Traveler's Dictionary: 100 phrases everyone should know

Together with EnglishDom, an online English language school, we've compiled a selection of phrases that are sure to come in handy when traveling. And if you still have plenty of time to spare, we recommend that you prepare thoroughly - there are plenty of ways to improve your English. The main secret is to study regularly. Devote at least 10-15 minutes a day to English and the result will not wait. A clear example: 10 minutes a day spent in the ED Words app helps you learn about 300 new English words a month! Now remember how much time you spent today scrolling through your Instagram or Facebook feed and how much benefit you got from it.

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At the airport and on the plane / Checking in for your flight

If you have not checked in for your flight online, you may hear the following questions and requests from the airport staff at the counter:

May I see your passport?

Would you like a window or aisle seat?

Do you have any carry-on luggage?

Do you have any liquids or sharp objects in your carry-on luggage?

Do you have any luggage?

You have to check-in your luggage.

How many pieces of baggage do you have?

Place your bag on the scale.

Baggage Check-in

If you are asked:

Are you checking in your baggage or carrying on?

You can answer:

I want to take this bag with me.

OR

I'd like to check-in my luggage.

Is there anything in your luggage that needs careful handling? Be sure to say: Please, mark this bag as "fragile", which means: "Please mark this bag as fragile."

If it appears that the bag is too heavy, you may hear:

Your luggage is 6 kilos overweight.

Your luggage is overweight.

You'll have to pay for excess luggage.

The charge for the overweight luggage is $6 per kilo.

Security controls

To minimize the dialogue and speed up the process, remove your belt in advance, remove metal objects and phones from your pockets, and your laptop, other electronic devices and liquids packed in a transparent bag from your hand luggage. If you don't do it yourself, you'll hear from airport staff:

Take your laptop out of your bag.

Take your phone and metallic things out of your pockets and put them on the tray, please.

Take off your shoes / belt, please.

Are you carrying any liquids?

If you find anything prohibited in your hand luggage, you will be notified:

You can't take this liquid on the plane.

I must confiscate these goods.

I'm afraid you can't take that through.

If all is well, you will hear: You may pass on and you may pass through.

On board

Before takeoff and during the flight you will hear messages on the loudspeaker:

Please stow your hand luggage in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you.

Make sure your seat belt is fastened.

Please, put your chairs into an upright position.

Your lifejacket is under your seat.

The emergency exits are located here, here and here.

Please, remain seated until the plane comes to a complete standstill.

To communicate with other passengers and stewards, phrases such as these are useful:

Could I change seats with you?

I would like to change my seat.

May I recline my seat?

Sorry, can I get past?

Would you please get me a blanket?

I want to order some drinks.

What time do we arrive?

I don't feel very well.

Passport control

In most cases, border guards do not talk to passengers: they check their passport and let them go in peace. But you need to be prepared to answer a few simple questions.

Question:

What is the purpose of your visit?

Answer options:

I'm here as a tourist / I am a tourist.

I'm on vacation.

It is a private visit.

I'm here on business.

Question:

How long are you planning to stay in the country?

Answer:

I plan to stay for a week / five days.

Question:

Where will you be staying?

Answer:

I will be staying in the hotel Star / in my friend's apartment.

Prepare printouts of your return ticket and confirmation of your accommodation booking. If you plan to stay with relatives or friends, write down their address and phone numbers.

Customs Control

When you leave the airport, you will enter the customs control zone. If you have nothing to declare, go through the "green" corridor, otherwise go through the "red" corridor. Even in the "green" one, you may be stopped for inspection. Here are some questions and requests that will be made in this case:

Please, open your suitcase for examination.

You are asked:

Your customs declaration, please.

Answer options:

Here you are.

OR

I have nothing to declare.

Question:

How much alcohol do you have?

Answer options:

I have no alcohol.

OR

Two bottles of wine / beer.

Question:

Have you packed your luggage yourself?

Answer options:

Yes / no.

Question:

Are there any things belonging to other people?

Answer options:

Yes / no.

Traveling by car

Can I park here?

Where is the parking lot, please?

Where's the nearest petrol station?

My car's broken down.

We've run out of petrol.

Can I have the car washed?

Question: How much petrol would you like?

Answer options:

Full, please

OR

20 liters, please

Traveling by bus or train

Where is the ticket office?

What time is the next bus / train to Paris?

Can I buy a ticket on the bus / train?

How much is a single / return ticket to Paris?

Which platform do I need for Paris?

What time do we arrive in Paris?

Is this seat free?

Is there a dining car on the train?

What is this stop?

Does this bus stop at Central station?

What is the next stop?

I'm getting off here.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

At the hotel

I've got a reservation.

Could we have an extra bed?

What time is breakfast?

Could I have breakfast in my room, please?

Where is the restaurant?

Could you please call me a taxi?

Are there any laundry facilities?

What time do I need to check out?

Would it be possible to have a late check-out?

Could you please change the sheets?

Could I have an extra blanket?

The heating / shower / conditioner doesn't work.

In my room no toilet paper / soap / shampoo.

You can find even more useful phrases for communicating in the hotel in the ED Words app. There is a whole section dedicated to this matter.

In a cafe or restaurant

I would like to book a table, please.

I have a reservation at 6:00 p.m. for Ivan Petrov.

Do you have any free tables?

A table for one/two/three, please.

Can I have the menu, please?

Could I see the wine list, please?

What is the password for the Wi-Fi?

What do you recommend?

Is it spicy?

Do you have any vegetarian dishes?

I would like steak and french fries.

I am not ready yet.

Nothing more, thank you.

I would like to pay.

I am paying for everyone.

We are paying separately.

Can I pay by card?

Could you check the bill for me, please? It does not seem right.