36 Basic Spanish Sentences for Travel (Easy Beginner Phrases)

Let’s imagine that you’re on a plane with a little time to spare, and learning a few basic Spanish sentences suddenly feels like a very good idea. Maybe you’re about to land in a Spanish-speaking country (why not Colombia?), or maybe you just realized you don’t know how to say much beyond ¡hola! Either way, a short flight is more than enough time to pick up some useful phrases in the language.

Well, it’s never too late to make some sort of effort, and a good place to start is with this list of 36 Basic Spanish sentences that you’ll likely need at some point during your trip.

Of course, this list of basic sentences in Spanish won’t cover every scenario, but knowing even a few common words and phrases can go a long way.

And if you want to take on the challenge of learning a bit more useful vocabulary, then allow us to point you in the direction of these easy-to-read posts for beginner Spanish students that will help make your next trip much more enjoyable.

• 100 most common Spanish words
• 105 travel phrases in Spanish to learn before your next trip
• How to order food in Spanish

For now, we’ll stick to the very basics with this post.

Let’s dive in.

Greetings in Spanish

Greetings are often the first words you’ll use in real conversations. Learning how to say hello, goodbye, and simple pleasantries helps you start interactions on the right note.

And best news is, these work in all Spanish-speaking countries!

Basic Questions in Spanish

These basic Spanish questions can help you get essential information when traveling. After all, everyone needs to know how to ask prices or finding your way around!. Even memorizing a few can make everyday situations much easier, 

Basic Answers in Spanish

Knowing how to respond is just as important as asking questions. These basic Spanish answers cover simple replies you’ll hear and use constantly in daily interactions.

Talking About Yourself in Spanish 

These sentences help you share basic personal information in Spanish, such as your name, age, or where you’re from. Perfect for introductions and casual conversations! 

Polite Phrases in Spanish

Manners go a long way in any language. These common Spanish polite sentences help you sound respectful, friendly, and more natural when speaking with others.

How to Ask for Help in Spanish

When things don’t go as planned, knowing how to ask for help in Spanish can make a big difference. These phrases help you express urgency and share key information quickly and clearly.

Final Thoughts

Learning Spanish doesn’t have to start with textbooks, grammar rules, or long study sessions. Sometimes, all it takes is a handful of practical sentences to help you get by and feel more confident. As you’ve seen: a small set of practical sentences in Spanish can take you surprisingly far! With just these basic phrases, you can greet people, ask for help, handle simple situations, and feel much more confident navigating everyday interactions in Spanish.

Remember: the key is not perfection, but communication. Even if your pronunciation isn’t flawless, or you forget a word, making the effort goes a long way. Native speakers are usually happy to help and appreciate when learners try to use their language.

As you travel or continue studying, you’ll naturally start recognizing patterns and reusing these common sentences in new situations. From there, building your Spanish becomes much easier, one useful phrase at a time. As a personal challenge, try memorizing 5 phrases from this list before your next trip!  Who knows where that will lead you?

So start with these basics, use them often, and enjoy the process. ¡Buen viaje y buena suerte!