Here you will learn 12 travel phrasal verbs in English.
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List of Phrasal Verbs
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12 Travel Phrasal Verbs in English
Travelling is a year round activity as people now go on holidays more than once a year. The following are phrasal verbs that are related to travel or, as you may name them, travel phrasal verbs. I have set out some key phrasalΒ verbs that we use in a typical holiday trip.
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INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
set off
When we begin a journey anywhere of a short or long duration we have to start from someplace either our home or our office perhaps.
So we normally advise our friends or family that ourΒ holiday is about to start or we will set off shortly.
Example:
John was going to Italy for a week. He told his family that he was due to set off at 4 pm for the airport and asked if someone could give him a lift.
set out
Similar to set off we can also use this to describe the beginning of a journey. It sometimesΒ refers to a shorter journey than a holiday, perhaps a trek or a walk.
Example:
Michael is gone for a trek. He set out about an hour ago.Β
head for
to start moving towards a place (town, city, etc)
Example:
We had decided to head for Edinburgh.
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check in/check out
When we arrive at our destination, a hotel or apartment on Airbnb (perhaps)Β we usually have a time when we can check in.
And when we leave our hotel or apartment at the end of our vacation we are given time to leave or check out.
Example:
When I arrived in Barcelona I made my way (travelled to) to my hotel and checked in at about 2.30 pm.
On my day of departure, I had to check out before 12 noon. It suited me fine as my flight was due to leave at 3 pm.
Scroll down for Everyday English Travel Phrases.
12 Travel Phrasal Verbs in English
hop on/hop off
I’m sure you are familiar with these 2 travel phrasal verbs.
Nowadays most of the cities offer visitors “the red bus” option to get a tour of the city. This red bus is sometimes a replica of (a copy of) the old London buses.
These buses offer the option to hop on or off as you please at different locationsΒ around or across the city. You buy the ticket and you can get on (hop on) or get off (hop off) the busΒ at any location.
Example:
We hopped on the train and went back to the hostel.Β
get around
Travelling is very enjoyable at any time. However, it is made easier due to the advancesΒ in transport options. We can travel by car, train, plane or even ship!
When setting out our plans forΒ our holidays it is important to know how we will travel from one destination to another. Our friendsΒ may ask us what type of transport will we use.
How are you getting around? = How will you travel?
Example:
David was travelling to 5 cities in 10 days. His friend wanted to know how he intended to get around. He had arranged to hire a car for that purpose.
see somebody off
When somebody is leaving for an extended time it is normal for family membersΒ to travel with that person to the point of departure (airport or train station) to wish them well andΒ to wave goodbye. This we refer to as seeing somebody off.
Example:
Mary was leaving for an extendedΒ working holiday in Australia. Her parents were anxious to go to the airport to see her off. She wasΒ going to be away for approximately 6 months.
Everyday English Travel Phrases
12 Travel Phrasal Verbs
get back
When we go on a holiday or a business trip we usually have to come back at some time. It is also normal for our colleagues family and friends to ask us when are we due to return when talking about our holiday.
Example:
Declan was going on holiday to the USA and his boss wanted to know when he was due to get back to work.
So we can ask When are you getting back? or When do youΒ get back to the office/home? or When are you due back?
get going
When it is time to depart or to leave we often use the phrase “get going”.
We often use it together with the words “it’s about time…” because usually, we are in a hurry or in a rush.
Example:
Igor was late packing his bag and needed to get to the airport as quickly as possible. He told his wife it was “about time he got going”. He had to leave immediately otherwise he might have missed his flight.
break down
to stop working (a machine, a vehicle)
Example:
Our car broke down on the way to Nice, so we phoned breakdown recovery service.
start off
to begin a journey at a particular place
Example:
We started off in Heidelberg, which is this old-fashioned, nice town in Western Germany.
put someone up
to give (someone) temporary accommodation
Example:
My friends put me up for three nights.
Do you like travelling? What was the last trip you took?
Try to write a short story about your last trip and use as many travel phrasal verbs as you can. This simple exercise will help you remember them.
If you would like to continue learning English phrasal verbs (I’m sure you would!), continue reading my other posts. I also have a post about Intermediate English Travel Vocabulary where you can find English words and expressions related to travelling.
And if you would like to improve your English faster and in an easy way, consider taking our English Lessons on Zoom. Remember, we do offer a FREE English lesson to try it!
English Travel Verbs - Video Lesson
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More Information
For more information on English Phrasal Verbs, English Idioms and English Grammar Rules, check out the following links:
English Idioms about Decisions
Expressions and Idioms with Take
Comparatives and Superlatives in English
Intermediate English learners!Β Here is your chance to master English Grammar Tenses so you can speak English fluently and with confidence, sign up for 3 hour English Grammar Rules Refresher Course. Click on the link to read more.
Plenty of free resources are available on BBC Learning English.
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