
50+ Spanish Words and Phrases for the Airport and Air Travel
One of the main reasons people learn a language is to travel. When I had the pleasure of visiting Belgium some years ago, I took a year of French classes before I got there. And knowing basic French saved me from getting on the wrong train and ending up far away and lost! As you can see, knowing at least some of the language of the country you’re visiting is crucial for travel survival. That’s why today we’re looking at a list of useful travel Spanish words and phrases to get you through the airport and safely into your hotel room on your next trip!
Spanish Words and Phrases for Airports and Air Travel
Before the Airport
First things first, you’ve just booked your flight and you’re leaving in a couple of days. Pacing all over your house trying to find your suitcase and all the things you want to put in it is where the fun begins. You’re never going to miss a thing if you have a checklist! Let’s go through all of the things that are usually packed for a week-long trip:
English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
Passport | El pasaporte | pahs-ah-pohr-teh |
ID | La identificaci[on | ee-dehn-tee-fee-kah-syohn |
Driver’s license | La licencia de conducir | Lee-sehn-syah deh kohn-doo-seehr |
Wallet | La billetera | bee-yeh-teh-rah |
Keys | Las llaves | yah-behs |
Money | El dinero | dee-nehr-oh |
Suitcase | La maleta | mah-leh-tah |
Carry-on | La maleta de mano | Mah-leh-tah deh mah-noh |
Locks | Los candados | khan-dah-dohs |
Backpack | La mochila | moh-chee-lah |
Shirt | La camisa | kah-mee-sah |
Underwear | La ropa interior | roh-pah een-teh-ryohr |
Swimsuit | La calzoneta | kahl-soh-neht-ah |
Shorts | Los pantalones cortos | pahn-tah-loh-nehs kohr-tohs |
Suit | El traje | trah-heh |
Dress | El vestido | bess-tee-doh |
Pants | Los pantalones | pahn-tah-loh-nehs |
Sandals | Las sandalias | sahn-dah-lyahs |
Sweater | El sueter | sweh-tehr |
Jacket | La chaqueta | chah-keh-tah |
Hoodie | El sueter | sweh-tehr |
Skirt | La falda | fahl-dah |
Shoes | Los zapatos | zah-pah-tohs |
Towel | La toalla | twah-yah |
Toothbrush | El cepillo de dientes | seh-pee-yoh deh dyehn-tehs |
Toothpaste | La pasta dental | pass-tah dehn-tahl |
Hairbrush | El cepillo de pelo | seh-pee-yoh deh peh-loh |
Shampoo | El shampoo | shampoo |
Soap | El jabón | hah-bohn |
Conditioner | El acondicionador | ah-kohn-dee-syohn-ah-dohr |
Cream | La crema | kreh-mah |
Deodorant | El desodorante | dehs-oh-dohr-ahnt-eh |
Makeup | El maquillaje | mah-kee-yah-heh |
Laptop | La laptop | laptop |
Phone | El teléfono | teh-leh-fohn-oh |
Headphones / earphones | Los audífonos | ahoo-dee-fohn-ohs |
Chargers | Los cargadores | kar-gah-dohr-ehs |
Plane tickets | Los boletos de avión | boh-leh-tohs deh ah-byohn |

Getting to the Airport
Now you’re ready to get on the taxi and the excitement builds up as you imagine landing on a different country, meeting interesting people, and looking at mesmerizing landmarks and sceneries. It’s early in the morning. The ride to the airport remains silent as you look at familiar streets and buildings passing by, it’s almost as if they’re saying: ¡hasta luego! As it turns out, your taxi driver lived abroad for some time and can speak fluent Spanish, so you ask him if you can practice conversation before your trip. These are some of the words and phrases you would use:
English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
Taxi | El taxi | tack-see |
Taxi fare | La tarifa del taxi | tah-ree-fah dehl tack-see |
Trunk | El baúl | bah-ool |
