Travel & Transport

Travel collocations for journeys, transport, and tourism

Introduction

Travel English has many collocations that learners frequently confuse. You "catch a flight" not "take a flight" (though both are used), "miss the bus" not "lose the bus". Getting these right makes travel communication much smoother.

This chapter covers travel and transport collocations for airports, hotels, sightseeing, and getting around.

Themes

All Collocations in This Chapter (28)

• catch a flight To get on a plane before it departs
• miss the bus To arrive too late to board a bus
• book a hotel To reserve a room at a hotel
• cancel a reservation To formally withdraw a booking you previously made
• pack a suitcase To fill a suitcase with clothes and belongings for a trip
• board a plane To get on a plane as a passenger
• check in To register your arrival at a hotel, airport, or event
• check out To formally leave a hotel by returning your key and settling the bill
• jet lag Tiredness and disorientation caused by travelling across time zones
• round trip A journey to a destination and back again
• one-way ticket A ticket for travel in one direction only, with no return
• return ticket A ticket for travel to a destination and back again
• departure lounge The waiting area in an airport where passengers stay before boarding
• window seat A seat next to the window on a plane, train, or bus
• aisle seat A seat next to the walkway on a plane, train, or bus
• delayed flight A flight that departs later than its scheduled time
• travel light To travel with very little luggage
• tourist attraction A place of interest that visitors and tourists go to see
• guided tour A tour led by a knowledgeable guide who provides commentary
• scenic route A road or path chosen for its beautiful views rather than speed
• public transport Buses, trains, trams, and other transport available to the general public
• rush hour The busiest time of day for traffic, when people travel to or from work
• traffic jam A long line of vehicles that are barely moving or stopped on a road
• speed limit The maximum legal speed allowed on a road
• long haul A journey covering a very long distance, especially a flight
• short break A brief holiday or getaway, typically a weekend or a few days
• travel insurance An insurance policy that covers problems that may occur during a trip
• customs declaration An official form declaring goods you are bringing into a country