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Travelling becomes far easier when you can say more than just hello. Knowing some useful phrases to learn can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Learning a small set of practical phrases before visiting any country can help you navigate transport, order food confidently, ask for help, and show respect for local culture. These everyday expressions often make the difference between feeling lost and feeling capable abroad.
We’ve gathered the most useful travel phrases that work across a wide range of destinations, focusing on clarity, politeness, and real-world use. The phrases are presented in English, French, German, Spanish, and Russian.
The importance of language when travelling abroad
Language can make or break your experience abroad. Knowing even a few local words helps you get around more easily, handle everyday situations with confidence, and avoid unnecessary stress.
More importantly, it shows respect. A small effort in the local language often leads to friendlier interactions and richer, more human travel experiences.
The benefits of learning a few essential phrases
Learning a few essential phrases can transform the way you travel. Simple expressions help you navigate transport, order food, ask for help, and manage everyday situations with far less stress. Even if you don’t speak the language fluently.
Beyond convenience, making the effort to speak a little of the local language shows respect and cultural awareness. This often leads to friendlier responses. More meaningful interactions and a richer, more authentic travel experience overall.
Greetings and Basic Courtesies
Polite language sets the tone for every interaction when travelling.
Learning a few basic greetings and courteous expressions helps you make a good first impression, navigate everyday situations smoothly, and show respect across cultures. Even if you don’t speak the language beyond the basics.
Common greetings (such as hello and goodbye)
Greetings are often the first words you’ll use abroad. They signal friendliness and openness, and are used constantly in shops, hotels, and public spaces.
- English: Hello / Goodbye
- French: Bonjour / Au revoir
- German: Hallo / Auf Wiedersehen
- Spanish: Hola / Adiós
- Russian: Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte) / До свидания (Do svidaniya)
Polite expressions (please, thank you, excuse me)
Courtesy phrases make interactions smoother and show appreciation. They’re essential for ordering food, asking questions, or getting someone’s attention politely.
- English: Please / Thank you / Excuse me
- French: S’il vous plaît / Merci / Excusez-moi
- German: Bitte / Danke / Entschuldigung
- Spanish: Por favor / Gracias / Perdón
- Russian: Пожалуйста (Pozhaluysta) / Спасибо (Spasibo) / Извините (Izvinite)
Why courtesy and respect matter across cultures
While customs vary, politeness is universally valued.
Using basic courtesies in the local language shows respect for the culture and the people you’re interacting with.
Even small efforts often lead to friendlier responses, greater patience, and more positive travel experiences overall.
Asking for Directions
Getting lost is part of travel. But knowing how to ask for directions can save time and reduce frustration. A few clear, polite phrases make it much easier to get help from locals and find your way with confidence.
Essential phrases for finding your way
These phrases help you ask where places are and whether you’re heading in the right direction.
- English: Where is…? / How do I get to…?
- French: Où se trouve… ? / Comment aller à… ?
- German: Wo ist…? / Wie komme ich zu…?
- Spanish: ¿Dónde está…? / ¿Cómo llego a…?
- Russian: Где находится…? (Gde nakhoditsya…?) / Как добраться до…? (Kak dobrat’sya do…?)
How to ask for help politely
Starting with a polite opener makes people more willing to help and sets a respectful tone.
- English: Excuse me, can you help me?
- French: Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous m’aider ?
- German: Entschuldigung, können Sie mir helfen?
- Spanish: Perdón, ¿puede ayudarme?
- Russian: Извините, вы можете мне помочь? (Izvinite, vy mozhete mne pomoch?)
Understanding commonly used directional terms
Recognising basic direction words helps you understand responses, even if you don’t catch every detail.
- English: Left / Right / Straight ahead
- French: À gauche / À droite / Tout droit
- German: Links / Rechts / Geradeaus
- Spanish: Izquierda / Derecha / Todo recto
- Russian: Налево (Nalevo) / Направо (Napravo) / Прямо (Priamo)
Learning these phrases makes navigation easier and allows you to travel more independently. Even in places where English isn’t widely spoken.
