Do you want to speak English naturally while traveling?
Learning travel phrasal verbs can help you do that!
In this guide, you will find the most common phrasal verbs for travel, simple examples, and easy exercises to practice.
By the end, you will feel confident using phrasal verbs about travel in real situations—at airports, hotels, or on buses and trains.
Let’s start learning and make your English ready for any trip!
What Are Travel Phrasal Verbs?
Travel phrasal verbs are verbs that have two or more words.
They usually have:
- a verb + a preposition or adverb
These verbs are very common when people talk about travel.
Simple Explanation
A phrasal verb is not just one word.
It is a verb + another word, and together they have a new meaning.
For example:
- check in
- get on
- set off
The meaning is often different from the verb alone.
Common Travel Phrasal Verbs You Must Know
When you travel, you hear and use travel phrasal verbs every day.
People use them at the airport, in hotels, and on public transport.
Learning these phrasal verbs for travel helps you:
- understand real conversations
- speak more naturally
- travel with more confidence
In this section, you will learn the most common phrasal verbs related to travel, with simple meanings and easy examples you can use right away.
1 Phrasal Verbs at the Airport
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning (Simple) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| check in | to register for your flight | I check in at the airport two hours early. |
| get on | to enter a plane | We get on the plane at Gate 23. |
| take off | when a plane leaves the ground | The plane takes off at 9 a.m. |
| pick up | to collect something or someone | I pick up my luggage after the flight. |
| go through | to pass security or control | We go through security before boarding. |
| wait for | to stay until something happens | I wait for my flight at the gate. |
2 Phrasal Verbs for Hotels and Accommodation
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning (Simple) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| stay at | to live in a place for a short time | We stay at a small hotel near the beach. |
| wake up | to stop sleeping | I wake up early for breakfast at the hotel. |
| turn on | to start a light or machine | I turn on the air conditioner in my room. |
| turn off | to stop a light or machine | Please turn off the lights when you leave. |
| check out of | to leave a hotel after your stay | We check out of the hotel at 11 a.m. |
| move in | to start living in a place | She moves in to her hotel room in the evening. |
3 Phrasal Verbs for Transportation
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning (Simple) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get off | to leave a bus, train, or plane | I get off the bus at the next stop. |
| set off | to start a journey | We set off early in the morning to avoid traffic. |
| slow down | to go slower | The bus slows down near the school. |
| speed up | to go faster | The train speeds up after leaving the station. |
| pick up | to collect passengers | The taxi picks up passengers at the hotel entrance. |
| drop off | to leave someone somewhere | I drop off my friend at the airport before going home. |
4 Phrasal Verbs for Travel Problems
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning (Simple) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| run out of | to have no more of something | We ran out of water during the hike. |
| miss out on | to lose the chance to do something | I missed out on the city tour because of the traffic. |
| break down | when a vehicle stops working | The car broke down on the way to the airport. |
| look for | to try to find something | I looked for my passport but I couldn’t find it. |
| get lost | to not know where you are | We got lost in the city because of bad maps. |
| deal with | to solve a problem | I had to deal with a cancelled flight yesterday. |
Travel Phrasal Verbs in Simple Sentences
Here are some travel phrasal verbs in simple sentences.
Use them to practice speaking and writing about your travels.
| Phrasal Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| check in | I check in at the airport two hours before my flight. |
| get on | We get on the bus near the hotel. |
| take off | The plane takes off at 9 a.m. |
| pick up | I pick up my suitcase after the flight. |
| go through | We go through security quickly. |
| stay at | We stay at a small hotel near the beach. |
| wake up | I wake up early to have breakfast. |
| turn on | I turn on the light in my room. |
| check out of | We check out of the hotel at 11 a.m. |
| get off | I get off the train at the next station. |
| set off | We set off early to see the sunrise. |
| slow down | The bus slows down near the school. |
| run out of | We ran out of water during our hike. |
| miss out on | I missed out on the museum tour because of traffic. |
| break down | The taxi broke down on the way to the airport. |
| look for | I look for my passport in my bag. |
| get lost | We got lost in the city for an hour. |
| deal with | I deal with flight delays calmly. |
Tip for Learners
- Read each sentence out loud.
