Asking for Directions
These essential phrases will help you ask for directions, understand the route, and find your way around a Spanish-speaking city.
Key Phrases
Disculpe, ¿me puede decir dónde está la estación?
politeExcuse me, can you tell me where the station is?
Very polite, using the formal 'you' and 'can'. Ideal for speaking to staff or older strangers.
Perdón, ¿dónde está el centro comercial?
neutralExcuse me, where is the mall?
Direct and standard. 'Perdón' gets their attention politely.
¡Hola! ¿Sabes si hay un cajero cerca de aquí?
casualHi! Do you know if there's an ATM near here?
Using the informal 'you' (sabes). Good for asking younger people on the street.
¿Cómo puedo llegar al museo desde aquí?
neutralHow can I get to the museum from here?
A clear, standard question using the verb 'poder' (can).
¿Para ir a la plaza principal, por favor?
casualTo get to the main square, please?
A very common shortcut. You don't always need a full verb phrase!
Tiene que seguir todo recto y girar a la izquierda.
politeYou have to keep straight and turn left.
Using 'tiene que' (you have to) in the formal 'usted' form.
Vas todo recto hasta el semáforo y giras a la derecha.
casualYou go straight until the traffic light and turn right.
Using the present tense ('you go', 'you turn') is the most natural casual way to give directions.
Está bastante lejos. Tiene que tomar un taxi o el autobús.
neutralIt's quite far. You have to take a taxi or the bus.
Clear and helpful when a place isn't walkable.
¡Qué va! Está aquí al lado, a cinco minutos caminando.
casualNo way! It's right next door, five minutes walking.
Idiomatic: '¡Qué va!' means 'nonsense' or 'not at all' when someone asks if it's far.
Va a ver una iglesia grande y el banco está detrás.
neutralYou are going to see a big church and the bank is behind it.
Uses 'va a ver' (you are going to see) to describe what you will pass along the way.
Entonces, ¿primero recto y la segunda calle a la derecha?
neutralSo, straight first and the second street on the right?
Repeating the key steps back is the best way to make sure you understood.