Easter is almost over and add you know traveling to a new country is exciting, but it can also be stressful if you feel «stuck» for words. This week, at The London Eye – English Consultant, we’ll show you the essential phrases that will help you navigate like a pro, wether you are at the airport or trying to find the best tapas bar in town.
Top Tip: If you forget a word, don’t panic! Use gestures and stay «polite but persistent.»
1. At the Airport: From Check-in to Take-off
The airport has its own specific vocabulary. Learn these key phrases:
- Checking in: «I’d like to check in for my flight to London, please.»
- The Seat: «Could I have a window seat / an aisle seat, please?»
- The Gate: «Which gate is the flight departing from?»
- Delays: «Is the flight on time or is there a delay?»
2. At the Hotel: Checking In and Solving Problems
Your hotel is your «home base.» Make sure you get exactly what you need.
- Arrival: «I have a reservation under the name [Surname].»
- Details: «Is breakfast included? What time does it start?»
- WiFi: «Could I have the WiFi password, please?»
- Issues: «The air conditioning isn’t working. Could someone take a look at it?»
3. At the Restaurant: Ordering Like a Local
In English-speaking countries, «the check» (US) and «the bill» (UK) are the same thing!
- The Table: «A table for two, please.»
- Ordering: «I’ll have the grilled salmon.» (Avoid saying «I want,» it’s a bit too direct!)
- Dietary Needs: «Does this dish contain nuts/gluten? I have an allergy.»
- The End: «Could we have the check/bill, please?»
4. Shops and Museums: Getting the Best Experience
- Pricing: «How much is this?» or «Do you have this in a smaller/larger size?»
- Museums: «Is there a student/senior discount?»
- Photos: «Is photography allowed in this gallery?»
- Hours: «What time do you close?»
5. Asking the Way: Finding Your Destination
Don’t rely 100% on GPS—sometimes it’s faster to ask a human!
| If you want to know… | Ask this: |
| Location | «Excuse me, how do I get to the Cathedral?» |
| Distance | «Is it within walking distance or should I take a bus?» |
| Verification | «Am I going in the right direction for the train station?» |
| Local Advice | «Is there a landmark I should look out for?» |
6. The «Magic» Phrases
When in doubt, these three phrases will save you in almost any situation:
- «Could you repeat that more slowly, please?» (Great for when the local accent is too fast).
- «How do you say [Point to object] in English?» (A perfect way to learn new words on the go).
- «Where is the nearest [Pharmacy/Bathroom/ATM]?» —
Your Action Step for this week: Imagine you just landed in a new city and your phone battery died. You need to find your hotel. Write one question you would ask a local to find your way!
Example: «Excuse me, do you know where the ‘Grand Hotel’ is? Is it far from here?»
The London Eye - English Consultant 