Essential French Phrases for Travelers, Organized by Situation
The French phrases you'll actually need on a trip - airport, hotel, restaurant, directions, shopping, emergencies - organized by situation, not alphabet.
The most essential French travel phrases are bonjour/merci/s’il vous plaît (politeness), je voudrais… (I would like), où est… ? (where is), combien ça coûte ? (how much), and au secours ! (help!). Learn them by situation - airport, hotel, restaurant - for fastest recall on the trip.
Quick answer
The most essential French travel phrases are bonjour/merci/s’il vous plaît (politeness), je voudrais… (I would like), où est… ? (where is), combien ça coûte ? (how much), and au secours ! (help!). Learn them by situation - airport, hotel, restaurant - for fastest recall on the trip.
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Arrival: airport and transport
Où sont les bagages ? (where’s the luggage), un billet pour… (a ticket to…), à quelle heure part le train ? (what time does the train leave?).
At the hotel
J’ai une réservation, la clé, s’il vous plaît, à quelle heure est le petit-déjeuner ? For the full check-in to check-out script, see French for the hotel.
At the restaurant
Three essentials: je voudrais…, l’addition, c’est délicieux. For the fuller ordering script, see 25 common French phrases and how to order food in French.
Directions and getting around
Où est… ?, c’est loin ?, à droite / à gauche / tout droit. For the full ask-and-understand system, see how to ask for directions in French.
Shopping
Combien ça coûte ?, je regarde seulement (just looking), vous acceptez la carte ? (do you take card?).
Emergencies
Au secours ! (help!), j’ai besoin d’un médecin, où est la pharmacie la plus proche ? For the fuller emergency toolkit, see French phrases for emergencies.
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Questions about this note
What French phrase should every traveler know?
Bonjour and s'il vous plaît - greeting first is expected everywhere in France.
How do you ask for directions in French?
Où est… ? / C'est loin ? / à droite, à gauche, tout droit.
What do you say in a French restaurant?
Je voudrais… and l'addition, s'il vous plaît.
How do you ask for help in an emergency?
Au secours ! or j'ai besoin d'aide.
Do I need fluent French to travel in France?
No - a curated phrase set covering greetings, requests and directions covers most situations.