Travel English: airports, hotels and transport

English is the common language of international travel. Whether you are flying to Toronto, changing planes in Madrid, checking into a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or taking a boat to an island in the Caribbean, you will probably use English at some point. Over the years, I have traveled between Sweden, Canada, Egypt, Malaysia, Uruguay and Colombia, and I have helped many students prepare for their first international trips. This guide gives you the vocabulary, phrases and cultural tips you need at every stage of your journey: from booking to the airport, the plane, immigration, transport and the hotel.

Before you travel: booking and planning

Booking flights and accommodation

Most booking happens online, but sometimes you need to call or write to an airline or hotel. Useful phrases:

• "I'd like to book a return flight to Toronto for two adults."
• "Is this ticket refundable or changeable?"
• "How many checked bags are included?"
• "Do you have a double room available from May 3rd to May 7th?"
• "Is breakfast included in the price?"
• "Could you confirm my reservation by email, please?"

Key vocabulary

At the airport: check-in

At the check-in counter or self-service kiosk, you will hear and use these phrases:

Pronunciation tip: "aisle" sounds like "I'll." The "s" is silent.

Security

Security instructions are short and direct. You will hear:

• "Please place your bags on the belt."
• "Laptops and liquids out of your bag, please."
• "Remove your belt, watch and shoes."
• "Empty your pockets."
• "Step through, please." / "Arms up."
• "Is this your bag? I need to check it."

Rules about liquids and electronics vary by country and change over time. Check your airport's current rules before you pack.

At the gate and boarding

• "We are now boarding passengers in group two."
• "Flight 245 is delayed. The new departure time is 11:30."
• "This is the final call for passenger Isaac."
• "The gate has changed to B7."

If you do not understand an announcement, ask: "Excuse me, did they just say the gate has changed?" Asking for clarification is normal, and native speakers do it too.

On the plane

Flight attendants will also tell you to "fasten your seatbelt," "put your seat in the upright position" and "switch your devices to flight mode."

Immigration and customs

Immigration interviews are usually short, but they can make people nervous. Answer clearly, simply and honestly. Typical questions:

Have your documents ready: passport, any required visa or travel authorization, return ticket, accommodation details and, for some countries, proof of funds or insurance. Requirements vary by nationality and destination, so always check official sources before you travel. If you plan to work remotely abroad, read the digital nomad life, because some countries require specific visas.

Baggage claim and problems

• "Which carousel is the baggage from flight 245?"
• "My suitcase didn't arrive. Where can I report it?"
• "My bag is damaged."
• "It's a large black suitcase with a red ribbon on the handle."
• "Could you deliver it to my hotel when you find it?"

Keep your baggage tag receipt; you will need it to report a missing bag.

Missed flights and delays

• "I missed my connection because my first flight was delayed."
• "Can you rebook me on the next flight?"
• "Will the airline provide a hotel or meal vouchers?"
• "My flight was cancelled. What are my options?"

Stay calm and polite. Agents are more willing to help travelers who are respectful, even in stressful situations. Softening your requests with "could" and "would" helps, as I explain in negotiating and disagreeing politely.

Getting around: transport

Taxis and ride apps

• "Could you take me to this address, please?"
• "How much will it be, approximately?"
• "Could you turn on the meter, please?"
• "Can you stop here, please?"
• "Can I pay by card?"

Trains, buses and the metro

• "A single ticket to the city center, please." (British) / "A one-way ticket downtown." (American)
• "Which platform does the train to Ottawa leave from?"
• "Does this bus go to the airport?"
• "How many stops is it to Union Station?"
• "Where do I change for the green line?"

Renting a car

• "I have a reservation for a compact car."
• "Is insurance included?"
• "Should I return it with a full tank?"
• "Is it automatic or manual?"

At the hotel

Check-in

Requests

• "Could I have extra towels, please?"
• "What's the Wi-Fi password?"
• "Could you recommend a good local restaurant?"
• "Can I leave my luggage here after checkout?"
• "Could you call a taxi for me at 7 a.m.?"

