words, you’ll be able to navigate the Spanish accommodation scene with ease.

Spanish Vocabulary for Dining

When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to know some basic Spanish vocabulary for dining. Here are some essential words and phrases that will help you navigate menus and order food with ease.

Restaurant and Menu

• Restaurante – restaurant
• Menú – menu
• Carta – menu (also means “letter” or “card”)
• Plato del día – dish of the day
• Especialidades de la casa – house specialties
• Entradas – appetizers
• Platos principales – main courses
• Postres – desserts
• Cuenta – bill

When you enter a restaurant, it’s common to be greeted with “¡Buenas tardes!” (good afternoon) or “¡Buenas noches!” (good evening). If you’re not sure what to order, you can ask the waiter or waitress “¿Qué me recomienda?” (What do you recommend?) or “¿Cuál es el plato del día?” (What’s the dish of the day?).

Beer and Breakfast

• Cerveza – beer
• Tinto de verano – summer red wine (a popular Spanish drink)
• Café – coffee
• Té – tea
• Zumo – juice
• Pan tostado – toast
• Huevos revueltos – scrambled eggs
• Tortilla española – Spanish omelet (made with potatoes and onions)
• Churros con chocolate – fried dough pastry with chocolate sauce (a popular breakfast treat)

In Spain, it’s common to have a light breakfast of coffee and toast or a more substantial breakfast of eggs or a Spanish omelet. Churros con chocolate is a popular breakfast treat that’s also enjoyed as a snack or dessert. In Mexico you can order some “chilaquiles” with eggs.

Now that you have some basic Spanish vocabulary for dining, you can confidently order food and drinks at restaurants in Spanish-speaking countries. ¡Buen provecho! (Enjoy your meal!)

Spanish Vocabulary for Shopping

When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to know some basic vocabulary for shopping. Here are some useful words and phrases to help you navigate your way through the mall, market, supermarket, and bank.

Mall and Market

• Centro comercial – Mall
• Tienda – Store
• Escaparate – Shop window
• Vitrina – Display case
• Comprar – To buy
• Vender – To sell
• Regatear – To haggle
• Precio – Price

When shopping at a market, it’s common to negotiate the price of goods. Don’t be afraid to haggle, but remember to be respectful and polite.

Supermarket and Bank

• Supermercado – Supermarket
• Carrito de compras – Shopping cart
• Caja – Checkout
• Banco – Bank
• Cajero automático – ATM
• Dinero – Money
• Cambio – Exchange rate

When shopping at a supermarket, be sure to bring your own shopping bags or be prepared to pay for them. When visiting a bank, you may need to provide identification and wait in line. ATMs are widely available, but be aware of potential fees for using them.

Remember to always be polite and respectful when shopping, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. With these basic vocabulary words, you’ll be able to navigate your way through the shops and markets of any Spanish-speaking country.

Spanish Vocabulary for Sightseeing

When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to know some basic vocabulary for sightseeing. This will help you navigate through different attractions with ease and communicate effectively with locals. Here are some useful Spanish words and phrases to enhance your sightseeing experience.

Museum and Park

If you’re planning to visit a museum or park in Mexico, these are some words you should know:

When you’re at a museum, you might want to ask for a map or inquire about the exhibits. Here are some useful phrases:

• ¿Dónde está el mapa? (Where is the map?)
• ¿Cuánto cuesta la entrada? (How much is the entrance fee?)
• ¿Cuál es la exposición principal? (What is the main exhibition?)

At a park, you might want to know about the different activities available. Here are some phrases you can use:

• ¿Hay un área de picnic? (Is there a picnic area?)
• ¿Dónde puedo alquilar una bicicleta? (Where can I rent a bike?)
• ¿Cuándo cierra el parque? (What time does the park close?)

Tour and Places

When you’re on a tour or visiting different places, these are some words you should know:

If you’re on a tour, you might want to know about the different stops or landmarks. Here are some useful phrases:

• ¿Cuál es la próxima parada? (What is the next stop?)
• ¿Cuánto tiempo estaremos aquí? (How long will we be here?)
• ¿Puedo tomar fotos? (Can I take pictures?)

When you’re visiting different places, you might want to ask for directions or recommendations. Here are some phrases you can use:

• ¿Cómo llego a la playa? (How do I get to the beach?)
• ¿Cuál es el mejor restaurante en la ciudad? (What is the best restaurant in the city?)
• ¿Hay algún lugar que deba visitar? (Is there any place I should visit?)

By knowing these basic Spanish words and phrases, you’ll be able to enjoy your sightseeing experience in a Spanish-speaking country to the fullest.

Spanish Vocabulary for Emergencies

When traveling to a foreign country, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with some basic vocabulary for emergencies. In Spain, knowing some key phrases can help you navigate unexpected situations with ease. Here are some important words and phrases to keep in mind:

Customs and Baggage

If you have any issues with your baggage or need to go through customs, these phrases may come in handy:

• La aduana – Customs
• El equipaje – Baggage
• ¿Dónde está la aduana? – Where is customs?
• ¿Dónde puedo recoger mi equipaje? – Where can I pick up my baggage?
• Tengo una reclamación de equipaje – I have a baggage claim

Passport and Boarding Gate

When it comes to your passport and boarding gate, it’s important to know the right vocabulary:

• El pasaporte – Passport
• La puerta de embarque – Boarding gate
• ¿Dónde está la puerta de embarque? – Where is the boarding gate?
• ¿Puedo ver su pasaporte, por favor? – Can I see your passport, please?
• Tengo un problema con mi pasaporte – I have a problem with my passport

By familiarizing yourself with these key phrases, you can feel more confident and prepared in case of an emergency while traveling in Spain. Remember to stay calm and polite, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Learning Spanish for Travel

If you’re planning to travel to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s a great idea to learn some basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary. Not only will it help you communicate with locals, but it will also enhance your overall travel experience. Here are some resources to help you learn Spanish for travel:

PDF and Download

One of the easiest ways to learn Spanish for travel is through downloadable PDFs. These resources are often free or low-cost and can be accessed from anywhere. Some popular options include:

• Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook
• Spanish for Dummies Cheat Sheet
• FluentU’s Spanish Travel Vocabulary PDF

These PDFs typically include common phrases and vocabulary for travel situations such as ordering food, asking for directions, and checking into a hotel.

Video and Test

Another way to learn Spanish for travel is through videos and tests. Videos can help you with pronunciation and understanding context, while tests can help you gauge your progress and identify areas where you need improvement. Some popular options include:

• Speak Like a Mexican Youtube Channel
• SpanishPod101’s Travel Spanish Video Lessons
• Babbel’s Spanish for Travel Quiz

These resources are often interactive and engaging, making learning Spanish for travel fun and enjoyable.

Overall, learning Spanish for travel can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you choose to learn through PDFs or videos, the key is to practice consistently and have fun with it. With some basic Spanish vocabulary under your belt, you’ll be able to navigate Spanish-speaking countries with ease.

Traveling in Spanish-Speaking Countries

When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to have some basic vocabulary to help you communicate with locals and navigate your way around. Here are some essential phrases to know when traveling to Spain and Mexico, as well as Argentina and Peru.

Spain and Mexico

If you’re planning a trip to Spain or Mexico, here are some helpful phrases to know:

• Hola – Hello
• Adiós – Goodbye
• Por favor – Please
• Gracias – Thank you
• De nada – You’re welcome
• Sí – Yes
• No – No
• Habla inglés? – Do you speak English?
• Dónde está…? – Where is…?
• Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?

In Spain, it’s common to use the formal “usted” instead of “tú” when addressing someone you don’t know well. In Mexico, “tú” is more commonly used.

Argentina and Peru

If you’re traveling to Argentina or Peru, here are some phrases that will come in handy:

• Chau – Goodbye

In Argentina, it’s common to use the informal “vos” instead of “tú” when addressing someone you know well. In Peru, “tú” is more commonly used.

Remember to always be polite and respectful when speaking with locals, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or clarification if you need it. With these basic phrases, you’ll be able to navigate your way around Spanish-speaking countries with ease.

About The Author

Ricardo Hernández

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Spanish for Travel – Learn Essential Spanish Vocabulary and Short Phrases for Your Next Trip

This post includes:

• Spanish travel phrases cheat sheet as PDF download
• Audio to correct your pronunciation
• Exercises to practice, 3 infographics, 2 podcast episodes, and an explanation video
• A recommendation for the best travel apps to make the most of your trip to Spain

Table of Contents

Introduction.

1.1 Essential Spanish conversational phrases

• Means of transportation   2.1 At the airport   2.2 Baggage related phrases 2.3 Buying tickets 2.4 At the train or the bus station 
• At the car rental  3.1 Types of cars 3.2 Prices 3.3 Car information 3.4 Returning the car and emergency situations 3.5 Useful verbs

At the restaurant

At the hotel.

• Basic Spanish directions 6.1 Asking for directions 6.2 Receiving directions
• Essential phrases in Spanish for emergencies
• The most commonly used verbs
• Best apps for traveling in Spain

Looking to spice up your Spanish skills? From must-know verbs for your travels to nifty phrases that’ll make locals swoon, we’ve got you covered.

With our helpful Spanish phrases and words , you’ll be like a linguistic chameleon, seamlessly blending in wherever you go. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant streets of Mexico, basking in the Spanish sun, or even just soaking up the lively atmosphere of Miami, these phrases will be your secret weapon.

Here’s the secret sauce: ¡practice makes perfecto! Use these words and phrases until they flow effortlessly from your tongue until ordering tapas feels as natural as breathing. 

Let’s dive into our blog and unlock the language of adventure! ¡Vamos!

Essential Spanish Conversational Phrases

A big part of traveling abroad is meeting new people. It doesn’t matter where you meet them, it only matters what you say to them.  To have a broader picture check out our blog post about Greetings, Common Phrases and Most Common Questions in Spanish . The blog post was prepared for you by our experienced Spanish teachers.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-blogpost-travel-1.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Hola, ¿qué tal? – Hello, how are you?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-blogpost-travel-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Estoy bien, gracias. – I’m fine, thank you. 

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-blog-3.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] No estoy muy bien. / No estoy bien. – I’m not too well. / I’m not well.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Spanish-travel-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Buenos días. Buenas tardes. Buenas noches. – Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening./Good night.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-4.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Adiós. Buenas noches. – Goodbye. Good night.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-6.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-7.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Puedes ayudarme? – Can you help me?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-8.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Puedes hablar más despacio? No entiendo.   – Can you speak slower? I don’t understand. 

