Spanish Travel Cheat-Sheet: Quick Phrases for Tourists

By Karla Sánchez

Reading time: 0 minute

April 21, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Essential Spanish travel phrases

Country-specific cultural tips

Bonus tips for Spanish on the go

Conclusion

Introduction

Traveling to a Spanish-speaking country? Knowing even a few key phrases can completely transform your experience.

Speaking Spanish helps you connect with others. It also keeps you safe and boosts your confidence. This is true whether you are in busy city streets, checking into a hotel, or ordering tapas at a local café.

This travel phrasebook Spanish guide serves as your go-to resource for essential expressions, cultural insights, and practical tips. Keep it handy on your phone or print it out—this guide helps you make your travels smoother, more engaging, and more authentic.

Essential Spanish travel phrases

This quick Spanish phrases for travel cheat-sheet groups phrases by situation. It contains the basic Spanish cheat sheet for travelers which makes them easy to use and remember. Many are polite, practical, and used daily in Spanish-speaking countries.

Greetings & politeness

Start off every interaction on the right foot with these friendly phrases:

• Hola: Hello

• Buenos días: Good morning

• Buenas tardes: Good afternoon

• Buenas noches: Good evening / Good night

• ¿Cómo está?: How are you? (formal)

• ¿Cómo estás?: How are you? (informal)

• Por favor: Please

• Gracias: Thank you

• De nada: You’re welcome

• Perdón / Disculpe: Excuse me / Sorry

• Mucho gusto: Nice to meet you

At the airport & hotel

• ¿Dónde está el aeropuerto?: Where is the airport?

• ¿Dónde puedo recoger mi equipaje?: Where can I pick up my luggage?

• Tengo una reserva: I have a reservation

• ¿A qué hora es el check-in?: What time is check-in?

• ¿Hay Wi-Fi?: Is there Wi-Fi?

• ¿Me puede ayudar, por favor?: Can you help me, please?

Ordering food

• Una mesa para dos, por favor: A table for two, please

• ¿Tiene menú en inglés?: Do you have a menu in English?

• Quisiera…: I would like…

• ¿Qué recomienda?: What do you recommend?

• La cuenta, por favor: The check, please

• Está delicioso: It’s delicious

• Sin hielo: Without ice

• Soy alérgico/a a…: I’m allergic to…

Getting around

• ¿Dónde está…?: Where is…?

• ¿Cómo llego a…?: How do I get to…?

• Necesito un taxi: I need a taxi

• ¿Cuánto cuesta?: How much does it cost?

• ¿Está lejos?: Is it far?

• A la derecha / A la izquierda: To the right / To the left

• Derecho: Straight ahead

Asking for help

• No entiendo: I don’t understand

• ¿Habla inglés?: Do you speak English?

• Ayuda, por favor: Help, please

• Llama a la policía: Call the police

• Perdí mi pasaporte: I lost my passport

• Me siento mal: I feel sick

• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?: Where is the nearest hospital?

Shopping & money

• ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?: How much is this?

• ¿Acepta tarjeta?: Do you accept credit card?

• ¿Tiene cambio?: Do you have change?

• Es muy caro: It’s too expensive

• Quiero comprar esto: I want to buy this

• ¿Dónde está el cajero automático?: Where is the ATM?

Country-specific cultural tips

Not all Spanish is the same! Here are a few cultural and linguistic tips to help you adapt based on your destination.

Spain

• In Spain, “vosotros” is used for informal plural “you,” unlike in Latin America.

• Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated.

• In some regions (like Catalonia or the Basque Country), other languages may also be spoken.

Mexico

• Mexican Spanish often includes indigenous words like cuate (friend) or chido (cool).

• People are warm and polite—use “usted” for elders or formal conversations.

• It’s common to greet with a light handshake or a cheek kiss among friends.

Argentina

• Argentinians use “vos” instead of “tú” (called voseo).

• “¿Cómo estás vos?” instead of “¿Cómo estás tú?”

• Pronunciation differs; for example, “ll” and “y” sound like “sh” in many regions.

General tips

• Always greet shopkeepers and staff when entering a store or restaurant. Always greet shopkeepers and staff when entering a store or restaurant.

• Learn a few basic Spanish tourist phrases—it goes a long way in showing respect and openness.

• Tourist Spanish in tourist areas is often slower and clearer. If needed, just ask: ¿Puede hablar más despacio? (Can you speak more slowly?).

Bonus tips for Spanish on the go

Maximize your learning and travel confidence with these practical on-the-go hacks:

Use language apps

Apps like Google Translate, Duolingo, or iTranslate can help when you get stuck or need pronunciation help. Download offline features before traveling.

Practice listening

Create a playlist of handy Spanish phrases or beginner-level podcasts. Listening on the plane or in transit helps reinforce memory and pronunciation.

Label & repeat

Label your personal items with their Spanish names before you travel. Say them aloud as you use them. This builds muscle memory and vocabulary retention.

Keep a mini phrasebook

Print or save a travel Spanish quick reference list of go-to phrases (like the ones above). Even if you’re shy about speaking, pointing to a phrase can help in a pinch.

Travel phrasebook downloadable

Want to keep this Spanish travel cheat sheet in your pocket? Create a printable version using your favorite notes app or print this blog post for offline access. For teachers or trip organizers, this can also serve as a helpful tourist Spanish guide for group travel.

Conclusion

When you are in Madrid, hiking in the Andes, or relaxing on a beach in Mexico, knowing some common travel Spanish terms. It can help make your experience safer and more memorable. It’s not about fluency—it’s about connection.

Next step: Choose five quick Spanish phrases for tourists from this list and practice them out loud today. The next time you travel, you’ll be ready to connect with confidence—and maybe even make a new friend.

¡Buen viaje! (Have a great trip!)

Karla Sánchez

Academic Team

Karla Sánchez is a passionate Spanish teacher from Mexico with over 20 years of experience teaching learners of all ages. Known for her energy and love of culture, she brings joy and enthusiasm to every class. Karla loves dancing, singing, reading, and helping students discover the fun in Spanish learning.