120 Travel Expressions in English for Everyday Conversations

Traveling to a new place can be exciting, but it also comes with challenges—especially when it comes to communication. Whether you’re making travel plans, booking a hotel, ordering food, asking for directions, or dealing with an emergency, knowing the right travel expressions can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Travel expressions are everyday expressions that help you navigate different situations while traveling. They’re essential for asking questions, making requests, and interacting with locals, ensuring you can express yourself clearly and confidently.

There are many types of travel expressions, covering everything from transportation and shopping to sightseeing and emergencies. By learning them, you’ll feel more prepared and comfortable in different travel scenarios.

For example, asking “How much does this cost?” helps you shop with ease, while “Where is the nearest bus stop?” ensures you can get around without confusion. Expressions like “Can you recommend a good restaurant?” or “Is it safe to walk here at night?” also help you make informed decisions during your trip.

In this post, I’ve compiled 120 essential travel expressions to help you communicate effectively in any travel situation.

If you’re an ESL teacher, you can use this list to create engaging classroom activities, such as roleplays and interactive exercises. If you’re an ESL student, practicing these expressions will help you feel more confident in using travel vocabulary and prepared for real-world travel conversations.

Let’s get started!

Basic Travel Greetings & Politeness

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“Hello!”	A general greeting for any situation.	“Hello! How are you today?”
“Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening.”	When greeting people at different times of the day.	“Good morning! Did you sleep well?”
“How are you?”	To check in with someone or start a conversation.	“Hi! How are you? It’s good to see you.”
“Nice to meet you.”	When meeting someone for the first time.	“Nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you!”
“Excuse me.”	To get someone’s attention or interrupt politely.	“Excuse me, could you tell me where the station is?”
“Please.”	To make requests more polite.	“Could you please pass me the salt?”
“Thank you / Thanks a lot!”	To show appreciation for something.	“Thank you for your help!”
“You’re welcome.”	To respond politely when someone thanks you.	“You’re welcome! It was my pleasure.”
“I’m sorry.”	To apologize for mistakes or inconveniences.	“I’m sorry for being late, there was traffic.”
“Can you help me, please?”	When asking for assistance politely.	“Can you help me, please? I’m lost.”

Asking for Directions While Traveling

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“Excuse me, can you help me?”	A polite way to ask for assistance.	“Excuse me, can you help me? I’m lost.”
“How do I get to [place]?”	When asking for directions to a specific location.	“How do I get to the airport from here?”
“Where is the nearest [bank/hotel/restaurant]?”	To find important places nearby.	“Where is the nearest hotel? I need a place to stay.”
“Is it far from here?”	To check the distance to a location.	“Is it far from here to the museum?”
“Can you show me on the map?”	If you have a map and need directions.	“Can you show me on the map where the train station is?”
“Which way should I go?”	A general way to ask for guidance.	“Which way should I go to reach the city center?”
“Is it on the left or right?”	To clarify directions when unsure.	“Is the park on the left or right side of the street?”
“How long does it take to walk there?”	To ask about the walking time to a destination.	“How long does it take to walk to the restaurant?”
“Can I take a bus or train to get there?”	When asking about available transportation options.	“Can I take a bus to get to the museum?”
“Thank you for your help!”	A polite way to show appreciation after receiving directions.	“Thank you for your help! I appreciate it.”

At the Airport & During Travel

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“Where is the check-in counter?”	Used to find where to check in for a flight.	“Where is the check-in counter for my flight to Paris?”
“Can I see your passport and ticket?”	A common question from airport staff.	“Can I see your passport and ticket, please?”
“I have a connecting flight to [destination].”	When you have another flight to catch.	“I have a connecting flight to London. Where should I go?”
“What time does my flight depart?”	To confirm the departure time of your flight.	“What time does my flight to New York depart?”
“Where is the security check?”	To locate the security screening at the airport.	“Where is the security check? I’m in a hurry.”
“Is my flight on time or delayed?”	To check for any flight delays.	“Is my flight to Tokyo on time or delayed?”
“Where is the baggage claim area?”	To find where to collect your luggage.	“Where is the baggage claim area for international flights?”
“Do I need to fill out an immigration form?”	For international travel when immigration forms are required.	“Do I need to fill out an immigration form for this flight?”
“Where can I find a taxi or shuttle?”	To find transport after landing.	“Where can I find a taxi or shuttle to the city center?”
“Excuse me, where is gate [number]?”	To find your departure gate.	“Excuse me, where is gate 32 for my flight?”

