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100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers

Ready to boost your Spanish skills before your next trip to a Spanish-speaking country with this list of essential Spanish words and phrases? No matter where you’re going, from Cancun to Madrid, we’ve got you covered.

Learning some basic Spanish words and phrases will come in super handy during your travels. Don’t worry if you still need to improve your Spanish—you can brush up before your trip and get some practice during your stay. Trust us, you’ll come back feeling motivated to take more Spanish classes!

Keep reading to learn the most common Spanish travel phrases. Read them, practice them, download them in the free PDF we’ve included below, and take them with you on your next vacation!

Now, just choose the category that interests you most (listed in the Table of Contents), or learn them all.

¡Vamos!
Let’s go!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Basic Spanish Greetings for Travelers

Basic Spanish Phrases To Ask for Directions

Basic Spanish for Travelers: Accommodations

Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Medical Emergencies

Spanish Vocabulary for Dining Out

Spanish Transportation for Your Vacation

Basic Spanish Survival Phrases

Basic Spanish Greetings for Travelers 

Get ready for friendly Spanish speakers. You’ll see strangers greeting you, and they will expect the same in return. So here are some useful words and phrases in Spanish for tourists to use on a more local level.

Hola – Hello

Buenos días – Good morning

Buenas tardes – Good afternoon

Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night

¡Mucho gusto! – Pleased to meet you!

Encantado/encantada – Nice to meet you

¿Qué tal? – What’s up?

¿Qué onda? – What’s up?

¿Cómo te llamas? – What’s your name? (Informal)

¿Cómo se llama? – What’s your name? (Formal)

Me llamo… – My name is…

¿Cómo está? – How are you? (Formal)

¿Cómo estás? – How are you? (Informal)

Muy bien, gracias – Very well, thank you.

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Impress locals and make your travels a breeze with our free PDF of the top Spanish words for travelers from hotels to restaurants and beyond!

Basic Spanish Phrases To Ask for Directions

Not everything can be found on Google Maps! That’s why a necessary part of Spanish phrases for travel must include asking for directions. Here’s a quick and easy list to get started with:

¿Dónde está…? – Where is…?

¿Dónde hay…? – Where is there…?

Un banco – a bank

El sanitario – the bathroom

Busco… – I’m looking for…

Necesito un cuarto para ___ personas – I need a room for ___ people.

A la derecha – On the right

A la izquierda  – On the left

Todo recto – Straight ahead

Derecho – Straight ahead

En la esquina – On the corner

A una cuadra, a dos cuadras – One block away, two blocks away

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“Where’s the waiter?”

Basic Spanish for Travelers: Accommodations

Spanish for tourists must include necessary words and phrases useful for checking in somewhere.  

Whether you choose a big hotel or an Airbnb apartment, the following basic Spanish words will come in handy: 

Tengo una reserva a nombre de… – I have a reservation under the name of…

Estancia de tres noches – Three-night stay

Una habitación para dos personas – A room for three people

Una habitación con… – A room with…

Cama matrimonial – a double bed

Un balcón – A balcony

Una terraza – a terrace 

Vista al mar / al jardín / a la ciudad – A view over the sea/the garden/to the city

La alberca – The swimming pool

¿A qué hora sirven el desayuno? – What time do you serve breakfast?

¿Puedo pedir un check-out tardío? – Can I have a late check-out?

¿Cuál es la contraseña de Wifi? – What ‘s the Wifi password?

¿Tienen servicio de habitación? – Do you have room service?

Necesito una cama extra – I need an extra bed

El gimnasio – The gym

El restaurant – The restaurant

La playa – The beach

El vestíbulo – The hall

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Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Medical Emergencies

While we hope that your vacation goes smoothly, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. Practice some of the following words and expressions just in case. 

It’s better to be safe than sorry!

¿Dónde hay un hospital? – Where’s a hospital?

¿Dónde hay una farmacia? – Where’s a pharmacy?

Necesito un doctor – I need a doctor.

No me siento bien – I’m not feeling well.

Tengo un seguro – I have insurance.

¿Habla inglés el doctor? – Does the doctor speak English?

Me puede dar una receta para… – Can you give me a prescription for…

¿Pueden darme una inyección? – Can you give me an injection?

La cita médica – Doctor’s appointment

La cita de seguimiento – Follow-up appointment

Rayos-X – X-ray

Toma de sangre – Blood collection

El yeso – Cast

La tos – Cough

La fiebre – Fever

Me duele… – I have a sore… / It hurts.

