Travel English for Beginners: Phrases for Airports, Taxis, Hotels and More

You don't need perfect English to travel. A handful of clear, polite phrases will get you through the airport, into a taxi, checked in and fed. This guide gives you the phrases beginners use most, with short example dialogues, and a few Boracay examples for your first day with us.

Say them slowly and smile. People in the Philippines are used to visitors, and English is widely spoken, so you will get plenty of practice.

Five phrases that work everywhere

• “Excuse me…” to get attention politely.
• “Could you help me, please?”
• “Sorry, could you say that again, slowly?”
• “How much is it?”
• “Thank you very much!”

Learn these five before anything else. With “Could you…?” and “please”, almost any request sounds friendly.

At the airport

• “Where is the check-in for flight ZZ123?” (use your own flight number)
• “Can I take this bag on the plane?”
• “Which gate is it?”
• “Is the flight on time?”
• “Where can I change money?”

Dialogue:
You: “Excuse me, where is the domestic terminal?”
Staff: “Take the shuttle bus outside, door 4.”
You: “Door 4. Thank you!”

Repeating the key information (“Door 4”) is a simple way to check you understood.

At immigration

Keep your answers short, clear and honest. Have your passport, return or onward ticket and the address where you are staying ready to show.

• “I'm here to study English and travel.”
• “I'm staying for four weeks.”
• “I'm staying in Boracay. Here is the address.”

Immigration rules depend on your nationality, so check what applies to you before you fly. Our guide to the Special Study Permit and visa extension explains the paperwork for students.

Taxi, tricycle and boat

Near Boracay you will meet tricycles: small motorbikes with a covered sidecar. Our guide on how to get to Boracay explains the route from Caticlan or Kalibo, the jetty port and the boat.

• “To the jetty port, please.”
• “How much is it to…?”
• “Please stop here.”
• “Where do I buy the boat ticket?”
• “Is this the boat to Boracay?”

Dialogue:
You: “Hi! To the Caticlan jetty port, please. How much is it?”
Driver: (tells you the price)
You: “Okay, thank you.”

Ask the price before you get in. If you would rather skip all this after a long flight, we offer a Caticlan airport pickup for $48 (2026 rate).

Checking in at your hotel or dorm

• “Hi, I have a reservation. My name is…”
• “What time is breakfast?”
• “What's the Wi-Fi password?”
• “The air-conditioning isn't working. Could you check it, please?”
• “Could I have another towel, please?”

At a restaurant

• “A table for two, please.”
• “Could I see the menu, please?”
• “What do you recommend?”
• “Is it spicy?”
• “I'm allergic to nuts.” (say your allergy clearly)
• “Could I have the bill, please?”

Dialogue:
Waiter: “Are you ready to order?”
You: “Yes. I'd like the chicken, please, and a mango shake.”
Waiter: “Anything else?”
You: “No, that's all. Thank you.”

“I'd like…” is the most useful phrase for ordering. It is polite and works for food, tickets and almost anything you buy.

Shopping and bargaining politely

• “How much is this?”
• “Do you have a smaller size?”
• “Can I try it on?”
• “Is that your best price?”
• “Can I pay by card?”

At markets and small stalls, a friendly “Is that your best price?” is normal. In shops with fixed prices, just pay the price shown.

Money and paying

• “Where is the nearest ATM?”
• “Can I pay in cash?”
• “Do you have change?”
• “Could I have a receipt, please?”

Small shops and tricycles usually want cash in Philippine pesos, so keep some small notes with you. Our FAQ tip: exchange rates are usually better at Manila's airport than on the island.

Asking for directions

• “Excuse me, how do I get to White Beach?”
• “Is it far?”
• “Can I walk there?”
• “Could you show me on the map?”

Listen for these words in the answer: straight on, turn left, turn right, next to, opposite, about five minutes.

In an emergency

• “Help, please!”
• “Please call an ambulance.”
• “I need a doctor.”
• “I lost my passport.”
• “Where is the nearest pharmacy?”

Save the important numbers in your phone before you travel, including your embassy and your accommodation. Our packing list has a few more practical tips.

Your first day at school

• “Hi, I'm new here. My name is…”
• “Nice to meet you. Where are you from?”
• “Which room is my class in?”
• “Could you speak a little more slowly, please?”
• “How do you say this in English?”

The last one is the most useful question a beginner can ask. Point, ask and repeat the word, and your vocabulary grows every day.

Tips for beginners

• Speak slowly. Clear and slow beats fast and nervous.
• Use your phone. Write the address down and show it if words fail.
• Repeat to check. “Gate 12? Thank you.”
• Don't worry about grammar. “Taxi, airport, please” works. Full sentences come with practice.
• Practise before you fly. Read these phrases out loud a few times a day.

Turn travel English into real English

These phrases are a starting point. If you are starting from almost zero, our True Beginner English course gives you three one-to-one lessons and two group classes every day, so you practise real situations with a teacher until they feel easy. Four weeks costs $957 in 2026.

Short on time? See what a single week of classes costs, and use your free time with our list of things to do on Boracay after class.

FAQ

Do people in the Philippines speak English?

Yes. English is one of the official languages of the Philippines and is widely used in tourism, shops and services.

What is a tricycle?

A motorbike with a covered sidecar, a common short-distance ride. Agree on the price before you get in.

What should I do if I don't understand?

Say “Sorry, could you say that again, slowly?” It's polite and people are happy to help.

I'm a complete beginner. Can I still study with you?

Yes. Take our free level test or simply tell us you are a beginner, and we will suggest the right course. Contact us any time.