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-9.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Hasta mañana. / Hasta luego. / Hasta pronto. – See you tomorrow. / See you later. / See you soon.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Disculpa-perdona.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Disculpa/Perdona. Por favor. Gracias. De nada. – Excuse me. Please. Thank you. You’re welcome.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-11.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Sí, por favor. No, gracias. – Yes, please. No, thanks.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿Como-te-llamas_-Me-llamo.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cómo te llamas? Me llamo _____  – What’s your name? My name is _____

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿Donde-vives_-Vivo-en-____.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde vives? Vivo en ____. – Where do you live? I live in ______.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-ttravel-14.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Encantado de conocerte. ¿De dónde eres? – Nice to meet you. Where are you from?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-15.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Soy de _______. – I’m from _________.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿Cual-es-tu-profesion_-Soy-.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuál es tu profesión? Soy ______. – What’s your job? I’m a(n) _______. 

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/audio-travel-17.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? Mi número de teléfono es _____ Llámame. Este es mi número de teléfono. – What’s your phone number? My phone number is… Call me. This is my phone number.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/correo-electronico.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuál es tu dirección de correo electrónico? Mi dirección de correo electrónico es_____. Envíame un correo electrónico. Esta es mi dirección de correo electrónico. – What’s your email address? My email address is… Email me. Here’s my email address.

The first step of traveling is planning. It can be fun but also quite stressful. It’s up to you to decide. In our podcast we talk about planning vacations in Spanish. You can listen to it on different platforms!

Planning Vacations in Spanish: Listen to Our Podcast!

Means of transportation.

First, we need to get started with the transport   vocabulary . Have a look at the infographic you’ll find bellow. 

At the Airport

If you are taking your first flight to Spain , you should be prepared for all the different dialects and accents you will hear and see on your trip. To smooth your experience, we provide you with a list of common words and phrases used at the airport in Spanish .

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-1.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está el mostrador de facturación? – Where is the check-in counter?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está el control de seguridad? – Where is the security checkpoint?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-3.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está el autobús de enlace que lleva al hotel? – Where is the hotel shuttle bus?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-4.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está la aduana? – Where are the customs?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-5.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? – Where is the bus stop?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-6.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está la terminal? – Where is the terminal?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Travel-for-spanish-blog.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está el baño/servicio/aseo ? – Where is the toilet?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿A-que-hora-sale-el-avion_.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿A qué hora sale el avión? – What time does the plane leave?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-9.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿A qué hora llega el vuelo? – What time does the flight arrive?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-10.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuál es el número de vuelo? – What is the flight number?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-airport-11.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuál es el teléfono de la compañía aérea? – What is the airline’s phone number?

Baggage Related Phrases

Buying tickets.

Here you have some essential phrases and vocabulary  to buy tickets in Spanish. We know how stressful is to purchase tickets for buses, trains, airplanes or any event that you want to attend. But don’t panic! We are here to make your life easier.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿Hablas-ingles_.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-tickets-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ( Quería) un billete a Barcelona. – I want a ticket to Barcelona.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-tickets-3.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Un billete de ida a Santiago, por favor. – One way ticket to Santiago, please.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-tickets-4.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuánto cuesta el billete? – How much does the ticket cost?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-tickets-5.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuándo sale el avión/autobús/tren? – When does the plane/bus/train leave?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-tickets-6.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuándo llega el avión/autobús/tren? – When does the plane/bus/train arrive?

At the Train or the Bus Station

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-1.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuánto cuesta el billete? – How much does the ticket cost?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Un billete de ida a Valencia, por favor. – One way ticket to Valencia, please.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-3.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿A qué hora sale el tren para ___? – What time does the train to … leave?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-4.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está la parada del autobús número 11? – Where is the stop for bus number 11?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-5.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuándo llega el tren de ____? – When does the train from … arrive?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-6.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuál es la próxima parada? – What is the next stop?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-7.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuántas paradas más hay hasta ____? – How many more stops until…?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-train-8.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuánto dura el viaje? – How long is the journey? 

While traveling in Spanish-speaking countries it’s necessary to know the numbers and dates . Even if you know how to ask “ How much does it cost? ” – it doesn’t mean that you will understand the answer (yes, I’ve been there).

For this reason, we have created a complete post for Numbers in Spanish . If you have difficulties with long numbers or find yourself frustrated with 5, 15, 50, and 500, then you should definitely check it out.

At the Car Rental

• Client : Buenos días. Quiero alquilar un coche. - Good afternoon. I would like to rent a car.
• Renter : Hola. ¿Tiene una reserva? - Do you have a reservation?
• Client : Sí/no tengo una reserva. - Yes, I have/No, I don’t have a reservation
• Renter : ¿Para cuántos días / cuántas semanas? - For how many days/weeks?
• Client : Para ____ días/semanas. - For ____ days/weeks.

Did you know that the word ‘car’ in Spanish can be said in many different ways depending on the country you’re in? Here you have a few examples. 

Types of Cars:

Car information:.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-car-4.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y” ¿El  coche  es manual o automático? – Is the car manual or automatic?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿El-coche-tiene-aire-acondicionado_.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿El  coche  tiene aire acondicionado? – Does the car have air conditioning?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-car-6.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está la rueda de repuesto? – Where is the spare tire?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/travel-at-car-7.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Qué tipo de gasolina utiliza? – What kind of fuel does it take?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿Cuantos-litros-por-kilometro-consume-este-coche_.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuántos litros por kilómetro consume este coche?  –  How many miles/kilometers does this car get to the gallon/liter.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¿El-precio-incluye-el-seguro-y-el-kilometraje_.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿ El precio incluye el seguro y el kilometraje?  –  Does that price include insurance and mileage?

Returning the Car and Emergency Situations:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/devolver-el-coche.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde y cuándo tengo que devolver el coche? – Where and when do I have to return the car.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/devolver-el-coche-con-el-deposito-lleno.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Tengo que devolver el coche con el depósito lleno? – Do I have to return the car with a full gas tank?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/llamar-en-caso-de-accidente-o-averia.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿A qué número tengo que llamar en caso de accidente o avería? – Is there anyone I can call in case of accident or breakdown

Useful Verbs:

Do you know how to order in a restaurant in Spanish? What would you say if the waiter only spoke Spanish? Or if he did not understand your language or was rude? Usually the waiters (camareros) don’t speak English or they don’t speak the language very well. So, we advise you to take a closer look at the Basic Spanish Vocabulary for Restaurants .  There you will find basic and important vocabulary. 

If you want to book your accommodation the old fashioned way, with a phone conversation, you can use these phrases. Keep in mind that you can write down all your requests in the reservation form on the hotel’s website.

Here you will find useful phrases for booking a room in Spanish .

The phrases you might use while checking-in :

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-1.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Hola, tengo una habitación reservada.  – Hi, I have a reserved room.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Me gustaría hacer el check-in. – I’d like to do the check-in.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-3.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Está lista la habitación? – Is the room ready?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-4.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde puedo dejar mis maletas? – Where can I leave my luggage?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-5.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde puedo aparcar el coche?   – Where can I park my car?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-6-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿En qué planta/piso está la habitación? – On which floor is the room?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-7.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? – What time is breakfast?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-8.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Cuál es el horario de la piscina? – What are the swimming pool hours?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Quiero-pagar-la-habitacion.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Quiero pagar la habitación. – I’d like to do the payment for the room.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-10.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? – Can I pay by card? 

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/spanish-efectivo.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Puedo pagar en efectivo? – Can I pay in cash? 

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hotel-12.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Puede llamar un taxi, por favor?   – Can you please call me a taxi?

For booking a hotel room, describing a place or an object in Spanish, we created a podcast episode that you can listen to and enhance your vocabulary and grammar skills.

On Vacation in Spain: Listen to Our Podcast!

Basic spanish directions.

This section will help you navigate through the streets of Mexico City, Barcelona or a little village of Peru.

Check out our detailed blog post about Useful Spanish Directions!

Asking for directions:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Disculpa_Perdona-¿la-plaza-Mayor_.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Disculpa/Perdona, ¿la plaza Mayor?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Busco-la-estacion-de-metro-mas-cercana.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Busco la estación de metro más cercana. – I’m looking for the closest metro station.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Directions-3-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Estoy buscando un cajero automático. – I’m looking for an ATM.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Directions-4-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Dónde está el Museo de Arte Moderno? – Where is the Museum of Modern Art?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Directions-5-.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Hay un hospital cerca de aquí/por aquí cerca? – Is there a hospital around here?

Receiving directions:​​

Remember! If you don’t understand something, ask the person to repeat: ¿Cómo? (How?) . Usually Spanish people speak fast so you might need to slow them down a bit – just say:  ¡Despacio, por favor! Slowly, please!

Essential Phrases in Spanish for Emergencies

Hopefully, you won’t need this part of our blog post, but it’s important that you know some basic phrases in case you need help!

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-1.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Puedes ayudarme? – Can you help me?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-2.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Necesito ayuda . – I need help.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-3.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Estoy perdido . – I’m lost.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¡Llama-a-la-policia-.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¡Llama a la policía! – Call the police!

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¡Llama-a-una-ambulancia.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¡Llama a una ambulancia!   – Call an ambulance!

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-6.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¡Ten cuidado! – Be careful!

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-7.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Ha habido un accidente. – There’s been an accident.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/¡Por-favor-rapido.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¡Por favor, rápido!  – Please hurry!

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-9.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] ¿Estás bien?  – Are you OK?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-10.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Me han robado. – I’ve been robbed.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emergencies-11-.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Me han atacado.  – I’ve been attacked.

The Most Commonly Used Verbs

In this part you can refresh or learn new Spanish  verbs for traveling .  

Best Apps for Traveling in Spain

1. Maps.me – a perfect alternative to any online maps. Before going to your destination, download an offline map and you will never get lost. You can also search for restaurants, supermarkets, and cultural landmarks without being connected to the internet. 

2. Cabify – it’s like Uber but a Spanish version.

3. Triposo – a different kind of a TripAdvisor. It’s more user friendly and it has a lot of information about any destination. Create bucket lists and add favorite places. You can also find mini-guides gathered by the  community.

4. Spanish Dict – although Google Translate is an excellent tool, we suggest this app for traveling through Spanish-speaking countries.

