Travel and transportation vocabulary includes the words and phrases we use to talk about moving from one place to another. This chapter covers common topics like airports, hotels, public transit, and more. Here are the main categories:
- Airport and Airplane Vocabulary
- Hotel and Accommodation Vocabulary
- Public Transportation Vocabulary
- Directions and Navigation Vocabulary
- Travel Documents and Booking Vocabulary
Airport and Airplane Vocabulary
Airport and airplane vocabulary helps you understand and use words related to flying. This includes words for checking in, going through security, boarding the plane, and more.
| English Word/Phrase | English Definition | Example Sentence | Example Sentence (English) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| airport | a place where airplanes take off and land | We arrived at the airport two hours early. | We arrived at the airport two hours early. | We arrived at the airport two hours early. |
| airplane / plane | a vehicle that flies in the sky | The airplane takes off at 9 a.m. | The airplane takes off at 9 a.m. | The airplane takes off at 9 a.m. |
| boarding pass | a ticket that allows you to get on a plane | She showed her boarding pass at the gate. | She showed her boarding pass at the gate. | She showed her boarding pass at the gate. |
| gate | the area where you wait to board the plane | Our flight leaves from gate 12. | Our flight leaves from gate 12. | Our flight leaves from gate 12. |
| check-in | the process of registering for a flight | We checked in online to save time. | We checked in online to save time. | We checked in online to save time. |
| security | the area where bags are screened and passengers are checked | Passengers went through security before boarding. | Passengers went through security before boarding. | Passengers went through security before boarding. |
| departure | the time when a flight leaves | The departure was delayed by 30 minutes. | The departure was delayed by 30 minutes. | The departure was delayed by 30 minutes. |
| arrival | the time when a flight lands | Our arrival in New York is at 6 p.m. | Our arrival in New York is at 6 p.m. | Our arrival in New York is at 6 p.m. |
| suitcase | a bag used for carrying clothes and belongings | He packed his suitcase the night before. | He packed his suitcase the night before. | He packed his suitcase the night before. |
| carry-on | a small bag you bring onto the plane | She took a carry-on bag instead of checking a suitcase. | She took a carry-on bag instead of checking a suitcase. | She took a carry-on bag instead of checking a suitcase. |
If your flight is late, it means the ________ was delayed.
departure
Departure refers to the time when a flight leaves. If the flight is late, the departure is delayed. Arrival is when the flight lands.
Hotel and Accommodation Vocabulary
Hotel and accommodation vocabulary helps you talk about booking a room, checking in and out, and asking for services during your stay.
| English Word/Phrase | English Definition | Example Sentence | Example Sentence (English) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hotel | a place where people stay overnight | We stayed at a hotel near the beach. | We stayed at a hotel near the beach. | We stayed at a hotel near the beach. |
| room | a space in a hotel where guests sleep | Our room has a sea view. | Our room has a sea view. | Our room has a sea view. |
| reservation | a booking made in advance | I made a reservation for two nights. | I made a reservation for two nights. | I made a reservation for two nights. |
| check-in | the process of registering at a hotel | We checked in at 3 p.m. | We checked in at 3 p.m. | We checked in at 3 p.m. |
| check-out | the process of leaving a hotel | Check-out time is at 11 a.m. | Check-out time is at 11 a.m. | Check-out time is at 11 a.m. |
| lobby | the main area of a hotel | We waited in the hotel lobby. | We waited in the hotel lobby. | We waited in the hotel lobby. |
| key card | a plastic card used to open a hotel room | The receptionist gave us a key card. | The receptionist gave us a key card. | The receptionist gave us a key card. |
| amenities | extra services or facilities (like a pool or gym) | The hotel has many amenities, including a spa. | The hotel has many amenities, including a spa. | The hotel has many amenities, including a spa. |
| receptionist | the person who helps guests at the front desk | The receptionist was very helpful. | The receptionist was very helpful. | The receptionist was very helpful. |
| suite | a large, luxurious hotel room | They stayed in a suite with two bedrooms. | They stayed in a suite with two bedrooms. | They stayed in a suite with two bedrooms. |
Public Transportation Vocabulary
Public transportation vocabulary covers buses, trains, subways, and other shared services that help you get around a city or town.
