Imagine this. You have just landed in a new country. You walk up to the hotel desk and the receptionist says, “What time will you be checking out?” You pause for a moment. You know what the word “depart” means, but “check out” sounds different. Suddenly, you feel a bit lost.
That is the tricky thing about the English language. People do not always use the “textbook” version of words in real life. Instead, they use natural expressions called phrasal verbs. When you are traveling, you will hear them everywhere. You will hear them at airports, inside hotels, at local restaurants, and even while walking on the street.
This guide is here to make sure you are ready for your journey. You will find the most important phrasal verbs for travel, simple examples you can use, and helpful tips to remember them before your next big adventure.
What Are Phrasal Verbs and Why They Matter
A phrasal verb is just a verb combined with a small word like “in,” “on,” or “up.” Together, they take on a brand new meaning. For example, check in means to register at a hotel, and pick up means to collect your luggage.
Why do travelers need to learn them?
- Locals use them all the time instead of formal or long words.
- They are quicker and easier to say when you are in a hurry at the airport.
- They help you sound more natural and relaxed.
Without these words, you might feel confused. Imagine hearing someone say, “The plane will take off soon,” and wondering why they are “taking” something. If you want to see how these verbs work in a story, you can read our phrasal verb story for the verb ‘come’.
Airport and Flight Phrasal Verbs
Airports are busy places. It is a very good idea to get familiar with these expressions before you fly so you do not feel stressed at the gate.
- Check in: This is when you register for your flight and give your bags to the airline.
- Drop off: This means to leave your bags at the counter or to leave a friend at the terminal entrance.
- Take off: This is the moment when the plane leaves the ground and starts to fly.
- Get on / Get off: You use these to talk about entering or exiting the plane.
- Hold up: This means there is a delay, often because of the weather or technical problems.
- Pick up: This is when you collect your bags from the carousel after you land.
For example, you might tell your taxi driver, “Please drop me off at Terminal 2.” Or, if you are late, you might say, “I hope the security line does not hold us up for too long.”
Hotel and Accommodation Phrasal Verbs
At a hotel, using the right phrasal verbs will make your stay much smoother. It helps the staff understand exactly what you need.
- Check in / Check out: These are the most common. You check in when you arrive and check out when you pay your bill and leave.
- Fill in: When you arrive, the receptionist will ask you to fill in a registration form with your name and passport number.
- Turn down: Some hotels offer a “turn down” service. This is when they prepare your bed for the night.
- Look after: You can ask the hotel staff to look after your bags if your room is not ready yet.
- Run out of: If you notice there is no more toilet paper or soap, you can tell the desk that you have run out of supplies.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are unhappy with your room, you might need to use some sad idioms in English to explain how you feel!
Restaurant and Dining Phrasal Verbs
Eating out is one of the best parts of traveling. You will hear these words every time you visit a cafe or a restaurant.
- Ask for: You use this to request something. You can ask for a menu, ask for some water, or ask for the bill.
- Try out: Travelers love to try out new local dishes. It means to test something to see if you like it.
- Pay for: When the meal is finished, you must pay for the food.
- Sit down: The waiter might ask you to wait a moment before you can sit down at a table.
If you are a big fan of food and want to learn even more specific words, you should look at our guide for food phrasal verbs.
Sightseeing and Socializing
Exploring a new city means you will be moving around a lot. You will also meet new people along the way.
- Set off: This means to start a journey. “We want to set off early to avoid the crowds at the museum.”
- Look around: This is what you do when you are sightseeing. You walk and look around the city to see the beautiful buildings.
- Stop by: This means to visit a place for a very short time. “Let’s stop by that souvenir shop before we go back to the hotel.”
While you are exploring, you might meet other travelers. To talk about your work or your background, you can use some of the phrases from our business phrasal verbs list.
Why You Should Not Translate Literally
One big mistake that many students make is trying to translate phrasal verbs word by word. This usually does not work. For example, “set” and “off” have very different meanings when they are alone. But together, they mean “to start a journey.”
Instead of translating, try to learn them as a single action. Think of the image of a person starting a car and driving away. That is “setting off.” This is a much better way to learn for intermediate students.
How to Practice Before You Go
To make sure these words stay in your head, you need to practice them. Here are some simple ways to do that:
- Create a Story: Write a short paragraph about a fake trip. Use as many of the 18 verbs as you can.
- Use Flashcards: Put the phrasal verb on one side and a picture or a sentence on the other.
- Watch Travel Videos: Go to YouTube and watch travelers. Listen for words like “check in” or “get on.”
- Take a Test: You can practice your skills with our phrasal verbs with ‘get’ quiz.
Practice Quiz: Travel Phrasal Verbs
Can you choose the correct phrasal verb for these sentences?
- What time does our flight _______? (take off / check out)
- I need to _______ a form at the hotel desk. (fill in / set off)
- We should _______ the famous temple in the city center. (look around / pick up)
- Can I _______ some extra napkins, please? (ask for / get off)
- We will _______ for the train station at 8:00 AM. (set off / run out of)
(Answers: 1. take off, 2. fill in, 3. look around, 4. ask for, 5. set off)
Conclusion
Traveling is a wonderful way to learn. These 18 phrasal verbs are like a secret tool that will help you understand locals and be understood. Whether you are at the airport or a restaurant, these phrases will make you feel more confident.
If you want to continue your learning journey, we recommend checking out our Top 100 Common Phrasal Verbs List. It is a great resource for anyone who wants to become fluent. Safe travels!