5. El Tenedor (The Fork) – the app has information about over 30,000 restaurants in Spain. You can discover what is around your location, choose the preferred cuisine and book a table. You can see the full menu in an app, which is handy. The app also offers discounts and some great deals.

6. Idealista – website and app for finding accommodation for longer periods. It offers apartments and houses to rent or buy.

7. Wallapop – similar to eBay, but in Spain. You can sell or buy stuff through the website or the app.

We hope this blog post answered many of your questions. Now, you’re ready for your adventure in Spain or South America. If you’re interested in more educational blog posts, visit our Learner’s Blog or check the FREE options to learn Spanish. 

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74 Common Spanish Travel Phrases

One of the most common answers language learners give when we’re asked why we chose to learn that language is because we like the country or countries where it’s spoken. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that if you’re learning Spanish, you might like to visit Spain. So why not learn Spanish travel words and phrases?

Whether you choose to travel to Spain for a short holiday or for a longer time, here you’ll learn all the vocabulary you need to find your way in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, or any other city you want to visit. You probably already know that Spanish people aren’t that great at speaking English, especially in small towns, so if you want to avoid misunderstandings, this is the way to go.

Our purpose today is to teach you some common Spanish travel phrases that will help you be understood if you need help while you’re traveling in Spain—or if you want to order food, book a hotel room, get a cab, or take the bus. But even more importantly, we’re going to help you understand the answers you’ll receive!

Surely you don’t want to ask a local how to get to your hotel only to not understand the answer. That would make the whole process of learning the questions quite useless, wouldn’t it? Well, there’s no need to worry, because we’re making sure our guide of Spanish for travelers includes all of the Spanish phrases for travel you’ll need.

Without further ado, let’s delve into our list of useful Spanish words for tourists!

Table of Contents

• Ten Basic Expressions
• Nine Simple Conversation Phrases
• Nine Basic Spanish Phrases for Travel
• Seven Sentences You Might Need When Shopping
• Nine Sentences You Might Need in a Restaurant
• Nine Sentences to Ask for and Give Directions
• Six Expressions You Might Need in Case of an Emergency
• Five Flattery Phrases
• Ten Useful Phrases to Go through Language Problems
• How SpanishPod101.com Can Help You Learn Spanish

1. Ten Basic Expressions

Let’s start from the beginning. It’s practically impossible to have a proper conversation without using any of these basic expressions, so you’re going to need them. If you already know them, don’t worry; you can skip this section! And keep in mind that to hear these Spanish travel phrases with pronunciation, as well as more Spanish words and phrases, you can visit our vocabulary lists on our website.

As most of you might already know, Hola means “Hello.” It’s by far the most commonly used greeting in Spanish and can be used at any time of the day.

If you would like to learn more ways of greeting someone, you can check out our article How to Say Hello in Spanish .

Once again, this is one of the most common Spanish words. It means “Thank you” and it’s obviously a basic word in many conversations. We would like our tourists to be polite, so we hope you use it a lot!

Now you know how to say “Thank you,” but do you know what to say after someone thanks you in Spanish? De nada literally means “Of nothing” and it translates to “You’re welcome.”

In our first list of basic expressions in Spanish, we can’t forget to include words like “Yes” and “ No .” Again, you probably already knew that sí means “yes,” but here it is just in case!

This is clearly one of the easiest travel phrases in Spanish for most of you. No in Spanish means “no.”

6- Lo siento

Lo siento is one of the most common ways of saying “I’m sorry” in Spanish and you can use it the majority of the time when you wish to apologize to someone. But if you would like to know what the most appropriate expression is for different situations, feel free to read our article on How to Say “Sorry” in Spanish .

7- No hablo español

If you don’t feel comfortable enough speaking Spanish yet, it might be useful for you to be able to say “I don’t speak Spanish.” If you want to apologize for not speaking Spanish, remember that you can combine it with the previous expression on the list: Lo siento, no hablo español .

8- Me gusta

Whenever you want to express that you like something, you can say Me gusta . If you want to be specific and say what it is that you like, you can add a verb in its infinitive form, a noun, or a pronoun.

Example: Me gusta bailar. Translation: “I like dancing.”

Example: Me gustan los helados. Translation: “I like ice cream.”

9- No me gusta

If you don’t like something, all you need to do is add no just before me gusta .

Example: No me gusta correr. Translation: “I don’t like running.”

10- Por supuesto

The last expression on this list might not be as important as the rest, but it’s still good to know. Por supuesto means “of course.”

2. Nine Simple Conversation Phrases

Besides the basic expressions we just saw, there are a few sentences you might need to know so that you can have a basic conversation when you meet someone for the first time. These are often included in some of the first lessons when you start learning a language, but they’re always good to review.

You might want to take a look at our Top 10 Sentence Patterns for Beginners in case you’re not too familiar with them yet.

1- ¿Cómo te llamas?

One of the first questions you might ask someone you just met is “What’s your name?” This is one of the key Spanish travel phrases you should know, especially when it comes to forming relationships while in Spain.

2- Me llamo Ana / Soy Ana .

Obviously, if you learn how to ask what someone’s name is, you also need to know how to reply! Two of the most common ways of saying “My name is…” are Me llamo … or Soy … followed by your name. The last one only means “I’m…” but just like in English, it’s still an option.

3- ¿Cuántos años tienes?

This is another common question: “How old are you?” Interestingly, when we talk about our age in Spanish, we use the verb tener , which means “to have.” This means that the literal translation to this question is “How many years do you have?”

4- Tengo 25 (veinticinco) años.

As mentioned above, the literal translation to this answer is “I have 25 years.” Of course, it translates to “I am 25 years old.”

If you’re not yet comfortable with numbers in Spanish, we have you covered: check out our Numbers in Spanish article .

5- ¿De dónde eres?

This question means, “Where are you from?” Because people are normally curious when they hear a foreign accent or language, it tends to be heard quite frequently when someone’s traveling.

6- Soy de Australia / Soy australiano/a.

There are two different ways of replying to the previous question, and they’re very similar to what you would say in English. Soy de Australia means, “I am from Australia,” and Soy australiano (or australiana ) means “I’m Australian.”

To learn more nationalities in Spanish, take a look at our Spanish Vocabulary for Nationalities .

7- ¿Dónde vives?

And finally, here’s our last basic question. ¿Dónde vives? means “Where do you live?”

8- Vivo en Londres

As you might expect, this sentence is the answer to the previous question. Vivo en Londres means “I live in London.” We chose this city because its name is a bit different than it is in English.

Now you might be wondering if all cities have different names in Spanish. Well, luckily, this doesn’t always happen, but it does happen sometimes. Normally, when they’re not that easy to pronounce for Spanish speakers, the names will be changed. Here’s a list of Names of World Cities in Spanish that might help you.

9- ¿Me puedes sacar una foto?

This sentence isn’t as important as the rest, but it’s still really useful to know when you’re traveling. If you travel solo and your parents want to see how you’re doing on your travels, but you’re not a big fan of selfies, you’re going to have to ask someone to take a photo of you.

The way of asking “Could you take a photo of me?” in Spanish is ¿Me puedes sacar una foto?

Of course, if you’re traveling as a couple or even with a group, you might still want to ask a local to take a photo of you. You can ask this question in the plural by saying: ¿Nos puedes sacar una foto?

For a few more useful questions, take a look at our Top 15 Spanish Questions You Should Know for Conversations .

3. Nine Basic Spanish Phrases for Travel

Let’s get to more specific and useful Spanish travel phrases. Regardless of where you’re traveling, you’ll be taking cabs, trains, or buses. This is why we’ve listed a few sentences you might need if you take any of these means of transportation.

In each of these examples, we’ve marked in bold the most important part of the sentence. So, if you need to use any of these essential Spanish travel phrases for transportation, you’ll use the part in bold and change the rest of the sentence whenever you need to.

1- Three Sentences You Will Need When You Take a Cab

• ¿ Dónde puedo coger un taxi? Translation: “ Where can I take a cab?”
• Me puedes llevar a la calle San Juan, ¿por favor? Translation: “ Could you take me to Saint John’s Street, please?”
• Al aeropuerto, por favor. Translation: “ To the airport, please.”

2- Three Sentences You Will Need When You Take a Train

• Dos billetes para ir a Pamplona, por favor. Translation: “ Two tickets to go to Pamplona, please.”
• Un billete de ida y vuelta a Madrid, por favor. Translation: “ One round-trip ticket to Madrid, please.”
• ¿ En qué andén se coge el tren R5? Translation: “ On which platform can I take the R5 train?”

3- Three Sentences You Will Need When You Take a Bus

• ¿ Me puedes avisar cuando lleguemos al Museo del Prado? Translation: “ Could you let me know when we arrive to the Museo del Prado?”
• ¿ Dónde me bajo para visitar la catedral? Translation: “ Where do I get off to visit the cathedral?”
• ¿ Qué autobús tengo que coger para ir a Valencia? Translation: “ What bus do I need to take to get to Valencia?”

4. Seven Sentences You Might Need When Shopping

No matter what kind of trip you’re on, you’ll need to buy something at some point. It could be food, clothes, medicine…who knows. We’ve put together a few sentences you might need in order to buy something in Spain. These may be more advanced Spanish phrases for travel, but you can definitely master these with enough practice!

1- ¿Cuánto cuesta?

When we’re shopping, we sometimes need to ask about the price of a product, more often than not due to misplaced price tags. This is why asking “How much does this cost?” is such an important question to know. Obviously, the answer to this question is even more important. Here’s an example of how a conversation might go:

Example: A: Perdona, ¿cuánto cuesta esta chaqueta? B: Cuesta 35 (treinta y cinco) euros.

Translation: A: “Excuse me, how much does this jacket cost?” B: “It costs 35 euros.”

In case you skipped the simple conversation section in this article, we’ll remind you once more that if you want to know more about numbers in Spanish, you can check out our Numbers in Spanish article .

2- ¿Qué me recomiendas?

This question means, “What’s your recommendation?” and you might need to use it when you’re not sure what to get.

For example, one thing we’re really proud of in Spain is our jamón . You might want to try it when you visit Spain, but when you come to our supermarkets or restaurants and see all the different kinds we have, you might be confused.

In our example, because we’re asking for a specific recommendation, we’ll add a noun—the thing we’re interested in—after qué . This is optional except when what you’re referring to isn’t that obvious.

