Airport Vocabulary
You just arrived at the airport and need to go through screening before reaching your gate.
What should you ask?
Where is the security check?
An immigration officer asks why you came to the country.
What should you say?
I am here for tourism/business.
You arrive in a new city and need to find public transportation so you can travel downtown.
What should you ask?
Where is the bus stop/train station?
You arrive at a hotel and want to make a simple reservation for a short stay.
What should you say?
“I’d like to book a room for one night.”
You arrive at a restaurant or store and need basic help for reservation, menu and dessert options.
What do you ask?
“Can I see the menu, please?”
“We have a reservation for … under the name of …”
“What are the options for dessert?”
Your plane has landed, but you do not know where to collect your suitcase.
What should you ask?
Where do I pick up my luggage?
The officer wants to know the length of your trip before approving your entry.
What should they ask and what should you say?
They will ask, "How long will you stay"?
You will say, I will be staying for ___ days.
You are ready to use public transportation, but first you need to purchase a ticket before boarding.
What should you ask?
Where can I buy a ticket and how much does it cost?
You arrive at reception and need to confirm your booking using your name.
What should you say?
“I have a reservation under the name …”
You are ordering food, asking about different food options or would like the bill. What do you ask?
“I’d like to order … for the starter/main course.”
“Is this dish vegetarian?”
“Can I have the bill/check, please?”
You are carrying a backpack and want to know if you can bring it onto the airplane with you.
What should you ask?
Is this OK for carry-on?
Airport immigration needs the address of your hotel or accommodation during your trip.
What should they ask and what should you say?
They will ask, "Where will you be staying"?
You will say, I will be staying at (address...).
You are waiting at the station and want to know both when transportation will arrive and how long the trip will take.
What should you ask?
“When does the next bus/train arrive?”
“How long does it take to get there?”
You are settling into your hotel room and want to know about internet access and meals.
What should you ask?
“Does the room have free Wi-Fi?”
“Is breakfast included?”
You are shopping but you need more information before choosing the product. What do you say?
“Can I try this on?”
“Is this available in another size/ color?
You checked in online, but you still need the paper or digital document that allows you to board the airplane.
What should you ask?
Where can I get my boarding pass?
You are visiting a friend or family member, and immigration wants both their name and contact information.
What should they ask and what should you say?
They will ask, "What is the name and number of the person that you are staying with?"
You will say, "I will be staying with (name of person) and his/her number is (phone number)."
You get into a taxi and need to tell the driver your destination while also confirming the price of the ride.
What should you ask/say?
“I would like to go to ...”
“Please take me to this address.”
“How much is the fare?”
You are staying in the hotel and need to manage your stay and payment.
What should you ask?
“What time is check-out?”
“Can I pay by card?”
“Do you have a room with a sea view?”
Something goes wrong and you need help in a store or restaurant. What do you say?
Restaurant
“This is cold / undercooked.”
“Excuse me, I didn’t order this.”
“Can I change my order?”
Shopping
“This doesn’t fit. Can I exchange it?”
“Can I get a refund, please?”
This is damaged, can I exchange it?
You are in a large international airport and need to find both the correct terminal and the exact gate for your flight before boarding starts.
What should you ask?
Which terminal is my flight?
Where is Gate [number]?
At immigration, the officer asks several questions to confirm the details of your trip, including your reason for visiting, the duration of your stay, and where you will sleep during the trip.
What should they ask and what should you say.
They will ask, “What is the purpose of your visit?”
“How long will you stay?”
“Where will you be staying?”
and You will say, “I am here for tourism/business.”
“I will be staying for ___ days.”
“I will be staying at (address...).”
You are traveling across a large city for the first time. You need to find the station, buy a ticket, learn when the next train arrives, estimate the travel time, and finally explain your exact destination to a taxi driver after arriving.
What should you ask/say?
“Where is the bus stop/train station?”
“Where can I buy a ticket?”
“When does the next bus/train arrive?”
“How long does it take to get there?”
“I would like to go to ...”
“Please take me to this address.”
“How much is the fare?”
You are in your hotel room and something is wrong, so you need help from reception and possibly a room change.
What should you say?
“There is a problem with my room.”
“The TV isn’t working.”
“Can someone fix it, please?”
“Can I change rooms?”
You are shopping and would like to window shop (echar un vistazo). What do you say?
I am just looking. Thank you.