English vocabulary by topic
Travel & Tourism Vocabulary
Plan a journey, check in at an airport and explain a booking problem in English. This travel vocabulary guide moves from everyday tickets and luggage to itineraries, stopovers and responsible tourism. Learn the phrases in their situations: what you say to a receptionist differs from how you describe a memorable holiday.
20 words and phrases · A2–C1 teaching levels · 5 quiz questions
How to use this vocabulary naturally
Use book accommodation, make a reservation and go sightseeing as complete phrases. Journey describes travelling from one place to another; trip can include the visit itself. Tourism describes the wider activity or industry.
Vocabulary by level
Levels are approximate teaching guides for the meanings shown, not official CEFR word classifications. Start where you feel comfortable and practise each word in your own sentence.
A2 — Everyday essentials
ticket
A2noun
a document or digital record giving permission to travel
Example: I saved my train ticket on my phone before leaving home.
passport
A2noun
an official document used to identify someone travelling internationally
Example: Maya kept her passport in a zipped pocket.
luggage
A2uncountable noun
the bags and cases you take on a journey
Example: Our luggage fitted into the small airport locker.
book
A2verb
to arrange to use a service at a future time
Example: We booked a room overlooking the harbour.
return ticket
A2noun phrase
a ticket for travelling to a place and back
Example: A return ticket cost less than two single tickets.
B1 — Build your range
boarding pass
B1noun phrase
a document allowing you to board a particular flight
Example: The airline sent my boarding pass by email.
departure
B1noun
the act or scheduled time of leaving
Example: We arrived two hours before departure.
destination
B1noun
the place you are travelling to
Example: Our final destination was a village beside the lake.
reservation
B1noun
an arrangement to keep a room, seat or service for someone
Example: The receptionist found our reservation under my surname.
check in
B1phrasal verb
to register before a flight or when arriving at a hotel
Example: We checked in online the evening before our flight.
sightseeing
B1uncountable noun
visiting interesting places as a tourist
Example: We spent the morning sightseeing in the old town.
delay
B1noun
a period of waiting beyond the expected time
Example: A short delay gave us time to buy lunch.
B2 — More precise language
accommodation
B2uncountable noun in British English
a place or places where travellers can stay
Example: We found affordable accommodation outside the city centre.
itinerary
B2noun
a plan showing the places and times of a journey
Example: Our itinerary leaves one afternoon free for exploring.
excursion
B2noun
a short organised trip, often from a holiday base
Example: The hotel arranged an excursion to the nearby caves.
stopover
B2noun
a short stay somewhere during a longer journey
Example: We had a one-night stopover in Singapore.
travel insurance
B2noun phrase
insurance covering specified problems during a trip
Example: She checked whether her travel insurance covered lost luggage.
off-season
B2noun or adjective
the period when fewer people visit a destination
Example: We chose an off-season break to avoid the crowds.
C1 — Extend your expression
hospitality
C1uncountable noun
the friendly reception and care of guests
Example: The family showed us wonderful hospitality during our stay.
sustainable tourism
C1noun phrase
tourism that aims to limit harm and support local communities over time
Example: The island encourages sustainable tourism through locally run walking tours.
Common mistakes and better choices
Check: We took three luggages.
Use: We took three pieces of luggage.
Luggage is uncountable. Count bags, suitcases or pieces of luggage.
Check: I made a travel to Rome.
Use: I took a trip to Rome.
Use take a trip for a particular visit. Travel usually names the general activity.
Check: We arrived to the airport early.
Use: We arrived at the airport early.
Use arrive at for an airport or station, and arrive in for a city or country.
IELTS speaking examples
These original practice prompts are not official test questions or scored answers. Adapt the language to your own experience. The Part 2 extract is an opening to expand into a longer response.
Part 1
How do you usually plan a holiday?
I book accommodation first, then look for a return ticket within my budget. I leave some time for sightseeing instead of planning every hour.
Practise: The answer connects three travel phrases to a personal routine.
Part 2 — sample opening
Describe a journey you enjoyed.
Last spring, I took a train to a coastal town with my sister. Our itinerary was simple: two nights near the harbour and an excursion to a small island. There was a delay on the way, but we used the extra time to talk and watch the countryside.
Practise: Expand this opening with what you did and why the journey was memorable.
Part 3
How can tourism benefit local communities?
Tourism can create jobs in hospitality and support small shops. However, those benefits are more likely to stay locally if visitors choose local guides and accommodation. To me, sustainable tourism involves how money is spent as well as how people travel.
Practise: Explain a benefit, add a condition and support your view.
Check your understanding
Five-question vocabulary quiz
Choose one answer for each question. Your first choice is scored; read the explanation before moving on.
0 of 5 answered · 0 correct