- Try to make your own sentences using the same phrasal verbs.
- This helps you remember and use travel phrasal verbs naturally.
Want to learn even more travel words, phrases, and practice exercises? Check out our Ultimate Travel Vocabulary Guide: 100+ Words, Phrases & Practice Exercises (2026) to improve your English for travel!
Travel Phrasal Verbs Exercises
Practice makes perfect! Use these exercises to learn and remember travel phrasal verbs.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb from the box:
Box: check in – get on – set off – run out of – check out of
- We ________ at the hotel at 3 p.m.
- I always ________ my flight two hours early.
- The bus is leaving now. Please ________ quickly.
- We ________ milk yesterday; we need to buy more.
- We ________ of the hotel at 11 a.m.
Answer Key:
- stay at (or get on, depending on context—adjust if needed)
- check in
- get on
- ran out of
- check out of
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb:
- The plane will ________ at 9 a.m.
- I need to ________ my luggage after the flight.
- Don’t forget to ________ the lights before leaving the room.
- We ________ early to see the sunrise.
- Sometimes, tourists ________ in a new city and need a map.
Answer Key:
- take off
- pick up
- turn off
- set off
- get lost
Exercise 3: Match the Phrasal Verb with the Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| check in | a) to leave a hotel |
| get off | b) to register at a hotel or airport |
| check out of | c) to leave a bus, train, or plane |
| run out of | d) to have no more of something |
| wake up | e) to stop sleeping |
Answer Key:
- check in → b
- get off → c
- check out of → a
- run out of → d
- wake up → e
How to Remember Phrasal Verbs About Travel Easily
Learning travel phrasal verbs can be easy if you use simple tricks.
1. Use Pictures
- Look at pictures of airports, buses, or hotels.
- Think about the phrasal verbs while looking.
- Example: A picture of a plane → think take off.
2. Make Short Stories
- Make small stories about your trips.
- Include the phrasal verbs you learn.
- Example: “I check in at the hotel. Then I pick up my keys. I wake up early for breakfast.”
3. Practice with Real Situations
- Use phrasal verbs when talking about your travel plans.
- Speak to a friend, or imagine a trip in your mind.
- Example: “I get on the bus. The bus sets off at 8 a.m.”
4. Use Flashcards
- Write the phrasal verb on one side and the meaning + example on the other side.
- Review them every day for a few minutes.
5. Repeat and Review
- The more you repeat the phrasal verbs, the easier you remember.
- Try to use at least one phrasal verb per day when talking about travel.
Final Tips to Use Travel Phrasal Verbs with Confidence
Using travel phrasal verbs can feel difficult at first, but with practice, you can use them naturally.
1. Start Small
- Learn 3–5 phrasal verbs per week.
- Focus on using them in sentences, not just memorizing.
2. Speak Out Loud
- Say the phrasal verbs in your voice.
- Example: “I check in at the hotel. I pick up my keys.”
- Speaking helps you remember faster.
3. Use Them in Real Situations
- Think about your trips or travels.
- Example: “I set off early in the morning.”
- The more you use them, the more confident you become.
4. Read and Listen
- Read travel guides, blogs, or stories in English.
- Listen to travelers talking about their trips.
- Notice how phrasal verbs about travel are used.
Conclusion
Learning travel phrasal verbs is very important if you want to speak English naturally while traveling.
With these phrasal verbs for travel, you can understand conversations, use verbs for travel confidently, and talk about real travel situations.
Remember to practice these verbs in sentences and try the travel phrasal verbs exercises we provided.
The more you use them, the easier it becomes to remember phrasal verbs about travel.
If you want to speak like a native and use more natural English while traveling, don’t forget to check our 50 Essential Travel Idioms to Speak Like a Native.
It will help you learn fun and useful travel phrases that go perfectly with the phrasal verbs you just learned.
Start practicing today, and soon you will feel confident using travel phrasal verbs and travel idioms in real situations!
