Spanish Travel Vocabulary

If you're planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, mastering some essential Spanish travel vocabulary can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Knowing common Spanish phrases for travel, like aeropuerto (airport), hotel (hotel), transporte (transportation), and dirección (address), can be incredibly helpful. Familiarizing yourself with key travel terms in Spanish, such as reserva (reservation), equipaje (luggage), and mapa (map), ensures that you'll be ready to navigate common travel scenarios confidently. This Spanish travel vocabulary guide covers essential words and phrases for travelers, from checking into hotels to ordering food, giving you the language tools to make the most of your adventure.

Understanding Spanish travel vocabulary can greatly enhance your experience when visiting Spanish-speaking destinations. Basic words related to navigation, like izquierda (left), derecha (right), and recto (straight), help when asking for directions or exploring new places. If you’re in a bustling city, knowing how to ask for directions to popular locations such as centro de la ciudad (city center) or estación de tren (train station) can save time and ensure you don’t miss out on any must-see attractions. Simple phrases such as ¿Dónde está...? (Where is...?) or ¿Cuánto tiempo tarda...? (How long does it take...?) will come in handy for getting around efficiently.

Spanish English
Aeropuerto Airport
Vuelo Flight
Pasaporte Passport
Hotel Hotel
Recepción Reception
Habitación Room
Reserva Reservation
Equipaje Luggage
Mapa Map
Dirección Address
Taxi Taxi
Metro Subway
Autobús Bus
Entrada Entrance
Salida Exit
Restaurante Restaurant
Menú Menu
Cuenta Check/Bill
Baño Bathroom
Farmacia Pharmacy
Emergencia Emergency
Doctor Doctor
Policía Police
Dinero Money
Embajada Embassy

When it comes to accommodations, specific Spanish vocabulary can make the check-in and stay more comfortable. For example, knowing terms like recepción (reception), habitaciones (rooms), and llave (key) will help you navigate the hotel experience smoothly. If you have specific needs, terms like almohada extra (extra pillow), servicio a la habitación (room service), and check-out tardío (late check-out) could be very useful to communicate your requests. Additionally, learning how to ask for assistance, such as ¿Puede ayudarme...? (Can you help me?), can ease communication with hotel staff, making your stay more relaxing and enjoyable.

Dining is another important part of travel, and familiarizing yourself with restaurant-specific vocabulary allows you to fully experience local cuisine. Essential phrases for ordering include ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? (What is the house specialty?) and La cuenta, por favor (The check, please). Understanding menu sections like entrantes (appetizers), platos principales (main courses), and postres (desserts) will let you order confidently and explore authentic dishes. If you have dietary preferences, it’s helpful to know terms like sin gluten (gluten-free), sin lácteos (dairy-free), or vegetariano (vegetarian) to communicate your needs effectively.


Spanish Listening Practice

Enhance your Spanish with our Spanish listening practice page. Dive into audio exercises perfect for improving comprehension and fluency.


Spanish English
¿Dónde está...? Where is...?
¿Cuánto cuesta? How much does it cost?
Tengo una reserva I have a reservation
¿Puede ayudarme? Can you help me?
Me gustaría... I would like...
¿Dónde está el baño? Where is the bathroom?
¿Hay Wi-Fi aquí? Is there Wi-Fi here?
Quisiera ordenar... I would like to order...
La cuenta, por favor The check, please
¿Dónde puedo comprar...? Where can I buy...?
Necesito un médico I need a doctor
Estoy perdido/a I am lost
¿Qué hora es? What time is it?
¿Puede recomendarme un lugar? Can you recommend a place?
Me siento mal I feel sick
¿Es seguro aquí? Is it safe here?
Tengo alergias I have allergies
¿A qué distancia está...? How far is...?
Voy a... (lugar) I am going to... (place)
¿Puede hablar más despacio? Can you speak more slowly?
No entiendo I don’t understand

Finally, knowing key phrases for emergencies or special situations is essential for any traveler. Terms like hospital (hospital), farmacia (pharmacy), and emergencia (emergency) are crucial to ensure you’re prepared if an unexpected situation arises. You might also need phrases like ¿Dónde está la embajada? (Where is the embassy?) or Necesito un doctor (I need a doctor) to handle specific issues. Familiarity with emergency vocabulary helps you feel secure and ready to handle situations quickly, giving you peace of mind as you embark on your journey. Equipping yourself with these Spanish travel terms empowers you to navigate comfortably and make the most out of every aspect of your trip.


Spanish Travel Quiz

Spanish Grammar Test
  • 1. What is the Spanish word for “ticket”?
  • 2. What does “maleta” mean?
  • 3. How do you spell “tourist” in Spanish?
  • 4. What’s the word for “destination”?
  • 5. What does “aduana” mean?

Final Thoughts

Learning basic Spanish travel vocabulary can make a world of difference in your travel experience. From navigating transportation to ordering local dishes and handling emergencies, understanding common terms and phrases gives you confidence and independence in new environments. Even a few key words can help you connect with locals, access helpful information, and immerse yourself more fully in the culture. As you prepare for your trip, taking the time to learn Spanish travel vocabulary not only enhances your journey but also shows respect for the places and people you encounter along the way. With these essential terms in your toolkit, you're ready for a seamless, enjoyable, and memorable adventure.


For more Spanish practice, check out our Short Stories in Spanish. Fun short stories with quizzes to improve your reading comprehension and boast vocabulary.

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Spanish Food Vocabulary