20 Phrases for Talking About Travel
Travel is one of the most exciting and universal topics in English conversation! Whether you’re planning your next holiday, discussing a weekend trip, or sharing memories from a previous adventure, knowing the right vocabulary is key. Mastering these 20 phrases for talking about travel will ensure you sound fluent, natural, and enthusiastic when sharing your world experiences.
We’ve organized these phrases into four essential stages: Asking, Planning, Sharing the Experience, and Concluding the travel talk.
Asking About Trips
Use these questions to start a friendly conversation about someone’s travel plans or past experiences.
1. Where are you planning to go next? This is a standard, positive question that focuses on future excitement.
- Meaning: Asking about their next planned destination.
- Example: “You just got back from Italy. Where are you planning to go next?“
2. Have you been anywhere interesting lately? A great, polite way to ask about their recent travel history.
- Meaning: Asking about recent trips or holidays.
- Example: “It’s nice to see you. Have you been anywhere interesting lately?“
3. What was the purpose of your trip? This clarifies whether the travel was for business, vacation, family, or something else.
- Meaning: Asking for the reason behind the travel (business or pleasure).
- Example: “I saw your photos from Paris. What was the purpose of your trip?“
4. How long were you there for? A simple, necessary question to gauge the duration of the trip.
- Meaning: Asking for the length of their stay.
- Example: “You visited three cities! How long were you there for?“
5. What’s on your travel bucket list? A deeper, more personal question about their dream destinations. A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you die.
- Meaning: Asking about their dream destinations or experiences.
- Example: “If money wasn’t an issue, what’s on your travel bucket list?“
Planning and Preparation
Use these phrases when discussing the logistics, budgeting, or organization required for a trip.
6. I’m doing some research on [Destination]. This states your current stage of planning. Doing research means gathering information.
- Meaning: You are currently gathering information for a potential trip.
- Example: “I’m doing some research on flights to Japan for the spring.”
7. I need to book my accommodation soon. Accommodation is a formal word for where you stay (hotel, rental, hostel). This shows urgency in the planning process.
- Meaning: You need to reserve your lodging soon.
- Example: “The hotel prices are rising. I need to book my accommodation soon.“
8. Are you traveling light or checking a bag? This is a very practical question about luggage. Traveling light means only taking a carry-on bag.
- Meaning: Asking if they are taking minimal luggage or large suitcases.
- Example: “The airline charges extra. Are you traveling light or checking a bag?“
9. I usually travel on a budget. This describes your typical style of travel, implying you look for lower costs (hostels, cheaper food, public transport).
- Meaning: Stating that you prefer to travel cheaply to save money.
- Example: “I want to visit South America, but I usually travel on a budget.“
10. I prefer spontaneous trips. Spontaneous means unplanned or done suddenly. This describes a relaxed approach to planning.
- Meaning: Stating a preference for unplanned or last-minute travel.
- Example: “I don’t like planning six months ahead. I prefer spontaneous trips.“
Sharing the Travel Experience
These phrases are key to describing what you saw, what you liked, and what went wrong during your trip.
11. It was an unforgettable experience. A strong, positive phrase used to summarize a very memorable trip.
- Meaning: The trip was extremely memorable and special.
- Example: “Hiking in the Himalayas was an unforgettable experience.“
12. I highly recommend visiting [Place]. This gives a strong recommendation for a location. Highly recommend is a powerful endorsement.
- Meaning: Giving a very strong suggestion to visit a place.
- Example: “You should go to the local market. I highly recommend visiting that area.”
13. The highlight of the trip was [Event]. The highlight is the single best or most exciting moment of the entire journey.
- Meaning: Stating the best or most memorable part of the trip.
- Example: “Seeing the Northern Lights was incredible. The highlight of the trip was that clear night.”
14. We went off the beaten track. This means you visited places that tourists don’t usually go to (away from the major sites).
- Meaning: Visiting remote, non-touristy, or unusual places.
- Example: “We didn’t see the famous monuments; we went off the beaten track to find local restaurants.”
15. I had a nightmare flight. A nightmare flight is a very bad flight experience (delays, turbulence, bad service).
- Meaning: Describing a terrible flight experience.
- Example: “Everything was delayed by ten hours. I had a nightmare flight home.”
16. I felt completely refreshed. This describes the positive, relaxed feeling you have after returning from a successful, restful trip.
- Meaning: You feel totally rested and revitalized after the holiday.
- Example: “I spent two weeks on the beach. I felt completely refreshed when I got back to work.”
17. I caught the travel bug. To catch the travel bug is an informal expression meaning you have become addicted to traveling and want to do it all the time.
- Meaning: You have developed a strong, continuous desire to travel.
- Example: “After my first solo trip, I caught the travel bug and now I can’t stop planning new journeys.”
Concluding the Travel Talk
Use these phrases to wrap up the travel discussion politely and move on to the next topic.
18. It sounds like you had an amazing time! This is a great concluding statement that validates their experience before you change the topic.
- Meaning: A polite way to summarize and acknowledge their great trip.
- Example: “Wow, snorkeling and hiking! It sounds like you had an amazing time!“
19. That’s definitely something to look forward to. Use this when talking about a future trip they have planned. It confirms your interest and wraps up the planning discussion.
- Meaning: Confirming that their future plan is exciting.
- Example: “Your cruise sounds perfect. That’s definitely something to look forward to.“
20. I need to look into that. This is a polite closing statement that promises to research the place they recommended.
- Meaning: Stating your intention to research the place or activity mentioned.
- Example: “You made the food sound so good. I need to look into that restaurant for my next visit.”
Quick Tips for Travel Talk
- Be Enthusiastic: Travel is an exciting topic! When using these 20 phrases for talking about travel, let your tone of voice show interest, especially with phrases like “The highlight of the trip was…“
- Ask for Details: If someone says “I usually travel on a budget,” ask them “How do you save money?” to keep the conversation flowing.
- Use Phrasal Verbs: Phrases like “go off the beaten track” and “catch the travel bug” make your English sound natural and advanced.
By practicing these 20 phrases for talking about travel, you will be able to share your adventures and ask about others’ experiences like a native speaker.
Which phrase best describes the feeling of being addicted to traveling?
