Travel Spanish: 50 Phrases You Need Before Your Trip
You don't need to be fluent to travel in a Spanish-speaking country — but knowing 50 key phrases transforms your trip from "tourist" to "traveler." These are the phrases you'll actually use, organized by real travel situations.
Survival Basics
These ten phrases alone will get you through most simple interactions. Start here.
Even if you need to switch to English, starting with "Disculpe, ¿habla inglés?" in Spanish shows respect and will get you a much warmer response.
Learn from Your Home Screen
Vocabito puts Spanish words on your Home Screen with pronunciation, example sentences, and audio — so you learn without even opening the app.
At the Airport — En el Aeropuerto
At the Hotel — En el Hotel
Getting Around — Moverse por la Ciudad
Practice These Words in Vocabito
Flashcards, widgets, and daily reminders to make Spanish stick.
Shopping — De Compras
Emergencies — Emergencias
Hopefully you won't need these, but it's important to know them just in case.
Save key emergency phrases on your phone or write them on a card in your wallet. In a stressful moment, even basic recall can fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Spanish phrases do I need for traveling?
The most essential travel phrases are: "¿Dónde está...?" (Where is...?), "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (How much does it cost?), "No entiendo" (I don't understand), "¿Habla inglés?" (Do you speak English?), and "La cuenta, por favor" (The check, please).
Do I need to speak Spanish to travel in Spain or Latin America?
In major tourist areas, you can get by with English, but knowing basic Spanish phrases greatly improves your experience. Locals appreciate the effort, you'll get better service, and you'll be able to explore beyond tourist zones.
How do I ask for directions in Spanish?
Start with "Disculpe, ¿dónde está...?" (Excuse me, where is...?) or "¿Cómo llego a...?" (How do I get to...?). Learn direction words like "derecha" (right), "izquierda" (left), "recto" (straight), and "cerca" (nearby).
How do you say emergency phrases in Spanish?
Key emergency phrases: "¡Ayuda!" (Help!), "Necesito un médico" (I need a doctor), "Llame a la policía" (Call the police), "¿Dónde está el hospital?" (Where is the hospital?), and "Es una emergencia" (It's an emergency).