Spanish Words for Travelers

Among my group of friends and colleagues, business trips are as common as ordering your next latte at Starbucks.  It is given that in most work environments, you are going to get on a plane and travel…very far… and oftentimes land in a Spanish-speaking country.  Just in the past year I have heard business travel stories from Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala – all wonderfully unique countries that speak Spanish as their official language.

Once you land at the airport, go through immigration and exit the airport, your senses immediately experience the new sights, sounds, and smells of entering a new part of the world. It is exciting and can be overwhelming. Herein lies an opportunity to speak Spanish!  

Let’s review helpful Spanish phrases for your next viaje!

Let’s review Spanish greetings! 

In English we often begin a conversation with ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ and then begin. Depending on where you live, the conversation can be rushed and to the point.  Good Morning/afternoon/evening aren’t as common and are typically reserved for more formal situations or business meetings. 

In Spanish, greetings are numero uno. It is very important that you greet Spanish speakers before you board the plane, begin a conversation at the ticket counter, ask for directions, or ask for help. 

Buenos días. Estoy perdido/a. ¿Puede ayudarme a encontrar el área de reclamo de equipaje?
Good Morning. I am lost. Can you help me find baggage claim?

You can also simply use Buenas, which is an informal greeting, but acceptable to use in many countries as a proper greeting in an informal situation. Review the usage rules for formal vs. informal here.

Greetings

English	Spanish	When to use
Good morning, good day	Buenos días	Before noon
Good afternoon	Buenas tardes	From noon until dark
Good evening, good night	Buenas noches	At night
Hello, hey, hi, good day, good afternoon, good evening	Buenas	Anytime, an informal and abbreviated version of the phrases above

In Transit

Now that you can greet others with confidence, let’s learn words that will help you navigate the airport and airplane.

Vocabulary Words for the Airport

English	Spanish
Airline	La aerolínea
Airport	El aeropuerto
Arrival gate	La puerta de entrada
Baggage Claim	El reclamo de equipaje
Customs	La aduana
Departure gate	La puerta de salida
Duty-free shop	La tienda libre de impuestos
Entrance	La entrada
Exit	La salida
Flight	El vuelo
Immigration	La migración
Luggage	El equipaje
Plane ticket	El boleto
Reservation	La reservación
Schedule	El horario
Ticket counter	La taquilla
Trip	El viaje

Vocabulary Words for the Plane

English	Spanish
Economy seat	La clase económica
Flight attendant	El/la auxiliar de vuelo
First-class	La primera clase
Landing	El aterrizaje
Light meal	La merienda
Passenger	El pasajero
Seatbelt	El cinturón de seguridad
Takeoff	El despegue

Useful Phrases for the Airport and Airplane

¿Dónde está la taquilla?
Where is the ticket counter?

¿Dónde recojo mis maletas?
Where is the baggage claim?  

¿A qué hora viene el vuelo?
What time will the plane arrive?

¿En cuánto tiempo llegamos?
How much longer until we arrive?

¿A qué hora traen la comida?
What time will the food be served?

¿Hay problema si me levanto ahora?
Is it okay to get out of my seat now?

Asking for Directions and Exploring the City

Now you’ve landed and your eyes are wide open as you experience new sights and try to find your way to your hotel. Here are some useful phrases for asking and giving directions.

Vocabulary Words for Getting Around

English	Spanish
Excuse me	Disculpe
I’m lost	Estoy perdido/a
Here	Aquí
There	Allí
Over there	Allá
That way	Para allá
This way	Para acá
Turn right	A la derecha
Turn left	A la izquierda

Useful Phrases for Getting Around

Al final de la cuadra.
Walk to the end of the block

La tienda está en la esquina.
The stores is on the corner.

¿Dónde consigo un taxi?
Where can I get a taxi?

¿Dónde está la parada de autobús más cercana?
Where is the nearest bus stop/station?

¿Dónde está la estación de tren más cercana?
Where is the nearest train stop/station?

¿Cuánto cuesta el ticket de tren/bus?
How much does a bus/train ticket cost?

Me gustaría comprar un ticket para Juanito por favor.
I would like to buy a ticket for Juanito, please.

¿Qué tan lejos queda?
How far is it?

¿Cuánto me va a tardar?
How long will it take me?

¿Cómo llego al museo?
How do I get to the museum?

Checking in and out of the Hotel

At the hotel, you will want to use these keywords to communicate.

Vocabulary words for the Hotel

English	Spanish
Hotel lobby	El vestíbulo del hotel
Room	La habitación
Deluxe room	La habitación de lujo
Reservation/booking	La reservación
Double bed	La cama doble
Single bed	La cama individual
Air conditioning	El aire acondicionado
Bill	La cuenta
Room service	El servicio a la habitación
Menu	El menú
Blanket	La cobija
Hotel manager	El/La gerente del hotel
Receipt	El recibo
Hot water	El agua caliente
Reception	La recepción
Shampoo and conditioner	El champú y el acondicionador
Soap	El jabón
Stairs	Las gradas
Faucet	El grifo
Toothbrush	El cepillo dental
Do not disturb	No molestar
Emergency exit	La salida de emergencia
Fire escape	La salida de incendios
Wake-up call	El servicio de despertador

Useful Phrases for the Hotel

Perdón, no entiendo
Sorry, I don’t understand.

¿Puedes hablar más despacio, por favor?
Can you please speak more slowly?

¿Cuánto me cuesta por día?
How much will that cost per day?

¿Eso tiene cobro extra?
Is there an extra charge for that?

¿Tienen más cuartos disponibles?
Do you have additional rooms available?

¿Me puede dar la llave del cuarto 105?
Can I have the key/keycard for room 105?

Me gustaría una habitación con vista.
I would like a room with a view.

Necesito que lleven mis maletas al cuarto, por favor.
I need my luggage brought to my room, please.  

¿En dónde puedo estacionar mi carro?
Where should I park the car?

¿Este precio incluye desayuno?
Is breakfast included in the price?

Registraré mi salido mañana en la mañana.
I will check-out tomorrow morning.

¿Puede llamar un taxi, por favor?
Can you call a taxi, please?

¿Tiene….?
Do you have any….?

Me gustaría…
I would like….

¿Te gustaría….?
Would you like…?

Mi cuarto aún necesita ordenar, gracias.
My room still needs to be made up, thank you.  

See You Later!

You’re wrapping up your trip and want to express your gratitude and thanks. Here are some phrases to help you do so!

¡Nos vemos!
See you later!

¡Que tenga(s) un buen día!
Have a good day!

¡Que tenga(s) un hermoso día!
Have a beautiful day!

¡Espero verte de nuevo!
I hope to see you again!

Gracias, me ayudó mucho.
You have been so helpful, thank you.

Espero regresar pronto a este hermoso lugar.
I can’t wait to come back to this beautiful place.

¡Adiós!
Goodbye!

You’re all set!

Before you pack your bags, enjoy a complimentary class with Spanish Academy and practice your new vocabulary words! 

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

• Your Ultimate Guide to Chilean Slang
• Vocabulary Guide to Swimming in Spanish
• Vocabulary for Wealth and Poverty in Spanish
• All You Ever Wanted to Know About Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
• Vocabulary List of Weapons in Spanish
• How to Deal With an Emergency in Spanish
• A Vocabulary Guide in Spanish for Nursing Professionals
• At the Dentist: Dental Terminology in Spanish