Home / Blog / Essential French Phrases for Travel (with Meanings) French · Travel Essential French phrases for travel 20 July 2026 In France, a little effort goes a remarkably long way — opening with a simple Bonjour before anything else genuinely changes how you're treated. The phrases below are the ones travellers reach for most, grouped by situation. Many use words English already borrowed from French, so they'll feel familiar straight away. Greetings and being polite FrenchEnglish BonjourHello / Good day BonsoirGood evening S'il vous plaîtPlease Merci / De rienThank you / You're welcome Excusez-moiExcuse me PardonSorry Parlez-vous anglais?Do you speak English? At a café or restaurant FrenchEnglish Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaîtA table for two, please La carte, s'il vous plaîtThe menu, please Je voudrais un caféI'd like a coffee Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez?What do you recommend? L'addition, s'il vous plaîtThe bill, please C'est délicieuxIt's delicious Directions and transport FrenchEnglish Où est...?Where is...? Où sont les toilettes?Where are the toilets? Comment aller à...?How do I get to...? À gauche / à droiteTo the left / to the right Tout droitStraight ahead Un billet pour...A ticket to... Shopping and money FrenchEnglish Combien ça coûte?How much is it? C'est trop cherIt's too expensive Vous acceptez la carte?Do you take card? Je regarde seulementI'm just looking Help and emergencies FrenchEnglish Au secours!Help! J'ai besoin d'un médecinI need a doctor Appelez la policeCall the police Je suis perdu / perdueI'm lost (man / woman) Je ne me sens pas bienI don't feel well A quick word on pronunciation French is the one Romance language where spelling and sound part ways: final consonants are often silent, words link together (liaison), and the nasal vowels in bon and vin have no English equivalent. It's a skill of the ear and mouth, not more rules — which is why saying things aloud matters so much. More on the Learn French page. From phrasebook to real conversation Reading these is easy; producing the sounds confidently is the goal. Navoq lets you practise exactly these phrases out loud with instant pronunciation feedback, so they come out naturally when it counts. Learn a handful before you fly and your whole trip changes. Ready to start? Read more on the Learn French page. Travel-ready French, fast. Navoq helps you say these phrases out loud with confidence before you go. Download on theApp Store