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!
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