Travelling to a French-speaking country can be an exciting adventure, and knowing some essential phrases will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. This blog post will cover some simple French phrases for travel that every traveller should know. 

Whether you’re navigating through cities or asking for directions, these phrases will help you communicate effectively and confidently.

Simple French phrases for travel

Starting with the basics, here are some simple phrases for travel that will be useful from the moment you arrive in any French-speaking country. These phrases are polite and essential for any interaction. When you’re on the go, whether asking for help or simply greeting someone, using these phrases will go a long way:

• Bonjour Good morning/Good day
• Bonsoir Good evening
• Merci Thank you
• S’il vous plaît Please

Navigating your destination

When it comes to getting around, knowing how to ask for directions is key. If you want to review this in more detail, check our lesson on directions in French. Here are some phrases to help you:

• Où est … ? Where is …?
• Où est la gare ? Where is the train station?
• Où se trouve l’arrêt d’autobus ? Where is the bus stop?
• Est-ce que l’hôtel est loin d’ici ? Is the hotel far from here?

Understanding these simple French phrases will help you navigate new places with confidence. When travelling with others, you might say “nous allons” to indicate your destination:

• Nous allons en France. We are going to France.
• Nous allons à Paris. We are going to Paris.
• Nous allons à l’hôtel. We are going to the hotel.

Ordering food and drinks

One of the joys of travelling is experiencing the local cuisine. If you want to review this in more detail, check our lesson on how to order drinks in French. Here are some simple French phrases for travel to help you order food and drinks:

• Je voudrais … I would like …
• Je voudrais une tasse de thé. I would like a cup of tea.
• Je voudrais un verre de vin. I would like a glass of wine.
• Nous allons prendre un café. We are going to have a coffee.
• Nous allons commander du vin. We are going to order some wine.

Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases? In episode 31 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you will learn how to pronounce these simple French phrases for travel properly. You will also get more insight into these phrases and learn other useful phrases. Listen to it now:

Shopping and Transactions

While shopping or handling transactions, you might need some specific, simple French phrases for travel. If you want to review this in more detail, check our lesson on how to do your shopping in French. Here are some simple French phrases for travel to help you during your shopping:

• Combien ça coûte ? How much does it cost?
• Je voudrais acheter … I would like to buy …
• Où est-ce que je peux acheter des timbres ? Where can I buy stamps?
• Ça sera tout ? Will that be all?

Asking for Help

Sometimes, you may need assistance or have a question. Here are some simple French phrases to use in such situations:

• Pouvez-vous m’aider ? Can you help me?
• Je ne comprends pas. I don’t understand.
• Où est l’office de tourisme ? Where is the tourist information office?

Mastering these simple French phrases for travel will make your journey much more enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you’re exploring a city, ordering food, or asking for directions, these phrases will help you navigate your travels with ease. Remember to practice them before your trip, and soon you’ll be using them naturally in conversations. 

Nous allons explorer the world with confidence, equipped with the right French phrases to make the most of every adventure! Bon voyage !

Do you want to continue improving your French skills and learn how to navigate using various types of public transportation? Then, check the article we prepared to help you ask for directions on your arrival in France.