30 Travel Role-play Scenarios for Travel Conversations

Travel role-play scenarios are a fun and effective way to help ESL students practice real-life conversations. As a teacher, you know that traveling brings unexpected challenges—lost bags, missed flights, or asking for directions. These role-plays prepare students to handle such situations confidently in English.

By acting out role-play scenarios, students improve their speaking, listening, and problem-solving skills. They learn how to ask for help, explain problems, and respond naturally with travel expressions. This makes them more confident when traveling to an English-speaking country.

Each role-play has two roles: one person facing a travel problem and another helping. Students can practice in pairs, switch roles, and use key phrases. Encourage natural conversation to make learning more engaging.

Try these 30 travel role-play scenarios in your class! They are simple, practical, and perfect for beginners. Pick a situation, set the scene, and let your students learn while having fun!

1. Lost Bag at the Airport

Person A
You just arrived at the airport, but your bag is missing. Go to the airport staff and explain the problem. Describe your bag and ask what you should do next.

Person B
You work at the airport’s lost baggage desk. Listen to the traveler’s problem, ask for details about the bag, and explain how they can report the lost luggage and what happens next.

2. Missed Flight Connection

Person A
Your flight was delayed, and now you missed your connecting flight. Go to the airline desk and ask for help. Explain your situation and ask if they can put you on another flight.

Person B
You work at the airline help desk. Listen to the traveler’s problem, check for available flights, and explain their options.

3. No Room at the Hotel You Booked

Person A
You arrive at the hotel, but they say they have no room for you. Show your booking confirmation and ask why. Try to find a solution, like getting another room or a refund.

Person B
You work at the hotel reception. Apologize and explain why the booking is not available. Offer a solution, like a different room, a discount, or suggesting another hotel.

4. Lost in a New City Without a Map

Person A
You are lost in a city you don’t know, and you don’t have GPS or a map. Ask a local for help. Explain where you want to go and ask for clear directions.

Person B
You are a local who knows the city well. Try to give clear directions, using simple landmarks. If necessary, suggest another way to help (like using a taxi or bus).

5. Wallet or Phone Stolen While Traveling

Person A
Your wallet or phone was stolen while traveling. Go to a police officer or hotel staff and explain what happened. Ask what you should do next.

Person B
You are a police officer or hotel staff. Listen to the traveler’s problem, ask for details about where and when it happened, and explain what they should do next (like reporting to the police or canceling their cards).

6. Ordering Food but Not Understanding the Menu

Person A
You are at a restaurant in a foreign country, but you don’t understand the menu. Ask the waiter for help. Ask about ingredients, popular dishes, or special recommendations.

Person B
You are a waiter at the restaurant. Help the traveler by explaining the menu. Recommend a dish and describe what’s in it.

7. Asking for Directions but Still Getting Lost

Person A
You asked someone for directions earlier, but you are still lost. Ask another person for help. Explain where you are trying to go and what directions you already got.

Person B
You are a friendly local. Listen to the traveler’s problem and give clear, simple directions. You can also suggest using a map or taking a taxi.

8. Flight Canceled, Need a New Ticket

Person A
Your flight was canceled, and you need a new ticket. Go to the airline desk and ask for help. Explain your situation and ask about available flights.

Person B
You work at the airline help desk. Apologize for the flight cancellation and check for new flights. Explain the options and what the traveler needs to do next.

9. Bargaining at a Local Market

Person A
You are shopping at a local market and want to buy something, but the price is too high. Try to negotiate for a lower price.

Person B
You are a shopkeeper at the market. You want to sell the item but also make a good profit. Decide how much discount you can offer while making a fair deal.

10. Rental Car Breaks Down

Person A
Your rental car has broken down in the middle of a trip. Call the rental company and explain the problem. Ask for help and what to do next.

Person B
You work for the rental car company. Listen to the traveler’s problem and ask for details (location, what happened). Explain how you can help, such as sending a mechanic or giving them another car.

11. Feeling Sick in a Foreign Country

Person A
You are feeling very sick while traveling. Go to a pharmacy or a doctor and explain your symptoms. Ask what medicine you should take or what you should do.

Person B
You are a pharmacist or doctor. Listen to the traveler’s symptoms and suggest medicine or treatment. If needed, tell them to see a doctor at a hospital.

12. Tour is Full, but You Already Paid

Person A
You booked and paid for a tour, but when you arrive, they say it is full. Talk to the tour company staff and ask for a solution, such as joining another tour or getting a refund.

Person B
You work for the tour company. Apologize for the mistake and offer solutions, such as a refund, a different tour, or another available time.

13. Lost Passport, Need a New One

Person A
Your passport is lost or stolen. Go to your country’s embassy and explain the situation. Ask what you need to do to get a new one.

Person B
You work at the embassy. Ask for details about how the passport was lost and explain the steps to get a new one, such as filling out forms and showing identification.

14. Taxi Driver Takes the Wrong Way

Person A
You are in a taxi, but the driver is going the wrong way. Tell them politely and ask them to go the right way. If needed, ask them to stop.

Person B
You are the taxi driver. Maybe you made a mistake, or maybe you are trying to take a longer route. Listen to the traveler and respond to their concern.

15. Wrong Hotel Booking (Wrong Date or Room)

Person A
You arrive at a hotel and find that your booking is wrong. Maybe it’s the wrong date, or the wrong type of room. Talk to the receptionist and try to solve the problem.

Person B
You are the hotel receptionist. Check the booking and explain what happened. Try to offer a solution, like a different room or changing the date.

16. Tricked by a Fake Tour Guide

Person A
You paid a person who said they were a tour guide, but now you realize they were fake. Go to the tourist office or police and explain the situation. Ask what you can do.

