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Table of contents

1. Common travel phrases

2. Travel preparation

Booking a hotel

Buying a ticket

3. Airport vocabulary

4. Example conversation at the airport check-in desk

1. Common travel phrases

You can the table below in PDF format for free. They contain useful phrases that you can use for different situations.

Travel situations Common phrases
Booking a hotel I’d like to book a room for two nights, please.
Can I see the room first?
What time is check-out?
Asking for directions Where is the nearest bus station?
How do I get to the museum from here?
Is there a good restaurant nearby?
Dining out Could we have the menu, please?
What do you recommend?
Can I have the bill, please?
Transportation What time does the next train to Paris leave?
How much is a subway ticket?
Can you give me a lift to the airport?
Emergency situations I need a doctor immediately.
Can you help me, please? I lost my passport.
Where is the nearest pharmacy?
At the airport Where can I check in for my flight?
How long before my flight should I arrive at the airport?
Is there a duty-free shop around here?
Using public transportation Which bus goes to the city center?
Do I need to validate my ticket on the tram?
What’s the best way to get around the city?
Weather and climate What’s the weather like here in December?
Is it cold in winter there?
Is it safe to visit during hurricane season?

 

2. Travel preparation

Booking a hotel

Travel term Definition
Reservation/Booking An arrangement made in advance to have a place kept for one’s use in the future.
Breakfast Included A term used in hotel bookings to indicate that the cost of the breakfast is included in the room price.
Non-refundable This means that you cannot get your money back if you decide to cancel or change your booking.
Check In When you check in at a hotel, you report your presence and confirm your booking at the hotel’s front desk. This process usually involves providing your identification (like a passport or ID card), verifying your reservation details, and receiving the key to your room.
Check Out To leave a hotel after paying and returning your room key.

How to book a hotel on the phone?

Photo of two people making a phone call

We are on the 15th of June. Mr Mark is travelling to Berlin on the 21st of June. He needs to book a room for two nights. Read the conversation below and try to memorise any key vocabulary.

  1. Receptionist: Good morning, sir. How can I assist you?
  2. Mr Mark: Good morning. I’d like to book a double room for two nights, from the 21st of June, please.
  3. Receptionist: Certainly. Let me check the availability for you. (Pause) Yes, we do have a double room available for those dates. Would you like breakfast included with your stay?
  4. Mr Mark Smith: Yes, please.
  5. Receptionist: Perfect. May I ask your name?
  6. Mr Mark: Sure, It’s Mark Smith.
  7. Receptionist: Great. Your booking is secured. The total cost will be 200 €. You can pay it when you check in. Is there anything else you need?
  8. Mr Mark: Is it possible to check in at around 11 am?
  9. Receptionist: I am afraid that might be too early. However, we can securely store your luggage at the hotel if you arrive early. You can also relax in our guest lounge or enjoy a meal at our restaurant while waiting for your room to be available. Does that sound good?
  10. Mr Mark: Yes, that works for me.
  11. Receptionist: Do you have any other requests?
  12. Mr Mark: No, that’s all. Thank you for your assistance. Goodbye!
  13. Receptionist: Goodbye, Mr Mark! We’re looking forward to your stay with us.

Useful phrases related to hotel booking

  1. I’d like to make a reservation, please.
  2. Could I book a room for two nights?
  3. Do you have any rooms available for next week?
  4. What’s the rate per night?
  5. Is breakfast included in the price?
  6. Could I have a room with a sea view, please?
  7. Do all the rooms have Wi-Fi?
  8. I would like to cancel my reservation.
  9. I would like to change the dates of my stay.
  10. What time is check-in and check-out?

 

Check in at a hotel

Mr Mark has just arrived at his hotel after a long road trip. He walks up to the front desk to check in and get his room key.

Photo of a man checking at a hotel
  1. Receptionist: Good morning, sir. How can I help you?
  2. Mr Mark: Good morning. I have a reservation under the name of Mark Smith.
  3. Receptionist: May I please have your ID or passport?
  4. Mr Mark: Sure, here it is.
  5. Receptionist: Thank you, sir. Let me quickly check your booking. (The receptionist checks the reservation system). You’ve booked a double room for two nights. Is that correct?
  6. Mr Mark: Yes, that’s correct.
  7. Receptionist: Perfect, everything is in order. Your room is 315. The elevator is just to your right. Breakfast is served from 7 to 10 am in the dining room on the ground floor.
  8. Mr Mark: Thank you. What’s the Wi-Fi username and password?
  9. Receptionist: You will find the login details at the back of the key card.
  10. Mr Mark: Great, thank you.
  11. Receptionist: My pleasure, sir. Enjoy your stay with us. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call the front desk.
  12. Mr Mark: Will do. Thank you.