La garganta – Throat

El estómago – Stomach 

La espalda – Back

La cabeza – Head

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Spanish Vocabulary for Dining Out

When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to know basic Spanish words and phrases that you may use in restaurants. By learning these terms, you’ll be able to confidently navigate menu items and communicate your food preferences. So why wait?

¡Aprende estas palabras y disfruta de tu comida!
Learn these words and enjoy your food!

Quisiera… – I would like… 

Una mesa para… – A table for (number of people)… 

Un menú – A menu

Un menú de bebidas – A beverage menu

Una sopa – A soup

Una ensalada – A salad

Una hamburguesa – A hamburger

Un plato principal – A main dish

Una entrada – A starter

Un postre – A dessert

Un vaso de agua – A glass of water

Una copa de vino – A glass of wine

Una cerveza – One beer

Un café – One coffee

Un té – One tea

El camarero is the term for “waiter” in Spain, whereas el mesero is more frequently used in Latin America. To go beyond the basics, try using one of these phrases:

¡Amigo!/¡Amiga! – Waiter! /  Waitress! (In Lat. América)

¡Señor! / ¡Señora! – Waiter! /  Waitress! (In Spain)

¿Qué me recomienda? – What would you recommend?

La cuenta, por favor – The bill, please

¿Aceptan las tarjetas? – Do you accept credit cards? 

¿Puedo pagar con la tarjeta? – Can I pay by card?

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Spanish Transportation for Your Vacation

Here is a detailed travel vocabulary that will make moving around easier for you. Use the following words while going by plane, bus, train, or any other mode of transportation:

Un trén – A train

Un camión/Un bus – A bus

Un avión – A plane

Un carro de alquiler – A rental car

Su pasaporte, por favor – Your passport, please.

Quisiera cambiar mi reserva – I would like to change my reservation.

Equipaje de mano – Hand luggage

¿ A qué hora es el embarque? – What time is boarding?

Un boleto de ida One way ticket

Un boleto de ida y vuelta – Round trip ticket

¿Tienen pases de un día, de una semana o de un mes? – Do you have one-day, one-week, or one month passes?

¿De que plataforma sale? – What platform does it depart from?

¿Cuál es la puerta de embarque? – What is the boarding gate?

El asiento de pasillo – The aisle seat

El asiento de ventanilla – The window seat

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Basic Spanish Survival Phrases

Naturally, it’s impossible to predict all the situations for which you may need to pre-learn some words. So, here are some expressions that are useful in different contexts.

If you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country and want to feel more confident communicating with locals, consider signing up for a free trial class with Homeschool Spanish Academy. Our native Spanish-speaking instructors provide high-quality instruction from anywhere in the world, and you’ll be able to practice the most important Spanish words and phrases before your trip. Plus, you’ll receive free lesson materials that you can take with you on your journey. Give it a try and see how HSA can support your language learning goals!

Por favor – Please

Gracias – Thank you

Perdón – I’m sorry

Disculpe – Excuse me

¿Hablá Inglés? – Do you speak English?

No hablo español – I don’t speak Spanish

Quisiera…/Me gustaría – I would like to…

Quiero/No quiero – I want to/I don’t want to

¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much is it?

¿Qué hora son? – What time is it?

¿Tiene…? – Do you have…. 

Tengo/No tengo – I have/I don’t have

No entiendo – I don’t understand.

Dinero – Money

Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez – One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Veinte, treinta, cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta, noventa, cien – Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety, one hundred

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Your Spanish Adventure Starts Here!

Ready to put your Spanish skills to the test? Consider downloading the free PDF of this article to take with you on your trip or using it during a free Spanish class to practice your pronunciation. Who knows? You may get so excited about your vacation that you decide to take more Spanish lessons.

Regardless of how you choose to practice, we hope you feel more prepared for your travels. Have a great trip!

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

A-Z: Beginner Spanish Word Lists for Kids + Free Flashcards
50 Essential Medical Phrases for Your Upcoming Physical
How To Introduce Yourself in Spanish
100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers
The Sweetest Guide to Valentine’s Day Vocabulary in Spanish
An Easy Vocabulary Guide to Describe the Post Office in Spanish
The Practical Guide to Math Vocabulary in Spanish
20 Ways to Say ‘Hot’ in Spanish

The post 100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

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