Checking into a Hotel While Traveling

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“I have a reservation under the name [your name].”	Used when confirming your booking.	“I have a reservation under the name John Smith.”
“Do you have any rooms available?”	Asked when booking a room without a reservation.	“Do you have any rooms available for tonight?”
“What time is check-in/check-out?”	To know when you can enter or leave your room.	“What time is check-in? I will be arriving at noon.”
“Can I see the room before I book?”	Used when wanting to check the room before booking.	“Can I see the room before I book?”
“Does the room come with free Wi-Fi?”	To check for internet availability.	“Does the room come with free Wi-Fi? I need to work.”
“Is breakfast included?”	To confirm if breakfast is part of the booking.	“Is breakfast included in the room price?”
“Can I get a wake-up call at [time]?”	A request for a phone call to wake you up.	“Can I get a wake-up call at 7 AM?”
“Can I have an extra towel/pillow?”	Asked when you need more room amenities.	“Can I have an extra pillow, please?”
“Where is the nearest restaurant?”	Useful for finding dining options nearby.	“Where is the nearest restaurant? I’m getting hungry!”
“Can I store my luggage here after check-out?”	Asked when you need to leave luggage at the hotel after check-out.	“Can I store my luggage here after check-out? My flight is in the evening.”

Ordering Food & Drinks When Traveling

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“Can I see the menu, please?”	Asked before ordering food.	“Can I see the menu, please? I’m ready to order.”
“What do you recommend?”	Used to ask for popular or special dishes.	“What do you recommend? I’m not sure what to choose.”
“I’d like to order [dish/drink], please.”	A polite way to order food.	“I’d like to order the chicken curry, please.”
“Does this dish contain [ingredient]?”	Helps check for allergies or preferences.	“Does this dish contain peanuts? I have an allergy.”
“Can I have it without [ingredient]?”	Used to request changes to a dish.	“Can I have it without onions, please?”
“Is this spicy?”	Helps know if the food is too hot for your taste.	“Is this curry spicy? I can’t handle too much spice.”
“Can I get a glass of water, please?”	A polite way to ask for water.	“Can I get a glass of water, please? It’s very hot outside.”
“Can I have the bill/check, please?”	Asked when you’re ready to pay.	“Can I have the bill, please? I’m done eating.”
“Do you accept credit cards?”	Helps check available payment options.	“Do you accept credit cards or only cash?”
“That was delicious! Thank you!”	A nice way to show appreciation after eating.	“That was delicious! Thank you for the wonderful meal.”

Shopping & Bargaining on a Trip

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“How much does this cost?”	Asked to check the price of an item.	“How much does this cost? I want to know the price.”
“Do you have this in a different size/color?”	Used when looking for variations of an item.	“Do you have this in a larger size? This one is too small.”
“Can I try this on?”	Asked before trying clothes or accessories.	“Can I try this on before I buy it?”
“Do you accept credit cards?”	Helps check payment options.	“Do you accept credit cards, or is it cash only?”
“Can I get a discount?”	Used when bargaining for a lower price.	“Can I get a discount if I buy two?”
“That’s too expensive. Can you lower the price?”	A polite way to negotiate.	“That’s too expensive. Can you lower the price a little?”
“What’s your best price?”	Helps find the lowest price the seller can offer.	“What’s your best price for this souvenir?”
“Can I get a tax refund on this?”	Useful for duty-free shopping.	“Can I get a tax refund on this purchase at the airport?”
“I’ll take it!”	Used when deciding to buy something.	“I’ll take it! It’s perfect.”
“Can I get a receipt, please?”	Asked after purchasing an item.	“Can I get a receipt, please? I need it for my records.”

Using Transportation While Traveling

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“How much is a ticket to [destination]?”	Asked when purchasing tickets for transportation.	“How much is a ticket to Paris?”
“What time does the [bus/train/subway] leave?”	Used to check the departure time.	“What time does the next train leave for Rome?”
“Is this the right bus/train to [destination]?”	To confirm you’re on the right transport.	“Is this the right bus to Central Station?”
“Do I need to buy a return ticket?”	To check if you need a ticket for the return trip.	“Do I need to buy a return ticket for this journey?”
“Where can I buy a ticket?”	Asked when you need to purchase a transport ticket.	“Where can I buy a ticket for the subway?”
“How long does it take to get to [place]?”	Used to inquire about travel time.	“How long does it take to get to the airport from here?”
“Can I get a taxi to [destination]?”	Asked when needing a taxi.	“Can I get a taxi to the Grand Hotel?”
“Is this seat taken?”	Used to check if a seat is available on public transport.	“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
“Can I have a one-way ticket to [destination], please?”	When you’re only traveling one way.	“Can I have a one-way ticket to Madrid, please?”
“Where do I get off for [place]?”	To confirm the stop or station for your destination.	“Where do I get off for the National Museum?”