Example: A: Qué jamón me recomiendas? B: Este es buenísimo y no es muy caro.

Translation: A: “What ham do you recommend?” B: “This one is really good and it’s not too expensive.”

3- Quiero cambiar dólares a euros.

When traveling, you might need to exchange your currency for the local one, which in this case is the Euro. Specifically, the translation of this sentence is, “I want to exchange dollars for euros.”

For more information on talking about money or currency in Spanish, you might find it useful to check this vocabulary list of Words Related to Trade .

4- ¿Cómo puedo conseguir un descuento?

You might not be able to use this one as often as the other sentences on this list, depending on where you are, but it’s still good to know how to ask the question, “How can I get a discount?”

5- ¿Tienes esta camisa en otro color?

In case you see a shirt you like, but you can’t stop thinking that it would look better in a darker color, you might want to know how to ask ¿Tienes esta camisa en otro color? which means “Do you have this shirt in a different color?”

Other similar questions you might need to ask include asking for a different size. Here’s an example:

Example: A: Perdona, ¿tienes estos pantalones en una talla más grande? B: Lo siento, solo tenemos esta talla o una más pequeña.

Translation: A: “Excuse me, do you have these trousers in a bigger size?” B: “I’m sorry, we only have this size or a smaller one.”

6- ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta?

You’ll never have to ask “Can I pay by card?” in a big supermarket, but it might be helpful if you’re buying something in a small store, or in a local market.

7- ¿Dónde hay un cajero?

In case the answer to the previous question is “No” and you currently don’t have any cash on you, you’re going to need to ask where the nearest ATM is. The way to ask this is ¿Dónde hay un cajero?

If you think you might have trouble understanding the possible answers to this question, keep reading this article!

5. Nine Sentences You Might Need in a Restaurant

When it comes to Spanish travel and tourism vocabulary, we think that restaurant words and phrases just about top the list.

In this section, we’ve included a few sentences you’ll need in a restaurant. However, if we started listing all the vocabulary you would need to order food, we would be here all night long, so this is why we recommend our video All Food and Restaurant Phrases You Need . In this video, Rosa will explain everything you need to know about food in general, and also about Spanish food.

1- Mesa para dos, por favor.

Unless you’re at a fast-food restaurant, normally one of the first things you’ll have to tell the waiter is how many people will be eating, so that they can pick the right table for you. This situation can take place in a few different ways.

For example, the waiter might ask you as soon as you walk in how many people there will be. There are a few ways they can ask you this question, but the one thing we know for sure is that it will include the word cuántos , which means “how many.” He could ask ¿Cuántos son? which means “How many are you?” or ¿Mesa para cuántos? which means “Table for how many?” among others. If you’re asked this question, you can just say the number, or the magic sentence in the title.

There’s a second way this could happen: the waiter might count how many people he sees before asking that question. For example, if he counts four people, he might directly ask: ¿Mesa para cuatro? , which means, “Table for four?” If he gets the number right, you can just reply Sí . If he gets it wrong, you can correct him with the right number.

Finally, the third way this situation could go. You could be faster than the waiter and say Mesa para dos, por favor , which means “Table for two, please.” We previously said this is a magic sentence; let us explain why. If you’re still nervous whenever you need to speak Spanish and you didn’t understand what the waiter said to you, they’ll completely understand if you just say these words. Just like that, you’re in! Now let’s get you ready for what comes right after that.

2- ¿Cuál es el menú del día?

It’s common for Spanish restaurants to have a special menu for each day . Before deciding what you want to order, you can ask them ¿Cuál es el menú del día? which means “What’s the menu of the day?”

If you don’t like the special menu, don’t worry, because they’ll always have more options on the regular menu.

3- Por favor, ¿me tomas nota?

It’s quite likely that the waiter will approach you after you’ve been deciding what to get for a while. But in case you’re getting hungry and the waiter hasn’t asked what you would like to eat yet, when you see him you can ask him Por favor, ¿me tomas nota? which translates to “Can you write down my order, please?”

4- ¿Qué van a tomar?

Once the waiter has approached your table, you’ll be asked what you would like to order. It’s common for waiters to use the formal usted instead of tú , so the sentence we’ve suggested, ¿Qué van a tomar? , uses that form.

Another similar question the waiter might ask you is: ¿Ya han decidido qué van a tomar? which means “Have you decided what you’re going to have?”

Notice that both examples are in the plural. If you were eating by yourself in the restaurant, the waiter would ask ¿Qué va a tomar? instead.

5- Yo tomaré…

Of course, if you’re eating in a restaurant, you need to know how to tell your waiter what you would like to eat. Here’s an example of how to order your food in Spanish.

Example: Yo tomaré las costillas de cerdo con ensalada. Translation: “I will have the pork ribs with salad.”

6- ¡Camarero/camarera!

If you need to call the waiter for any reason, unless you know his or her name, you’ll have to say “Waiter!” or “Waitress!” This is one of the many reasons why you should know how to say it in Spanish. If your server is a girl, you’ll have to say ¡camarera! , and if it’s a man, you’ll say ¡camarero! If you feel like that’s a bit too rude for you, you can also say Perdona , which means “Excuse me.” Here’s an example that we hope you won’t need:

Example: ¡Camarero! ¡Hay un pelo en mi sopa! Translation: “Waiter! There’s a hair in my soup!”

7- ¿Algo más?

This question means, “Anything else?” and might be asked after you’ve ordered your food and the waiter wants to make sure that you’ve finished.

The answer to this question, if you have in fact finished ordering, could be No, eso es todo , which means “No, that is all.” If you still want to order something else, you can of course say Sí , followed by your next order.

8- Tengo alergia a…

For people with allergies, it’s important to be able to let the waiter know about it. The way to say, “I’m allergic to…” is Tengo alergia a …

Example: Tengo alergia a los cacahuetes. Translation: “I’m allergic to peanuts.”

You might also want to ask if a specific dish contains an ingredient in particular.

Example: Perdona, ¿la crema de calabaza lleva lactosa? Translation: “Excuse me, does the pumpkin soup contain lactose?”

To be even safer, you can check Spanish Materials and Resources from Food Allergy Research & Education for some help.

9- La cuenta, ¿por favor?

The last sentence on this list is what you might need to say last, before you leave. As you might have guessed, this is how to ask for the bill. This sentence means “The bill, please?” and even though you could ask using a full sentence instead, this is all you’ll need.

6. Nine Sentences to Ask for and Give Directions

We’re sure you knew this section would come. After all, learning directions are some of the most essential travel phrases in learning Spanish and we don’t want you to get lost when you visit our beautiful country. But if you do, we want to help you find your way.

Here are some sentences you might need if you’re lost or can’t find your destination. Because these sentences have quite simple meanings, we don’t think you’re going to need anything but their translations.

1- Estoy perdido.

Translation: “I’m lost.”

2- ¿Dónde está la estación?

Translation: “Where is the station?”

3- ¿Cómo se va a la Plaza Mayor?

Translation: “How can I get to the Main Square?”

4- ¿Dónde está el baño?

Translation: “Where is the bathroom?”

5- Está aquí mismo

Translation: “It’s right here.”

6- Está detrás de este edificio

Translation: “It’s behind this building.”

7- Ve/gira hacia la derecha

Translation: “Go/turn to the right.”

8- Ve/gira hacia la izquierda

Translation: “Go/turn to the left.”

9- Ve recto

Translation: “Go straight.”

7. Six Expressions You Might Need in Case of an Emergency

We really hope you never need to use any of these expressions, but they’re important and need to be included in this article. Just in case, here are some emergency expressions.

Translation: “Help!”

2- ¡Necesito ayuda!

Translation: “I need help!”

3- Llama a una ambulancia.

Translation: “Call an ambulance.”

4- ¿Hay algún médico?

Translation: “Is there any doctor?”

5- Llama al 112 (cien doce)

Translation: “Call 112 [the emergency number].”

6- He perdido la cartera/pasaporte.

Translation: “I’ve lost my wallet/passport.”

8. Five Flattery Phrases

Whenever you travel to a different country, locals love hearing that you’re having a good time on your trip and that you’re enjoying the country. If you want to criticize something, be careful and gentle, because as they say, you can criticize your own country as much as you want, but if a foreigner does it, they’re wrong. So if anyone asks you, try to focus on the positive side!

Here’s a few basic phrases you could use to express what you like about your trip, as well as a couple more you might need when you meet a local.

1- Me gustan los españoles.

Translation: “I like Spaniards.”

2- Me gusta la comida española.

Translation: “I like Spanish food.”

3- Me encanta España.

Translation: “I love Spain.”

4- Muy amable, gracias.

Translation: “Very kind, thank you.”

5- ¿Tienes Facebook o Instagram?

Translation: “Do you have Facebook or Instagram?”

9. Ten Useful Phrases to Go through Language Problems

Some of the most important Spanish travel phrases may be those that will help you overcome language barriers. So we want to have you covered in case you have trouble understanding someone or don’t feel too confident speaking Spanish. Just calm down and remember that you’re still learning and that we’re here to help you. The next few expressions are some of the most useful Spanish words for tourists, so pay attention.

1- ¿Hablas inglés?

Translation: “Do you speak English?”

2- No te entiendo.

Translation: “I can’t understand you.”

3- No lo sé.

Translation: “I don’t know.”

4- ¿Me lo puedes repetir?

Translation: “Could you repeat that?”

5- ¿Puedes hablar más despacio?

Translation: “Could you speak slower?”

6- No hablo español.

Translation: “I don’t speak Spanish.”

7- ¿Cómo se dice esto en español?

Translation: “How do you say this in Spanish?”

8- ¿Cómo se pronuncia esta palabra?

Translation: “How do you pronounce this word?”

9- Escríbelo, por favor.

Translation: “Write it down, please.”

10- ¿Lo puedes deletrear?

Translation: “Could you spell it?”

10. How SpanishPod101.com Can Help You Learn Spanish

Now that we’ve reached the end, we realize you’re probably thinking that these are too many expressions for you to learn straight away. We’re afraid you’re going to have to do some studying, but hey, we promise it’s going to be totally worth it! When you start learning a language, there’s nothing like the feeling of starting to understand and being understood. And we’re sure you see now that the travel phrases in Spanish language learning are so useful!

