Travel is where a little English goes a long way. The conversations repeat themselves: everyone checks in, orders food and asks where things are. If you know the phrases for those situations, you can handle almost everything.
Airport
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| ”I’d like to check in for my flight to…” | At the airline counter |
| ”Can I take this as carry-on?” | Asking about your bag |
| ”Is this flight on time?” | Checking for delays |
| ”Where is gate 12?” | Finding your gate |
| ”I’m here on vacation.” | At immigration |
| ”I’m staying at a hotel downtown.” | At immigration |
| ”My luggage didn’t arrive.” | Lost luggage |
At immigration, the most common questions are “What’s the purpose of your visit?” and “How long are you staying?”. Short, direct answers work best.
Hotel
- “I have a reservation under the name…”
- “What time is checkout?”
- “Is breakfast included?”
- “Could I have a late checkout?”
- “The air conditioning isn’t working.”
- “Could you call a taxi for me?”
- “Can I leave my bags here until check-in?”
Restaurant
- “A table for two, please.”
- “Could we see the menu?”
- “What do you recommend?”
- “I’m allergic to peanuts.” (swap in your own allergy)
- “Can I get this without onions?”
- “Could we get the check, please?” (US) or “Could we have the bill?” (UK)
- “Is service included?”
In the United States, the tip is usually not included and is typically 15% to 20% at sit-down restaurants. Customs vary a lot by country, so check before you go.
Transport
- “How do I get to…?”
- “Which line goes to the airport?”
- “Does this bus stop at…?”
- “A one-way ticket to…, please.”
- “How much is a round trip?”
- “Could you let me know when we get to…?”
Shopping
- “How much is this?”
- “Do you have this in a smaller size?”
- “Can I try this on?”
- “Do you take credit cards?”
- “I’m just looking, thanks.”
- “Can I get a receipt?”
Emergencies
- “I need help.”
- “I lost my passport.”
- “Where is the nearest pharmacy?”
- “I need a doctor.”
- “Please call the police.”
The two most important phrases
No list covers everything. When the conversation goes off script, these two save you:
- “Sorry, could you repeat that?”
- “Could you speak a little slower, please?”
They turn “I didn’t understand anything” into a second chance.
How to practice before you go
Reading the list helps, but hearing and repeating is what makes it stick. Travel vlogs, airport videos and restaurant scenes in TV shows let you hear these phrases at real speed. With Telidioma’s dual subtitles you can watch those videos, click the phrase you want to keep and hear it pronounced. To build the habit, read how to learn English with YouTube.
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel without speaking English?
Yes, but unexpected problems, like a cancelled flight or lost luggage, get much harder to solve. Knowing the phrases for the most common situations changes the trip, even with basic English.
How do you ask for the bill in English?
In the United States, the most common phrase is “Can I get the check, please?”. In the UK, “Could I have the bill, please?”. Both are understood in either country.
What is the most polite way to ask for something?
Use “Could I have...” or “Can I get..., please?” instead of “I want...”. “I want” sounds too blunt for requests in shops and restaurants.