Basic Spanish Words & Phrases (Perfect for Travelers!)

Basic Spanish Words and Phrases Related to Getting Directions/Getting Around

• Where is – ¿Dónde está…? [dohn-deh ehs-tah…?]
• Where are..? – ¿Dónde están..? [dohn-deh ehs-tahn..?]
• Where are the toilets? – ¿Dónde están los baños? [dohn-deh ehs-tahn lohs bah-nyohs?]
• I am lost – Estoy perdido/a [ehs-toy pair-dee-doh/ah]
• Can you help me? – ¿Puede ayudarme? [pweh-deh ah-yoo-dahr-meh?]
• How can I get to…? – ¿Cómo puedo llegar a…? [koh-moh pweh-doh yeh-gahr ah…?]
• Turn Left / Right – Gire a la izquierda / derecha [hee-reh ah lah ees-keer-dah / deh-reh-chah]
• Go straight ahead – Siga todo recto [see-gah toh-doh rek-toh]
• Follow this street – Siga esta calle [see-gah ehs-tah kyah-yeh]
• Do you know where (x) is located – ¿Sabe dónde está ubicado/a (x)? [sah-beh dohn-deh ehs-tah oo-bee-kah-doh/ah (x)?]
• The beach – La playa [lah play-ah]
• The museum – El museo [el moo-seh-oh]

Basic Words in Spanish and Spanish Phrases related to using Public Transport

• I would like a ticket for… – me gustaría un boleto para… [meh goo-stah-ree-ah oon boh-leh-toh pah-rah]
• One-way ticket – boleto de ida [boh-leh-toh deh ee-dah]
• Round trip ticket – boleto de ida y vuelta [boh-leh-toh deh ee-dah ee bwel-tah]
• What is the fare? – ¿cuál es la tarifa? [kwahl es lah tah-ree-fah]
• Excuse me, where is the metro station? – disculpe, ¿dónde está la estación de metro? [diss-kool-peh, dohn-deh ehs-tah lah eh-stah-see-yon deh may-tro?]
• When does the train/bus/metro arrive? – ¿cuándo llega el tren/autobús/metro? [kwahn-doh ye-gah el tren/ow-toh-boos/may-tro?]
• Is this the right platform for the train to (destination)? – ¿es aquí el andén correcto para el tren con destino a (destination)? [ess ah-kee el ahn-den koh-rek-toh pah-rah el tren kon dehs-tee-no ah…]
• Excuse me, can you tell me when to get off for (destination)? – disculpe, ¿me puede decir cuándo bajar para (destination)? [diss-kool-peh, meh pweh-deh dee-eer kwahn-doh bah-har pah-rah…]
• Is this the right stop to go to…? – ¿es aquí la parada correcta para ir a…? [ess ah-kee lah pah-rah koh-rek-tah pah-rah eer ah…]
• Where is the exit? – ¿dónde está la salida? [dohn-deh ehs-tah lah sah-lee-dah]

Common Spanish Phrases related to Food: Eating, Drinking, Ordering, etc.

• How much does it cost? – ¿cuánto cuesta? [kwahn-toh kwehs-tah]
• The menu, please – el menú [el meh-noo, please]
• Can I see the menu, please? – ¿puedo ver el menú, por favor? [pweh-doh sehr el meh-noo, por fah-vor]
• I would like to order, please – quisiera ordenar, por favor [kee-sye-rah or-deh-nar, por fah-vor]
• What do you recommend? – ¿qué recomienda? [keh reh-koh-myehn-dah]
• I would like… – quisiera… [kee-sye-rah]
• Enjoy your food – ¡buen provecho! [bwen pro-veh-cho]
• A bottle of water, please – Una botella de agua, por favor. [oo-nah bo-te-ya de ah-gwa, por fa-vor]
• A glass of red/white wine, please – una copa de vino tinto/blanco, por favor [oo-nah koh-pah deh bee-noh teen-toh/blahnB-koh, por fah-vor]
• With Ice – Con hielo [kohn yeh-loh]
• The bill, please – la cuenta, por favor [lah kwehn-tah, por fah-vor]
• Excuse me, could we have the check/bill? – disculpe, ¿podríamos tener la cuenta? [diss-kool-peh, poh-dree-ah-mohs teh-nayr lah kwehn-tah]
• Do you have a reservation? – ¿tiene una reserva? [tyeh-neh oo-nah reh-sehr-vah]
• Could we have a table for two, please? – ¿podríamos tener una mesa para dos, por favor? [poh-dree-ah-mohs teh-nayr oo-nah meh-sah pah-rah dohs, por fah-vor]

