Get ready for your trip to English-speaking countries by learning these top 60 travel phrases in American English!

To me, traveling is so much more enjoyable when I’m able to communicate in the language of the locals, because I can connect with them, and I can communicate what I need, I can learn insider tips, and I realize that locals love it when I speak to them in their language. But, maybe you don’t have time to learn an entire language before you travel somewhere.

PRO TIP: Watch the video above to hear the phrases and then repeat them after me. This will help you learn them quicker and pronounce them correctly.

In today’s blog, I’m going to share with you the top 60 travel phrases or words, that you need to learn before you travel, so that you can feel ready for your trip, and more confident in your communication.

Sometimes just knowing one or two key words can help you communicate what you need. I encourage you to use gestures, as much as you can because it helps you, do whatever you can to communicate.

So here are some must-know phrases, get out your pen and paper and write these down:

General Survival Phrases

1. Do you speak English? or Do you speak {your language}?
2. Where is the bathroom?
3. How much does this cost? (point to item)
4. What is your best price?
5. I would like to buy this.
6. Can you write it down please?
7. Speak slower please.
8. I do not understand.
9. Do you accept credit cards?
10. Is there an ATM nearby?
11. Hello.
12. Goodbye.
13. How are you?
14. I am good.
15. I’m not so good.
16. Yes.
17. No.
18. Please.
19. Thank you.
20. I’m sorry.
21. Excuse me.
22. Nice to meet you.
23. My name is ……
24. Good morning.
25. Good afternoon.
26. Good evening.
27. Good night.

Asking for Directions

This next section is on directions. Here are some common words and phrases you will need when asking for directions:

1. Where is the ……?
2. Left
3. Right
4. Here
5. There
6. Here
7. Turn around
8. Airport
9. Bus
10. Train
11. Metro
12. How long does it take to get to the airport? / How far away is the airport?
13. What time is it?
14. Where can I find a taxi or Uber?

Did you know I have a travel book?

Short Travel Stories for English Learners is a book I wrote for intermediate English learners. It is filled with true travel stories with 420 key vocabulary words and comprehension quizzes.

Click here to check it out!

Travel Vocabulary: Accommodations

These next ones have to do with accommodation, where you’re staying:

1. Hotel
2. Hostel
3. Resort
4. House
5. A room
6. An Airbnb
7. Toilet paper
8. Can I drink the tap water?
9. I lost my key.
10. Laundry
11. Air conditioner
12. Fan/Heater
13. Do you have wi-fi?
14. What is the password?

Some things you might ask for in your place of accommodation:

1. Towel
2. Shampoo
3. Soap
4. Toothbrush

Emergency Vocabulary

These next words are under the Emergency section, so I hope that you never have to use these expressions when traveling, but just in case, here are some good travel emergency phrases to know:

1. Help me.
2. I need a doctor.
3. Where is the hospital?
4. I have an emergency.
5. I’m allergic to …..
6. Please call the police.
7. Please call an ambulance.
8. Where is the …… embassy?
9. I am lost. This hurts.
10. I need medicine.
11. Where is the pharmacy?
12. I lost my passport.
13. Where is the police department?

Other Vocabulary that you should learn before traveling

You can also learn the names of food, beverages, about the money that the country uses, and also numbers are helpful to learn as well when traveling so you can know how to say prices, addresses and times. Here is a video I created about numbers in English:

Helpful apps for Learning English before you travel

Some apps that can help you Duolingo, Memrise, and of course Google Translate is great for random translations.  Read this blog (and watch the Youtube Video) as many times as you need. Write down the words, and phrases, and be sure to practice them aloud.

I hope these top 60 travel phrases will help you have an amazing trip to English-speaking countries!