Problems

• "The air conditioning isn't working."
• "There's no hot water in the shower."
• "The room is very noisy. Is it possible to change rooms?"
• "I think there's a mistake on my bill."

Notice how polite requests use "could" and "is it possible." This is the natural way to ask for things in English, much softer than "I want."

Checkout

• "I'd like to check out, please."
• "Could I have an invoice with my company's name?"
• "Everything was great, thank you."

Asking for directions

• "Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?"
• "Is it within walking distance?"
• "Go straight for two blocks, then turn left at the traffic lights."
• "It's on your right, next to the bank."
• "You can't miss it."

Repeat the directions to confirm: "So, two blocks straight and then left?" It shows you understood and helps avoid mistakes.

Emergencies

• "Help! Call an ambulance!"
• "I've lost my passport. Where is the nearest police station?"
• "My wallet has been stolen."
• "I need a doctor. I'm allergic to penicillin."
• "Where is the nearest pharmacy?"

Before you travel, save the emergency number of your destination, your embassy's contact details and your insurance information. See planning long-term travel for a full checklist.

Cultural tips for travelers

• Tipping varies enormously: expected in Canada and the United States, modest in many European countries, part of daily life in Egypt. Ask locals or check before you go.
• Queues are taken seriously in many English-speaking countries; wait your turn.
• Small talk with hotel staff and drivers is common; a simple "How's your day going?" is friendly. Read small talk in English.
• "Please" and "thank you" are used constantly in English. Using them often is never too much.

For customs in specific countries, read cultural etiquette in six countries.

Trains and long-distance buses

In many countries, trains and buses are the best way to travel between cities. Useful phrases:

• "Is this seat taken?"
• "Does this train stop at Uppsala?"
• "Excuse me, which carriage is first class?"
• "How long is the journey?"
• "Is there a dining car or a snack service?"
• "What time does the last bus leave?"

Listen for announcements like "The next stop is…," "Please mind the gap" in London, and "This train terminates here," meaning it is the last stop.

On long journeys, a simple "Do you mind if I open the window?" or "Would you like to swap seats so you can sit with your friend?" can start a pleasant conversation with fellow passengers.

Booking vocabulary for accommodation

Common mistakes travelers make in English

• "I want a coffee." Sounds direct; try "Could I have a coffee, please?"
• "Where is the toilets?" Use "Where are the toilets?" or "Where's the restroom?"
• "I have a reservation in the name of…" is fine, but "under the name of…" is more common.
• "Can you repeat?" Add "that": "Could you repeat that, please?"
• "How much is the cost?" Simply: "How much is it?" or "How much does it cost?"
• "I'm agree." Say "I agree."

For more frequent errors and how to fix them, read common mistakes when studying English.

Practice dialogue: arriving at a hotel

Receptionist: Good evening! Welcome to the Harbor Hotel. How can I help you?
Guest: Hi, I have a reservation for three nights under the name García.
Receptionist: Let me check… Yes, a double room with a sea view. Could I see your passport?
Guest: Here you are. Is breakfast included?
Receptionist: Yes, it's served from 6:30 to 10:30 in the restaurant on the ground floor.
Guest: Perfect. And what's the Wi-Fi password?
Receptionist: It's on this card with your key. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Guest: Could you recommend a place for dinner nearby?
Receptionist: Of course. There's a great seafood restaurant just two blocks to the left.
Guest: Thank you so much!

Practice this dialogue aloud, changing the details: your name, the number of nights, your questions. Repetition with variation is one of the best ways to build fluency.

My travel tip as a teacher

Before every trip, prepare five phrases for each situation you expect: the airport, the hotel, the restaurant and transport. Say them aloud several times. When the moment comes, you will feel more confident, and confidence is what makes communication work. And remember: travel is a classroom. Every conversation abroad is practice, as I explain in travel as a language classroom. Next, read ordering food abroad to complete your travel vocabulary.

Travel is one of the most motivating reasons to learn English, because the reward is immediate: a smooth check-in, a helpful conversation, a new friend. Prepare well, be polite, ask when you do not understand, and enjoy every interaction as practice. With each trip, you will notice that you understand more, speak more easily and worry less. Safe travels, and enjoy the journey!