Ever found yourself staring blankly at a French menu or struggling to ask for directions in Paris? You’re not alone—and the good news is with a few basic French phrases you feel confident and get around in a French-speaking country.
Are you planning a trip to France, Canada, or another French-speaking destination? Or interested in learning French but don’t know where to start? Begin with these basic French phrases to make your journey or learning experience smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for directions, or simply greeting locals, knowing the basic French words and phrases for travel will help you feel more confident and connected.
In this guide, we’ve compiled 50+ useful French phrases for travel, complete with pronunciations. These are the common French phrases every traveler should know to make their journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Why Learn Basic French Phrases for Travel?
Even if you’re not fluent, speaking a few basic French phrases shows respect for the local culture and can open doors to more authentic experiences. Plus, many locals appreciate your effort and may be more willing to help you. So, learning basic french phrases before traveling to france or french speaking country will help you navigate real-life situations with ease and confidence.
Basic French Greetings and Essentials
Start with the essentials—these basic French words and phrases will help you with everyday interactions.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Hello | Bonjour | bon-zhoor |
| Hi | Salut | sah-loo |
| Good evening | Bonsoir | bon-swahr |
| Goodbye | Au revoir | oh ruh-vwar |
| Please | S’il vous plaît | seel voo pleh |
| Thank you | Merci | mehr-see |
| You’re welcome | De rien | duh ryen |
| Yes | Oui | wee |
| No | Non | noh |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | ex-kew-zay mwah |
| Sorry | Désolé | day-zo-lay |
Basic French Phrases for Travel
These common French phrases for travel are perfect for navigating airports, train stations, hotels, and more.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais ? | par-lay voo ahn-glay |
| I don’t understand | Je ne comprends pas | zhuh nuh kom-prahnd pah |
| Where is the bathroom? | Où sont les toilettes ? | oo sohn lay twah-let |
| How much does it cost? | C’est combien ? | say kom-byen |
| I would like… | Je voudrais… | zhuh voo-dray |
| Can you help me? | Pouvez-vous m’aider ? | poo-vay voo meh-day |
| I’m lost | Je suis perdu | zhuh swee pair-doo |
| What time is it? | Quelle heure est-il ? | kel ur eh-teel |
| I need a doctor | J’ai besoin d’un médecin | zhay buh-zwan dun med-sahn |
| I’m allergic to… | Je suis allergique à… | zhuh swee ah-ler-zheek ah |
Basic French Words for Dining Out
Knowing basic French words for restaurants is super handy when ordering food or asking about menus.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| The menu, please | La carte, s’il vous plaît | lah kart seel voo pleh |
| Water | De l’eau | duh loh |
| Wine | Du vin | dew vahn |
| I’m vegetarian | Je suis végétarien | zhuh swee vay-zhay-tah-ryen |
| Bill, please | L’addition, s’il vous plaît | la-dee-syon seel voo pleh |
| Delicious | Délicieux | day-lee-syuh |
Transportation Phrases in French
While taking a cab, train, or public transport start with these useful French phrases for travel
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Where is the train station? | Où est la gare ? | oo eh lah gar |
| I need a taxi | J’ai besoin d’un taxi | zhay buh-zwan dun tak-see |
| One ticket to Paris, please | Un billet pour Paris, s’il vous plaît | uh bee-yay poor pah-ree seel voo pleh |
| Which platform? | Quel quai ? | kel keh |
| Is this seat taken? | Cette place est-elle prise ? | set plas eh-tel preez |
Shopping and Markets – Common French Phrases
While shopping, these basic French phrases can help you ask questions and make purchases smoothly.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| I’m just looking | Je regarde seulement | zhuh ruh-gard suhl-mohn |
| How much is this? | C’est combien ? | say kom-byen |
| Can I try it on? | Je peux l’essayer ? | zhuh puh less-ay-yay |
| I’ll take it | Je le prends | zhuh luh prahn |
Basic Emergency Phrases in French
It’s always good to know common French phrases for travel emergencies.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Help! | Au secours ! | oh suh-koor |
| Call the police | Appelez la police | ah-play lah poh-lees |
| I’ve lost my passport | J’ai perdu mon passeport | zhay pair-doo mohn pass-por |
Helpful French Phrases
These helpful French phrases are useful in various everyday situations—whether you’re asking about directions, the weather, or accommodation.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Where is the nearest hotel? | Où est l’hôtel le plus proche ? | oo eh loh-tel luh plew prosh |
| I have a reservation | J’ai une réservation | zhay uhn ray-zair-vah-syon |
| Can I pay by card? | Puis-je payer par carte ? | pwee-zhuh pay-yay par kart |
| What is the Wi-Fi password? | Quel est le mot de passe Wi-Fi ? | kel eh luh moh duh pass wee-fee |
| Is there a pharmacy nearby? | Y a-t-il une pharmacie près d’ici ? | yah-teel uhn fahr-mah-see preh dee-see |
| What’s the weather like? | Quel temps fait-il ? | kel tahn feh-teel |
| I’m here on vacation | Je suis en vacances | zhuh swee ahn vah-kahns |
Bonus: Polite Expressions & Everyday Words
These additional basic French words will help you sound more polite and friendly.
| English | French | Pronunciation |
| Okay | D’accord | dah-kor |
| Maybe | Peut-être | puh-teh-truh |
| I love it! | J’adore ! | zhah-dor |
| Beautiful | Beau / Belle | boh / bell |
Tips for Practicing French Pronunciation
- Use language apps or YouTube videos with native French speakers like FrenchYard.
- Repeat words aloud several times.
- Record yourself to compare pronunciation.
- Join Basic French Language Course
Try speaking slowly and clearly—fluency will come with time.
Conclusion
Learning basic French phrases for travel is one of the best things you can do before visiting a French-speaking country. It’s not just practical—it also enhances your cultural experience. Use this list of common and useful French phrases with pronunciation as your travel companion and speak with confidence!
Looking for Learning More about French?
Want to go beyond the basics? Join our Basic French courses at Frenchyard—with expert guidance and interactive learning, you’ll be speaking confidently in no time.