Take me to the airport, please. | Lléveme al aeropuerto, porfavor | yeh-beh-meh ahl ah-eh-roh-pwer-toh pohr fah-bohr |
I’m late to the airport! | ¡Voy tarde al aeropuerto! | boy tar-deh ahl ah-eh-roh-pwer-toh |
How far is the airport? | ¿Qué tan lejos queda el aeropuerto? | Keh tahn leh-hohs keh-dah ehl ah-eh-roh-pwer-toh |
Can we pick someone up on the way? | ¿Podemos recoger a alguien en el camino? | poh-deh-mohs reh-koh-hehr ah ahl-gyehn ehn ehl kah-mee-noh? |
I need you to make a stop here. | Necesito que haga una parada aquí. | Neh-seh-see-toh keh ah-gah oo-nah pah-rah-dah ah-kee |
Thank you for the ride! | ¡Gracias por traerme! | Grah-syahs pohr trah-ehr-meh |
Checking Your Bags and Going Through Customs
You leave your bags with the kind young man at the counter, he checks your bags and glances at your carry-on. He lets you go to your gate, but first you have to go to customs! These are some of the common Spanish words and phrases you’ll hear at this stage of your trip:
English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
Checking your bags | Chequear las maletas | che-kyahr lahs mah-leh-tahs |
Weight limit | El peso límite | pehs-oh lee-me-teh |
I would like to check an extra bag, please | Me gustaría chequear una maleta extra, por favor. | meh goos-tah-ree-ah che-kyahr oo-nah mah-leh-tah ecks-trah pohr fah-bohr |
Is this carry-on too big? | ¿Es muy grande esta maleta de mano? | ehs moy grahn-deh ehs-tah mah-leh-tah deh mah-noh? |
Please be careful, my suitcase is fragile. | Por favor tenga cuidado, mi maleta es frágil. | pohr fah-bohr tehn-gah kwee-dah-doh mee mah-leh-tah ehs frah-heel |
How much does checking an extra bag cost? | Cuánto cuesta chequear una maleta extra? | Kwahn-toh kwehs-tah cheh-kyahr oo-nah mah-leh-tah ecks-trah |
Customs | La aduana | ah-dwah-nah |
Scanner | El escáner | ehs-kah-nehr |
Item tray | La bandeja | bahn-deh-hah |
Security staff | El personal de seguridad | pehrs-oh-nahl deh seh-goo-ree-dad |
Customs form | La declaración de aduana | Deh-klahr-ah-syohn deh ah-dwa-nah |
Queue | La fila | fee-lah |
Finding Your Way Around the Airport
Now that you’re past customs, it’s time to find your gate! You’re not sure which way it is, but don’t panic! You arrived early and have an hour to find where you need to be. Approaching the staff and asking these questions might help you:
English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
Gate | La puerta | pwehr-tah |
Do you know where gate A12 is? | ¿Sabe usted dónde queda la puerta A12? | Sah-beh oos-tehd dohn-deh keh-dah lah pwehr-tah A12 |
Where can I find a restroom? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar el baño? | dohn-deh pweh-doh en-kohn-trahr ehl bah-nyoh |
Where can I find a food court? | ¿Dónde puedo encontrar el área de comida? | dohn-deh pweh-doh en-kohn-trahr ehl ah-reah deh koh-mee-dah |
Is there an electrical outlet nearby? | ¿Hay algún enchufe cerca? | ah-ee ahl-goon ehn-choo-feh sehr-kah |
I’m lost | Estoy perdido / a | ehs-toy pehr-dee-doh/ah |
Can you help me find my gate? | ¿Me puede ayudar a encontrar mi puerta? | Meh pweh-deh ah-yoo-dahr ah ehn-kon-trahr mee pwehr-tah |
Is my flight on schedule? | ¿Mi vuelo está a tiempo? | Mee bweh-loh ehs-tah ah tyem-poh |
Liftoff!
You get your ticket ready as you patiently wait for the stewardess to mention your seat number. You jump out of the bench when you hear it, It’s time to board the plane! Personally, lift offs and landings are the worst parts of air travel. I always get nervous and I have to squeeze my seat and close my eyes when it happens. You’re probably braver than me in that sense, but if you’re not—we can be scared together!