At SpanishPod101.com, there’s so much more you can learn, no matter what your level is. And now, with our guide of Spanish phrases for travelers and our Don’t Travel Without Knowing These Top 10 Verbs list , you can go anywhere in Spain. Be sure to check out all of our resources , so that you can master the language and culture while having fun!

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71 Spanish Vacation Vocabulary to Aid Your Travels (Pronunciation Included)

So you’ve decided to travel to a Spanish-speaking country .

Your luggage is ready, your passport is up-to-date, your trip has been booked…

But what about your Spanish vocabulary ? Are you ready to have your first real-life conversation in Spanish ?

Whether you’re going to spend the next few weeks on the beach, in the mountains or even underground , you’ll find the words you need here.

Spanish Vacation Nouns

• 1. el recuerdo  (the souvenir)
• 2. el regalo  (the present, the gift)

3. el billete de ida y vuelta (the round-trip ticket)

• 4. la maleta  (the suitcase, the bag)
• 5. el pasaporte  (the passport)

6. el DNI (ID card)

• 7. el turista  (the tourist, the vacationer)
• 8. el paisaje  (the landscape)
• 9. el avión  (the plane)
• 10. el coche  (the car)
• 11. la gasolina  (the gasoline, the fuel)
• 12. la gasolinera  (the gas station)
• 13. las vistas  (the view)
• 14. la playa  (the beach)
• 15. el museo de…  (the museum of…)
• 16. el cine  (the movie theater)
• 17. la piscina  (the swimming pool)
• 18. el mar  (the sea)
• 19. el concierto  (the concert)

20. las gafas de sol (the sunglasses)

• 21. la cámara de fotos  (the photo camera)

22. la videocámara (the video camera)

23. las sandalias / las chanclas (the flip-flops, the sandals).

• 24. la agencia de viajes  (the travel agency)
• 25. las llaves  (the keys)
• 26. el helado  (the ice cream)
• 27. la heladería  (the ice cream parlor)
• 28. la tumbona  (the lounger)
• 29. la terraza  (the terrace)
• 30. el flotador  (the float, the rubber ring)
• 31. la Oficina de Turismo  (the Tourist Information Office)
• 32. la farmacia  (the drugstore, the pharmacy)

33. la tarjeta de crédito / la tarjeta de débito (the credit/debit card)

• 34. el cajero automático  (the ATM machine)
• 35. la avería  (the breakdown)

36. el carné / el permiso de conducir (the driver’s license)

37. la queja / la reclamación (the complaint).

• 38. la sombrilla  (the shade, the umbrella)
• 39. la escala  (the stopover)
• 40. el auxiliar de vuelo  (the flight attendant)
• 41. la tripulación  (the crew)

42. la habitación individual / la habitación doble (the single/double/twin room)

• 43. el secador de pelo  (the hairdryer)
• 44. la atracción turística  (the tourist attraction)
• 45. la ciudad  (the city)

46. el casco antiguo (the old town, the historic center)

Spanish vacation verbs, 47. viajar , ir de viaje , hacer un viaje (to travel, to go on a trip).

• 48. ir de vacaciones  (to go on vacation)
• 49. pasar las vacaciones  (to vacation)
• 50. estar de vacaciones  (to be on vacation)

51. hacer fotos / tomar fotos / sacar fotos (to take pictures)

• 52. montar a caballo  (to go horseback riding, to ride a horse)

53. hacer una excursión , ir de excursión (to go for a ramble/a hike)

54. hacer una reserva , reservar (to make a reservation, to book).

• 55. confirmar una reserva  (to confirm a reservation/booking)
• 56. ir de camping  (to go camping)
• 57. hacer las maletas  (to pack, to pack your luggage)
• 58. visitar  (to visit, to tour, to see, to go, to pay a visit)
• 59. tomar un taxi  (to take a taxi)
• 60. quedarse  (to stay, like at a hotel)
• 61. descansar  (to rest, to relax)
• 62. alquilar  (to rent)
• 63. hacer un castillo de arena  (to build a sandcastle)
• 64. leer un libro  (to read a book)

65. divertirse , disfrutar , pasárselo bien (to have fun, to have a blast, to enjoy oneself)

• 66. ir de compras  (to go shopping)
• 67. hacer turismo  (to sightsee)
• 68. ver los lugares de interés  (to visit places of interest)
• 69. dar un paseo  (to go for a walk)
• 70. hacer una barbacoa  (to barbecue)
• 71. hacer un picnic  (to have a picnic)

And One More Thing…

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

1. el recuerdo   (the souvenir)

Recuerdo comes from the verb recordar , which means to remember. That is why a memory is also called a recuerdo in Spanish!

2. el regalo   (the present, the gift)

They say “the present is a gift.” In Spanish, this can be said el presente es un regalo or even el presente es un presente .

You can buy the whole round-trip ticket, or un billete de ida (a one-way ticket) and un billete de vuelta (a return ticket).

Bear in mind that  billete  is used in Spain, while Latin American countries will typically use boleto or pasaje , depending on the country.

4. la maleta   (the suitcase, the bag)

I think this is one of those funny words every language has.

If you use it in the singular, it is translated as “suitcase.” Each individual bag you have is a maleta .

However, if you use it in the plural, you can translate it as “luggage” or “baggage.” You do not have to count how many suitcases you have (unless you want to). You can just refer to all of them as a whole:

Dame esa maleta . (Give me that suitcase.)

¿Están listas tus maletas ? (Is your luggage ready?)

5. el pasaporte   (the passport)

Never forget your passport or ID when leaving home, let alone when leaving your country!

DNI means Documento Nacional de Identidad (National Identity Document). I know you probably do not have one (yet), but if you are traveling to, say, Spain, do not expect people to say ID. For us, any ID is a DNI (deh-eneh-ih), and that is how we will say it to you.

Many European people have passports, but now you are able to travel throughout the whole European Union ( viajar por toda la Unión Europea ) by using just your European ID .

However, if you come from America, you will need a passport or a visa ( un visado in Castilian Spanish, also referred to as   una visa in some Latin American countries) .

A typical sentence you will hear when checking in is:

DNI o pasaporte, por favor. (ID card or passport, please.)

This may sound rude to you, but it is not. Despite being in the form of an order, it is rather a shorter way of asking:

¿Puede mostrarme su DNI o su pasaporte, por favor? (Could you show me your ID card or passport, please?)

7. el turista   (the tourist, the vacationer)

This Spanish word is very similar to its English counterpart , so it should not be problematic at all.

Just remember that nouns ending in -ista do not have a specific feminine form. Male and female tourists are both called turistas .  You just change the determiners and any other accompanying word:

el turista / la turista , los turistas / las turistas (the tourist, the tourists)

este turista / esta turista , estos turistas / estas turistas (this tourist, these tourists)

un turista español / una turista española , unos turistas españoles / unas turistas españolas (a Spanish tourist, some Spanish tourists)

8. el paisaje   (the landscape)

9. el avión   (the plane), 10. el coche   (the car).

For more information about the word “car” and its different translations into Spanish, such as carro and auto , take a moment to learn your Spanish transportation terms .

11. la gasolina   (the gasoline, the fuel)

Gasolina is a word normally used to refer to any kind of fuel for your car in general. However, we also use it to specifically refer to gasoline.

If your car uses diesel, do not use gasolina! Choose the gasóleo   or gasoil   dispenser.

12. la gasolinera   (the gas station)

Since  gasolina is used to refer to fuel in general, you fill your tank at the gasolinera .

13. las vistas   (the view)

You can use this word in its plural form if you are talking about landscapes. The singular form la vista   normally refers to our sight, although you can use it to talk about the view too:

La vista desde esta ventana es muy bonita. (The view from this window is very pretty.)

14. la playa   (the beach)

What can I say? Let’s go to the playa !

15. el museo de…   (the museum of…)

You can always find a museum that appeals to you. Always! Some of my favorites are:

El museo de Ciencias (The Science Museum)

El museo de Etnología (The Museum of Ethnology)

El museo de Arte Moderno (The Museum of Modern Art)

16. el cine   (the movie theater)

17. la piscina   (the swimming pool).

For people like me who love traveling during the winter, I recommend visiting a piscina cubierta   (an indoor pool).

Note that it’s also common to hear the word alberca   used to say “swimming pool” in Mexico and some Central American countries.

18. el mar   (the sea)

19. el concierto   (the concert).

If you travel to Barcelona, do not miss the conciertos al aire libre   (open-air concerts). They are simply great!

Note that you may also hear the term lentes  used to refer to sunglasses (and also eyeglasses) in some countries in Latin America.

21. la cámara de fotos   (the photo camera)

Let’s be honest, many people these days do not use photo or video cameras anymore. We use our cell phones to record our memories now, but you can still learn what these words mean.

24. la agencia de viajes   (the travel agency)

25. las llaves   (the keys).

It does not matter if we are talking about your house keys ( las llaves de tu casa ), the keys of the apartment you have booked ( las llaves del apartamento que has alquilado ) or the hotel key card ( la tarjeta llave del hotel ), just do not lose any of them, please!

26. el helado   (the ice cream)

27. la heladería   (the ice cream parlor), 28. la tumbona   (the lounger).

This is the kind of lounger you would use   by the pool, on the beach, in your garden, etc.  Tumbona comes from the verb tumbarse , which means to lie down.

29. la terraza   (the terrace)

30. el flotador   (the float, the rubber ring).

What about manguitos   (arm floats)? Do you think you will need them?

31. la Oficina de Turismo  ( the Tourist Information Office )

32. la farmacia   (the drugstore, the pharmacy).

Depending on where you are traveling to, you may also hear people call the drugstore la botica .

34. el cajero automático   (the ATM machine)

Remember to always print or ask for your comprobante   (receipt, slip) when using an ATM machine!

35. la avería   (the breakdown)

Avería comes from averiarse   (to break down). I hope you do not have problems with your car, but just in case, remember the following:

Mi coche se ha averiado . (My car has broken down.)

Necesito una grúa. (I need a tow truck.)

Disculpe, mi coche se ha averiado. ¿Puede llamar a una grúa, por favor? (Excuse me, my car has broken down. Could you please call a tow truck?)

There is no difference in Spanish between these two terms. Both refer to the document you should keep with you at all times while driving!

Presentar una reclamación means “to file a complaint”—but let’s hope there is no need for this!

38. la sombrilla   (the shade, the umbrella)

Sombrilla literally means “little shadow.”

