Travel is one of the big reasons why people learn new languages. Getting around somewhere new can be hard if you don't speak the local language. So, if you're planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country, pay close attention to the following words and phrases.
Means of Transport
Depending on where you're going, you might need to use one of the following means of transport:
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El avión |
Airplane |
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El coche |
Car (also called carro or auto in some countries) |
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La bicicleta |
Bicycle |
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La motocicleta |
Motorcycle |
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El tren |
Train |
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El metro/subte |
Subway |
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El autobús |
Bus |
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El barco |
Ship |
Of course, just knowing the names for these forms of transportation will not be enough to find your way around a new place. Let's take a closer look at these means of transportion.
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At the Airport
If you're travelling to a foreign country, there is a good chance you will be going through an airport at some point, so let's go over some useful vocabulary for this situation.
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Arribos/Llegadas |
Arrivals |
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Salidas/Partidas |
Departures |
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La terminal |
Terminal |
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La aduana |
Customs |
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La pista |
Runway |
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La escala |
Layover |
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El pasaporte |
Passport |
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El vuelo |
Flight |
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El equipaje |
Luggage |
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El pasaje/boleto |
Ticket |
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Despegar |
To take off |
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Aterrizar |
To land |
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¿Dónde está... (la terminal sur/la aduana)? |
Where is... (the south terminal/customs)? |
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¿A qué hora sale/llega el vuelo 222? |
At what time does flight 222 leave/arrive? |
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Perdí mi equipaje. |
I lost my luggage. |
Public Transportion
Once you arrive at your destination, you will probably rely on public transportation to get to where you want to go. To do that, you will need some more basic vocabulary.
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Transportation Vocabulary
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La parada |
Stop |
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El conductor |
Driver |
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El destino |
Destination |
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El horario |
Time/Timetable |
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El transbordo |
Transfer |
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Pagar el boleto |
Pay for the ticket |
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Tomar el autobus/tren |
Catch the bus/train |
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Subir al autobus/tren |
Get on the bus/train |
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Bajar del autobus/tren |
Get off the bus/train |
Useful phrases
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¿Cómo puedo ir a...? |
How can I get to...? |
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¿De dónde sale el autobús/tren para (Madrid)? |
Where does the bus/train to (Madrid) leave from? |
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¿A qué hora sale el próximo autobús/tren para (Barcelona)? |
At what time does the next bus/train to (Barcelona) leave? |
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¿Este autobús para en (Córdoba)? |
Does this bus stop in (Córdoba)? |
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Un boleto, por favor. |
One ticket, please. |
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Me bajo en la próxima parada. |
I get off at the next stop. |
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¿Me puede llamar un taxi? |
Can you call a taxi for me? |
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¿Este taxi está libre? |
Is this taxi free (available)? |
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Quiero ir a... |
I want to go to... |
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Pare aquí, por favor. |
Stop here, please. |
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Espere aquí, por favor. |
Wait here, please. |
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Some Final Thoughts
To make the most out of this vocabulary, you might want to review how to tell the time in Spanish, as well as brushing up on Spanish numbers.
Keep in mind that transportation can vary a lot from one country to another and, with it, some vocabulary might also change. A good example is the word "bus". Although autobus will be understood by most Spanish speakers, locals might have other names for this form of transportation, like camión in Mexico, colectivo in Argentina, and guagua in some Central American countries.
Study the vocabulary in this article, but make sure you also chat with locals so you can get to know the characteristic language quirks and customs of the city you are visiting.