Useful Simple Phrases You HAVE to Know for Travelling

You’ve booked the trip. Packed the suitcase. Double-checked the passport. But no matter how ready you are, there’s one thing that can make or break your travel experience: language.

Don’t worry—this isn’t about memorizing complicated grammar or mastering perfect pronunciation. In reality, just a handful of simple, useful phrases can turn chaos into calm and awkward silence into effortless moments.

Here’s what to keep in your back pocket before you head off anywhere. Whether you’re ordering food, finding your way around, or asking for help when things get messy, these are the must-know, super simple phrases that will save you on any trip.

Let’s dive in!

1. Start with the Basics

There’s something universal about a friendly “hello.” It breaks the ice, opens conversations, and sets the tone, whether you’re checking into a hotel or passing someone on the street. Adding a “please” or “thank you” only makes people more eager to help you out.

A few essentials:

Hello
Good morning
Good evening
Goodbye
Please
Thank you
Excuse me

Even if you can’t say much else, these are enough to get you through most encounters with ease. Sometimes, the smallest words have the biggest impact.

2. Introducing Yourself

The next time you meet a fellow traveler or chat with a local, knowing how to share your name and where you’re from can instantly make things more personal. People are naturally curious, and it’s an easy way to turn a polite moment into a real conversation.

Try these:

My name is…
I’m from…
Nice to meet you

Simple, friendly, and always a good way to start.

3. Finding Your Way

Maps are great until they’re not. When Wi-Fi drops or street signs stop making sense, a quick question can save your whole afternoon. Whether you’re trying to catch the right bus, find your hotel, or just make sure you’re not walking the wrong direction, these phrases keep you moving:

Where is…?
How do I get to…?
Is this the right way?
Which bus/train goes to…?
I want to go to (place)

Nothing beats local knowledge, and when you know how to ask, people are usually happy to point you the right way.

4. Ordering Food

Menus you can’t read. Waiters who don’t speak English. Mystery dishes that sound intriguing but could go either way. This is the reality of eating abroad—and honestly, it’s part of the fun. But knowing how to ask for what you want makes the experience even better.

A few lifesavers:

I’d like…
What do you recommend?
Is this vegetarian?
Can I see the menu?
The bill, please

Whether you’re chasing local favorites or sticking to your usual order, these make sure you get what you came for.

5. When Things Go Wrong

Nobody likes to think about emergencies on vacation. Still, it helps to be prepared, just in case. A lost passport, a sudden illness, or needing directions to the nearest hospital aren’t exactly the kind of memories you plan for—but they do happen.

Keep these close:

Help
I need a doctor
Where’s the hospital?
I lost my passport
Call the police
I don’t feel well

It takes five minutes to memorize them. And one day, they might make all the difference.

6. Shopping and Markets

Whether you’re bargaining at a street market or buying toothpaste at the corner store, money conversations come up fast. Knowing how to ask the price, check if they take cards, or politely suggest that something is a bit too expensive can save you from overpaying and awkward moments.

Handy questions:

How much is this?
Can I pay by card?
Do you have this in another size?
That’s too expensive
Can you give me a discount?

Even better if you learn the numbers, too. Suddenly, haggling feels less intimidating.

7. Hotel Conversations

From checking in late to asking for extra towels, these quick phrases help you settle in without the confusion. Nobody wants their stay to turn stressful just because of a language gap.

What you’ll want to know:

I have a reservation
I’d like to check in
What time is check-out?
There’s a problem with my room
Can I get extra towels?

And yes, absolutely make sure you know how to ask, “Do you have Wi-Fi?”

8. When Communication Gets Tricky

At some point, the words will run out. You’ll forget how to say something, or someone will respond way faster than you expected. Having a few backup lines ready makes those moments way less awkward.

Here’s what helps:

Do you speak English?
Can you repeat that, please?
I don’t understand
Can you write that down?
How do you say (word)?

Sometimes, just slowing things down and asking again is all you need.

9. Airports

Between check-ins, baggage fees, and sudden gate changes, airports are enough to make your brain spin—even in your own language. So having a few key questions ready keeps things calm.

Useful here:

Where is the check-in counter?
Where’s my gate?
How much is the baggage fee?
When does the flight leave?
I lost my luggage

The smoother the airport experience, the faster you’re on your way to the good part.

10. Single Words That Save the Day

There are times when you don’t have the energy for a full sentence. You just need one word to keep going.

These are worth knowing:

Yes / No
Left / Right / Straight
Today / Tomorrow
Bathroom
Water / Food

Minimal effort, maximum payoff.

Before You Go

No one expects you to be perfect. You’re traveling, you’re exploring, you’re trying—and that’s what people notice.

A few phrases, spoken with confidence (even if your accent is all over the place), can make your trip smoother, your connections stronger, and your memories better.

So take a little time. Practice them. Write them down. Use them.

Because the real secret of travel? It’s not just about the places you see. It’s about the people you meet—and language is what turns strangers into stories worth telling.

Now go. The world’s waiting.

If you want to master the must-know phrases fast and feel extra prepared for your next trip, IELC is here to help. With real-life travel scenarios, interactive practice, and expert guidance, IELC makes learning the essentials easy—and actually fun. It’s designed to give you exactly what you need to feel confident from the moment you land.

Because when you speak the language, even just a little, everything changes.

Tap in. Take off. Travel smarter.

At IELC, we teach English the right way

Our goal is to get you speaking in English with fluency and confidence as fast as possible. We want to give you the skills you need to fulfil your potential!

Our experienced teachers will guide you along every step of the learning process to ensure that you are not wasting your time, money, and energy on useless language exercises & wrong methods.