Holiday English: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid & Useful Travel Expressions

Holiday English: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid + Useful Travel Expressions

Summer is here, and for many of us that means one thing: holiday time! Whether you're heading to the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia or any other English-speaking destination, it's the perfect opportunity to put your English into practice.

However, even learners with a good level of English often make the same mistakes when talking about holidays. Most of these come from translating directly from Spanish.

In this article, we'll look at 10 very common holiday mistakes, useful phrases for real travel situations, and some advanced expressions that will help you sound much more natural.

10 Common Holiday English Mistakes

1. ❌ Take a bath → ✅ Go for a swim

If you're going into the sea or swimming pool:

❌ I'm going to take a bath.

✅ I'm going to go for a swim.

✅ I'm going swimming.

Remember:

Take a bath = bañarse en una bañera.

Go for a swim = bañarse en el mar, piscina o río.

2. ❌ Take the sun → ✅ Sunbathe

When you want to enjoy the sunshine:

❌ I'm going to take the sun.

✅ I'm going to sunbathe.

✅ I'm going to lie in the sun.

3. ❌ Take a drink → ✅ Have a drink

If you're meeting friends:

❌ Let's take a drink.

✅ Let's have a drink.

✅ Let's grab a drink.

4. ❌ I have 35 years → ✅ I am 35

One of the most common mistakes Spanish speakers make.

❌ I have 35 years.

✅ I am 35.

5. ❌ I am in the beach → ✅ I am at the beach

When talking about your location:

❌ I'm in the beach.

✅ I'm at the beach.

If you're actually in the water:

✅ I'm in the sea.

6. ❌ I have hot → ✅ I'm hot

In English we don't use "have" here.

❌ I have hot.

❌ I have warm.

✅ I'm hot.

Likewise:

✅ I'm cold.

7. ❌ I lost the plane → ✅ I missed my flight

This is another classic.

❌ I lost the plane.

✅ I missed my flight.

8. ❌ We made a route → ✅ We planned our route

Talking about your holiday itinerary?

❌ We made a route.

✅ We planned our route.

✅ We planned our itinerary.

9. ❌ I made a photo / I did a photo → ✅ I took a photo

English uses take, not make or do.

❌ I made a photo.

❌ I did a photo.

✅ I took a photo.

10. ❌ I stayed in a camping → ✅ I stayed at a campsite

The English word is campsite.

❌ We stayed in a camping.

✅ We stayed at a campsite near the beach.

Useful English for Real Holiday Situations

Knowing grammar is important, but what happens when you actually need to speak English?

Here are some useful phrases you'll be glad you know.

🚉 Asking for directions

Excuse me, where's the train station?
How do I get to the bus station?
Is it within walking distance?
Which platform do I need?
Could you show me on the map?

🍽️ In a restaurant

Could I see the menu, please?
What do you recommend?
I'd like...
Could we have the bill, please?
Is service included?

🏨 At the hotel

I'd like to check in.
I'd like to check out.
Could I have another key?
The air conditioning isn't working.
Is breakfast included?

🛍️ Shopping

How much is this?
Do you have this in another size?
Can I pay by card?
I'm just looking, thank you.

🚕 Getting around

Could you take me to...?
How much is the fare?
Could you drop me off here, please?

🚑 If you need a doctor

Hopefully you'll never need these, but they're worth learning.

I need to see a doctor.
It hurts here.
I have a pain in my stomach.
My throat is sore.
I feel sick.
I've been vomiting.
I've had diarrhoea for two days.
I slipped and fell.
I think I've broken my ankle.
I'm allergic to penicillin.
I need a pharmacy.

10 Advanced Holiday Expressions (B2+)

Want to sound more like a native speaker? Try using these expressions.

1. Off the beaten track

A place that isn't touristy.

We found a beautiful village that was completely off the beaten track.

2. Soak up the atmosphere

Enjoy the local culture.

We spent the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere in the old town.

3. Take in the views

Enjoy the scenery.

We stopped every few kilometres to take in the views.

4. Travel light

Take very little luggage.

I always travel light for weekend trips.

5. Hit the road

Start your journey.

We hit the road early to avoid the traffic.

6. Hidden gem

A wonderful place that few tourists know about.

That little restaurant was a real hidden gem.

7. Rained off

Cancelled because of bad weather.

Our hike was rained off.

8. Make the most of...

Use your time well.

We only had two days, so we made the most of our trip.

9. Check out

Leave your hotel.

We checked out at 11 a.m.

10. Recharge your batteries

Relax and recover your energy.

I needed a few days by the sea to recharge my batteries.

Final Thoughts

Wherever you're travelling this summer, we hope you have an amazing holiday. Hit the road, travel light, and don't forget to make the most of every moment. Take time to soak up the atmosphere, take in the views, discover a few hidden gems, and maybe even venture off the beaten track. If the weather is good, go for a swim, sunbathe, enjoy a drink with friends, and, most importantly, recharge your batteries.

And remember, speaking English isn't about being perfect—it's about communicating confidently. Avoiding a few common mistakes and learning natural expressions can make a huge difference to your conversations abroad.

Want to keep learning?

If you'd like to feel more confident speaking English before your next trip, we'd love to help. At Inglés con Killian, we offer practical English classes focused on real-life communication, so you'll be ready for whatever your holiday brings.

If you'd like to learn more useful daily expressions, check out this blog: 30 natural English expressions that native speakers use

And if you want to actually use these expressions – not just read them – try our 100% speaking classes, where you'll practice the real English you need for work and everyday life.

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🌐 Web:Inglés con Killian

Contact us today to find out more about our classes and start speaking English with confidence. Safe travels!