Ordering Food and Drinks
Eating out is one of the highlights of travelling, but it’s much more enjoyable when you can order with confidence.
Learning a few key phrases helps you understand menus, communicate clearly with staff, and avoid awkward misunderstandings.
Key phrases for eating out
These expressions cover the basics of ordering, paying, and interacting politely in cafés and restaurants.
- English: I would like… / The menu, please / The bill, please
- French: Je voudrais… / Le menu, s’il vous plaît / L’addition, s’il vous plaît
- German: Ich hätte gern… / Die Speisekarte, bitte / Die Rechnung, bitte
- Spanish: Me gustaría… / El menú, por favor / La cuenta, por favor
- Russian: Я хотел(а) бы… (Ya khotel(a) by…) / Меню, пожалуйста (Menyu, pozhaluysta) / Счёт, пожалуйста (Schyot, pozhaluysta)
How to ask about menu items and recommendations
Asking questions helps you choose dishes you’ll enjoy and shows interest in local cuisine.
- English: What do you recommend? / What is this dish?
- French: Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? / Qu’est-ce que c’est ?
- German: Was empfehlen Sie? / Was ist das?
- Spanish: ¿Qué recomienda? / ¿Qué es este plato?
- Russian: Что вы рекомендуете? (Chto vy rekomenduyete?) / Что это за блюдо? (Chto eto za blyudo?)
Explaining dietary requirements and preferences
Being clear about dietary needs is important for health, comfort, and peace of mind.
- English: I’m vegetarian / I have an allergy / No meat, please
- French: Je suis végétarien(ne) / J’ai une allergie / Sans viande, s’il vous plaît
- German: Ich bin Vegetarier(in) / Ich habe eine Allergie / Ohne Fleisch, bitte
- Spanish: Soy vegetariano(a) / Tengo una alergia / Sin carne, por favor
- Russian: Я вегетарианец / У меня аллергия / Без мяса, пожалуйста
(Ya vegetariánets / U menya allergiya / Bez myasa, pozhaluysta)
These phrases make dining abroad easier, safer, and far more enjoyable. Allowing you to focus on the food and the experience rather than the language barrier.
Shopping and Bargaining
Shopping abroad often means navigating unfamiliar prices, customs, and expectations.
Knowing a few useful phrases helps you communicate clearly, avoid confusion, and shop with confidence. Whether you’re in a fixed-price store or a local market.
Useful phrases for shops and markets
These phrases cover common situations such as browsing, asking questions, and completing a purchase.
- English: I’m just looking / Do you have this in another size?
- French: Je regarde seulement / Vous l’avez dans une autre taille ?
- German: Ich schaue nur / Haben Sie das in einer anderen Grösse?
- Spanish: Solo estoy mirando / ¿Lo tiene en otra talla?
- Russian: Я просто смотрю (Ya prosto smotryu) / У вас есть другой размер? (U vas yest’ drugoy razmer?)
How to ask about prices and discounts
Asking about prices politely is essential, especially in markets where prices may not be displayed.
- English: How much is this? / Is there a discount?
- French: C’est combien ? / Y a-t-il une réduction ?
- German: Wie viel kostet das? / Gibt es einen Rabatt?
- Spanish: ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? / ¿Hay descuento?
- Russian: Сколько это стоит? (Skol’ko eto stoit?) / Есть скидка? (Yest’ skidka?)
Practical tips for polite and effective bargaining
Bargaining is common in many cultures. But it should always be done respectfully.
Start with a friendly tone, smile, and show genuine interest in the item. Avoid being aggressive, and be prepared to walk away if the price doesn’t feel right.
Even when negotiating, courtesy goes a long way. It often leads to better outcomes and more positive interactions overall.
Transport Essentials
Getting around efficiently is key to stress-free travel.
Knowing a handful of transport-related phrases helps you use public transport confidently, understand schedules, and arrange taxis or vehicle hire without confusion.
