If you’re planning to explore Spain this autumn, knowing a few Spanish phrases for travel can make your trip a whole lot smoother – and more fun! Whether you’re wandering through the streets of Valencia, enjoying tapas in Seville, or catching a train to Madrid, speaking a bit of Spanish helps you connect with locals and feel more at home.
At EUROACE, we’ve been helping students learn Spanish and discover Spanish culture for over 20 years. So before you join our Spanish conversation courses in Valencia, let’s look at 20 essential Spanish phrases for travel that will help you navigate any situation – from ordering food to asking for directions.
Spanish phrases for travel for any occasion
When you arrive in Spain, you’ll quickly notice that locals appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak their language. Even if your Spanish isn’t perfect, using a few polite expressions can open many doors.
Here are some must know Spanish phrases for travel that work in almost any context:
Hola, ¿cómo estás? [Hello, how are you?]
Wan’t to know more about saying hello? Click here.
In Spain, people often greet with “buenos días” until lunchtime, “buenas tardes” in the afternoon, and “buenas noches” in the evening. Using the right greeting shows cultural awareness, which is always great!
Por favor / Gracias / De nada [Please / Thank you / You’re welcome]
Perdón / Disculpa [Excuse me / Sorry]
¿Hablas inglés? [Do you speak English?]
No entiendo [I don’t understand]
¿Cuánto cuesta? [How much does it cost?]
¿Dónde está…? [Where is…?]
Una cerveza, por favor [One beer, please]
Adios / Hasta luego [Goodbye / See you later]
Spanish frases for tourism and sightseeing
Obviously, one of the things you want to do when you travel is… to see everything. That’s unless you are travelling for work and you have very little time (sorry). So, what are some phrases that could save you when you are lost or trying to move around?
Check these ones out:
¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? [Where is the bus stop?]
¿A qué hora sale el tren? [What time does the train leave?]
¿Está lejos de aquí? [Is it far from here?]
Quiero comprar una entrada [I’d like to buy a ticket]
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? [Can I pay by card?]
¿Hay visitas guiadas? [Are there guided tours?]
¿Me puede recomendar un sitio bonito para visitar? [Can you recommend a nice place to visit?]
Spanish frases for food
Spanish gastronomy is one of the highlights of traveling through Spain. Btw, ln Spain, lunch (comida) is usually between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., and dinner (cena) starts late: Spaniards usually start having dinner around 8:30pm, 9pm or even 10 pm if it’s Friday or the weekend. If you show up for dinner at 7 pm, you’ll likely find that the restaurant is still closed!
Here are some phrases that will help you feel more at home:
Una mesa para dos, por favor. [A table for two, please.]
¿Qué me recomienda? [What do you recommend?]
Quisiera probar algo típico. [I’d like to try something traditional.]
¿Está incluido el servicio? [Is service included?]
La cuenta, por favor. [The check, please.]
Está riquísimo. [It’s delicious!]
¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas / sin gluten? [Do you have vegetarian / gluten-free options?]
Spanish frases for going out
One of the best parts of visiting Spain in autumn is the social scene. From cozy beach bars in Valencia (ptssss! That’s where we are!) to lively festivals in Madrid and Barcelona (Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge), you’ll probably want to make the most of it and meet new people.
So, if you wanna have fun, you might as well say these phrases:
¿Quieres salir esta noche? [Do you want to go out tonight?]
Vamos a tomar algo. [Let’s grab a drink.]
¿Dónde está la mejor zona para salir? [Where’s the best area to go out?]
¡La música es muy buena! [Great music!]
¿Puedo unirme? [Can I join?]
Me ha encantado conocerte. [It’s been a pleasure meeting you.]
Spanish frases for emergencies
Hopefully you’ll never need them, but it’s always wise to know a few Spanish phrases for travel in case of emergency. These can help you ask for help, call a doctor, or explain an urgent situation.
In Spain, the emergency number is 112, and it works for police, fire, and medical emergencies – no need to remember different numbers!
Remember these phrases:
Necesito ayuda. [I need help.]
Llame a una ambulancia, por favor. [Call an ambulance, please.]
He perdido mi pasaporte. [I’ve lost my passport.]
Me han robado. [I’ve been robbed.]
¿Dónde está la comisaría más cercana? [Where is the nearest police station?]
¿Dónde hay una farmacia? [Where is a pharmacy?]
No me siento bien. [I don’t feel well.]
How to Use Spanish Phrases for Travel Effectively
Learning Spanish phrases for travel is in a way about memorizing vocabulary, however its most important aspect is cultural. By interacting with the locals you get to integrate and live the city you are visiting so much more!
Here are a few ways to get the most out of your Spanish while traveling:
- Listen actively: Notice how locals pronounce words and try to imitate how they speak.
- Don’t fear mistakes: Spaniards love when visitors try to speak Spanish. Plus, a smile and confidence go a long way!
- Use gestures: If you forget a word, pointing or acting it out helps a lot.
- Practice every day: Even five minutes of Spanish conversation or listening to local radio can make a difference.
- Mix learning with fun: Visit markets, order coffee, or chat with your taxi driver or a random person on the bus stop… why not?
Spanish is spoken by more than 560 million people worldwide and is an official language in over 20 countries. Whether you’re traveling for leisure, work, or study, knowing some Spanish phrases for travel helps you experience Spain on a deeper level.
If you’re ready to go beyond basic Spanish phrases for travel and start speaking fluently, our courses in Valencia are the perfect next step.
At EUROACE, we offer:
- Group classes and one-to-one lessons.
- Survival Spanish for travelers.
- Conversation-focused courses.
- Exam preparation for DELE, SIELE, and CCSE.
- Online and in-person options.
With more than 20 years of experience, native teachers, and a central location in the heart of Valencia, we make learning Spanish an unforgettable experience. And, oh yes, we are Instituto Cervantes Accredited!
Join us this autumn and discover how speaking Spanish opens new worlds of culture, connection, and adventure.