| English Word/Phrase | English Definition | Example Sentence | Example Sentence (English) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus | a large vehicle that carries many passengers | I take the bus to work every day. | I take the bus to work every day. | I take the bus to work every day. |
| train | a vehicle that runs on tracks and travels between cities or within a city | The train was delayed by 10 minutes. | The train was delayed by 10 minutes. | The train was delayed by 10 minutes. |
| subway / metro | an underground train system | We took the subway to downtown. | We took the subway to downtown. | We took the subway to downtown. |
| ticket | a pass that allows you to ride public transport | I bought a ticket for the 5 p.m. train. | I bought a ticket for the 5 p.m. train. | I bought a ticket for the 5 p.m. train. |
| fare | the cost of a bus or train ride | The fare is $2.50. | The fare is $2.50. | The fare is $2.50. |
| stop | a place where buses or trains pick up passengers | Get off at the next stop. | Get off at the next stop. | Get off at the next stop. |
| transfer | changing from one bus or train to another | I had to transfer to a different line. | I had to transfer to a different line. | I had to transfer to a different line. |
| schedule | a timetable of when buses or trains arrive and depart | Check the schedule before you leave. | Check the schedule before you leave. | Check the schedule before you leave. |
| platform | the area where you wait for a train | Wait on platform 3 for the train to Boston. | Wait on platform 3 for the train to Boston. | Wait on platform 3 for the train to Boston. |
| conductor | the person who collects tickets on a train or bus | The conductor checked our tickets. | The conductor checked our tickets. | The conductor checked our tickets. |
Directions and Navigation Vocabulary
Directions and navigation vocabulary helps you ask for and understand instructions about how to get somewhere, whether on foot, by car, or using public transport.
| English Word/Phrase | English Definition | Example Sentence | Example Sentence (English) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| left | the opposite of right; a direction | Turn left at the next traffic light. | Turn left at the next traffic light. | Turn left at the next traffic light. |
| right | a direction opposite of left | The bank is on the right side of the street. | The bank is on the right side of the street. | The bank is on the right side of the street. |
| straight | continuing forward without turning | Go straight for two blocks. | Go straight for two blocks. | Go straight for two blocks. |
| intersection | the place where two roads cross | Stop at the intersection and look both ways. | Stop at the intersection and look both ways. | Stop at the intersection and look both ways. |
| traffic light | a signal that controls traffic with red, yellow, and green lights | Wait for the traffic light to turn green. | Wait for the traffic light to turn green. | Wait for the traffic light to turn green. |
| crosswalk | a marked place for pedestrians to cross the street | Use the crosswalk to cross safely. | Use the crosswalk to cross safely. | Use the crosswalk to cross safely. |
| block | a section of a street between two intersections | The restaurant is two blocks away. | The restaurant is two blocks away. | The restaurant is two blocks away. |
| map | a drawing showing streets and locations | I looked at the map to find the museum. | I looked at the map to find the museum. | I looked at the map to find the museum. |
| GPS | a device or app that gives directions | I use my phone's GPS to navigate the city. | I use my phone's GPS to navigate the city. | I use my phone's GPS to navigate the city. |
| landmark | a recognizable object or building used for navigation | The tall tower is a famous landmark. | The tall tower is a famous landmark. | The tall tower is a famous landmark. |
Travel Documents and Booking Vocabulary
Travel documents and booking vocabulary includes the important papers and online processes you need before and during your trip, such as passports, visas, and reservations.
| English Word/Phrase | English Definition | Example Sentence | Example Sentence (English) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| passport | an official document for international travel | Don’t forget to bring your passport. | Don’t forget to bring your passport. | Don’t forget to bring your passport. |
| visa | an official permission to enter a country | She applied for a tourist visa. | She applied for a tourist visa. | She applied for a tourist visa. |
| itinerary | a detailed plan or schedule for a trip | Our itinerary includes visits to three cities. | Our itinerary includes visits to three cities. | Our itinerary includes visits to three cities. |
| reservation | a booking made in advance for a hotel, flight, or rental car | I made a reservation at the airport hotel. | I made a reservation at the airport hotel. | I made a reservation at the airport hotel. |
| confirmation | a document or email that verifies your booking | We received the confirmation by email. | We received the confirmation by email. | We received the confirmation by email. |
| boarding pass | a ticket needed to enter the airplane | Show your boarding pass at the gate. | Show your boarding pass at the gate. | Show your boarding pass at the gate. |
| travel insurance | a policy that covers health or trip cancellations | I bought travel insurance for the trip. | I bought travel insurance for the trip. | I bought travel insurance for the trip. |
| rental car | a car you rent for travel | We picked up our rental car at the airport. | We picked up our rental car at the airport. | We picked up our rental car at the airport. |
| check-in | the process of confirming your arrival for a flight or hotel | Online check-in saves time at the airport. | Online check-in saves time at the airport. | Online check-in saves time at the airport. |
| boarding | the process of getting on an airplane | Boarding starts 30 minutes before takeoff. | Boarding starts 30 minutes before takeoff. | Boarding starts 30 minutes before takeoff. |
All together, these vocabulary categories will help you confidently navigate airports, book accommodations, use public transportation, ask for directions, and manage your travel documents.
Before you fly, you can often do online ________ to save time at the airport.
check-in
Online check-in allows you to confirm your flight and sometimes choose your seat before arriving at the airport.
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- Example Sentence: We arrived at the airport two hours early.
- English Word/Phrase: airport
- English Definition: a place where airplanes take off and land
- Example Sentence (English): We arrived at the airport two hours early.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