Key phrases for using public transport
These phrases are useful for buying tickets and confirming you’re on the right service.
- English: A ticket, please / Where does this train go?
- French: Un billet, s’il vous plaît / Où va ce train ?
- German: Eine Fahrkarte, bitte / Wohin fährt dieser Zug?
- Spanish: Un billete, por favor / ¿Adónde va este tren?
- Russian: Билет, пожалуйста (Bilet, pozhaluysta) / Куда идёт этот поезд? (Kuda idyot etot poyezd?)
Asking about timetables, routes, and stops
Understanding times and stops helps you avoid getting lost or missing connections.
- English: What time does it leave? / Is this the right stop?
- French: À quelle heure ça part ? / C’est le bon arrêt ?
- German: Wann fährt es ab? / Ist das die richtige Haltestelle?
- Spanish: ¿A qué hora sale? / ¿Es esta la parada correcta?
- Russian: Во сколько отправляется? (Vo skol’ko otpravlyayetsya?) / Это правильная остановка? (Eto pravil’naya ostanovka?)
Hiring vehicles or booking taxis
These phrases help you arrange private transport when public options aren’t practical.
- English: I need a taxi / I’d like to hire a car
- French: J’ai besoin d’un taxi / Je voudrais louer une voiture
- German: Ich brauche ein Taxi / Ich möchte ein Auto mieten
- Spanish: Necesito un taxi / Quiero alquilar un coche
- Russian: Мне нужно такси (Mne nuzhno taksi) / Я хочу арендовать машину (Ya khochu arendovat’ mashinu)
With these essentials, you’ll be better prepared to move around confidently, save time, and focus on enjoying your trip rather than worrying about logistics.
Emergency Situations
Emergencies are stressful enough without a language barrier.
Knowing a few clear, direct phrases can help you get assistance quickly, explain what’s wrong, and stay calm in urgent situations.
Important phrases to use in emergencies
These phrases communicate urgency and alert others that you need immediate help.
- English: Help! / It’s an emergency
- French: À l’aide ! / C’est une urgence
- German: Hilfe! / Das ist ein Notfall
- Spanish: ¡Ayuda! / Es una emergencia
- Russian: Помогите! (Pomogítye!) / Это чрезвычайная ситуация (Eto chrezvycháynaya situátsiya)
How to ask for help or report a problem
Use these when speaking to police, medical staff, or people nearby.
- English: I need help / I’m injured / I’ve lost my passport
- French: J’ai besoin d’aide / Je suis blessé(e) / J’ai perdu mon passeport
- German: Ich brauche Hilfe / Ich bin verletzt / Ich habe meinen Pass verloren
- Spanish: Necesito ayuda / Estoy herido(a) / He perdido mi pasaporte
- Russian: Мне нужна помощь (Mne nuzhná pomoshch) / Я ранен(а) (Ya ránen(a)) / Я потерял(а) паспорт (Ya poteryál(a) pásport)
Understanding local emergency numbers
Emergency numbers vary by country, but a few are widely recognised:
- 112 – Works in most of Europe and many other countries
- 911 – Used in the United States, Canada, and several other regions
- 999 / 111 – Used in some countries and territories
Before travelling, it’s worth checking the local emergency number and saving it on your phone.
Combined with these phrases, this preparation can make a critical difference when time matters most.
Accommodation and Check-in
Staying somewhere new often involves quick conversations at reception or with hosts.
Learning a few accommodation-related phrases helps you check in smoothly, request what you need, and resolve problems without stress.
Useful phrases for hotel check-in and check-out
These phrases cover the most common interactions when arriving or leaving your accommodation.