English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
Liftoff | El despegue | dehs-peh-geh |
Landing | El aterrizaje | ah-teh-ree-sah-heh |
Pilot | El piloto | pee-loh-toh |
Airplane | El avión | ah-byon |
Flight attendant | El / La auxiliar de vuelo | ow-ksee-lyahr deh bweh-loh |
Seatbelt | El cinturón de seguridad | seen-too-rohn deh seh-goo-ree-dahd |
Pillow | El cojín | koh-heen |
Blanket | La manta | mahn-tah |
Are you serving snacks? | ¿Van a servir bocadillos? | bahn ah sehr-beer boh-kah-dee-yohs |
Are you serving food? | ¿Van a servir comida? | bahn ah sehr-beer koh-mee-dah |
At what time will you be serving food? | ¿A qué hora servirán la comida? | Ah keh oh-rah sehr-bee-rahn lah koh-mee-dah |
Barf bag | Bolsa de mareos | Bohl-sah deh mahr-eh-ohs |
Oxygen mask | Máscara de oxígeno | Mahs-kah-rah deh oh-ksee-hen-oh |
Life jacket | Salvavidas | sahl-bah-bee-dahs |
Emergency exit | Salida de emergencia | sah-lee-dah deh eh-mehr-hen-syah |
I feel nauseous | Siento náusea | syehn-toh naoo-seah |
I have a headache | Me duele la cabeza | Meh dwehl-eh lah kah-beh-sah |
Can I get something to drink, please? | ¿Puede traer algo de tomar, por favor? | Pweh-deh trah-ehr ahl-goh deh toh-mahr |
I’m allergic to nuts | Soy alérgico/a a las nueces | soy ah-lehr-hee-koh ah lahs nweh-sehs |
Getting to Your Destination
The plane lands and you get out of it. The air feels different, your steps are light as you go look for your luggage and exit the airport. Now what?! How do you find your way to the hotel? These Spanish words and phrases will be crucial to your survival abroad:
English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
Where can I claim my bags? | ¿Dónde puedo recoger mis maletas? | dohn-deh pweh-doh reh-koh-her mees mah-leh-tahs |
Baggage claim area | Área de recogida de equipaje | ah-reh-ah deh reh-koh-hee-dah deh eh-kee-pah-heh |
Where can I rent a car? | ¿Dónde puedo rentar un auto? | dohn-deh pweh-doh rehn-tahr oon aoo-toh? |
Where can I hail a cab? | ¿Dónde puedo conseguir un taxi? | dohn-deh pweh-doh kohn-seh-gheer oon tacks-ee |
Where’s the exit? | ¿Dónde es la salida? | dohn-deh ess lah sah-lee-dah |
Do you know this address? | ¿Conoce esta dirección? | koh-noh-seh ehs-tah dee-rec-syon |
I need to go to this hotel | Necesito ir a este hotel. | nehs-ehs-ee-toh eer ah ess-teh oh-tehl |
Are there any restaurants nearby? | ¿Hay algún restaurante cerca? | Aee ahl-goon rehs-taoo-rahn-teh sehr-kah |
Can you help me find my way, please? | ¿Me puede ayudar a encontrar mi camino, por favor? | Meh pweh-deh ah-yoo-dahr ah ehn-kohn-trahr mee kah-mee-noh pohr-fah-bohr |
At what time does the shuttle arrive? | ¿A qué hora llega el bus? | ah keh oh-rah yeh-gah ehl boos |
I need help | Necesito ayuda | Neh-seh-see-toh ah-yoo-dah |
Thanks for the help! | ¡Gracias por la ayuda! | grah-syahs pohr lah ah-yoo-dah |
Make Stronger Connections Through Spanish
I hope by learning these Spanish words and phrases, it makes your travels easier and more fun! Going abroad is always an adventure, full of surprises and new experiences. The best way to speak Spanish fluently is to practice conversation as much as you can. At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we cater to your needs as a language learner, so if you want to practice some conversation before your trip, take a free class and hone your skills today!
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