Travel vocabulary
100 words to learn about travel.
airportAn airfield (an area designated for the takeoff and landing of aircraft), including one or more runways and (for commercial airports) one or more passenger terminals.passportAn official document normally used for international journeys, which proves the identity and nationality of the person for whom it was issued.luggageThe bags and other containers that hold a traveller's belongings.ticketA small document that acts as proof of something, often thereby granting the holder some ability.hotelAn establishment that provides accommodation and other services for paying guests; normally larger than a guesthouse, and often one of a chain.flightThe act of flying.journeyA set amount of travelling, seen as a single unit; a discrete trip, a voyage.suitcaseA large (usually rectangular) piece of luggage used for carrying clothes, and sometimes suits, when travelling.touristSomeone who travels for pleasure rather than for business.beachThe shore of a body of water, especially when sandy or pebbly.vacationAn extended period of leisure time away from work or school.stationA stopping place.taxiA vehicle that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, particularly one with an automated meter to calculate the fare.currencyMoney or other items used to facilitate transactions.souvenirAn item of sentimental value, that is given or kept to remember an event or location.destinationThe place set for the end of a journey, or to which something is sent; place or point aimed at.borderThe line or frontier area separating political or geographical regions.customsThe duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.departureThe act of departing or something that has departed.arrivalThe act of arriving (reaching a certain place).itineraryA written schedule of activities for a vacation or road trip.backpackTo hike and camp overnight in backcountry with one's gear carried in a backpack.sightseeingThe activity of going out looking at things; tourism.reservationAn arrangement by which accommodation or transport arrangements are secured in advance.adventureA feeling of desire for new and exciting things.abroadBeyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries.cruiseA sea or lake voyage, especially one taken for pleasure.campingThe recreational or educational activity of temporarily living in a tent or similar accommodation.compassA magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).harborA sheltered expanse of water, adjacent to land, in which ships may anchor or dock, especially for loading and unloading.voyageA long journey, especially by ship.passengerOne who rides or travels in a vehicle, but who does not operate it and is not a member of the crew.terminalA building in an airport where passengers transfer from ground transportation to the facilities that allow them to board airplanes.visaA permit to enter and leave a country, normally issued by the authorities of the country to be visited.landmarkA notable location with historical, cultural, or geographical significance.mapA visual representation of an area, whether real or imaginary, showing the relative positions of places and other features.guideSomeone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation, or to lead them through dangerous terrain.travelerUS standard spelling of traveller.routeA course or way which is traveled or passed.highwayA main public road, especially a multi-lane, high-speed thoroughfare.ferryTo carry or transport over a contracted body of water, as a river or strait, in a boat or other floating conveyance plying between opposite shores.railwayA transport system using rails used to move passengers or goods.exploreTo travel somewhere in search of discovery.departTo leave.arriveTo reach; to get to a certain place.wanderTo move without purpose or specified destination; often in search of livelihood.roamTo wander or travel freely and with no specific destination.sunscreenA topical substance formulated to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation by absorbing, reflecting or scattering ultraviolet rays.postcardA rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard, typically used for sending messages by mail without the need for an envelope.lodgingA place to live or lodge.expeditionA trip, especially a long one, made by a person or a group of people for a specific purpose.embarkTo start, begin.layoverA break between stages of a journey.boardingThe act of people getting aboard a ship aircraft, train, bus, etc.; embarkation.gateA doorway, opening, or passage in a fence or wall.aisleA clear path/passage through rows of seating.cabinThe passenger area of an airplane.cockpitThe compartment in an aircraft or spacecraft in which the pilot sits and from where the craft is controlled.altitudeThe absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.turbulenceSpecifically, a state of agitation or disturbance in the air which is disruptive to an aircraft.conciergeOne who attends to the wishes of hotel guests.motelA low-cost short-stay hotel, often with hourly rates rather than daily rates, and notorious for permitting illicit sexual activities; love hotel.hostelA commercial overnight lodging place, with dormitory accommodation and shared facilities, especially a youth hostel.resortA place where people go for recreation, especially one with facilities such as lodgings, entertainment, and a relaxing environment.safariA trip into any undeveloped area to see, photograph or to hunt wild animals in their own environment.trekA slow or difficult journey.hikeA long walk, usually for pleasure or exercise.nomadA member of a society or class who herd animals from pasture to pasture with no fixed home.expatAn expatriate; a person temporarily residing in a foreign nation, usually a poorer one, often for an occupation, training, or education.migrateTo relocate periodically from one region to another, usually according to the seasons.transitThe conveyance of people or goods from one place to another, especially on a public transportation system; the vehicles used for such conveyance.shuttleA transport service (such as a bus or train) that goes back and forth between two or more places.gondolaA small long, narrow boat with a high prow and stern, propelled with a single oar, especially in Venice.canoeA small long and narrow boat, propelled by one or more people (depending on the size of canoe), using single-bladed paddles.kayakA type of small boat, covered over by a surface deck, powered by the occupant or occupants using a double-bladed paddle in a sitting position, from a hole in the surface deck.yachtA slick and light ship for making pleasure trips or racing on water, having sails but often motor-powered.sailboatA boat propelled by a sail.anchorA tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement.wharfAn artificial landing place for ships on a riverbank or shore.dockA burdock plant, or the leaves of that plant.pierA raised platform built from the shore out over water, supported on piles; used to secure, or provide access to shipping; a jetty.lighthouseA tower or other structure exhibiting a light or lights to warn or guide sailors.coastlineThe shape, outline, or boundary of a coast.peninsulaA piece of land projecting into water from a larger land mass.embassyAn organization or group of officials who permanently represent a sovereign state in a second sovereign state or with respect to an international organization such as the United Nations.consulateThe office of a consul, in its various senses.quarantineA period, instance, or state of isolation from the general public or from native livestock and flora enacted to prevent the spread of any contagious disease.brochureA booklet of printed informational matter, like a pamphlet, often for promotional purposes.atlasA bound collection of maps often including tables, illustrations or other text.globeThe planet Earth.latitudeThe relative freedom from restrictions; scope to do something.longitudeAngular distance measured west or east of the prime meridian.equatorAn imaginary great circle around Earth, equidistant from the two poles, and dividing earth's surface into the northern and southern hemispheres.hemisphereHalf of the Earth, such as the Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, Western Hemisphere or Eastern Hemisphere, Land Hemisphere, Water Hemisphere etc.continentOne of the main continuous landmasses, separated by water or geological features, on the surface of a planet, sometimes including its continental shelves and the islands on them.overseasAbroad, especially across the sea.mainlandThe continent; the principal land, as distinguished from islands or a peninsula.outboundLeaving or departing; traveling away from; outward bound.inboundComing in, heading inwards.nonstopWithout stopping; without interruption or break.