39. la escala   (the stopover)

Here is how you would use this one:

Hago escala en Buenos Aires. (I’m stopping over in Buenos Aires.)

40. el auxiliar de vuelo   (the flight attendant)

41. la tripulación   (the crew).

You can also choose the type of bed you want:

la cama individual (the single bed)

la cama de matrimonio / la cama doble   (the double/queen bed)

43. el secador de pelo   (the hairdryer)

You can ask at your hotel:

¿Hay secador de pelo en el cuarto de baño? (Is there a hairdryer in the bathroom?)

44. la atracción turística   (the tourist attraction)

45. la ciudad   (the city).

Remember that many cities do not allow cars into their historic centers. Look for any Calle Peatonal   (Pedestrian Street) sign, just in case!

These three verbs mean exactly the same, but bear in mind their construction is very different:

Voy a viajar a Madrid. (I am going to travel/go on a trip to Madrid.)

Voy a ir de viaje a Madrid. (I am going to travel/go on a trip to Madrid.)

Voy a hacer un viaje a Madrid. (I am going to travel/go on a trip to Madrid.)

48. ir de vacaciones   (to go on vacation)

49. pasar las vacaciones   (to vacation), 50. estar de vacaciones   (to be on vacation).

I know these three last verbs are pretty similar, but they are used in different contexts, just like in English:

Voy a ir de vacaciones a Perú. (I’m going to go on vacation to Peru.)

Estoy pasando las vacaciones en Perú. (I am vacationing in Peru.)

Estoy de vacaciones en Perú. (I am on vacation in Peru.)

Remember that in some places you are not allowed to use the flash ( no puedes usar el flash ).

52. montar a caballo   (to go horseback riding, to ride a horse)

You can use these two verbs interchangeably, but you had better remember that depending on the one you use, you might have to use a preposition . Besides that, the sentence construction looks a little different.

Have a look:

He hecho una reserva de hotel para dos personas. (I have made a hotel reservation for two people.)

He reservado un hotel para dos personas. (I have made a hotel reservation for two people.)

55. confirmar una reserva   (to confirm a reservation/booking)

I highly recommend ( te recomiendo encarecidamente )  that you confirm all your bookings before starting your trip.

You would not want to arrive in a foreign country and realize you have no place to sleep ( no tienes un lugar donde dormir )!

56. ir de camping   (to go camping)

Oh, look! An English word! Yes, we have more and more English words in Spanish !

However, if you want to be super Spanish when in a Spanish-speaking country, say acampar   (to go camping) instead of ir de camping .

They both mean exactly the same, but I am sure people will be quite impressed with your Spanish skills!

57. hacer las maletas   (to pack, to pack your luggage)

We “do” the suitcases in Spanish, because… why not?

58. visitar   (to visit, to tour, to see, to go, to pay a visit)

Visitar is one of those verbs which, depending on the object, will or will not need the personal a . Remember the rule: if the object is alive, you need the personal a:

Me gusta visitar museos. (I like going to museums.)

Ayer visité a mi hermana. (I visited my sister yesterday.)

59. tomar un taxi   (to take a taxi)

60. quedarse   (to stay, like at a hotel).

Watch out when using this verb, because it has different forms with very different meanings. Here you have some of them:

Quedarse (to stay at a place):

Nos quedamos en un hotel. (We stayed at a hotel.)

Quedar + noun or time (to remain, to be left):

No quedan cervezas. (There are no beers left.)

Quedan dos minutos. (There are two minutes left.)

Quedar (to arrange to meet):

Quedamos a las cinco. (We arranged to meet at five.)

Quedar bien a alguien / Quedar mal a alguien. (to look good on somebody/to look bad on somebody):

Esta camisa no me queda bien . (This shirt doesn’t look good on me.)

61. descansar   (to rest, to relax)

62. alquilar   (to rent).

More and more tourists are deciding to rent an apartment ( alquilar un apartamento )  for vacation rather than stay at a hotel.

It allows them to save money ( ahorrar dinero ) and they get much more freedom to do what they want, when they want ( hacer lo que quieran cuando quieran ) .

Note that you may also hear the verbs arrendar   or rentar  used in some Latin American countries to say “to rent.”

63. hacer un castillo de arena   (to build a sandcastle)

64. leer un libro   (to read a book).

You can use these three verbs interchangeably, but remember that pasárselo bien is a reflexive verb and has the object pronoun lo   (or la   in Latin American Spanish: pasárse la bien ).

Bear this in mind when you conjugate it:

Note that vosotros is not used in Latin American Spanish. You should use ustedes instead.

66. ir de compras   (to go shopping)

67. hacer turismo   (to sightsee).

In Spanish, we say “to make tourism,” which may sound quite weird but it is not that crazy when you think about it!

68. ver los lugares de interés   (to visit places of interest)

This verb is equivalent to visitar las atracciones turísticas   (to visit the tourist attractions).

69. dar un paseo   (to go for a walk)

70. hacer una barbacoa   (to barbecue), 71. hacer un picnic   (to have a picnic).

And while having a picnic, we say goodbye to this post.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of new words here. You don’t need to learn them all at once. Commit to learning five or ten per day and you’ll have them learned in no time! And to make sure the new words stick, try learning in context instead of simply rote learning them all.

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Talk About Travel in Spanish

¡Hola! Learn how to talk about travel ! Specifically, learn how to do the following in Spanish:

• talk about travel plans

• talk about the days of the week

Let's start off with the vocab words in these lessons!

Days of the Week in Spanish

In these lessons, you learn the seven days of the week in Spanish!

Capitalization Tip

The days of the week are not capitalized in Spanish.

Hoy es l unes. ( Today is Monday. )

Hoy es L unes.

You also learn the names of the following vehicles in these lessons!

How Do You Travel?

You can combine any vehicle with the preposition en to talk about how you travel . Take a look!

Talking about Time

These lessons also use these useful words for talking about time in Spanish.

Remember that some words that end in a are masculine , such as el día .

In this skill, you learn how to use the verbs viajar ( to travel ), llegar ( to arrive ), and salir ( to leave ) to talk about travel . Let's take a look at the conjugation of these verbs in the present !

Regular -Ar Verbs

Viajar and llegar are both regular -ar verbs in the present tense . To conjugate a regular -ar verb, remove the infinitive ending ( -ar ) and add the ending that matches the subject. You can find these endings in the table below.

Present Tense Endings for -Ar Verbs

Irregular Yo Verbs

Salir is a regular -ir verb except for the yo form, which is irregular.

Conjugation Tip

• The present yo form of salir has a g in it: sal g o

Here are some of the phrases used in these lessons!

Quiz Yourself!

Want more practice with the vocabulary you learned in these lessons? Click here!

Spanish Conversation

Let's put the grammar and vocab from above to the test in the following example of a conversation in Spanish.

Want to learn more about how to talk about travel in Spanish? Check out the following articles!

• Spanish Days of the Week

• Spanish Present Tense Forms

• Plan a Trip to a Spanish-Speaking Country

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Where to stay in Seville, Andalucia's striking capital

Stylish, good value and exuding Andalucian charm, the hotel scene in this southern Spanish city make it a winning weekend break.

Seville is one of Europe’s most handsome cities, with centuries of alternating architectural influences giving it a style all its own. Today, the Spanish city’s labyrinthine medieval barrios   (neighbourhoods)   are home to an increasing number of charming boutique hotels, which reflect Seville’s Moorish and Christian heritage alongside its artistic and musical obsessions.

1. Nobu Hotel Sevilla

Seville’s aesthetic history has been all about the blending of cultures, with Islamic and Christian influences sitting alongside contemporary architecture in the city centre. Nobu Hotel Sevilla followed in this tradition when it opened in the Spanish city in April 2023, taking on an elegant townhouse conversion and consciously blending Andalucian craftsmanship with contemporary design and the brand’s signature Japanese minimalism.

The 25 guest rooms are furnished with mid-century armchairs, mirrors and coffee tables. Sleek grey-marble bathrooms with freestanding tubs betray the Japanese influence, while period features from the building’s early-20th-century heyday are retained in parquet floors and wood-panelled walls. There are unmistakably Andalucian features, too — particularly the geometric ceramics and Moorish wall niches in communal areas.  

Naturally, the ultra-luxe hotel is also home to a Nobu restaurant, with the same fusion of Japanese and Andalucian influences. The signature dish is miso black cod, which diners can follow with a local dessert of churros dipped in liquid chocolate. Seville’s ancient history is represented, too: the restaurant is centred around a Roman wall, uncovered during the renovation. Nobu Sevilla’s location is also a selling point; it’s in Plaza de San Francisco, close to Seville’s famous cathedral and the bars of the 16th-century garden square, La Alameda. Then there’s the hotel’s rooftop garden; it’s an unbeatable place to relax, feet in the pool, glass in hand. From €285 (£244).

2. Hotel Amadeus

Inspired by Seville’s rich classical music heritage, this boutique hotel is housed in a group of lovingly converted 18th-century mansions in the Barrio de Santa Cruz — a photogenic warren of cobbled medieval streets around Seville Cathedral. The decor pays homage to history with hanging lanterns and walls adorned with azulejo tiles. Instruments such as harps and grand pianos also decorate courtyards and even some guest rooms. From €204 (£174), B & B.

3. Triana House

In the traditional riverside barrio of Triana, this beautiful hotel is set in a late-1700s residence. Opulent tilework is coupled with latticed screens evoking the Moorish windows of the Alhambra fortress in nearby Granada, while private terraces feel like the alcoves of the Plaza de España, a short walk away across the Guadalquivir River. From €179 (£153), B & B.

4. Hotel Casa de Colón

This hotel combines a homely atmosphere with a great location in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, close to the Real Alcázar palace and the Flamenco Dance Museum. The rooms in this 19th-century building have a farmhouse feel, with rustic wooden furniture, antique dressers and exposed brick walls. The owners direct guests to the best local castizos (tapas bars). From €207 (£177).

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Essential Tourism Vocabulary in Spanish: Words and Phrases To Know

With Spanish tourism vocabulary, you can greet people, ask for directions, order food at a restaurant, and navigate the bus station, airport, hotel, and more. 

Spanish tourism vocabulary helps you immeasurably while traveling in Hispanic countries. Learning Spanish is a tool that will open all kinds of doors for you. 

Your whole travel experience will be different and more meaningful if you practice and use these 100+ tourism vocabulary words and phrases in this lesson! 