Person B
You work at the tourist office or police station. Listen to the traveler’s problem and explain what steps they can take, like reporting the scam or being more careful next time.

17. Overcharged at a Restaurant

Person A
You got your restaurant bill, but the price is too high. Maybe they charged for something extra. Politely ask the waiter to check the bill.

Person B
You are the waiter. Listen to the traveler’s complaint, check the bill, and explain the charges. If there was a mistake, offer to correct it.

18. Confused by Bus or Train System

Person A
You are at a bus or train station, but you don’t understand how to buy a ticket or which one to take. Ask a local for help.

Person B
You are a local who knows the transport system. Listen to the traveler’s question and explain how to buy a ticket and which bus or train they need.

19. Stuck at the Airport Overnight

Person A
Your flight was delayed or canceled, and you have to stay at the airport overnight. Ask airport staff where you can rest or what you can do.

Person B
You work at the airport. Explain where the traveler can stay, if they can get a hotel, or if they should wait in a lounge.

20. Asking for Help at a Tourist Center

Person A
You are in a new city and need information about places to visit, transport, or something else. Ask for help at the tourist center.

Person B
You work at the tourist center. Listen to the traveler’s question and give clear and helpful advice.

21. Problems Exchanging Money

Person A
You are trying to exchange money, but there is a problem. Maybe the exchange rate is different from what you expected, or they won’t accept your currency. Ask the staff for help.

Person B
You work at the money exchange counter. Explain the exchange rate and any rules about changing money.

22. Trouble at Immigration (Can’t Enter the Country)

Person A
At the airport, the immigration officer says you cannot enter the country because of a visa problem or missing documents. Ask if there is a solution.

Person B
You are the immigration officer. Explain why the traveler cannot enter and what they need to do, such as getting a visa or showing another document.

23. Lost Travel Partner in a Busy Place

Person A
You lost your friend in a crowded area. Ask someone for help or try to contact your friend.

Person B
You are a local or a police officer. Try to help the traveler by giving advice on what they can do to find their friend.

24. Emergency! Need a Doctor in a New Country

Person A
You have a serious health problem and need a doctor quickly. Go to a hotel worker or local person and ask for help.

Person B
You are a hotel worker or local. Listen to the traveler’s problem and tell them where to find a doctor or hospital.

25. Accidentally Offending Someone from Another Culture

Person A
You said or did something that offended a local person, but you didn’t mean to. Apologize and ask what you did wrong.

Person B
You are the local person. Explain politely why the action was offensive and how they can avoid it in the future.

26. Missed the Last Bus or Train

Person A
You missed the last bus or train and don’t know how to get back to your hotel. Ask someone for advice.

Person B
You are a local. Suggest other ways for the traveler to get home, like a taxi, walking, or waiting for the next bus.

27. Arrived Late, Hotel Gave Your Room Away

Person A
You arrive at your hotel very late, and they gave your room to someone else. Talk to the receptionist and ask what can be done.

Person B
You are the hotel receptionist. Apologize and offer a solution, like another room or a different hotel.

28. Suitcase Broken After the Flight

Person A
When you pick up your suitcase at the airport, it is broken. Go to the airline desk and explain what happened.

Person B
You work at the airline’s lost and damaged luggage desk. Explain what the traveler can do, like making a complaint or getting compensation.

29. Tourist Place Closed When You Arrive

Person A
You traveled far to visit a famous place, but when you arrive, it is closed. Ask a local for other things to do nearby.

Person B
You are a local person. Suggest other interesting places the traveler can visit instead.

30. Loud or Uncomfortable Hotel Room

Person A
Your hotel room is very noisy or uncomfortable. Go to the reception and ask for a different room.

Person B
You are the hotel receptionist. Listen to the traveler’s complaint and try to offer a solution, like a quieter room or a discount.

Conclusion

Travel role-play scenarios are a great way to make ESL learning practical and fun. They help students gain confidence in real-world situations, from ordering food to handling travel emergencies. With these activities, learners improve their speaking skills while preparing for real travel experiences.

Encouraging students to act out these situations makes lessons more engaging and memorable. They learn useful phrases, practice problem-solving, and feel more comfortable using English in unfamiliar places.

Try these role-plays in your class and see the difference! Your students will not only improve their English but also feel ready to travel with confidence.

FAQs About Travel Role-Play Scenarios for ESL Beginners

1. What are travel role-play scenarios?
Travel role-play scenarios are practice activities where students act out real-life travel situations, such as asking for directions or handling a lost passport.

2. How do these role-plays help ESL students?
They improve speaking, listening, and problem-solving skills while boosting confidence in real-world travel situations.

3. Are these role-plays suitable for beginners?
Yes! The scenarios use simple language and common travel situations, making them perfect for beginners.

4. How can I set up a role-play in class?
Give students a scenario, assign roles, and let them act it out in pairs or small groups. Encourage natural conversation.

5. What if my students don’t know the right words?
Introduce key vocabulary before the role-play and provide sentence starters to help them feel more comfortable.

6. Can I modify the scenarios for my class?
Absolutely! You can adjust the difficulty, add new situations, or let students create their own role-plays.

7. How long should each role-play last?
About 5–10 minutes, depending on student confidence and how much they want to expand the conversation.

8. Do students need to memorize scripts?
No, role-plays should be natural. Encourage students to improvise based on the situation.

9. Can I use these role-plays for online ESL classes?
Yes! Students can act out the scenarios in breakout rooms or record their responses in a video.

10. How often should I use travel role-plays in my lessons?
Try using them regularly as warm-up activities or speaking practice to build fluency over time.