English For: Travel
In my online English lessons, I help travellers speak clearly and politely in real situations — from the airport and immigration to hotels, taxis and city directions. We practise short, natural phrases so you feel calm and confident on every trip.
Useful Phrases and Idioms (Airports, Hotels & Getting Around)
- Airport check‑in: “Hi — I’m checking in for the 10:15 flight to Madrid.” / “Can I have a window seat, if possible?”
- Immigration: “I’m here on holiday for seven days.” / “I’ll be staying at the City Hotel.”
- Hotel: “Good evening — I have a reservation under Lee.” / “Could I have a late check‑out?”
- Directions: “Excuse me, is this the right bus for the city centre?” / “How far is it on foot?”
- Small problems: “Sorry to bother you — our air‑con isn’t working.” / “Could you send someone up to have a look?”
- Idioms: “Catch some rays” (get sunlight) / “On the go” (busy/travelling constantly).
Phrasal Verbs You’ll Use
- Set off: begin a journey. “We set off at 6am to avoid traffic.”
- Check in / check out: arrive at / leave a hotel or flight. “We’ll check in online.”
- Hold up: delay. “Our flight was held up by weather.”
- Pick up / drop off: collect or take someone somewhere. “The shuttle will pick you up at 9.”
- Look around: explore a place casually. “Let’s look around the old town.”
- Head back: return. “It’s getting late — shall we head back?”
Example Conversation (Delayed Flight)
Passenger: Hi, sorry to bother you — do you know why the flight is delayed?
Agent: I’m afraid there’s a technical issue. We expect an update at 18:30.
Passenger: Thanks. Could I have a refreshment voucher, please?
Agent: Of course — here you go. Gate information will appear on the screen. We appreciate your patience.
Discussion Practice
- Practise asking for directions politely in a busy street.
- How would you request a room change at a hotel?
- What phrases help you stay calm when plans change?
Mini Writing Tasks
- Write a short message to your hotel to confirm a late arrival.
- Write a polite email asking an airline for compensation after a delay.
- Write a quick text to a friend sharing your travel plans.
Vocabulary You’ll Hear
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Natural Example |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding pass | Document that lets you board a plane. | “Please have your boarding pass ready.” |
| Carry‑on / hand luggage | Small bag taken onto the plane. | “Carry‑on liquids must be under 100ml.” |
| Transit / transfer | Changing planes during a journey. | “You’ll have a two‑hour transfer in Amsterdam.” |
| Single / return ticket | One‑way / round‑trip ticket. | “A return ticket is cheaper after 6pm.” |
| Exchange rate | Value of one currency to another. | “Check the exchange rate before you change money.” |
| Attractions | Popular places to visit. | “Top attractions include the castle and riverside walk.” |
| Local time | Time in the place you’ve travelled to. | “We arrive at 14:10 local time.” |
How I Teach This (and Why It Works)
In my lessons, I focus on short, natural travel English that helps you move with confidence — booking flights and hotels, asking for directions, and fixing problems politely. We practise realistic dialogues so you’re ready for busy airports and foreign cities.
If you’d like to feel more relaxed on your next trip, join my online English lessons with a native speaker. My English speaking course keeps things practical and conversational. You can take English lessons online with a native speaker online, wherever you are.