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Travelling in a new country is exciting, but it can also feel a little stressful if you don’t know what to say.
The good news is that you don’t need hundreds of English words. Just a few useful phrases will help you ask for directions, buy tickets, and order a coffee with confidence.
In this lesson, you’ll learn practical beginner English for exploring a city, visiting a museum, and finding a café.
1. Asking for Directions
When you arrive in a new city, you’ll probably need to ask someone for help
Useful phrases
- Excuse me.
- Where’s the museum?
- Go straight.
- Go straight down this street.
- Turn left.
- Turn right.
- Thank you.
- You’re welcome.
Example conversation
Tourist: Excuse me. Where’s the Art Museum?
Pedestrian: Go straight down this street and turn right at the traffic lights.
Tourist: Thank you.
Pedestrian: You’re welcome.
Tip
Always begin with “Excuse me.” It’s a polite way to ask for help.
2. Buying Museum Tickets
Once you arrive at the museum, you’ll need to buy a ticket.
Useful words
- ticket
- adult
- child
- museum attendant
- exhibition
- entrance
Useful phrases
- Two adult tickets, please.
- Here you are.
- How much is that?
- Twenty Euros, please.
- Thank you.
Example conversation
Tourist: Hello. Two adult tickets, please.
Attendant: Here you are.
Tourist: How much is that?
Attendant: Twenty Euros, please.
Tourist: Here you are.
Attendant: Thank you, and here are your tickets.
Tip
In English, “Here you are.” is commonly used when giving someone money, tickets, or another item.
3. Finding the Café
After walking around the museum, you might want a coffee!
Useful phrases
- I’m thirsty.
- Shall we get a coffee?
- Where is the café?
- It’s on the third floor.
- Is there a lift?
- Can I have a coffee, please?
Ordering your coffee
Tourist: Can I have two coffees, please?
Barista: What kind of coffee?
Tourist: Two flat whites, please.
Barista: Here you are.
Tourist: How much is that?
Barista: Five Euros.
Tip
You’ll often hear “What kind of…?” when ordering food or drinks.
Examples:
- What kind of coffee?
- What kind of sandwich?
- What kind of tea?
Practise saying these words and phrases aloud several times. The more you repeat them, the more natural they’ll become.
FAQs
The simplest way is:
"Excuse me. Where's the museum?"
You can replace museum with station, hotel, bank, or any other place you are looking for.
A simple and natural way is:
"Can I have a flat white, please?"
You can replace flat white with latte, cappuccino, tea, or any other drink.
Adding please makes your request more polite.
Start with these simple phrases, practise them regularly, and you’ll feel much more confident the next time you travel abroad.
Continue learning with the English Made Simple Podcast.
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Each episode teaches practical English for everyday life through simple conversations and repetition.
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