Quick Tips for Dining in Spain:

• Meal Times: Keep in mind that meal times in Spain are often different from other countries. Lunch (“la comida”) is typically served from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and dinner (“la cena”) is served from 8:30 PM or later. Plan your dining schedule accordingly.
• Tapas Culture: Embrace the tapas culture in Spain. Many bars and restaurants offer small plates of delicious tapas that you can enjoy as a snack or combine for a full meal. It’s a great way to experience a variety of flavors.
• Menu del Día: Look for “Menu del Día” or “Menu del Día” (menu of the day) options. These are fixed-price menus that often include several courses, including a starter, main course, dessert, and sometimes a drink. They are an affordable way to try traditional Spanish dishes.
• Local Specialties: Explore the local specialties of the region you’re visiting. Each region in Spain has its own culinary traditions and signature dishes. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor paella in Valencia, pintxos in Basque Country, or gazpacho in Andalusia, to name just a few examples.
• Dining Etiquette: It’s customary to greet the staff upon entering a restaurant with a friendly “¡Hola!” (Hello) or “Buenos días/tardes/noches” (Good morning/afternoon/evening). Also, don’t rush your meal. Spaniards tend to enjoy long, leisurely meals, so take your time, relax, and soak up the dining experience.

Basic Spanish Phrases related to Booking and Staying in a Hotel

• I have a reservation, please. – Tengo una reservación, por favor. [ten-goh oo-nah reh-ser-vah-see-yon, por fa-vor]
• Can I see the room first? – ¿Puedo ver la habitación primero? [pwe-doh ver lah a-bee-tah-seeyon pree-me-ro]
• What time is breakfast served? – ¿A qué hora se sirve el desayuno? [A keh O-ra se seer-veh el de-sa-yu-no]
• Can I have a wake-up call at [time]? – ¿Puedo tener una llamada de despertador a las [hora]? [pwe-doh te-ner oo-nah ya-MA-da de des-per-ta-dor a las [o-ra]]
• What time is check-out? – ¿A qué hora es la salida? [A keh o-ra es la sa-lee-da]
• I need an extra pillow/blanket/towel. – Necesito una almohada/manta/toalla extra. [Ne-se-see-to oo-nah al-mo-A-da/mahn-ta/to-A-ya ex-tra]
• Where is the elevator/stairs? – ¿Dónde está el ascensor/las escaleras? [don-de es-ta el a-sen-sor/las es-ka-le-ras]
• Is there a safe in the room? – ¿Hay una caja fuerte en la habitación? [I oon-a ka-ha fwer-te en lah a-bee-ta-seeyon]
• Can you recommend a good restaurant nearby? – ¿Puede recomendarme un buen restaurante cerca? [pwe-de re-ko-men-dar-me oon bwen res-tau-ran-te ser-ca]

Final Thoughts on 70+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travel

We hope these basic Spanish words and phrases for travel help you do more than just introduce yourself, ask the time or say hello in Spanish (although the basics are a great place to start.) Having a little bit of Spanish language on your side while you are traveling in Spain (or any Spanish-speaking country) can be one of your best assets and as such, we hope these useful Spanish phrases can help you in a variety of situations and make your travels easier, safer and more enjoyable.

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