Hibiscus TeachVocabulary · Travel
Essential Travel Vocabulary
From a sleeper train in Japan to a beach airport in Scotland. Use 15 practical words and phrases to describe journeys, compare comfort and choose memorable experiences.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
A shared vocabulary companion to the Japan train, Iceland, Barra airport and Asia experiences lessons. No previous lesson is required.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Think of a journey you enjoyed, or one you would like to take. Describe it for 20 seconds. Notice any word you wish you knew.
Listen, compare and repeat
Choose British or American English on any vocabulary card to hear its expression and example. Repeat aloud, then make your own sentence. Use these complete tracks to review all 15 expressions.
British English · Libby
Open or download british MP3American English · Amanda
Open or download american MP3Choose an accent to begin. Both recordings use the same words and examples.
Getting there
Japan sleeper train + Barra beach airport
Learn the words in useful phrases. The bold syllable in the pronunciation line carries the main stress.
sleeper train
/ˈsliːpə treɪn/ · SLEEP-er train
A train with places to sleep during an overnight journey.
We could take a sleeper train and arrive in the morning.
Use it: take a sleeper train
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
departure
/dɪˈpɑːtʃə/ · de-PAR-ture
The act or time of leaving a place.
Could you confirm our departure time?
Use it: departure time
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
arrival
/əˈraɪvəl/ · a-RI-val
The act or time of reaching a place.
Our arrival time has changed.
Use it: arrival time
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
runway
/ˈrʌnweɪ/ · RUN-way
The area where an aircraft takes off and lands.
The plane is waiting near the runway.
Use it: land on a runway
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
backup plan
/ˈbækʌp plæn/ · BACK-up plan
Another plan you can use if your first plan does not work.
If the train is cancelled, our backup plan is to stay another night.
Use it: have a backup plan
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
Practise these words · 3 questions
Use it aloud · 30 seconds
Plan an overnight journey in 30 seconds. Use three expressions from this group.
We could take… / Our departure… / If…, our backup plan…
See a model response
We could take a sleeper train. I’d check the departure and arrival times before booking. Our backup plan would be to travel the following day.
Solo: repeat your answer without looking at the words. Tutor: What would make you use your backup plan?
Choosing comfort
Japan sleeper train + Iceland trip
Describe the space and what is available. “Facilities” usually takes a plural verb. Use “included in” when something is part of the price.
cabin
/ˈkæbɪn/ · CAB-in
A small room or compartment on a train or ship.
I’d prefer a private cabin for the overnight journey.
Use it: a private cabin
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
facilities
/fəˈsɪlətiz/ · fa-CIL-i-ties
Services, rooms or equipment provided for people to use.
What facilities are available at the hotel?
Use it: facilities are available
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
spacious
/ˈspeɪʃəs/ · SPA-cious
Having plenty of space.
The room looks spacious enough for two people.
Use it: a spacious room
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
cramped
/kræmpt/ · CRAMPED
Uncomfortably small or crowded.
With three suitcases, the cabin felt cramped.
Use it: feel cramped
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
included
/ɪnˈkluːdɪd/ · in-CLU-ded
Provided as part of a price, package or arrangement.
Is breakfast included in the price?
Use it: included in the price
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
Practise these words · 3 questions
Use it aloud · 30 seconds
You are choosing accommodation. Ask two questions and state one preference in 30 seconds.
What facilities…? / Is… included in…? / I’d prefer…
See a model response
What facilities are available? Is breakfast included in the price? I’d prefer a spacious room, but a small private cabin would be fine for one night.
Solo: answer as a receptionist using imagined details. Tutor: Would you accept less space for a lower price?
Making it memorable
Iceland trip + three Asia experiences
Move beyond “nice” and “good”. Describe the setting, the best moment and whether the experience justified your time or money.
scenery
/ˈsiːnəri/ · SCE-ne-ry
The natural features of a place, such as mountains, rivers and countryside.
We stopped to enjoy the mountain scenery.
Use it: beautiful scenery
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
highlight
/ˈhaɪlaɪt/ · HIGH-light
One of the best or most memorable parts of something.
The waterfall was the highlight of our trip.
Use it: the highlight of the trip
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
worth it
/ˈwɜːθ ɪt/ · WORTH it
Good enough to justify the time, money or effort involved.
The climb was tiring, but the view made it worth it.
Use it: It was worth it.
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
underwhelming
/ˌʌndəˈwelmɪŋ/ · un-der-WHELM-ing
Less impressive or exciting than you expected.
After all the enthusiastic reviews, I found the tour underwhelming.
Use it: find something underwhelming
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
unwind
/ʌnˈwaɪnd/ · un-WIND
Relax after being busy, stressed or travelling.
We spent the afternoon by the water to unwind.
Use it: time to unwind
Word + example. Listen, then repeat.
Practise these words · 3 questions
Use it aloud · 30 seconds
Describe a real or imagined highlight in 30 seconds. Explain whether it was worth the effort.
The highlight was… / The scenery… / It was worth it because…
See a model response
The highlight was a walk above a quiet valley. The scenery was beautiful. The climb took an hour, but it was worth it because we had time to enjoy the view and unwind.
Solo: replace two general words with expressions from this group. Tutor: Have you ever found a famous attraction underwhelming?
Build your own travel recommendation
Choose a real or imagined trip. Prepare a 60-second recommendation using at least five of the 15 expressions.
Your speaking challenge · 60 seconds
Include how to get there, what the accommodation offers, and the experience you would recommend. Add one question to check before booking.
I’d recommend… / Before booking, I’d check… / The highlight could be…
See a model response
I’d recommend taking a sleeper train and booking a private cabin. Before booking, I’d check which facilities are available and whether breakfast is included. The highlight could be waking up to beautiful scenery. A smaller cabin might feel cramped, but the experience could still be worth it.
Solo: record once, check the five expressions, then improve one sentence. Tutor: ask about the learner’s backup plan.
Mastery check · 5 questions
After the mastery check, repeat your opening answer. Use one expression more precisely this time.
Put your vocabulary to work
Choose a short video lesson and use your new expressions in a travel decision.