Planning a trip to Spain? Discover basic Spanish phrases for travel every tourist should know to order food, ask directions, and connect with locals.
Want to enjoy Spain like a local? Start with the language! Even if your Spanish stops at “hola” and “gracias,” adding a few more phrases can open doors, smiles, and maybe even free tapas. 😉
Here’s a list of 42 basic Spanish phrases that will make your travels easier.
👋 Greetings and essentials
Before you dive into tapas bars or explore cobbled streets, it helps to master the basics. Greetings are the heart of polite conversation in Spain, and a simple “hola” can go a long way.
These phrases will help you start interactions on the right foot, whether you’re meeting locals or asking for help.👇
| Spanish phrase | Pronunciation | English meaning |
| Hola | OH-lah | Hello |
| Buenos días | BWEH-nos DEE-as | Good morning |
| Buenas tardes | BWEH-nas TAR-des | Good afternoon |
| Buenas noches | BWEH-nas NOH-ches | Good evening / Good night |
| Por favor | por fah-VOR | Please |
| Gracias | GRAH-syahs | Thank you |
| De nada | deh NAH-dah | You’re welcome |
| Perdón / Disculpe | per-DOHN / dis-KOOL-peh | Excuse me / Sorry |
| ¿Cómo está? | KOH-moh es-TAH | How are you? (formal) |
| Mucho gusto / Encantado(a) | MOO-choh GOOS-toh / en-kahn-TAH-doh/dah | Nice to meet you |
🗺️ Directions & getting around
When you’re exploring Spain’s winding streets, knowing how to ask for directions is priceless. From finding the train station to locating the nearest aseos (toilets), these phrases will keep you moving without stress. Don’t be shy—locals usually appreciate the effort and will happily point you the right way.
| Spanish phrase | Pronunciation | English Meaning |
| ¿Dónde está…? | DON-deh es-TAH | Where is…? |
| A la derecha | ah lah deh-REH-chah | To the right |
| A la izquierda | ah lah ees-KYEHR-dah | To the left |
| Todo recto | TOH-doh REHK-toh | Straight ahead |
| Cerca / Lejos | SEHR-kah / LAY-hos | Near / Far |
| La estación de tren | la es-ta-SYON de tren | The train station |
| La parada de autobús | la pah-RAH-dah deh ow-toh-BOOS | The bus stop |
| El aeropuerto | el ah-eh-roh-PWEHR-toh | The airport |
| ¿Cuánto tarda en llegar? | KWAN-toh TAR-dah en yeh-GAR | How long does it take? |
| ¿Puede mostrarlo en el mapa? | PWEH-deh mos-TRAR-loh en el MAH-pah | Can you show it on the map? |
🍽️ Restaurant & food
Want to order a paella? Ask for a bill? These phrases will make dining in Spain a lot easier (and tastier!). Spanish dining culture is relaxed and social, so don’t be afraid to take your time and enjoy the experience.
| Spanish phrase | Pronunciation | English meaning |
| Una mesa para dos, por favor | OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah dohs, por fah-VOR | A table for two, please |
| La carta, por favor | lah KAR-tah, por fah-VOR | The menu, please |
| ¿Qué me recomienda? | KEH meh reh-kom-YEN-dah | What do you recommend? |
| Quisiera… | kee-SYEH-rah | I would like… |
| Una cerveza / un vino tinto | OO-nah ser-BEH-sah / oon VEE-noh TEEN-toh | A beer / a red wine |
| Agua sin gas / con gas | AH-gwah seen gahs / kohn gahs | Still / sparkling water |
| Está delicioso | es-TAH deh-lee-SYOH-soh | It’s delicious |
| La cuenta, por favor | lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR | The bill, please |
| ¿Aceptan tarjeta? | ah-SEP-tahn tar-HEH-tah | Do you take card? |
| ¿Incluye servicio? | een-KLOO-yeh ser-BEE-syoh | Is service included? |
🏨 At the hotel
Checking into a hotel or guesthouse in Spain is usually straightforward, but knowing a few key phrases makes the process smoother.
| Spanish phrase | Pronunciation | English meaning |
| Tengo una reserva | TEN-go oo-nah reh-SER-vah | I have a reservation |
| ¿A qué hora es el desayuno? | ah KEH OH-rah es el deh-sah-YOO-noh | What time is breakfast? |
| La llave de la habitación | lah YAH-veh deh lah ah-bee-tah-SYON | The room key |
| Necesito toallas | neh-seh-SEE-toh toh-AH-yas | I need towels |
| ¿Hay wifi gratuito? | eye WEE-fee grah-TOO-ee-toh | Is there free Wi-Fi? |
| ¿Hasta qué hora es el check-out? | AH-stah keh OH-rah es el chek-OUT | Until what time is check-out? |
🚆 At the train station
Spain’s trains are famous for being fast, comfortable, and scenic—whether you’re zipping from Madrid to Barcelona on the AVE or hopping on a local line to a seaside town. But stations can be busy, and timetables a little confusing if you don’t speak the language. With these handy phrases, you’ll be able to buy tickets, find your platform, and travel like a pro.
| Spanish phrase | Pronunciation | English meaning |
| Un billete a Madrid, por favor | oon bee-YEH-teh ah mah-DRID, por fah-VOR | A ticket to Madrid, please |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta el billete? | KWAN-toh KWEHS-tah el bee-YEH-teh | How much is the ticket? |
| ¿De qué andén sale el tren? | deh keh an-DEN SAH-leh el tren | Which platform does the train leave from? |
| ¿A qué hora sale el próximo tren? | ah KEH OH-rah SAH-leh el PROHK-see-moh tren | What time does the next train leave? |
| ¿Es directo o hay que cambiar? | es dee-REHK-toh oh eye keh kahm-BYAR | Is it direct or do I need to change? |
| ¿Cuánto tarda el viaje? | KWAN-toh TAR-dah el VYA-heh | How long is the journey? |
FAQs
Do I need to know Spanish to travel in Spain?
You don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to enjoy a trip to Spain. In cosmopolitan cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga, you can usually get by with English in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. However, once you venture into smaller towns or rural regions, English is far less common, and even basic Spanish phrases become incredibly useful. Knowing how to order food, ask for directions, or greet someone politely can make your experience smoother and more authentic.
Is it rude to speak only English in Spain?
It’s not considered rude to speak only English in Spain, especially in major cities and tourist areas where many people are used to international visitors. However, locals really appreciate it when tourists make the effort to learn and use a few basic Spanish phrases. Even a simple “hola,” “por favor,” or “gracias” shows respect and can make interactions friendlier.
Are there big differences between Spanish in Spain and Latin America for travelers?
Yes, but not enough to cause confusion for tourists. The main differences are in pronunciation, vocabulary, and the use of “vosotros” in Spain, which isn’t used in Latin America. For example, in Spain you’ll often hear coger el tren (to take the train), while in many Latin American countries coger has a completely different meaning, so they say tomar. Another example: in Spain people say zumo for juice, while in Latin America it’s jugo. For basic travel phrases, like ordering food, asking directions, greeting people, you’ll be understood across all Spanish-speaking regions.
Try to speak some Spanish whenever you can
You don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to enjoy your travels. Just a handful of key phrases can help you order food, find your way, and chat with locals. Next time you visit Spain, use these expressions to travel more confidently—and maybe discover a few hidden gems along the way.
By the way, locals really appreciate it when tourists try to speak Spanish, so give it a go!
¡Hasta luego! 👋🏻
sloly travel | travel slower. discover deeper. 
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