Handling Emergencies During Travel

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“I need help!”	A simple and urgent way to ask for assistance.	“I need help! Can someone assist me?”
“I’ve lost my passport/wallet.”	Used when you lose important travel documents.	“I’ve lost my passport. What should I do?”
“Where is the nearest hospital?”	To find a hospital in case of an emergency.	“Where is the nearest hospital? I need medical help.”
“I need a doctor.”	Used when medical attention is required.	“I need a doctor. I’m not feeling well.”
“Can you call the police?”	When you need the authorities to be contacted.	“Can you call the police? My bag was stolen.”
“I’ve been robbed.”	Used to report theft or loss of valuables.	“I’ve been robbed. I need to report it.”
“I need to report an accident.”	When involved in or witnessing an accident.	“I need to report an accident on Main Street.”
“Where is the nearest embassy?”	Used when you need consular assistance.	“Where is the nearest embassy? I need assistance.”
“My luggage has been lost.”	To report lost baggage at the airport or hotel.	“My luggage has been lost. Who should I talk to?”
“Is there a pharmacy nearby?”	Asked when you need to buy medicine or medical supplies.	“Is there a pharmacy nearby? I need some medicine.”

Booking & Reservations for Travel

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“I would like to make a reservation for [date] please.”	Used when booking a hotel, restaurant, or tour.	“I would like to make a reservation for June 10, please.”
“Do you have any rooms available for [date]?”	Asked when checking availability at a hotel.	“Do you have any rooms available for this Friday?”
“Can I book a table for [number] people?”	Used when reserving a restaurant table.	“Can I book a table for four people at 7 PM?”
“How much is a one-night stay?”	To inquire about the price for a hotel stay.	“How much is a one-night stay in a standard room?”
“Is breakfast included in the price?”	Used when booking accommodation to check if meals are included.	“Is breakfast included in the room price?”
“Can I change my reservation?”	Asked when you need to modify your booking.	“Can I change my reservation to a later date?”
“I need to cancel my reservation.”	Used when you need to cancel a previous booking.	“I need to cancel my reservation for July 5th.”
“Can you confirm my booking?”	Used to ask for confirmation after making a reservation.	“Can you confirm my booking for next weekend?”
“Are there any discounts available?”	Asked when looking for better rates or special offers.	“Are there any discounts available for long stays?”
“What is your cancellation policy?”	Helps you understand the rules for changing or canceling bookings.	“What is your cancellation policy if I need to reschedule?”

Visiting Tourist Places While Traveling

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“How much is the entrance fee?”	Asked to inquire about the cost of entry to a tourist attraction.	“How much is the entrance fee for the museum?”
“What time does the tour start?”	Used to confirm the starting time for a guided tour.	“What time does the castle tour start?”
“Is there a guided tour available?”	To check if a tour guide is provided at the location.	“Is there a guided tour available for the palace?”
“Can I take pictures here?”	Used to ask if photography is allowed at the site.	“Can I take pictures inside the gallery?”
“Where is the nearest restroom?”	Helps locate facilities in tourist areas.	“Where is the nearest restroom in the park?”
“Are there any special exhibits today?”	Used to ask about any temporary or special displays at museums or attractions.	“Are there any special exhibits at the museum today?”
“How long does the tour last?”	Inquires about the duration of a guided tour.	“How long does the walking tour last?”
“What is the best time to visit [place]?”	To get advice on the least crowded or most pleasant times.	“What is the best time to visit the Grand Canyon?”
“Can you recommend any other places to visit nearby?”	To ask for suggestions for more attractions in the area.	“Can you recommend any other places to visit near here?”
“Where is the information desk?”	Helps find the place where you can get more information or maps.	“Where is the information desk in this museum?”

Talking to Locals on a Trip

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“Hello, how are you?”	A simple and friendly greeting.	“Hello, how are you today?”
“Can you help me, please?”	Used when you need assistance.	“Can you help me, please? I can’t find my hotel.”
“I’m lost. Can you show me the way?”	When you need directions.	“I’m lost. Can you show me the way to the train station?”
“What is the best way to get to [destination]?”	To ask for the most efficient route.	“What is the best way to get to the airport?”
“Do you speak English?”	A helpful question to check if communication in English is possible.	“Excuse me, do you speak English?”
“How far is [place] from here?”	Used to ask about the distance to a location.	“How far is the shopping mall from here?”
“What time does [place/attraction] close?”	To know the closing hours of a location.	“What time does the museum close?”
“Can I get a local SIM card here?”	Asked when looking to get a local phone number or data plan.	“Can I get a local SIM card here for internet?”
“What’s your favorite place to visit in this area?”	To learn about hidden gems and recommendations from locals.	“What’s your favorite place to visit in this area?”
“Is it safe to walk around here at night?”	Used to ask about safety in the area.	“Is it safe to walk around here at night alone?”