Keep reading to learn Spanish travel vocabulary and discover why it’s so essential before your upcoming trip.

¡Aprendamos español! Let’s learn Spanish!

Greetings and Introductions

If you’re learning tourism vocabulary in Spanish, it makes sense to start with greetings and introductions. 

If you want to dig deeper into this section of Spanish travel vocabulary, I highly recommend this Ultimate List of Greetings and Farewells for Beginners .

Hola, ¿cómo estás? Hello, how are you?

Bien, ¿y tú? I’m fine, and you?

Bien también, gracias. I’m fine too, thank you. 

Buenos días. Good morning.

Buenas tardes. Good afternoon.

Buenas noches. Good evening.

¿Cuál es tu nombre? What is your name?

Mi nombre es ________. My name is ________ .

Mucho gusto, soy ________. Nice to meet you, I am ________ . 

Gracias por la invitación. Thank you for having me. 

Farewells and Good Wishes

Say farewell with this Spanish travel and tourism vocabulary. Most people in Spain and Latin America are open, warm, and friendly. I added some phrases at the end so you can make lasting friendships. 

Hasta luego. See you later.

Gusto en conocerlo. Nice to meet you.

Gracias por la cena; hasta pronto. Thank you for dinner; see you soon.

¡Que tengan un buen viaje! Have a good trip!

Cuídense, adiós. Take care, goodbye.

¿Te puedo agregar a Facebook? Can I add you on Facebook?

¿Me puedes dar tu número de teléfono? Can you give me your phone number?

¡Gracias por todos los consejos! Thank you for all the tips!

¡Gracias por ayudarme! Thank you for helping me!

Por favor búscame en Instagram. Please look for me on Instagram. 

Most Common Questions

This tourism vocabulary section has the most common questions and phrases tourists use when traveling abroad. Don’t worry about sounding perfect or trying to get everything right. If you’re lost or have a specific need, chances are people will try to help and understand you.

¿Me puede ayudar? Estoy perdido. Can you help me? I am lost.

¿Hablas inglés?  Do you speak English? 

¿Sabes dónde puedo encontrar un mapa? Do you know where I can find a map?

Disculpa, ¿aquí hay internet? Excuse me, is there WiFi here?

¿Dónde están los baños? Where are the restrooms?

¿Cuál es el centro de información más cercano? What is the nearest information center?

¿Me puede traducir esto por favor? Can you translate this for me please?

Transportation 

Use these tourism vocabulary words in the bus terminal, airport, or taxi. Use a cheat sheet to remember or have them on your phone in case you forget a couple of words. 

Quisiera comprar un boleto de avión por favor. I would like to buy a plane ticket please.

¿Me puede pedir un taxi? Can you call a cab for me?

Por favor vamos lo más rápido posible, tengo prisa. Let’s go as fast as we can please; I’m in a hurry.

¿En esta ciudad hay Uber? Is there Uber in this city?

¿Dónde está la central de camiones? Where is the bus station?

Estoy buscando la terminal 3. I am looking for terminal 3.

¿A qué hora sale el camión? At what time does the bus leave?

Necesito un boleto para Acapulco, por favor. I need a ticket for Acapulco, please.

¿Nos puede dar dos asientos juntos? Can you give us two seats together?

El vuelo está demorado. The flight has a delay.

¿Me puede llevar a esta dirección? Can you take me to this address?

¿Cuánto cuesta el boleto de avión? How much does a plane ticket cost?

¿Estamos cerca? Are we close?

Perdí mi avión, ¿qué puedo hacer? I lost my flight, what can I do?

Directions and Places

If you’re a little unsure of where you are going, don’t worry! Just remember this Spanish travel vocabulary and ask anyone for help. Get to specific places by asking ¿dónde está…? (“where is….”). 

The table below contains words to give directions. “Two blocks to the left” or “pass the bridge and turn right at the next corner” are examples of what people may say to you while looking for a museum or market. 

This vocabulary table contains specific places you may want to ask about. 

A Spanish travel and tourism vocabulary list wouldn’t be complete without a hotel section. Ask the front desk if you have any questions. 

Te espero en el lobby. I’ll wait for you in the lobby.

¿El desayuno está incluido? Is breakfast included?

Deme dos toallas por favor. Give me two towels please.

Te veo en la alberca. See you at the swimming pool. 

¿Me puede indicar cuáles son las atracciones turísticas más cercanas? Can you tell me which are the closest tourist attractions?

¿En qué piso está tu cuarto? What floor is your room on?

Restaurants 

This is the part where you get to show off your knowledge on Spanish travel vocabulary. You can order food for you and your friend or significant other by learning these simple phrases. Use them at an Argentinian restaurant or a Mexican meat market .

¿Cuánto cuesta el bufé? How much does the buffet cost?

Quiero la mesa del fondo.  I want the back table. 

¿Cuál es la guarnición? What is the side dish?

¿Me puede dar dos menús? Can you give me two menus?

Estamos listos para ordenar. We are ready to order.

¿Me puede traer una hamburguesa sin tomate ni cebolla? Can you bring me a hamburger with no tomato nor onion?

Queremos malteadas de chocolate y de fresa. We want chocolate and strawberry milkshakes.

¿Cuál es el platillo estrella de este restaurantes? What is the best dish at this restaurant?

¡Probemos platillos típicos! Let’s try typical dishes!

¿Me trae la cuenta? Can I get the bill?

¿Qué me recomienda? What do you recommend?

Soy alérgico al huevo y a las nueces. I’m allergic to eggs and nuts.

Yo soy vegana y ella es vegetariana.  I am vegan and she is vegetarian. 

Going Shopping 

Shopping for souvenirs or clothes is one of the best experiences you can have in Latin America. Get ready to ask for prices, store locations, and payment methods. Enjoy your time at flea markets, malls, hotel shops, tour agencies, and street stalls. 

See also: At the Bank in Spanish

¿Cuánto cuesta esta playera? How much does this t-shirt cost?

Vamos de compras. Let’s go shopping.

¿Dónde está el centro comercial más cercano? Where is the closest mall?

¿Sabes dónde puedo comprar un traje de baño? Do you know where I can buy a swimming suit?

Iré a comprar souvenirs.  I will go buy souvenirs. 

No sé si pagar con tarjeta de crédito o efectivo.  I don’t know whether to pay with a credit card or cash.

¿Tienes cambio? Do you have change?

¿Dónde puedo cambiar dólares a pesos? Where can I exchange dollars for pesos?

¿Me puede ayudar a encontrar un banco por favor? Can you help me find a bank please?

¿Estos zapatos tienen descuento? Do these shoes have a discount?

Check out: 12 Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting Mexico City

Medical Emergencies 

Just in case you have a medical emergency, here is a list of relevant Spanish travel vocabulary. Describe your symptoms and how you feel. Ask someone to get help or call an ambulance. 

Necesito un doctor. I need a doctor

Me siento mal. I feel bad. 

Me duele el pecho. I have chest pains.

Estoy mareado/a. I’m dizzy.

Tengo náuseas. I feel nauseous.

Me desmayé en la mañana. I fainted this morning.

Mis síntomas son temperatura alta, dolor de cabeza y sangrado de nariz.  My symptoms are high temperature, headache, and nose bleeds. 

¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? Where is the nearest hospital?

¡Llama una ambulancia! Call an ambulance!

¡Consigue ayuda!  Go get help!

Soy alérgica a un medicamento. I am allergic to a drug. 

¿Dónde hay una farmacia? Where’s the pharmacy?

Tengo seguro. I have insurance. 

Travel More Easily With Homeschool Spanish Academy

Here at HSA, we want to bring value to your travel experience. That’s why we offer tailored Spanish packages to fit your interests and needs. Travel easier with the help of native Spanish speakers and significantly improve your conversation skills. 

Learning Spanish gets you closer to the local people and culture. Enrich your experiences by learning Spanish. Imagine all the doors and opportunities that this tool will open for you!

Become part of our community of more than 24,000 monthly enrolled students who trust our 10+ years of expertise. See our pricing and programs and get ready to make the best memories of your life. To start practicing tourism vocabulary with our friendly, certified teachers from Guatemala, sign up for a free trial class today!

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

• How to Talk About the Temperature in Spanish: Fahrenheit, Celcius, and Descriptions
• Car Parts Spanish Vocabulary List: Learn Using Pictures
• Top 15 New Year’s Resolutions in Spanish
• Talk About Hurricanes And The Weather in Spanish
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• World Mental Health Day: A Vocabulary Guide for Mental Health Workers
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Discover the Delicious Path of Spanish Tapas

Posted: April 27, 2024 | Last updated: April 27, 2024

Embark on an epicurean voyage through the tantalizing world of tapas, where every bite is a journey of flavor and tradition. From the bustling streets of Barcelona to the sun-drenched shores of Andalusia, join us as we delve deep into the heart of Spanish cuisine and uncover the secrets behind these iconic small plates. With 30 diverse tastes to explore, prepare to immerse yourself in a culinary adventure that will ignite your senses and leave you craving more.

The Ancient Origins of Tapas: Unveiling Centuries of Culinary History

Explore the fascinating origins of tapas, tracing back to ancient Spain, where these small plates were initially used as covers to protect drinks from fruit flies. Discover how this humble tradition evolved over centuries into a beloved culinary phenomenon celebrated around the world.

The Tapas Tradition: A Cultural Celebration of Small Plates

Delve into the cultural significance of tapas in Spanish society, where sharing small plates with friends and family is more than just a meal—it’s a cherished social ritual that fosters connection, conversation, and conviviality.

The Evolution of Tapas: From Humble Beginnings to Culinary Icons

Trace the evolution of tapas from simple snacks to sophisticated culinary creations influenced by centuries of migration, trade, and cultural exchange. Witness how these humble bites have transformed into gastronomic icons celebrated on menus worldwide.

Exploring Spain’s Tapas Culture: A Journey Through Time and Tradition

Embark on a virtual journey through Spain’s diverse regions, each offering its own unique tapas culture shaped by local ingredients, traditions, and culinary heritage. From the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the rustic taverns of Seville, discover the rich tapestry of flavors that define Spanish cuisine.

Tavern Tales: Discovering the Soul of Spanish Tapas Bars

Step into the lively atmosphere of Spain’s traditional tapas bars, known as “bodegas” or “tascas,” where locals gather to enjoy small plates, good company, and lively conversation. Experience the authentic ambiance of these beloved institutions, where every tapa tells a story of culinary tradition and community.