Buying a ticket

Mr Brown is in Germany. He is currently in Mannheim and is going to Hamburg by train in the next few hours. He is buying a ticket at a ticket counter.

Photo of people buying tickets at the train station
  1. Ticket agent: Good morning, how can I assist you today?
  2. Mr Brown: Good morning. I’d like to purchase a ticket to Hamburg, please.
  3. Ticket agent: Certainly, sir. Would you like a one-way or a return ticket?
  4. Mr Brown: I would like a one-way ticket.
  5. Ticket agent: May I know your intended departure time, please?
  6. Mr Brown: I’m planning to leave about two to three hours from now.
  7. Ticket agent: Just a moment, please. (The ticket agent checks the system to look at the schedule). Yes, there is a train at 3 pm. The next one departs at 6 pm.
  8. Mr Brown: I’d like to take the one at 3 pm, please.
  9. Ticket agent: A second-class ticket costs 100 € for a flexible ticket and 80 € for a restricted ticket. A first-class ticket costs 130 € and it’s flexible.
  10. Mr Brown: Excuse me, what is the difference between the flexible and the restricted ticket?
  11. Ticket agent: The flexible ticket allows you to make a date and time change without any fee. You can also cancel your trip and get a full refund. However, the restricted ticket is non-refundable and you cannot change the time and date of your travel.
  12. Mr Brown: Thank you. I’ll take the second-class flexible ticket, please.
  13. Ticket agent: Perfect. How would you like to pay, sir?
  14. Mr Brown: I’ll pay by card.
  15. Ticket agent: Perfect. (The ticket agent processes the payment) Here is your ticket, Mr Brown. Please be at the platform at least 15 minutes before departure.
  16. Mr Brown: Thank you for your help.
  17. Ticket agent: You’re welcome. Have a wonderful trip!
  18. Mr Brown: Thank you. Goodbye!
  19. Ticket agent: Goodbye!

3. Airport vocabulary

An airportAirport 🔊
An airplaneAeroplane 🔊
PilotPilot 🔊
A travel luggageLuggage (pl. Luggages) 🔊
A suitcaseSuitcase 🔊
A man holding a hand luggage and a carry-on bagHand luggage / Carry-on bag 🔊
A luggage trolley full of luggagesLuggage trolley / Trolley 🔊
A baggage carousel at the airportBaggage carousel 🔊
A girl looking for flight information at a flight screenFlight information display board / Flight information screen 🔊
UK passportPassport 🔊
A light boarding passBoarding pass 🔊
A man at an airport security checkSecurity check 🔊
A VIP lounge at the airportLounge 🔊
Aisle seat photoAisle seat 🔊
A girl sitting in a plane by the windowWindow seat 🔊
A flight attendantFlight attendant 🔊
A cabin crewCabin crew 🔊
A check-in attendant at the airportCheck-in desk attendant 🔊
A man putting his luggage in the overhead compartmentOverhead compartment 🔊
A plane's seat beltSeat belt 🔊
A couple doing check in at the airportCheck in 🔊

4. Example conversation at the airport check-in desk

Mr Mark is at the airport. He is queueing to check in his luggage at the check-in desk. When it’s finally his turn, he steps forward to proceed with the check-in procedures. Read the conversation between Mark and the check-in attendant.

  1. Check-in attendant: Good morning, sir. May I have your passport, please?
  2. Mr Mark: Sure, here it is.
  3. Check-in attendant: Thank you, sir. (The check-in attendant checks the details). Would you prefer an aisle seat or a window seat?
  4. Mr Mark: A window seat, please.
  5. Check-in attendant: Do you have any luggage to check in?
  6. Mr Mark: Yes, I do. I have two suitcases to check in and a carry-on bag.
  7. Check-in attendant: Please put your bag on the luggage belt.
  8. Mr Mark: (Mr Mark puts the luggage for weighting).
  9. Check-in attendant: Did you pack your luggage yourself?
  10. Mr Mark: Yes, I did.
  11. Check-in attendant: Are there any flammable items, batteries, cameras, jewellery, or any other restricted items in your luggage?
  12. Mr Mark: No, there aren’t.
  13. Check-in attendant: Please put the other luggage in the luggage belt.
  14. Mr Mark: (Mr Mark puts the other luggage for weighting).
  15. Check-in attendant: You will get your luggage at your final destination. Here is your boarding pass. The boarding begins at 10:30 am, and the gate closes 20 minutes before departure.
  16. Mr Mark: Thank you so much. Could you tell me where the airport lounge is?
  17. Check-in attendant: Absolutely, once you’re through security, just turn left and follow the signs. The lounge is located past the duty-free shops.
  18. Mr Mark: Thank you. Have a nice day!
  19. Check-in attendant: You too. Enjoy your flight.
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