Useful Travel Phrases in Spanish

One of the main reasons that people decide to start learning Spanish is their desire to travel. Not only is Spanish the official language in 20 countries, it is also the 2nd most spoken language in the world according to Babbel Magazine. Looking at the numbers, there is no doubt that learning some key Spanish phrases could prove to be very useful on your travels.

Spanish travel phrases

General Expressions while Traveling

These everyday expressions, such as how to say hello and goodbye, thank you and introduce yourself, will be used often while traveling through a Spanish-speaking country. It’s best to have them well-practiced before you set-off.

Hola, buenos días/buenas tardes.	Hello, good morning/afternoon.
Gracias….de nada	Thank you.....you’re welcome.
Adiós	Goodbye
Hablo poco español.	I speak very little Spanish.
Me gusta….la comida.	I like….the food.
Me llamo....Sarah.	My name is...Sarah.
Soy de...los estados unidos.	I am from...the US.
Soy...maestro.	I am...a teacher.
¿Nos puede tomar una foto?	Can you take a picture of us? (formal)
Perdón, ¿dónde está el baño?	Excuse me, where is the bathroom?

For more general Spanish terms, refer to Popular Spanish Phrases.

Shopping

With endless markets full of souvenirs and handicrafts, you will most definitely want to go shopping during your travels. Learn some of these useful expressions to help move through your shopping experience with ease.

la tienda	store
ir de compras	to go shopping
comprar	to buy
el dinero	money
el recuerdo	souvenir
una tarjeta postal	postcard
la gorra	cap/hat
el sombrero	sun hat
los lentes de sol	sunglasses
la ropa	clothing
la camiseta	t-shirt
el vestido	dress
los zapatos	shoes
la crema solar	sunscreen
el flotador de piscina	pool floatie
el maquillaje	makeup
un lapicero/boligrafo	pen
el papel	paper
el collar	necklace
los aretes/pendientes	earrings
el juguete	toy
el traje de baño	swimsuit
la medicina	medicine
las pastillas	pills
¿Cuánto cuesta?	How much does it cost?
Me gustaría comprar...	I would like to buy….
¿Dónde puedo comprar…?	Where can I buy…?
¿Tiene más de estos/estas?	Do you have more of these?
¿Tiene esto/esta en talla chica/mediana/grande?	Do you have this in a size… small/medium/large?
¿Tiene esto/esta en un color diferente?	Do you have this in a different color?

Eating Out

One of the best parts about traveling through a Spanish speaking country is eating! Most menus are not translated into English so it’s important to have some basic food vocabulary under your belt so you know what you’re ordering.

Para mi…las enchiladas verdes.	For me…the green enchiladas.
carne de res	beef
el bistec	steak
el cordero	lamb
el pollo	chicken
el pescado	fish
la ensalada	salad
las verduras	vegetables
las papas/patatas	potatoes
la sopa	soup
una bebida	a drink
una cerveza	a beer
una botella de agua	a bottle of water
el jugo	juice
una taza de cafe	a cup of coffee
¿Desea algo de tomar?	Would you like something to drink? (waiter)
¿Qué lleva...la sopa toscana?	What does the tuscan soup have in it?
¿Cómo se prepara...el pescado?	How do they prepare the fish?
La cuenta, por favor.	The check, please.

Asking for Directions

It’s completely normal to get a little lost while traveling. Luckily, Spanish speaking locals are happy to guide you in the right direction! Make sure to memorize a few of these key expressions in the event that a local explains to you how to arrive to your destination.

Estoy perdido/a, ¿me puede ayudar?	I’m lost, can you help me? (formal)
Hay un supermercado por aquí?	Is there a supermarket around here?
Nuestro hotel está ubicado en el centro histórico.	Our hotel is located in the historic center.
girar a la izquierda	to turn left
girar a la derecha	to turn right
seguir derecho/recto	to go straight
norte, sur, este, oeste	north, south, east, west

Health and Medical Vocabulary

Getting sick is, sometimes, an unavoidable downside of traveling. Whether you need to stop by a pharmacia for some medicine or have to see a doctor, be prepared by learning some of this useful vocabulary.

No me siento/encuentro bien.	I don’t feel well.
Me duele el estomago/la pierna/la cabeza…	My stomach/leg/head... hurts.
la sala de emergencias	the emergency room
la pastilla	pill
la medicina	medicine

For a more extensive list of health and medical terms, refer to Spanish Health Vocabulary Words.

Now you’re all set to pack your bag and hit the road towards your next big adventure. Where are you headed first?