Tasting Spain: A Regional Tour of Tapas Delights

Embark on a culinary tour of Spain’s diverse regions, each offering its own distinct tapas specialties influenced by local ingredients and culinary traditions. From the seafood-rich coastlines of Galicia to the hearty mountain fare of the Basque Country, explore the flavors that define each region’s culinary identity.

Andalusian Delights: Flamenco, Sherry, and Tapas Traditions

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Andalusia, where tapas are as much a part of daily life as flamenco music and sherry wine. Indulge in classic Andalusian tapas like gazpacho, fried fish, and jamón ibérico, and experience the joy of sharing small plates with friends and family.

Basque Country Bites: Pintxos, Txakoli, and Gastronomic Revelry

Discover the culinary delights of Spain’s Basque Country, renowned for its innovative pintxos (small snacks served on toothpicks), robust red wines, and lively gastronomic scene. Sample pintxos classics like gildas, txistorra, and bacalao while savoring the unique flavors of this dynamic region.

Catalonia’s Culinary Gems: From Gaudí to Gourmet Tapas Bars

Explore the culinary wonders of Catalonia, where the vibrant city of Barcelona serves as the epicenter of the region’s gastronomic creativity. From traditional Catalan classics like pa amb tomàquet and calcots to innovative tapas creations inspired by the avant-garde cuisine of Ferran Adrià, experience the eclectic flavors of this dynamic region.

Madrid’s Tapas Trail: Exploring the Heart of Spain’s Capital City

Embark on a culinary journey through the streets of Madrid, where tapas bars line every corner and the air is filled with the aroma of sizzling chorizo and patatas bravas. Sample Madrid’s iconic tapas specialties like calamari sandwiches, cocido madrileño, and tortilla española while soaking in the lively atmosphere of the Spanish capital.

Valencia’s Coastal Cuisine: Paella, Oranges, and Mediterranean Tapas

Discover the vibrant flavors of Valencia, a coastal city renowned for its rich culinary heritage and bountiful Mediterranean produce. Indulge in Valencia’s signature tapas dishes like esgarraet, fideuà, and bunyols de bacalla while sipping on refreshing horchata and soaking in the warm sea breeze of the Mediterranean coast.

Galician Gastronomy: Seafood, Santiago, and Savory Tapas Creations

Experience the culinary bounty of Galicia, a lush region in northwest Spain known for its pristine coastline, verdant landscapes, and exceptional seafood. Delight in Galicia’s tapas specialties like pulpo a la gallega, empanada gallega, and percebes while savoring the fresh flavors of the sea and the warmth of Galician hospitality.

Castilian Classics: Roast Lamb, Red Wine, and Rustic Tapas Fare

Journey to the heart of Castile, a rugged region in central Spain celebrated for its hearty cuisine, robust red wines, and timeless culinary traditions. Sample Castilian tapas classics like cochinillo asado, morcilla de Burgos, and cordero al chilindrón while immersing yourself in the rustic charm of Castilian taverns and mesones.

Asturian Delicacies: Cider, Cheese, and Hearty Mountain Tapas

Discover the gastronomic delights of Asturias, a lush region nestled between the Cantabrian Sea and the towering peaks of the Picos de Europa. Indulge in Asturian tapas specialties like fabada asturiana, cabrales cheese, and cachopo while sipping on crisp sidra and soaking in the breathtaking beauty of Asturian landscapes.

Canary Islands Cuisine: Mojo, Papas Arrugadas, and Tropical Tapas Flavors

Savor the exotic flavors of the Canary Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa known for its diverse culinary heritage and tropical produce. Enjoy Canary Islands tapas classics like papas arrugadas, mojo sauces, and almogrote while basking in the warm sunshine and vibrant culture of this island paradise.

Murcian Marvels: Moorish Influence, Lemon Grove, and Tapas Delights

Explore the culinary treasures of Murcia, a sun-drenched region in southeastern Spain where Moorish, Mediterranean, and Murcian influences converge. Indulge in Murcia’s tapas specialties like zarangollo, michirones, and pastel de carne while sipping on refreshing horchata and admiring the picturesque lemon groves that dot the Murcian countryside.

Extremaduran Eats: Iberian Ham, Conquistador’s Legacy, and Tasty Tapas Treats

Experience the culinary heritage of Extremadura, a rugged region in western Spain known for its rich history, rugged landscapes, and exceptional gastronomy. Sample Extremaduran tapas classics like jamón ibérico, migas extremeñas, and patatera while tracing the footsteps of conquistadors and explorers who shaped the region’s cultural identity.

Aragonese Appetizers: Truffles, Teruel Ham, and Mountain-Inspired Tapas

Discover the culinary delights of Aragon, a diverse region in northeastern Spain known for its rugged mountains, fertile valleys, and exceptional cuisine. Indulge in Aragonese tapas specialties like truffle-infused dishes, jamón de Teruel, and migas de pastor while savoring the breathtaking beauty of Aragon’s landscapes and the warmth of its hospitality.

Navarre’s Nosh: Pintxos, Pilgrimages, and Traditional Tapas Delights

Embark on a culinary pilgrimage through the scenic landscapes of Navarre, a region in northern Spain renowned for its fertile farmland, historic towns, and vibrant gastronomy. Sample Navarre’s tapas specialties like pintxos, txistorra, and piperrada while soaking in the rich cultural heritage and timeless traditions of this enchanting region.

La Rioja’s Culinary Treasures: Wine, Vineyards, and Tapas Revelations

Savor the flavors of La Rioja, Spain’s premier wine-producing region known for its picturesque vineyards, award-winning wines, and exceptional culinary scene. Indulge in La Rioja’s tapas specialties like patatas a la riojana, chuletillas al sarmiento, and pinchos morunos while exploring the lush landscapes and historic towns that define the region’s timeless charm.

Balearic Bliss: Island Life, Ensaimadas, and Sea-Inspired Tapas

Escape to the Balearic Islands, a sun-kissed archipelago in the western Mediterranean known for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and vibrant culinary scene. Sample Balearic tapas classics like sobrasada, ensaimadas, and seafood delights while basking in the laid-back island vibes and vibrant culture of Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.

Cantabrian Cuisine: Mountains, Caves, and Coastal Tapas Creations

Experience the culinary treasures of Cantabria, a rugged region in northern Spain known for its lush landscapes, rugged mountains, and rich maritime heritage. Indulge in Cantabrian tapas specialties like anchovies, sobaos pasiegos, and cocido montañés while exploring the stunning natural beauty and historic landmarks that define the region’s unique identity.

Andorran Adventure: Mountain Majesty, Skiing, and Savory Tapas Surprises

Discover the hidden gem of Andorra, a tiny principality nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees known for its breathtaking mountain scenery, world-class skiing, and vibrant culinary scene. Sample Andorran tapas specialties like trinxat, truita de riu, and escudella while soaking in the pristine alpine landscapes and warm hospitality of this charming mountain paradise.

Melilla’s Mediterranean Magic: Gateway to Africa, Moorish Influence, and Tapas Fusion

Experience the cultural fusion of Melilla, a Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa known for its rich history, diverse population, and vibrant culinary scene. Indulge in Melilla’s tapas specialties like pastela moruna, cazuela de fideos, and tarta de queso while exploring the city’s historic landmarks, bustling markets, and vibrant Moorish heritage.

Ceuta’s Culinary Crossroads: Spanish-Moroccan Fusion, Markets, and Tapas Exploration

Explore the culinary crossroads of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa known for its rich cultural heritage, bustling markets, and vibrant fusion cuisine. Sample Ceuta’s tapas specialties like pastel moruno, chirlas a la marinera, and maamoul while immersing yourself in the vibrant flavors and aromas of Spanish-Moroccan fusion.

Catalonian Innovation: Modernist Cuisine, Ferran Adrià, and Creative Tapas Concepts

Discover the culinary innovation of Catalonia, a dynamic region in northeastern Spain known for its avant-garde cuisine, innovative chefs, and creative tapas concepts. Indulge in Catalonian tapas specialties inspired by the cutting-edge techniques of Ferran Adrià and other culinary visionaries while experiencing the vibrant energy and creativity of Barcelona’s food scene.

Basque Culinary Revolution: New Age Pintxos, Arzak, and Avant-Garde Tapas

Experience the culinary revolution of the Basque Country, a dynamic region in northern Spain known for its innovative cuisine, Michelin-starred restaurants, and legendary pintxos bars. Sample Basque tapas specialties like molecular gastronomy creations, new age pintxos, and avant-garde interpretations of traditional Basque flavors while savoring the spirit of culinary innovation that defines the region’s gastronomic identity.

Valencia’s Gastronomic Renaissance: El Bulli, Paco Torreblanca, and Innovative Tapas

Explore the gastronomic renaissance of Valencia, a vibrant city on the eastern coast of Spain known for its innovative chefs, world-class pastry shops, and dynamic culinary scene. Indulge in Valencian tapas specialties like modernist creations, avant-garde desserts, and innovative interpretations of traditional Mediterranean flavors while experiencing the cutting-edge creativity and culinary excellence that define Valencia’s gastronomic identity.

Spanish Tapas Abroad: Global Influence, Fusion Flavors, and International Tapas Trends

Discover the global influence of Spanish tapas, which have transcended borders and become a beloved culinary phenomenon celebrated in cities around the world. Sample international tapas specialties inspired by Spanish flavors, fusion cuisine, and global culinary trends while experiencing the vibrant diversity and creativity of tapas culture beyond Spain’s shores.

The Future of Tapas: Sustainability, Innovation, and Culinary Evolution

Peer into the future of tapas, where sustainability, innovation, and culinary evolution are shaping the next chapter of this beloved culinary tradition. Explore emerging trends like plant-based tapas, zero-waste cooking, and virtual dining experiences while envisioning the future of tapas as a global culinary phenomenon that celebrates tradition, creativity, and connection.

The Tale of a Culinary Heritage

As our gastronomic expedition draws to a close, we invite you to savor the memories of your tapas adventure and carry the spirit of Spain with you wherever you go. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, each bite tells a story of culinary heritage and cultural richness. So raise a glass, share a plate, and toast to the timeless allure of tapas. ¡Buen provecho!

The post Discover the Delicious Path of Spanish Tapas first appeared on Hello Positive Mindset .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Carlo Prearo.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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