Discussing Weather While Traveling

Expression	When to Use	Example Sentence
“What’s the weather like today?”	A basic way to ask about the weather conditions.	“What’s the weather like today? Should I bring an umbrella?”
“Is it going to rain today?”	Used to check if rain is expected.	“Is it going to rain today? I need to plan my trip.”
“It looks like it’s going to be sunny.”	To comment on sunny weather.	“It looks like it’s going to be sunny. Perfect for a picnic!”
“It’s really hot today!”	A way to express that the temperature is high.	“It’s really hot today! I need a cold drink.”
“How cold is it going to get tonight?”	To inquire about the evening temperature.	“How cold is it going to get tonight? Should I wear a jacket?”
“Is there a chance of snow?”	Used in colder destinations to ask about snow.	“Is there a chance of snow this weekend?”
“It’s pretty windy today.”	To describe windy weather.	“It’s pretty windy today. Hold onto your hat!”
“I hope the weather stays nice for tomorrow.”	To express hope for good weather.	“I hope the weather stays nice for tomorrow’s hike.”
“I didn’t expect this much rain!”	When surprised by rainy weather.	“I didn’t expect this much rain! I should’ve brought an umbrella.”
“Is it usual to have this kind of weather here?”	To ask about typical weather patterns.	“Is it usual to have this kind of weather here in winter?”

Travel Activities for ESL Classes

Here are five simple and fun travel activities for your ESL class. These activities make learning fun while preparing students for real-life travel situations!

1. Role-Playing at the Airport

Students take turns acting as travelers and airport staff. They practice common airport conversations like checking in, going through security, and asking for flight information.

2. Booking a Hotel

Students work in pairs, with one playing the hotel receptionist and the other a guest. They practice making reservations, asking about prices, and requesting services.

3. Asking for Directions

Students imagine they are in a new city. One student asks for directions, and the other gives them using a map or simple gestures. This helps practice prepositions and travel vocabulary.

4. Ordering at a Restaurant

Students act as customers and waiters in a restaurant. They practice ordering food, asking about ingredients, and requesting the bill.

5. Packing a Suitcase

Give students a list of travel items and a destination. They discuss and choose what to pack, practicing vocabulary related to clothes, weather, and travel essentials.

Conclusion

Learning these travel expressions will help you feel more confident and prepared during your trips. Whether you need to ask for directions, book a hotel, or handle an emergency, these phrases will make communication easier.

If you’re an ESL teacher, you can use these expressions in classroom activities like roleplays and conversations. If you’re a student, practicing them will help you speak naturally while traveling.

The more you use these expressions, the easier it will be to communicate in different situations. Keep practicing, and enjoy your travels!

FAQs about Travel Expressions

1. What are travel expressions?
Travel expressions are common phrases used in everyday conversations while traveling. They help you communicate effectively in various situations, such as asking for directions, booking accommodations, or ordering food.

2. Why should I learn travel expressions?
Learning travel expressions will help you feel more comfortable and confident when traveling. They make it easier to navigate different situations and interact with locals.

3. Can I use these expressions in any country?
These expressions are general and can be used in many countries, though some phrases may vary depending on the local language and culture. It’s always good to learn a few basic phrases in the local language too.

4. How can I practice these travel expressions?
You can practice these expressions by using them in roleplay activities, conversations with friends, or during trips. You can also repeat them out loud to improve pronunciation.

5. Are these travel expressions useful for both beginners and advanced learners?
Yes! These expressions are useful for travelers of all levels, from beginners to advanced learners. They help you communicate in real-world situations, no matter your language proficiency.

6. Can I use these expressions when traveling alone?
Absolutely! These phrases are designed to help you navigate different situations while traveling alone, such as asking for directions or getting help from others.

7. How do I know when to use a specific expression?
Each expression is meant for a particular situation. For example, “Can you help me, please?” is useful when you need assistance, while “What time does the train leave?” is for checking transport schedules.

8. Are these expressions helpful for booking hotels and restaurants?
Yes, many of these expressions focus on booking hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related services. They help you make reservations, ask about availability, and clarify details.

9. How can I make these expressions sound more natural?
Practice makes perfect! The more you use these expressions in conversation, the more natural they will sound. Listening to native speakers and mimicking their tone and rhythm will also help.

10. Can I use these expressions in both casual and formal situations?
Yes, most of the expressions are neutral and can be used in both casual and formal situations. However, it’s always important to adjust your tone based on the context.