Traveling to Spanish-speaking countries? You'll need some basic vocab to get around. From airport lingo to hotel terms, these words and phrases will help you navigate your journey smoothly.
Want to make reservations, discuss travel plans, or handle common issues? This guide covers key expressions for all that. Knowing these basics will boost your confidence and make your trip more enjoyable.
Travel Vocabulary
Airport Terminology
- el aeropuerto (airport) the location where aircraft operate, passengers board and disembark, and cargo is loaded and unloaded
- el vuelo (flight) a journey made by an aircraft from one destination to another
- el equipaje (luggage) the bags, suitcases, or other containers that hold a traveler's belongings
- la aduana (customs) the government agency responsible for collecting duties and inspecting goods entering or leaving a country
- el pasaporte (passport) an official document issued by a government, certifying the holder's identity and citizenship and granting permission to travel abroad
- el billete (ticket) a document that shows proof of payment for a flight or other mode of transportation
- la puerta de embarque (boarding gate) the area in an airport where passengers enter the aircraft
- el mostrador (counter) a long, flat surface where passengers check in for flights, purchase tickets, or receive information
- la sala de espera (waiting room) an area in an airport where passengers can sit and wait for their flight to depart
Hotel Terminology
- el hotel (hotel) an establishment that provides lodging and other services for travelers
- la reserva (reservation) an arrangement made in advance to secure a room or other service at a hotel
- la habitación (room) a private space within a hotel where guests can sleep and store their belongings
- el vestíbulo (lobby) the main entrance area of a hotel, often featuring a reception desk, seating areas, and other amenities
- la recepción (reception) the front desk of a hotel where guests check in, receive keys, and can ask for assistance
- la llave (key) a device used to lock or unlock a hotel room door
- el ascensor (elevator) a mechanical lift that transports guests between floors of a hotel
- el botones (bellboy) a hotel employee who assists guests with their luggage and other needs
- el servicio de habitaciones (room service) a hotel amenity that allows guests to order food or other items to be delivered to their room
Tourist Attraction Terminology
- el museo (museum) a building or institution that houses and displays objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific significance
- el monumento (monument) a structure, statue, or other type of memorial erected to commemorate a notable person, event, or achievement
- la iglesia (church) a building used for Christian religious services and worship
- el parque (park) a public area of land used for recreation, leisure, and enjoyment, often featuring greenery, walking paths, and benches
- la playa (beach) a sandy or pebbly shore along a body of water, often used for swimming, sunbathing, and other recreational activities
- el castillo (castle) a large, fortified building or complex, typically built during the Middle Ages for nobility or royalty
- el palacio (palace) a grand, ornate residence, often used by royalty, heads of state, or other high-ranking officials
- la galería de arte (art gallery) a space dedicated to the exhibition and sale of artwork, such as paintings, sculptures, or photographs
- el zoológico (zoo) a facility where various species of animals are housed, displayed, and cared for, often for the purpose of conservation, education, and public viewing
- el acuario (aquarium) an institution that houses and displays aquatic animals and plants in controlled environments, often for the purpose of conservation, education, and public viewing
Travel Arrangements
Making Reservations
- Quisiera hacer una reserva (I would like to make a reservation) expressing a desire to secure a room, flight, or other service in advance
- Me gustaría reservar (I would like to reserve) another way to express the wish to make a reservation
- Tengo una reserva a nombre de... (I have a reservation under the name...) indicating that a reservation has already been made under a specific name
- ¿Tiene habitaciones disponibles? (Do you have any rooms available?) inquiring about the availability of rooms at a hotel
- ¿Hay vuelos para...? (Are there any flights to...?) asking if there are flights available to a specific destination
Specifying Details
- Desde el... hasta el... (From... to...) indicating the start and end dates of a reservation or trip
- A las... (At...) specifying a particular time for a reservation or service
- Por... noches/días (For... nights/days) indicating the duration of a hotel stay or trip
- Con vista al mar/a la ciudad (With a sea/city view) requesting a specific type of view from a hotel room
- Con desayuno incluido (With breakfast included) inquiring if breakfast is included in the price of a hotel stay
- ¿Tiene servicio de transporte al aeropuerto? (Do you have airport shuttle service?) asking if a hotel offers transportation to and from the airport
Travel Conversations
Discussing Plans and Experiences
- Voy a viajar a... (I'm going to travel to...) expressing an intention to visit a specific destination
- Planeo visitar... (I plan to visit...) indicating that one has plans to go to a particular place
- Mi viaje durará... días/semanas (My trip will last... days/weeks) specifying the length of a planned trip
- Visité... (I visited...) sharing information about a place one has been to in the past
- Fue una experiencia inolvidable (It was an unforgettable experience) expressing that a past trip or experience was memorable and significant
- Lo que más me gustó fue... (What I liked the most was...) highlighting a particularly enjoyable aspect of a past travel experience
Expressing Preferences
- Prefiero viajar en... (I prefer to travel by...) indicating a preferred mode of transportation (avión/tren/coche - plane/train/car)
- Me gusta... más que... (I like... more than...) comparing two travel destinations, activities, or experiences and expressing a preference
- Mi destino favorito es... (My favorite destination is...) sharing information about one's most beloved travel spot
Travel Communication
Common Questions
- ¿De dónde viene? (Where are you coming from?) a question often asked by customs officials or hotel staff to inquire about a traveler's origin
- ¿A dónde va? (Where are you going?) a question used to ask about a traveler's destination
- ¿Cuál es el motivo de su viaje? (What is the purpose of your trip?) a question frequently asked by customs officials to determine the reason for a traveler's visit (negocios/turismo/visita familiar - business/tourism/family visit)
- ¿Dónde está...? (Where is...?) a question used to ask for the location of a specific place, landmark, or service
- ¿Cómo puedo llegar a...? (How can I get to...?) a question used to request directions or instructions on reaching a particular destination
- Estoy perdido/a (I'm lost) a statement used to express that one is unable to find their way or locate a specific place
Responding to Offers of Assistance
- Sí, por favor (Yes, please) accepting an offer of help or a service
- No, gracias (No, thank you) politely declining an offer of assistance or a service
- Estoy bien, gracias (I'm fine, thank you) indicating that one does not require help or is content with their current situation
Dealing with Travel Issues
- Mi vuelo está retrasado/cancelado (My flight is delayed/canceled) informing others about a change in flight status that may affect travel plans
- He perdido mi equipaje (I've lost my luggage) reporting that one's belongings have been misplaced during travel, often to airline or hotel staff
- No encuentro mi pasaporte (I can't find my passport) expressing that one is unable to locate their passport, a critical document for international travel