Spanish phrases for tourists

By Marta Díaz on Thursday, June 5, 2025

Traveling during your vacation and finding the perfect destination is easy if you want to improve your language skills. To learn Spanish in Spain and have an exciting and enriching experience, spending your vacation in the country can boost your language learning and proficiency.

Although if you are not yet fluent in the language, you may feel a little nervous before your trip, but don't worry, Enforex can help you with that. You don't need to speak perfect Spanish to enjoy your vacation in Spain, but you do need to know some key words and phrases for traveling in Spanish that are very useful for communicating.

In this article you will find basic vocabulary and common Spanish travel phrases that will help you communicate in typical situations during your trip. Let's get started!

Basic Spanish phrases for travel

Spanish travel vocabulary is useful to know essential words related to your destination, accommodation, visits and everything that awaits you there. In addition, it is important that you know Spanish travel words and phrases related to your surroundings so that you know how to get around. Here is a small glossary that can accompany you during your adventure:

The most common means of transportation to get around are avión (plane), tren (train), autobús (bus), metro (subway or underground), taxi (cab) or coche de alquiler (rental car). In addition, if you are traveling by plane, our article on Spanish airport vocabulary can be very useful.

As for accommodation, you can find several options: hotel (hotel), hostal (hostel) or apartamento (apartment). It is key that you also know these words and complete your travel vocabulary in Spanish:

• Recepción (Reception)
• Hora de llegada (Arrival time)
• Hora de salida (Departure time)
• Llave (Key)
• Reserva (Reservation)
• Habitación individual/doble (Single / double room)
• Baño privado (Private bathroom)
• Desayuno incluido (Breakfast included)
• Media pension (Half board)
• Pensión completa (Full board)

Now, if you like to explore the cities and try the local gastronomy, Spanish food vocabulary is key for your trip. And to get around and visit all kinds of establishments, these other Spanish words for your trip can be very advantageous:

• Mapa (Map)
• Calle (Street)
• Avenida (Avenue)
• Plaza (Square)
• Dinero en efectivo (Cash)
• Tarjeta de crédito (Credit card)
• Cajero automático (ATM)
• Horario del museo/restaurante (Museum/restaurant hours)
• Abierto/ Cerrado (Open/Closed)

All these words will help you to better understand the signs, menus and conversations that you will find walking around Spain. Ah! Don't forget that you must learn to ask for directions and know how to get to your destination, for that, our article on directions in Spanish will be your best ally.

Basic Spanish phrases for tourists

But what better way to learn and improve than with Spanish phrases for traveling? You will be able to communicate with the locals, ask for directions and solve all your doubts with the help of these basic phrases for traveling:

• ¿Dónde está la parada de taxis? (Where is the cab stand?)
• ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete de tren a Toledo? (How much does a train ticket to Toledo cost?)
• He perdido mi equipaje (I lost my luggage)
• ¿Cuánto tarda el tren a Barcelona? (How long does the train to Barcelona take?)
• Tengo una reserva a nombre de Daniel Smith (I have a reservation under Daniel Smith's name)
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? (What time is breakfast?)
• ¿Puedo tener una toalla extra, por favor? (Can I have an extra towel, please?)
• ¿La habitación tiene aire acondicionado? (Does the room have air conditioning?)
• ¿Hay Wi-Fi gratuito? (Is there free Wi-Fi?)
• ¿Dónde está la parada de metro más cercana? (Where is the nearest metro stop?)
• ¿Cómo llego a la Sagrada Familia? (How do I get to the Sagrada Familia?)
• ¿Está lejos de aquí el museo? (Is the museum far from here?)
• ¿Puede repetir, por favor? No hablo mucho español (Can you repeat, please? I don't speak much Spanish)
• He perdido mi pasaporte, ¿podría ayudarme? (I have lost my passport, could you help me?)
• ¿Dónde está la farmacia más cercana? (Where is the nearest pharmacy?)
• Llamen a una ambulancia, por favor (Call an ambulance, please)

If you visit a restaurant these phrases will also be easy for you:

• ¿Tiene mesa para dos? (Do you have a table for two?)
• ¿Me puede traer la carta, por favor? (Can you bring me the menu, please?)
• Soy alérgico a los frutos secos, ¿lleva nueces la ensalada? (I am allergic to nuts, does the salad have nuts in it?)
• ¿Qué me recomienda? (What do you recommend?)
• Estaba todo delicioso, gracias (Everything was delicious, thank you)
• Soy vegetariana, ¿hay algún plato sin carne en el menú? (I'm a vegetarian, are there any meatless dishes on the menu?)
• ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the restroom?)
• ¿Me puede traer la cuenta, por favor? (Can I have the check, please?)

Or if you find yourself in a store and need to ask for help, you can say:

• ¿Cuánto cuesta esta camiseta? (How much is this shirt?)
• ¿Aceptan pago con tarjeta de crédito? (Do you accept credit card payment?)
• ¿Puedo probarme estos pantalones? (Can I try on these pants?)
• ¿Tiene otra talla? (Do you have another size?)

Learning Spanish phrases for traveling is key and will allow you to get along better and enjoy your trip to Spain even more. Remember to practice and don't be afraid to make mistakes, surely the locals are very friendly with tourists and will make the effort to understand you since you will be speaking their language. And, if you don't understand something, you can say: “Lo siento, estoy aprendiendo español. ¿Puedes repetirlo más despacio?” (I'm sorry, I'm learning Spanish, can you repeat it more slowly), most people will be happy to help you!

Before your trip, you can practice these phrases or write them down in a small notebook or mobile app to use when you need them. And most importantly: enjoy every moment of your trip! Discover, visit, taste the gastronomy and experience the culture that surrounds every city in Spain.