Spanish travel and transportation vocabulary. Essential words and phrases for navigating airports, booking hotels, using public transport, and more.
Travel and transportation vocabulary is essential for navigating new places with confidence. This section covers the most important Spanish words and phrases for everything from airports and hotels to buses and taxis. Whether you’re planning a trip or just brushing up your skills, these vocabulary lists will help you communicate clearly and get around like a local.
Air travel is a common part of international trips. These essential words cover everything from checking in to boarding your flight.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el aeropuerto | los aeropuertos | airport | airports | El aeropuerto está muy lejos. | The airport is very far. |
| el avión | los aviones | airplane | airplanes | El avión llega a las 8 p.m. | The plane arrives at 8 p.m. |
| la maleta | las maletas | suitcase | suitcases | Mi maleta es muy pesada. | My suitcase is very heavy. |
| el pasaporte | — | passport | — | Necesito mi pasaporte para viajar. | I need my passport to travel. |
| la puerta de embarque | las puertas de embarque | boarding gate | boarding gates | La puerta de embarque está abierta. | The boarding gate is open. |
| el billete | los billetes | ticket | tickets | Compré un billete de ida y vuelta. | I bought a round-trip ticket. |
| el control de seguridad | — | security checkpoint | — | Pasamos por el control de seguridad. | We went through the security checkpoint. |
| el asiento | los asientos | seat | seats | Mi asiento está junto a la ventana. | My seat is by the window. |
| la facturación | — | check-in | — | Hice la facturación online. | I checked in online. |
| el retraso | los retrasos | delay | delays | El vuelo tiene un retraso de dos horas. | The flight has a two-hour delay. |
El vuelo tiene un ___ de dos horas.
What does 'retraso' mean in English?
delay
'Retraso' means 'delay' in English, commonly used to describe late flights.
La ___ de embarque está abierta.
Which Spanish word means 'boarding gate'?
puerta
'Puerta de embarque' means 'boarding gate' in Spanish. It is where passengers board their flights.
Getting around a city often means using buses, taxis, or trains. These words will help you ask for directions and buy tickets.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el taxi | los taxis | taxi | taxis | Tomamos un taxi al hotel. | We took a taxi to the hotel. |
| el autobús | los autobuses | bus | buses | El autobús llega en cinco minutos. | The bus arrives in five minutes. |
| el tren | los trenes | train | trains | El tren sale a las 9 de la mañana. | The train leaves at 9 a.m. |
| la estación | las estaciones | station | stations | La estación está en el centro. | The station is downtown. |
| la parada | las paradas | stop | stops | Bajamos en la próxima parada. | We get off at the next stop. |
| el billete | los billetes | ticket | tickets | ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete de tren? | How much is a train ticket? |
| el conductor | los conductores | driver | drivers | El conductor fue muy amable. | The driver was very kind. |
| el metro | — | subway | — | Tomamos el metro hasta la plaza. | We took the subway to the square. |
| el coche | los coches | car | cars | Alquilamos un coche para el fin de semana. | We rented a car for the weekend. |
| la gasolina | — | gasoline | — | Necesitamos comprar gasolina. | We need to buy gasoline. |
Booking a place to stay is a key part of travel. These words will help you make reservations and ask about your room.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el hotel | los hoteles | hotel | hotels | Nos quedamos en un hotel céntrico. | We stayed in a downtown hotel. |
| la habitación | las habitaciones | room | rooms | La habitación tiene baño privado. | The room has a private bathroom. |
| la reserva | las reservas | reservation | reservations | Hice una reserva para dos personas. | I made a reservation for two people. |
| la recepción | — | reception | — | La recepción está abierta las 24 horas. | The reception is open 24 hours. |
| la llave | las llaves | key | keys | Aquí tienes la llave de tu habitación. | Here’s the key to your room. |
| el huésped | los huéspedes | guest | guests | Los huéspedes deben respetar las normas. | Guests must follow the rules. |
| el check-in | — | check-in | — | El check-in es a partir de las 3 p.m. | Check-in is after 3 p.m. |
| el check-out | — | check-out | — | El check-out es antes de mediodía. | Check-out is before noon. |
| el desayuno | los desayunos | breakfast | breakfasts | El hotel incluye desayuno continental. | The hotel includes continental breakfast. |
| el ascensor | los ascensores | elevator | elevators | La habitación está en el quinto piso; hay ascensor. | The room is on the fifth floor; there’s an elevator. |
These basic phrases are useful in almost every situation, from asking for help to understanding directions.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Dónde está…? | — | Where is…? | — | ¿Dónde está la estación de tren? | Where is the train station? |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | — | How much does it cost? | — | ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete a Madrid? | How much is a ticket to Madrid? |
| Quisiera… | — | I would like… | — | Quisiera un vuelo a Barcelona, por favor. | I would like a flight to Barcelona, please. |
| ¿A qué hora…? | — | At what time…? | — | ¿A qué hora sale el tren? | At what time does the train leave? |
| Necesito ayuda | — | I need help | — | Necesito ayuda con mi maleta. | I need help with my suitcase. |
| ¿Habla inglés? | — | Do you speak English? | — | ¿Habla inglés en la recepción? | Do you speak English at the reception? |
| Estoy perdido/a | — | I’m lost | — | Estoy perdida; ¿puede ayudarme? | I’m lost; can you help me? |
| Una mesa para dos, por favor | — | A table for two, please | — | Una mesa para dos, por favor. | A table for two, please. |
| ¿Dónde puedo comprar…? | — | Where can I buy…? | — | ¿Dónde puedo comprar billetes? | Where can I buy tickets? |
| ¿Cuál es la salida? | — | Where is the exit? | — | ¿Cuál es la salida del vuelo 203? | Where is the exit for flight 203? |
Understanding basic geography and giving or following directions is crucial when traveling in a new city.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la calle | las calles | street | streets | Mi hotel está en la calle Mayor. | My hotel is on Main Street. |
| la avenida | las avenidas | avenue | avenues | La tienda está en la avenida Central. | The store is on Central Avenue. |
| la plaza | las plazas | square | squares | Nos encontramos en la plaza principal. | We meet in the main square. |
| el mapa | los mapas | map | maps | Necesito un mapa de la ciudad. | I need a map of the city. |
| la derecha | — | right | — | Gira a la derecha en el semáforo. | Turn right at the traffic light. |
| la izquierda | — | left | — | Sigue recto y luego a la izquierda. | Go straight and then turn left. |
| recto | — | straight | — | Sigue recto dos cuadras. | Go straight for two blocks. |
| el semáforo | los semáforos | traffic light | traffic lights | Espera en el semáforo. | Wait at the traffic light. |
| la esquina | las esquinas | corner | corners | La cafetería está en la esquina. | The café is on the corner. |
| el cruce | los cruces | crossing | crossings | Cruza el cruce con cuidado. | Cross the crossing carefully. |
These are the core Spanish vocabulary categories for travel and transportation. Mastering these words and phrases will help you navigate airports, use public transport, book accommodation, and ask for directions with confidence. Safe travels!
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Singular: airport
- English Plural: airports
- English Example: The airport is very far.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
