Asking for Directions
Use these essential phrases to confidently ask people on the street for directions and understand their answers.
Key Phrases
Perdón.
neutralExcuse me.
The most common and natural way to stop a stranger on the street.
Disculpe.
politeExcuse me.
More formal; use this when speaking to older people or station staff.
¿El metro, por favor?
neutralThe subway, please?
A quick, everyday way to ask a stranger where a place is.
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el hotel?
politeExcuse me, where is the hotel?
Use this slightly longer phrasing when asking staff or being extra polite.
¿Para ir al centro?
neutralHow do I get downtown?
Literally 'To go to the center?'. Extremely common for asking a route.
¿Está cerca?
neutralIs it close?
Use this to find out if you can walk there.
Todo recto.
neutralStraight ahead.
In Latin America, you will often hear 'derecho' instead of 'recto'.
A la derecha.
neutralTo the right.
A la izquierda.
neutralTo the left.
Chao.
casualBye.
A very natural, everyday way to say bye, originally from Italian.
Adiós.
neutralGoodbye.
The standard, completely neutral way to say goodbye.