Travel Directions in Spanish

Getting Directions en Espana! The Definitive Guide
Travel Directions in Spanish: If you’re planning a four-wheeled Spanish adventure, you’ll need to know some basic phrases to help you get around. Your GPS and road maps can get you so far, but there’s no substitute for being able to ask the locals how to get around.
To help boost your Spanish skills, there’s always the option of booking classes. Specialist language schools like Spanish Connection offer a range of classes to suit all levels of ability and time frames. One of the advantages of learning Spanish in this way is the fact that you’ll pick up much more than just directions. By the time you’ve finished your course, you should be able to understand and communicate a whole range of points.
Even if you don’t have the time, energy, or inclination to learn the language in detail, it’s worth picking up some essential phrases before you set off on your campervan sojourn to this sun-kissed country.
How can I get to?

Perhaps the most important phrase to learn before you hit the Spanish highways is ‘How can I get to?’. This is ‘Cómo puedo llegar a’. Of course, you’ll also need to know the Spanish for the relevant destinations. With this in mind, the following words may come in handy:
- The airport – al aeropuerto
- The town centre – al centro
- The hotel – el hotel
- The bus station – la estación de autobuses
- The youth hostel – al albergue juvenil
P’s and Q’s
Bear in mind that even in a foreign language, there’s no excuse for rudeness, so it’s important to remember your p’s and q’s. The most important of these include:
- Excuse me – Con permiso
- Please – Por favor
- Thank you – Gracías
Useful Phrases
The following phrases could also help you to get from A to B when you’re exploring Spain in your campervan.
- Is it far? – Está lejos?
- Can I/we walk there? – Se puede ir andando?
- Can you show me on the map? – Mostrarme en el plano?
Important words
In addition, it’s a good idea to get to grips with some important words before you embark on your road trip. Here are some essentials:
- Left – izquierda
- Right – derecha
- Straight ahead – recto adelante
- North – norte
- South – sur
- East – este
- West – oeste
- Street – calle
Of course, these are just the very basics. There are many more useful words and phrases that are worth knowing when you hit the roads in Spain. Make sure you have a phrasebook and dictionary with you at all times in case you forget something and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Locals will appreciate you making the effort to speak Spanish even if you’re clearly a beginner.