- English: I have a reservation / I’d like to check in / I’d like to check out
- French: J’ai une réservation / Je voudrais m’enregistrer / Je voudrais régler et partir
- German: Ich habe eine Reservierung / Ich möchte einchecken / Ich möchte auschecken
- Spanish: Tengo una reserva / Quiero hacer el check-in / Quiero hacer el check-out
- Russian: У меня есть бронь (U menya yest’ bron’) / Я хотел(а) бы заселиться (Ya khotel(a) by zaselit’sya) / Я хотел(а) бы выехать (Ya khotel(a) by vyyekhat’)
Requesting services or reporting issues
Use these to ask for help, extra items, or to explain a problem with your room.
- English: The room key doesn’t work / I need fresh towels / There’s a problem with the room
- French: La clé ne fonctionne pas / J’ai besoin de serviettes propres / Il y a un problème avec la chambre
- German: Der Schlüssel funktioniert nicht / Ich brauche frische Handtücher / Es gibt ein Problem mit dem Zimmer
- Spanish: La llave no funciona / Necesito toallas limpias / Hay un problema con la habitación
- Russian: Ключ не работает (Klyuch ne rabotayet) / Мне нужны чистые полотенца (Mne nuzhny chistye polotentsa) / В номере проблема (V nomere problema)
Common vocabulary related to rooms and facilities
Recognising these words helps you understand signs, facilities, and staff explanations.
- English: Room / Bathroom / Wi-Fi / Breakfast
- French: Chambre / Salle de bain / Wi-Fi / Petit déjeuner
- German: Zimmer / Badezimmer / WLAN / Frühstück
- Spanish: Habitación / Baño / Wi-Fi / Desayuno
- Russian: Номер (Nomer) / Ванная (Vannaya) / Wi-Fi / Завтрак (Zavtrak)
These essentials make accommodation stays smoother and more comfortable. Letting you focus on rest and enjoying your trip rather than sorting out logistics.
Cultural Etiquette and Local Customs
Language isn’t just a tool for communication. It’s a way of showing awareness, respect, and sensitivity to how people live and interact.
Using culturally appropriate phrases helps you avoid misunderstandings and build more positive relationships while travelling.
Phrases that demonstrate cultural awareness
These expressions show politeness, humility, and respect. Especially when interacting with elders, service staff, or in formal situations.
- English: Nice to meet you / Sorry / Excuse me
- French: Enchanté(e) / Désolé(e) / Pardon
- German: Freut mich / Entschuldigung / Verzeihung
- Spanish: Mucho gusto / Lo siento / Disculpe
- Russian: Приятно познакомиться (Priyatno poznakomit’sya) / Извините (Izvinite) / Простите (Prostite)
The importance of understanding local customs
Customs shape how language is used. From levels of formality to gestures and tone. In some cultures, directness is valued; in others, indirect or softened language is preferred.
These differences help you avoid appearing rude or dismissive, even when your words are technically correct.
How language reflects cultural values and expectations
Language often mirrors what a culture values most: respect for hierarchy, community, privacy, or politeness.
Honorifics, formal pronouns, and indirect phrasing all signal social awareness.
By learning not just what to say but how and when to say it, you communicate more naturally and show genuine respect for the people and places you’re visiting.
Useful Phrases to Learn FAQs
Do I really need to learn phrases if many people speak English?
While English is widely spoken in some destinations, relying on it everywhere can limit your experience. Learning a few local phrases helps in everyday situations, earns goodwill, and is especially useful in smaller towns, markets, and non-touristy areas.
How many phrases should I learn before travelling?
You don’t need hundreds. Around 15–30 essential phrases covering greetings, directions, food, transport, and emergencies are enough to travel more confidently and independently.
Which phrases are the most important to prioritise?
Start with greetings and polite expressions, then focus on directions, ordering food, transport, and emergency phrases. These cover the majority of real-world travel interactions.
Is pronunciation more important than grammar when travelling?
Yes. Clear pronunciation matters more than perfect grammar in travel situations. Locals will usually understand and appreciate the effort, even if your sentence structure isn’t perfect.
Can learning basic phrases really improve cultural respect?
Absolutely. Using even a few words in the local language shows awareness and respect for the culture. It often leads to friendlier interactions, more patience, and a more authentic travel experience overall.