Essential Spanish Phrases Every Traveler Should Know

Heading to Spain soon? Whether you're exploring the vibrant streets of Barcelona, enjoying the beaches of Málaga, or getting lost in the charming alleyways of Seville, learning a few essential Spanish phrases can transform your trip. While many locals in tourist areas speak English, knowing a few key phrases can help you connect with people, order delicious tapas like a pro, and make your travels run more smoothly.

Don’t worry — you don’t need to be fluent! A handful of useful expressions will go a long way. Let’s dive in!

Learn the top 100 Spanish sentences/phrases here

1. Basic Greetings and Polite Phrases

Spaniards are generally warm and friendly, and greeting people properly is a big part of their culture. Here are some common phrases to get you started:

• Hola! – Hello!
• Buenos días! – Good morning!
• Buenas tardes! – Good afternoon!
• Buenas noches! – Good evening/night!
• Adiós! – Goodbye!
• Hasta luego! – See you later!
• Por favor. – Please.
• Gracias. – Thank you.
• Muchas gracias. – Thank you very much.
• De nada. – You're welcome.
• Perdón. – Excuse me / Sorry.
• Lo siento. – I’m sorry.

Need help practicing? Check out our greeting flashcards!

2. Essential Travel and Transportation Phrases

Getting around in Spain is easy once you know a few essential phrases for transportation.

• ¿Dónde está la estación de tren? – Where is the train station?
• ¿A qué hora sale el próximo autobús? – What time does the next bus leave?
• Un billete para Madrid, por favor. – A ticket to Madrid, please.
• ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi? – Where can I get a taxi?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete de ida y vuelta? – How much is a round-trip ticket?
• Estoy perdido/a. – I'm lost. ("perdido" for males; "perdida" for females)
• ¿Puede ayudarme, por favor? – Can you help me, please?

For more travel tips, visit our transportation flashcards!

3. Ordering Food and Drinks

Spanish cuisine is legendary, and these phrases will help you navigate menus and order with confidence.

• Una mesa para dos, por favor. – A table for two, please.
• El menú, por favor. – The menu, please.
• ¿Qué recomienda usted? – What do you recommend?
• Soy vegetariano/a. – I’m vegetarian. ("vegetariano" for males; "vegetariana" for females)
• ¿Tiene opciones sin gluten? – Do you have gluten-free options?
• Una cerveza, por favor. – A beer, please.
• La cuenta, por favor. – The bill, please.
• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito? – Can I pay with a credit card?

For more dining phrases, check out our food and drink flashcards!

4. Shopping and Money Phrases

From trendy boutiques to lively markets, knowing these phrases will improve your shopping experience in Spain.

• ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? – How much does this cost?
• ¿Puedo probarlo? – Can I try it on?
• ¿Tiene esto en otra talla? – Do you have this in another size?
• ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito? – Do you accept credit cards?
• Solo estoy mirando, gracias. – I'm just looking, thanks.
• ¿Me puede hacer un descuento? – Can you give me a discount?

For more handy shopping phrases, visit our shopping guide!

5. Emergency Phrases

In the unlikely event of an emergency, knowing these phrases can make a huge difference.

• ¡Ayuda! – Help!
• ¡Llame a una ambulancia! – Call an ambulance!
• ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano? – Where is the nearest hospital?
• He perdido mi pasaporte. – I lost my passport.
• Me han robado la cartera. – My wallet was stolen.
• ¿Puede llamar a la policía, por favor? – Can you call the police, please?

For more important safety phrases, visit our emergency phrase section!

6. Accommodation and Hotel Phrases

Whether you’re staying in a charming Spanish villa or a city-center hotel, these phrases will help you communicate effectively.

• Tengo una reserva. – I have a reservation.
• ¿Tiene una habitación libre? – Do you have a room available?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta por noche? – How much is it per night?
• Quisiera una habitación con balcón. – I’d like a room with a balcony.
• ¿Hay Wi-Fi en la habitación? – Is there Wi-Fi in the room?
• ¿Puede llamar un taxi para mí, por favor? – Could you call a taxi for me?

For more hotel-related phrases, visit our accommodation flashcards!

7. Making Small Talk and Socializing

Meeting locals is part of the fun, and these conversational phrases can help you break the ice.

• ¿Cómo estás? – How are you? (informal)
• ¿Cómo está usted? – How are you? (formal)
• Me llamo… – My name is…
• ¿De dónde eres? – Where are you from?
• Soy de Estados Unidos. – I'm from the United States.
• ¡Mucho gusto! – Nice to meet you!

For more social phrases, check out our small talk guide!

Quick Reference Table: Essential Spanish Phrases

Want to practice more? Visit our interactive flashcards to build your Spanish skills before your trip!

Final Thoughts

Learning a few Spanish phrases can make your trip to Spain far more memorable. Locals will appreciate your effort, and you’ll feel more confident exploring everything the country has to offer. Don’t worry about getting it perfect — just trying goes a long way.

Ready to start practicing? Check out our flashcards and get one step closer to becoming a Spanish-speaking travel pro. ¡Buen viaje! (Have a great trip!)

Learn the top 100 Spanish sentences/phrases here