If you are planning a trip to Spain or Latin America, learning a few spanish phrases for travel will change your whole experience. Instead of worrying every time you have to speak, you will be able to order food, ask for directions or check in at your hotel with confidence. This guide gives you essential Spanish for tourists, with simple phrases, clear English translations and practical examples.
Basic spanish phrases for travel
These basic spanish phrases for travel are your survival kit: you will use them every day, in every situation.
Hola. – Hello.
Buenos días. – Good morning.
Buenas tardes. – Good afternoon.
Buenas noches. – Good evening / Good night.
Por favor. – Please.
Gracias. – Thank you.
De nada. – You’re welcome.
Disculpe. – Excuse me.
Lo siento. – I’m sorry.
No entiendo. – I don’t understand.
¿Habla inglés? – Do you speak English?
Short practice idea: read the Spanish line out loud, then cover it and try to remember it from the English translation.
Spanish phrases for transport
You will probably take taxis, buses, metros or trains during your trip, so these spanish phrases for travel are very useful.
¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? – Where is the bus stop?
¿Dónde está la estación de tren / metro? – Where is the train / metro station?
Un billete a Madrid, por favor. – A ticket to Madrid, please.
¿Cuánto cuesta el billete? – How much is the ticket?
¿Este autobús va al centro? – Does this bus go to the city centre?
¿Puede llamar un taxi, por favor? – Can you call a taxi, please?
Mini‑dialogue:
Traveler: Disculpe, ¿este tren va a Granada?
Staff: Sí, va directo a Granada. Sale a las cinco.
Traveler: Perfecto, muchas gracias.
Spanish hotel phrases and accommodation
Accommodation is a key part of any trip, so it helps to know some hotel phrases in Spanish before you arrive.
When booking or arriving
Tengo una reserva a nombre de… – I have a reservation under the name….
¿Tienen una habitación para esta noche? – Do you have a room for tonight?
Quisiera una habitación doble / individual. – I’d like a double / single room.
¿Está incluido el desayuno? – Is breakfast included?
¿A qué hora es el desayuno? – What time is breakfast?
¿A qué hora es el check‑out? – What time is check‑out?
During your stay
Tengo un problema con mi habitación. – I have a problem with my room.
No hay agua caliente. – There is no hot water.
¿Podría darme dos toallas más? – Could I have two more towels?
¿Puedo dejar mi equipaje aquí? – Can I leave my luggage here?
Mini‑dialogue:
Guest: Buenas tardes, tengo una reserva a nombre de Anna Brown.
Receptionist: Buenas tardes. Sí, aquí está. ¿Quiere una habitación con desayuno?
Guest: Sí, por favor. ¿A qué hora es el desayuno?
Receptionist: De siete a diez de la mañana.
Spanish phrases for restaurants and cafés
Trying local food is one of the best parts of travelling, and these spanish phrases for tourists will help you enjoy it.
Una mesa para dos, por favor. – A table for two, please.
¿Me puede traer la carta, por favor? – Can you bring me the menu, please?
Me gustaría tomar… – I would like to have…
¿Qué me recomienda? – What do you recommend?
¿Tienen platos vegetarianos? – Do you have vegetarian dishes?
La cuenta, por favor. – The bill, please.
Mini‑dialogue:
Traveler: Buenas noches, ¿tienen una mesa para tres?
Waiter: Sí, por aquí, por favor.
Traveler: Gracias. ¿Me puede traer la carta?
Waiter: Claro, enseguida.
Important spanish phrases for travel in emergencies
Hopefully you won’t need these, but it is good to know a few important spanish phrases for travel emergencies.
Necesito ayuda. – I need help.
Me he perdido. – I’m lost.
No me siento bien. – I don’t feel well.
¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? – Where is the nearest hospital?
Llame a una ambulancia, por favor. – Call an ambulance, please.
Me han robado. – I’ve been robbed.
If you memorise even two or three of these emergency phrases, you will feel much safer exploring a new city.
How to practise these spanish phrases for travel
To really remember these spanish phrases for travel, you need to use them, not just read them once. A simple routine is to choose one section per day, read each phrase aloud and then try to use it in a small situation in your city, with classmates or in an online class. If you join a Spanish course, ask your teacher to role‑play typical travel situations like checking into a hotel, ordering in a restaurant or asking for directions, so that when you arrive in Spain you already feel at home in Spanish.
Ready to improve your Spanish beyond the classroom?
At Teba Languages, we help international students gain confidence in Spanish through practical lessons, cultural immersion and personalised support in Granada. If you want to use Spanish in real situations instead of just memorising vocabulary, our courses are designed to help you do exactly that.
Study Spanish in Granada with an Instituto Cervantes-accredited school and turn everyday situations into real speaking practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Teba Languages offers Spanish courses for different levels, from complete beginners to more advanced learners, so you can start at the level that matches your current knowledge.
Yes. A short course can help you learn practical Spanish for travel, including greetings, restaurant vocabulary, directions, hotel phrases and everyday communication.
Granada combines culture, history and a lively student atmosphere with many opportunities to practise Spanish in real situations every day.
