The most stressful part of traveling is usually the traveling part. Learning to navigate an unfamiliar city’s roads or transportation systems can be challenging. And when you don’t speak the language, it’s even more difficult to get around (and even easier to get lost). Say you have an upcoming trip planned to Madrid or Mexico City. You can take some of the stress out of your travels by learning how to talk about transportation in Spanish.

We’ve compiled a guide of some of the key words and phrases you should know related to transportation in Spanish, whether you’re traveling by foot, car, bus, bike, train or plane. Press the play button to hear the pronunciation of each term. And when you’re ready to travel on to other topics, there’s more Spanish vocabulary for you to walk, bike or train to.

Talking About Transportation In Spanish

General Navigation

Where are you going? (formal) — ¿A dónde va?

To the left — a la izquierda

To the right — a la derecha

Straight — recto

On the corner — en la esquina

I am looking for a hotel. — Busco un hotel.

¿Where is there a supermarket? — ¿Dónde hay un supermercado?

Excuse me! I am a tourist and I am lost. — ¡Disculpe! Soy turista y estoy perdido (m.) / perdida (f.).

Traveling By Plane

Airplane — el avión

Airport — el aeropuerto

Terminal — la terminal

Luggage — el equipaje

Hand baggage (carry-on) — el equipaje de mano

Weight limit — el límite de peso

Departure — el despegue

Flight — el vuelo

Security check — el control de seguridad

Gate — la puerta de embarque

Flight attendant — el auxiliar de vuelo

Connection — la conexión

To check in — facturar

To board — subir a bordo

To land — aterrizar

Do you have any liquids in your bag? Water? Juice? — ¿Lleva líquidos en su bolsa? ¿Agua? ¿Zumo? 

(Note: Zumo is common to say in Spain, but in Latin America it’s common to say jugo.) 

Traveling By Train Or Bus

Public transportation — el transporte público

Train  — el tren

Bus — el autobús

Train station — la estación

Bus (or train) stop — la parada

Ticket — el billete

Passenger — el pasajero

Subway — el metro

Track — la vía

Timetable — el horario

Crowded — lleno

To catch — coger  

(Note: When you take public transportation, coger is common to say in Spain, but in Latin America, it’s common to say tomar.)

To transfer — transbordar

To validate — picar 

(Note: Another way to validate is validar.)

How much is a ticket to the airport? — ¿Cuánto cuesta un billete al aeropuerto?

What time does the train leave? — ¿A qué hora sale el tren?

Traveling By Car Or Bike

Car — el coche

Driver — el conductor (m.) / la conductora (f.)

Bicycle — la bicicleta

Cyclist — el ciclista (m.) / la ciclista (f.)

Headlight — el faro

Windshield wipers — el limpiaparabrisas

Key — la llave

Seat belt — el cinturón de seguridad

Helmet — el casco

To drive — conducir

To park — aparcar

To break down — tener una avería

Driver’s license — el carné de conducir

You’re going too fast; you’re speeding! — ¡Estás conduciendo muy rápido, vas a toda velocidad!